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Publication Number
US-9097607-B2
Publication Date
2015-08-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
A portable, small-sized device is provided to accurately conduct a leakage test for a liquid volume meter such as a pipette. In operation, pipette P is connected to the device main body side via a tube. A command from a central processing unit causes a pump to perform a suctioning operation to depressurize the pipette P side to a predetermined pressure. Any pressure changes over a predetermined period of time are monitored by a pressure sensor. The central processing unit determines whether there is leakage from the pipette P, and displays a judgment result on a display unit. In particular, when a diaphragm pump is used as the pump, the pulsation of an air flow occurring in a suction operation is attenuated in a pressure vessel so as not to have harmful effects on either the inspection results or the pipette P side.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a portable pressure-based leakage tester for pipettes for inspecting airtightness of a pipette using pressure. A diaphragm pump that performs at least one of suction and discharge is disposed on one end of a duct in which air flows, and a main body connector is formed on the other end of the duct and is connected to the pipette. A pressure sensor detects pressure, and a pressure vessel sized to attenuate pulsations generated by the diaphragm pump is used together with the pump and duct components.
A check valve is disposed between the main body connector and the pump, and the main body connector, the pressure vessel, the check valve, and the pump are disposed in this order in the duct. A central control unit is connected to the pressure sensor and the pump and judges airtightness of the pipette based on a pressure change inside the combined interior volumes of the pipette and the pressure vessel by controlling the pump.
In embodiments, the ducting includes a filter in an external connecting duct line or in an internal duct line to filter contamination and dust ingress, and the filter may be disposed so as to be removable outside the device case. The device further includes embodiments that provide depressurization and pressurization tests, and the tester has a size and shape capable of being held with one hand.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim covering a one-hand-held pipette leakage tester that judges airtightness from pressure change, with the main pressure flow path arranged as a duct containing a pump, pressure vessel, and check valve. The dependent claims add specific refinements to duct filtering, filter placement/removability, and connector selection.
Pressure-based pipette airtightness leakage tester held with one hand
A leakage tester for pipettes utilizing pressure for inspecting airtightness, comprising a diaphragm pump capable of suction and discharge disposed on one end of a duct; a main body connector disposed on the other end of the duct for connection to the pipette; a pressure sensor and a pressure vessel sized to attenuate pulsations generated by the diaphragm pump; and a check valve disposed between the main body connector and the pump, with the main body connector, pressure vessel, check valve, and pump disposed in this order in the duct. A central control unit connected to the pressure sensor and the pump judges airtightness based on pressure change inside combined interior volumes of the pipette and the pressure vessel by controlling the pump, and the tester is capable of being held with one hand.
Duct path with filter in external or internal duct line
The leakage tester further includes a duct having an external connecting duct line and an internal duct line, and a filter is disposed in either the external connecting duct line or the internal duct line.
Removable filter outside the device case
A filter is disposed to be removable outside a device case of the leakage tester.
Multiple main body connectors for selective tube connection
The leakage tester includes multiple main body connectors formed on the duct, enabling a tube to be selectively connected to the pipette using any of the main body connectors.
Overall, claim coverage centers on a hand-held pressure-based leakage tester that uses a ducted diaphragm pump with a pressure vessel and check valve arranged in a specified order, and uses a central control unit to judge airtightness based on pressure change in combined interior volumes of the pipette and pressure vessel. Dependent claims refine the duct path with filtering, including removable placement outside the case, and provide multiple main body connectors for selective tube-to-pipette connection.
Stated Advantages
Enables judging airtightness of a pipette based on pressure change using the combined interior volumes of the pipette and the pressure vessel.
Attenuates pulsations generated by the diaphragm pump using a pressure vessel.
Improves reliability and simplifies structure by using a check valve instead of an electronic solenoid valve.
Provides compact size and shape capable of being held with one hand.
Allows broader airtightness testing applicability through inclusion of depressurization and pressurization test embodiments.
Documented Applications
Inspecting airtightness of a pipette using pressure with depressurization and pressurization tests.
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