TRANSPORTABLE SAMPLE DRAWING CONTAINER, SAMPLE DRAWING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DRAWING A SAMPLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a transportable sample drawing container for drawing a sample of a fluid contained in a process container, said sample drawing container being adjustable between a sample drawing position and a transport position. In the sample drawing position, at least one closable opening which is arranged at a first end section of the sample drawing container and which leads into the interior of the sample drawing container is open, and in the transport position, a sample chamber which is arranged in the interior is closed in a fluid-tight manner, wherein the sample drawing container can be inserted into a movable lock fitting. The invention additionally relates to a sample drawing system comprising the sample drawing container and a lock fitting and to a method for drawing a sample using the sample drawing system.

Claims

1-19. (canceled)

20. A transportable sample drawing container for drawing a sample of a fluid contained in a process container, wherein the sample drawing container is adjustable between a sample drawing position and a transport position, wherein at least one closable opening which is arranged on a first end section of the sample drawing container and which leads into an interior of the sample drawing container is open in the sample drawing position, wherein, in the transport position, a sample chamber which is arranged in the interior is sealed in a fluid-tight manner, and wherein the sample drawing container can be inserted into a movable lock fitting connected to the process container in such a way that, in a first extended position of the lock fitting, the lock fitting seals the process container in a fluid-tight manner and that, in a second retracted position of the lock fitting, the sample drawing container seals the process container in a fluid-tight manner and the sample drawing container inserted into the lock fitting projects with its first end section into the fluid.

21. The sample drawing container according to claim 20, wherein the sample drawing container has two components that are mounted so as to be movable relative to one another, wherein the at least one opening can be closed and opened by a relative movement of the two components with respect to one another so that the sample drawing container is adjustable between the sample drawing position and the transport position by means of the relative movement, wherein at least a first of the two components is sleeve-shaped, and the sample chamber is arranged in the sleeve-shaped first component.

22. The sample drawing container according to claim 21, wherein the relative movement is a rotation of the two components relative to one another about an axis that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped first component, and/or wherein the relative movement is a displacement of the two components relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped first component.

23. The sample drawing container according to claim 21, wherein a filter unit is arranged between the at least one opening and the sample chamber and is designed to filter a fluid flowing through the at least one opening, before flowing into the sample chamber.

24. The sample drawing according to claim 21, wherein a wall of the sample chamber is mounted displaceably in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped first component, and wherein, in the sample drawing position, a fluid in contact with the first end section can flow into the sample chamber in that the volume of the sample chamber is increased by means of a displacement of the wall and the fluid is thereby drawn into the sample chamber through the at least one opening.

25. The sample drawing container according to claim 21, wherein a second end section, opposite the first end section in the longitudinal direction of the first sleeve-shaped component, of the sample drawing container is mechanically coupled to the first end section in such a way that, by operation of the second end section, the sample drawing container is adjustable between the sample drawing position and the transport position by the operation causing the relative movement of the two components that are mounted so as to be movable relative to one another.

26. A sample drawing system comprising a sample drawing container according to claim 20 and a lock fitting, wherein the sample drawing container inserted into the lock fitting is adjustable between the sample drawing position and the transport position in that the sample drawing container inserted into the lock fitting can be brought at least from the sample drawing position into the transport position by the operation, and wherein the sample drawing container inserted into the lock fitting is adjustable from the sample drawing position into the transport position in that the second end section of the sample drawing container inserted into the lock fitting projects out of the lock fitting and can manually be operated by a user.

27. The sample drawing system according to claim 26, wherein at least one elastically deformable blocking element is arranged between the two components that are mounted so as to be movable relative to one another and counteracts a movement of the two components, and wherein the blocking element is designed in such a way that, during the operation of the second end section for adjustment from the sample drawing position into the transport position when the relative movement is executed, the blocking element can be overcome under elastic deformation of the blocking element, and that the blocking element blocks a return adjustment from the transport position into the sample drawing position, which is executed by the operation of the second end section.

28. The sample drawing system according to claim 26, wherein the lock fitting is an interchangeable fitting for an electrochemical sensor, which is designed to determine and/or monitor a process variable of a fluid contained in a process container, and wherein the sample drawing container is adapted to the embodiment of the lock fitting and the embodiment of the electrochemical sensor in such a way that the sample drawing container can be inserted, instead of the electrochemical sensor, into the interchangeable fitting in an insertion position provided for the electrochemical sensor.

29. The sample drawing system according to claim 26, wherein the interchangeable fitting is a retraction-blocked interchangeable fitting that can be moved only in the event that an electrochemical sensor is inserted into the retraction-blocked interchangeable fitting, and wherein the sample drawing system has an adapter for overcoming the retraction block of the interchangeable fitting, wherein the adapter is designed in such a way that, in the event that the adapter and the sample drawing container are inserted, instead of the electrochemical sensor, into the retraction-blocked interchangeable fitting, the interchangeable fitting can be moved.

30. The sample drawing system according to claim 29, wherein the electrochemical sensor can be screwed into the interchangeable fitting via an interchangeable fitting internal thread provided for the electrochemical sensor, the adapter has an adapter external thread, and the adapter can be inserted into the interchangeable fitting in that the adapter external thread can be screwed into the interchangeable fitting internal thread for the electrochemical sensor.

31. The sample drawing system according to claim 26, wherein the adapter is fixedly non-releasably, connected to the sample drawing container.

32. The sample drawing system according to claim 26, wherein the adapter can be releasably connected to the sample drawing container in that a sample drawing container external thread can be screwed into an adapter internal thread.

33. The sample drawing system according to claim 32, wherein the sample drawing container and the adapter are matched to one another in such a way that a screwing movement that can be transmitted via the second end section, the sample drawing container can be screwed via the sample drawing container external thread into the adapter internal thread of the adapter inserted into the interchangeable fitting, and that, when the same screwing movement is continued by means of a mechanical coupling between the second end section and the first end section, the sample drawing container screwed into the adapter can be adjusted from the sample drawing position into the transport position.

34. The sample drawing system according to claim 32, wherein the adapter and/or the sample drawing container have a securing element, which is designed to secure the releasable connection between the adapter and the sample drawing container, and wherein the securing element is designed in such a way that the releasable connection between the adapter and the sample drawing container is only releasable in the case that the adapter is not inserted in the interchangeable fitting.

35. The sample drawing system according to claim 31, wherein the adapter external thread is matched to the interchangeable fitting internal thread in such a way that, by means of a screwing movement that can be transmitted via the second end section, the sample drawing container releasably or non-releasably connected to the adapter can be screwed into the interchangeable fitting internal thread via the adapter external thread, and that, when the same screwing movement is continued by means of a mechanical coupling between the second end section and the first end section, the sample drawing container screwed together with the adapter into the interchangeable fitting can be adjusted from the sample drawing position into the transport position.

36. A method for drawing a sample of a fluid contained in a process container with a sample drawing system according to claim 27, comprising the steps of: inserting the sample drawing container into the lock fitting; moving the lock fitting into the retracted position, in which the first end section of the sample drawing container is brought into contact with the fluid; drawing a sample, during which the fluid flows into the sample chamber; adjusting the sample drawing container from the sample drawing position into the transport position; moving the lock fitting into the extended position; removing the sample drawing container from the lock fitting.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the method comprises at least the following step preceding the insertion of the sample drawing container into the lock fitting: adjusting the sample drawing container from the transport position into the sample drawing position.

38. The method according to claim 36, wherein a retraction-blocked interchangeable fitting for an electrochemical sensor with an electrochemical sensor inserted therein is used as the lock fitting, and wherein the method comprises the following steps preceding the insertion of the sample drawing container into the lock fitting: removing the electrochemical sensor from the retraction-blocked interchangeable fitting; attaching the adapter to the sample drawing container or inserting the adapter into the retraction-blocked interchangeable fitting after removing the electrochemical sensor from the interchangeable fitting.

Description

[0066] The invention is explained further with reference to the following figures, which are not true-to-scale, wherein the same reference signs designate the same features. For reasons of clarity, or if it appears sensible for other reasons, already mentioned reference signs are not repeated in the following figures. The following are shown:

[0067] FIGS. 1 a, b: A sectional view of a first embodiment of the sample drawing container according to the invention;

[0068] FIGS. 2 a, b, c, d, e: A sectional view of further embodiments of the sample drawing container according to the invention;

[0069] FIG. 3a: A sectional view of an example of the prior art for an interchangeable fitting with an electrochemical sensor inserted therein; and

[0070] FIGS. 3b, c: A sectional view of an embodiment of the sample drawing system according to the invention.

[0071] FIGS. 1a, b show a sectional view of an embodiment of the transportable sample drawing container 1 according to the invention: In FIG. 1a, in a sample drawing position PS, in which an opening 3 leading into a sample chamber 4 and arranged at an end section 2 is open, and in FIG. 1b, a transport position TS, in which the opening 3 is closed and the sample chamber 4 is sealed in a fluid-tight manner. The transportable sample drawing container 1 is designed as a sample drawing probe.

[0072] The sample drawing container 1 has two components 6, 7 that are mounted so as to be movable relative to one another in order to enable the adjustment between the transport position PS and the sample drawing position.

[0073] In this embodiment, the first of the two components 6 is designed as a sleeve-shaped cylinder, in which a sample chamber 4 is arranged. Due to its high chemical resistance, glass, for example, is suitable as a material for the sleeve-shaped cylinder with the sample chamber for a variety of different fluids. In this embodiment, the second of the two components 7 is designed as a plug closing the sleeve-shaped cylinder 6. The plug-shaped component 6 can also comprise sleeve-shaped sections, see for example FIGS. 2b, c. An opening 3 is introduced into the sleeve-shaped first component 6. Of course, a plurality of openings 3, i.e., at least two openings 3, which are, for example, arranged on opposite sides of the first component, can also be introduced (see FIGS. 2 a-c). By means of the at least one opening 3, a fluid 22 surrounding the first end section 2 (see FIG. 3a) can flow into the sample chamber 4 in the sample drawing position PS (FIG. 1a).

[0074] The sample chamber 4 also has a displaceably mounted wall 41, by means of which the volume of the sample chamber 4 can be increased. For this purpose, the sample drawing container 1 has, on a second end section 8, which is opposite the first end section 2 in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped first component 6, a drawing-up element 19 that, as in the case of a syringe, is mechanically coupled to the wall 41 of the sample chamber 4 and can be operated by a user in the state inserted into the lock fitting 5 (see FIG. 3b). As a result, negative pressure can be generated, for example, by means of which the flowing of the fluid 22 into the sample chamber 4 is intensified when such negative pressure is compensated. In the event that the fluid 22 is at a process pressure that is increased relative to the ambient pressure, the sample chamber 4 can optionally be depressurized by means of the drawing-up element 19.

[0075] In order to shift the sample drawing container after the sampling from the sample drawing position PS into the transport position TS in this embodiment, the second component 7 is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped first component 6 (see dashed arrow). Thereby, the opening 3 is closed in that the plug-shaped second component 7 moves into the sleeve-shaped first component 6, as a result of which the opening 3 is closed and the sample chamber 4 is sealed in a fluid-tight manner.

[0076] As already mentioned above, the special embodiment shown here of the two components 6, 7 of the sample drawing container 1, which components are mounted so as to be movable relative to one another, is only one of many possible variants to which the invention is, of course, not limited.

[0077] The sample drawing container 1 can be inserted into a lock fitting 5 (not shown here, see FIG. 3). For this purpose, the sample drawing container 1 in this embodiment has a sample drawing container external thread 16, by means of which it can be screwed into a lock fitting 5. If the sample drawing container 1 is screwed into the fitting 5 in the sample drawing position PS, the screwing movement can be carried out further after the sampling, without the sample drawing container 1 as a whole thereby being moved further in an axial movement in the direction of the fluid 22, for example in that the sample drawing container 1 abuts against a block element of the interchangeable fitting (see FIG. 3b) (the sample drawing container 1 is then, so to speak, screwed until contact). The second component 7 is mechanically coupled to the end section 8 in such a way that, when the screwing movement is carried out further, the second component 7 is retracted in the direction of the first component 6. As a result, the relative movement of the two components 6, 7 is triggered for closing the opening 3, and the sample drawing container 1 is brought into the transport position TS.

[0078] Further details of the first end section 2 are shown in a sectional view in a further embodiment of the sample drawing container 1 according to the invention in FIGS. 2a to 2e, wherein FIGS. 2a and 2b show embodiments of the sample drawing container in the sample drawing position PS and in FIGS. 2c to 2e in the transport position TS. Unlike the variant already shown in FIG. 1, the sample drawing container 1 here has two openings 3. In addition or as an alternative to the syringe variant shown in FIG. 1, a spring element 25 mechanically coupled to the wall 41 of the sample chamber 4 is provided here (see FIGS. 2a, 2b). When the spring element 25 is tensioned, the wall 41 is displaced in the direction of the first end section 2. If the sample drawing container 1 with a tensioned spring element 25 is brought into contact with the fluid, a subsequent relaxation of the spring element 25 therefore leads to a displacement of the wall 41 in the direction of the second end section 8 and thus to an increase in the volume of the sample chamber 4 and to the negative pressure already mentioned above. A variant that is not shown in greater detail here, comprising a magnetic switch, with which the displaceable wall 41 of the sample chamber 4 is moved in order to increase the volume of the sample chamber 4, functions in a similar manner.

[0079] For fluid-tight sealing, the sample drawing container 1 may also have sealing elements 23 and/or 24. In this case, the sealing elements 23 arranged here on an external wall of the sample drawing container 1 serve the purpose of the sample drawing container in the state inserted into the lock fitting 5 sealing the process container 21 (see FIG. 3a) in a fluid-tight manner in the retracted state of the locking fitting 5. In addition, sealing elements 24 are also arranged between the two components 6, 7 and close the sample chamber 4 in a fluid-tight manner, for example in the transport position TP of the sample drawing container 1, i.e., when the openings 3 are closed.

[0080] Optionally, the sample drawing container 1 also has an elastically deformable blocking element 10, which counteracts a movement of the two components 6, 7. The blocking element 10 is designed in such a way that, when operating at the second end section 8 for adjustment from the sample drawing position PS into the transport position TS, the blocking element 10 can be overcome with elastic deformation, in this case here the further screwing movement with which the second component 7 is retracted in the direction of the first component 6 (see transition from FIGS. 2b to 2c). In contrast, the blocking element 10 blocks a return adjustment from the transport position TS into the sample drawing position PS, which is executed by operating the second end section 8. For this purpose, the blocking element 10 has, for example, the triangular profile shown here. This ensures that, when the sample drawing container 1 is unscrewed from the lock fitting 5, the opening 3 is not opened again and the sample drawing container 1 remains in the transport position TS. The material of the blocking element comprises, for example, an elastomer.

[0081] In FIGS. 2a, b, a filter unit 9 is also shown. The latter is arranged in an embodiment of the sample drawing container between the opening 3 and the sample chamber 4 and is designed to filter the sample after flowing through the opening(s) and before flowing into the sample chamber 4. The filter unit 9 is optionally replaceable.

[0082] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2b, 2c, the filter unit 9 is designed as a filter tube that is comprised by the second component 7 and/or is connected thereto. For this purpose, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2b, c, the filter tube can be inserted between two sections of the second component 7. During the sample drawing, the fluid flows over a wall of the filter tube into the filter tube and is subsequently guided through it into the sample chamber 4. An advantage of the embodiment of the filter unit 9 as a filter tube is that, in the filter tube shown in FIGS. 2b, 2c, the effective filter surface is substantially increased in comparison to the filter unit 9 shown in FIG. 2a. An additional advantage of the filter tube connected to or comprised by the second component 7 is that the filter unit 9 can be removed particularly easily from the first component 6 since the second component 7 is designed, for example, to be releasable from the first component 6. The simple removal facilitates cleaning of the filter unit 9 and/or analysis of substances and/or particles received in the filter unit 9. A replacement of the filter unit 9 required from time to time is also particularly easy to perform. In order to protect the transportable sample drawing container 1 during transport, it can also have a closure 20, for example in the form of a closure cap, for the first end section 2, see FIG. 2c.

[0083] In one embodiment, the second component 7 or at least a section of the second component 7 can be removed, especially unscrewed, in order to remove the sample from the portable sample drawing container 1 after the transport thereof. For this purpose, the second component 7 has, for example, a securing element 26, for example a screw. Thus, the sample can be subjected to further treatment and/or analysis, for example in a special laboratory. The great advantage of the very compact and transportable solution is shown here since, in this way, the sample can also be examined in a location arranged far away from the fluid 22. In the same manner, the sample drawing container 1 outside the lock fitting 5 can be returned from the transport position TS into the sample drawing position PS.

[0084] FIGS. 2d, e show further embodiments, which represent alternative possibilities for removing the sample of the fluid 22 from the sample drawing container 1 after the sampling (i.e., outside the lock fitting 5). Unlike previously described, the removal of the sample from the sample chamber 4 is carried out in FIGS. 2d, e in the transport position TS, i.e., with opening(s) 3 always closed. For this purpose, in FIGS. 2d, e, the second component 7 comprises a blocked fluid-tight access 27 to the sample chamber 4. The fluid-tight access 27 is, for example, inserted into the threaded channel of the screw 26 already shown in FIGS. 2a to 2c.

[0085] The access 27 is designed, for example, as a fluid-tight valve unit that is arranged in the threaded channel of the screw 26. In the case of the valve unit, this is therefore a blockable and openable access 27. Through the open thread of the screw 26, the access 27 designed as a valve unit can be opened with a rotary mechanism and the sample can be removed from the sample chamber 4.

[0086] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2e, the access 27 is designed as a substantially fluid-impermeable membrane, for example a so-called septum. This variant is especially suitable for gaseous fluids since otherwise, when an opening is present, the gas may, depending on the type of gas, escape uncontrollably from the sample chamber 4. Here, a “substantially gas-impermeable membrane” means that the diffusion rate of the membrane for the gaseous fluid is sufficiently small so that the gaseous fluid cannot diffuse out of the sample chamber 4 in the usual time scales of the sampling (for example, in one day, at most 10% of the amount of the gas contained in the sample chamber 4). A syringe is pierced through the membrane in order to therewith remove the gaseous fluid from the sample chamber 4 for further treatment and/or analysis, without damaging the membrane in the process. Due to the possibility of introducing the syringe, the membrane (exactly as previously the valve unit) forms a reclosable access 27.

[0087] FIGS. 3b, 3c show a sectional view of an embodiment of the sample drawing system 11 according to the invention, comprising a lock fitting 5 and a transportable sample drawing container 1.

[0088] FIG. 3a shows a lock fitting which is known from the prior art and designed as an interchangeable fitting, axially movable manually or (semi)automatically, for example by means of a pneumatic system, for a probe-shaped electrochemical sensor 13. The lock fitting 5 is inserted into a wall of a process container 21. The electrochemical sensor 13 can be moved by means of the lock fitting 5 in such a way that with a sensitive component arranged at its end section, it is in direct contact with a fluid 22 surrounding the end section. The electrochemical sensor 13 is typically screwed into the lock fitting 5 via an interchangeable fitting internal thread 14.

[0089] In FIG. 3b, the transportable sample drawing container 1 already described in the previous embodiments is now inserted into the lock fitting 5 from FIG. 3a. In this case, the electrochemical sensor 13 is removed (for example, within the framework of the cleaning, calibration, verification and/or adjustment of the electrochemical sensor 13) and the sample drawing container 1 is inserted, instead of the electrochemical sensor 13, into the insertion position provided for the electrochemical sensor 13 in the lock fitting 5.

[0090] In the embodiment shown here, the sample drawing container 1 is inserted into the lock fitting 5 in the sample drawing position PS, and the lock fitting 5 is subsequently moved into the retracted position. In the retracted position, the first end section 2 of the sample drawing container 1 projects into the fluid 22 in such a way that the latter can flow into the sample chamber 4 in the sample drawing position PS, i.e., when the opening is open (see FIGS. 1a and 2a).

[0091] By means of a drawing-up element 19, in the syringe-like variant of the sample drawing container 1 shown here, the flowing of the fluid 22 into the sample chamber 4 can be intensified. The drawing-up element is located on the second end section 8 opposite the first end section 2 in the longitudinal direction of the probe-shaped sample drawing container 1. Said second end section also projects out of the lock fitting 5 in the retracted position of the lock fitting 5 and therefore can be operated by a user.

[0092] After sampling, the adjustment from the sample drawing position PS into the transport position TS also takes place by means of the operation of the second end section 8 projecting from the lock fitting 5 in the retracted position. Thereby, the relative movement for closing the opening 3 via a corresponding manipulation of the second end section 8 can be triggered by means of a mechanical coupling between the end section 8 and one of the two movably mounted components 6, 7 (for example, a fixed mechanical connection). In the embodiment shown here, the adjustment from the sample drawing position PS into the transport position TS is achieved by the second component 7 abutting against a section of the interchangeable fitting 5 when the sample drawing container 1 is further inserted into the interchangeable fitting 5 and thereby being displaced back in the direction of the first component 7 (see direction of the dashed arrows in FIGS. 1a and 2b).

[0093] Often, retraction-blocked lock fittings 5 are used. They can only be moved in the event that the electrochemical sensor 13, or alternatively a probe matching the interchangeable fitting internal thread 14, i.e., with an external thread corresponding thereto, is screwed into the interchangeable fitting internal thread 14 provided for the electrochemical sensor 13.

[0094] In order to overcome the retraction block, an adapter 12 is used, which is comprised by the sample drawing system 11 and is matched to the lock fitting 5 or the matching electrochemical sensor 13. In FIG. 3b, the adapter 12 is arranged in the region indicated by the dashed line and shown again in detail in FIG. 3c. The adapter 12 is screwed with an adapter external thread 15 into the interchangeable fitting internal thread 14. In this embodiment, the adapter 12 is releasably connected to the sample drawing container 1 via a screw connection in that a sample drawing container external thread 16 can be screwed into an adapter internal thread 17. As mentioned above, the adapter 12 can also be fixedly connected to the sample drawing container 1.

[0095] Depending on the embodiment, after the removal of the electrochemical sensor 13 from the interchangeable fitting, either the sample drawing container 1 is screwed into the adapter 12 already screwed into the lock fitting 5, or the sample drawing container 1 and adapter 12 are jointly screwed into the lock fitting 5 as one unit connected to one another (releasably or non-releasably). In the latter case, in the case of the releasable unit, the sample drawing container 1 and adapter 12 are, for example, already screwed to one another outside the lock fitting 5 and are then screwed as one screwed unit into the interchangeable fitting internal thread 14. It is advantageous if the relative movement for closing the opening 3 is triggered by further executing the screw-in movement by means of which the sample drawing container 1 is screwed into the lock fitting 5.

[0096] Optionally, an additional securing means 18 is provided, with which the releasable connection between the sample drawing container 1 and the adapter 12 is secured. This prevents the sample drawing container 1 from being unscrewed from the adapter 12 in the retracted position of the lock fitting 5.

REFERENCES SIGNS AND SYMBOLS

[0097] 1 Sample drawing container

[0098] 2 First end section

[0099] 3 Opening

[0100] 4 Sample chamber

[0101] 41 Wall of the sample chamber

[0102] 5 Lock fitting

[0103] 6,7 First and second components

[0104] 8 Second end section

[0105] 9 Filter unit

[0106] 10 Blocking element

[0107] 11 Sample drawing system

[0108] 12 Adapter

[0109] 13 Electrochemical sensor

[0110] 14 Interchangeable fitting internal thread

[0111] 15 Adapter external thread

[0112] 16 Sample drawing container external thread

[0113] 17 Adapter internal thread

[0114] 18 Securing element

[0115] 19 Drawing-up element

[0116] 20 Closure element

[0117] 21 Process container

[0118] 22 Fluid

[0119] 23, 24 Sealing element

[0120] 25 Spring element

[0121] 26 Securing element

[0122] 27 Access

[0123] 28 Syringe

[0124] PS Sample drawing position

[0125] TS Transport position