NMR Sample Tube Transport via Decoupled Guiding Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
NMR spectrometer movement complicates direct mechanical coupling with storage systems, requiring either synchronized vibration isolation or active compensation mechanisms for sample tube transport.
Innovation Solution
A transport system with decoupled guiding elements automatically compensates for NMR device movements, allowing passive positioning of sample tubes between storage and NMR devices using a sample tube carrier with a funnel-shaped guiding element and circular centering mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the storage system is mechanically coupled to the NMR spectrometer to enable sample tube transport, then sample tube transport is enabled, but the storage system must also be vibration-cushioned and move together with the NMR spectrometer, increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is divided into two independent parts: a first part coupled to the storage system and a second part coupled to the NMR device. These parts are mechanically decoupled from each other, allowing independent vibration isolation for each component while enabling sample tube transport through the decoupled interface.
Solution Approach 2:
A sample tube carrier acts as an intermediary between the storage system and NMR device. The carrier is transferred between the two systems through a transfer mechanism, enabling sample tube transport without requiring direct mechanical coupling between the storage system and NMR device.
2Measurement precision
If active compensation mechanisms are provided to compensate for NMR spectrometer movements, then sample tube positioning accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Both the storage system and NMR device are equipped with vibration isolation tables that beforehand cushion against vibrations and movements. This passive vibration isolation maintains sample tube positioning accuracy without requiring active compensation mechanisms during operation.
3Reliability
If the storage system is supported in a stationary manner while the NMR device is vibration-cushioned, then vibration isolation for the NMR device is achieved, but mechanical coupling between storage system and NMR device becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is segmented into two independently supported parts: the first part coupled to the stationary storage system and the second part coupled to the vibration-cushioned NMR device. This segmentation allows each part to be optimally supported while maintaining functional connectivity through the sample tube carrier transfer.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an NMR arrangement, comprising an NMR device (2), a storage system (3) for storing sample tubes, and a transport system (6) for transporting the sample tubes from the storage system (3) to the NMR device (2) and from the NMR device (2) to the storage system (3). According to the invention, the storage system (3) is mechanically decoupled from the NMR device (2). Furthermore, the transport system (6) comprises a first guiding element (30) that is mechanically coupled to the storage system (3); a second guiding element (50) that is mechanically coupled to the NMR device (2); and a sample tube carrier (40) that can be moved between the first guiding element (30) and the second guiding element (40) so as to transport the sample tubes from the storage system (3) to the NMR device (2) and from the NMR device (2) to the storage system (3); wherein the first guiding element (30) serves for guiding the sample tube carrier (40) into a first position that is defined with respect to the storage system (3) and wherein the second guiding element (50) serves for guiding the sample tube carrier (40) into a second position that is defined with respect to the NMR device (2). The invention further relates to a method for transporting a sample tube in such an NMR arrangement.