| 摘要 |
An automated sample preparation system for chemical assay of samples of materials. The sample preparation system includes a sample preparation chamber which includes a removable cup for taking solid or very viscous samples to the sample preparation system. The cup may be attached in sealing relationship to a cap through which extends various utilities such as a mixer/grinder to grind solid samples and mix non-homogenous samples, a fill pipe to pump in liquid samples, an effluent pipe in the sump of the cap to allow pumping of samples and solvents and a nozzle to allow liquids to be sprayed against the walls. A sample metering valve associated with the sample preparation chamber allows a know volume of sample to be isolated so that solvent may be pumped in to dilute the sample to a user defined concentration. A reversible pump is coupled by a pair of manifolds which are themselves coupled by solenoid operated valves to various sources of solvents, pressurized gas, vacuum, water, the sample preparation chamber and the assay system. A control system coordinates the operation of all remotely controllable units in the system to allow the user to customize various ample preparation processes.
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