AXIAL SAMPLE CONVEYER FOR INSERTING SAMPLES INTO AN ANALYSIS DEVICE

摘要

An axial sample conveyer (22) for transferring samples into an analysis device such as a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe (20) of an NMR spectrometer (12) includes an auger (50) having a helical thread (52) for axially constraining the samples, and a plurality of guides (60) facing the auger for laterally constraining the samples to follow a linear axial path as the auger is rotated. Samples are inserted into the conveyer through plural input apertures (40b). The samples abut the helical thread of the auger (50), and are moved through the conveyer as the auger is rotated about its axis. The samples exit the conveyer through corresponding output apertures (40a) aligned with the input apertures. Each guide extends between an input aperture and an output aperture.