Sample Preheater Block with Peltier Cooling and Rinse Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sample preheaters for analytical instruments face challenges in rapidly and accurately controlling sample temperatures, leading to delays in analysis, and they often suffer from contamination issues and inefficiencies in design and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The novel sample preheaters incorporate a metallic heater block with a basin, a passageway for fluid drainage, and a temperature sensor, along with a Peltier cooler for rapid temperature control, and a rinse system using a wash ring and pressurized air with a condenser assembly for efficient cleaning and temperature management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a metallic heater block is used to heat samples, then heating efficiency is improved, but cooling time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidcooling time

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heater block is divided into two separate blocks: a first heater block for heating samples and a second heater block for cooling samples. This segmentation allows each block to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between fast heating and fast cooling by eliminating the thermal inertia problem of a single metallic block.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If samples are loaded in vials for preheating, then sample containment is improved, but temperature measurement accuracy and cleanliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample containmentVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the sample from the vial and places it directly into the sample well of the heater block for temperature measurement and processing. After analysis, the sample is transferred to an autosampler vial. This extraction eliminates the thermal barrier and contamination risk of vials during the critical measurement phase while maintaining proper sample containment during storage and transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If a fluid bath preheater is used, then sample preheating capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample preheating capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the complex mechanical fluid bath system (requiring pumps, fluid lines, basins, and fluid management) with a direct thermal conduction system using heater and cooler blocks. Samples are placed directly in sample wells that conduct heat from the heater block or cooler block, eliminating all fluid management components while maintaining effective temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If vials are used for sample storage and preheating, then sample protection is improved, but cleaning time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample protectionVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs disposable sample wells that are discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and sterilization of reusable vials and sample holders. Each sample is contained in a fresh, sterile well that is thrown away after use, which protects samples from contamination while completely eliminating cleaning time and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables rapid and accurate temperature control of samples, minimizes downtime, and effectively addresses contamination and maintenance issues, allowing for efficient processing and analysis of multiple samples with reduced temperature equilibration time.

Implementation Method 1

A heating element is in thermal communication with the heater block and is adapted to transfer heat to the heater block

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The novel sample preheaters incorporate a metallic heater block with a basin, a passageway for fluid drainage, and a temperature sensor, along with a Peltier cooler for rapid temperature control

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 3

a rinse system using a wash ring and pressurized air with a condenser assembly for efficient cleaning and temperature management

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS8596340B1Apparatus for heating liquid samples for analysis

Publication Date: 2013.12.03 HORN JACK DELANEY JR

AI summary

Heat sinks for use in assemblies for preheating liquid samples prior to their introduction into an analytical stream. The heater assemblies have a heat sink having a metallic heater block and a heating element for heating the block. The block has a basin for receiving a liquid sample and allowing heat to be transmitted from the block to the sample. A drain at the lower end of the basin allows sample in the basin to flow out of the basin. A passageway extends through the block from the drain to an exterior surface of the block and provides a conduit for sample flowing from the drain, A temperature sensor is mounted in a cavity in the block and extends into the basin to measure the temperature of sample in the basin. A temperature sensor is mounted in a cavity in the block and measures the temperature of the block.