Gas sampling apparatus

Abstract

The object of this invention is to provide a gas sampling system capable of taking discreet samples from a continuous flow of gas or fluid. Said apparatus offers a frame ( 1 ) and mounting components in the form of a fixed chuck ( 4 ) and a spring-loaded chuck with a sample container ( 5 ) mounted there between. The sampling container has self-sealing end cap valve assemblies ( 76 ) that automatically open when the sample container ( 5 ) communicates with the fixed chuck ( 4 ) and the spring loaded chuck ( 6 ) and the end cap valve assembly automatically closes when the sample container is removed. A value system allows the gas flow to be directed from one sample container to the other alternatively opening and closing a gas flow path. A sample extraction assembly ( 14 ) allows the efficient removal of samples from the sample containers. An extension rod pressurizer ( 117 ) in conjunction with the end cap value assembly, such as first end cap valve assembly ( 76 ) allow the sample to be pressurized to facilitate easy sample removal.

1 . A gas sample extraction assembly whereby said gas sample is extracted from said sample containers, said sample extraction assembly having a coupler body, a first body end, a second body end, said first body end being fluidly connected to said self-sealing valves, a central longitudinal bore through which a stem is disposed, said stem itself having a central bore, a first stem end and a second stem end, a sealing septum in contact with said first stem end and said central bore whereby when said extraction assembly is connected to said self-sealing valve, and when said stem is depressed thereby opening said self-sealing valve, said gas sample may be obtained through said septum. 
   
   
       2 . A extension rod pressurizer having an internally threaded tube, a bolt threadedly disposed within said tube whereby said bolt may be threadedly retracted increasing said extension rod pressurizer length, whereby when connected to said self-sealing valve and said self-sealing valve retainer is removed said self-sealing valve may be advanced within said sample container thereby pressuring said gas sample. 
   
   
       3 . The gas sample extraction system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first flow director,   a second flow director,   a plurality of flexible connectors fluidly connecting said fixed chucks to said first flow director,   a plurality of flexible connectors fluidly connecting said opposing spring loaded chucks to said second flow director.   
   
   
       4 . The first flow director of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a first valve mounted to said first panel,   said first valve having an first valve inlet, a first valve left outlet, and a first valve right outlet,   said first valve inlet fluidly connected to said gas source,   said first valve left outlet fluidly connected to said second flexible connector,   said second flexible connector fluidly connected to said first fixed chuck,   said first fixed chuck fluidly connected to said first sample container first end,   said first valve right outlet fluidly connected to said third flexible connector,   said third flexible connector fluidly connected to said second fixed chuck,   said second fixed chuck fluidly connected to said second sample container first end,   
   
   
       5 . The second flow director of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a second valve mounted to said second panel,   said second valve having a second valve outlet, a second valve left inlet and a second valve right inlet,   said second valve left inlet fluidly connected to said first flexible connector,   said first flexible connector fluidly connected to said first opposing spring loaded chuck,   said first opposing spring loaded chuck fluidly connected to said first sample container second end,   said second valve right inlet fluidly connected to said fourth flexible connector,   said fourth flexible connector fluidly connected to said second opposing spring loaded chuck,   said second opposing spring loaded chuck fluidly connected to said second sample container second end.   
   
   
       6 . The flow directors of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a control rod having a first control rod end and a second control rod end,   said first control rod end rotatably mounted to said first valve,   said second control rod end rotatably mounted to said second valve,   a control rod handle mounted therebetween, whereby when said control rod handle is directed toward said first sample container, a gas sample is directed from said first valve,   through said first sample container into said second valve, into second valve outlet   whereby a discrete gas sample is disposed and contained in said first sample container, whereby when said control rod handle is directed toward said second sample container gas flow is terminated within said first sample container and a gas sample is directed from said first valve, through said second sample container into said second valve, into second outlet whereby a discrete gas sample is disposed and contained in said second sample container.   
   
   
       7 . A gas sampling apparatus comprising:
 sample containers which are two in number further comprising a first sample container and a second sample container into which gas samples are sequentially disposed,   a mounting apparatus into which said sample containers are demountably disposed and fluidly connected,   said sample containers further comprising a first sample container end having a first edge area wherein said edge area is partially curved inward around the circumference of said first sample container end, said first edge area having first opposing notches,   a second sample container end having a second edge area wherein said edge area is partially curved inward around the circumference of said second sample container end,   said second edge area having second opposing notches,   a first self-sealing valve demountably and fluidly connected to said first sample container end,   a first self-sealing valve retainer demountably connected to said first self sealing valve and to said first sample container end whereby said first self sealing valve is fixed and prevented from advancing within said first sample container,   a second self-sealing valve demountably and fluidly connected to said second sample container end,   a second self-sealing valve retainer demountably connected to said second self sealing valve and to said second sample container end whereby said second self sealing valve is fixed and prevented from advancing within said second sample container,   said first self sealing valve, when said first self sealing valve retainer is removed, being capable of being advanced within said sample container while maintaining its self sealing characteristic, whereby said gas samples may be compressed,   said second self sealing valve, when said second self sealing valve retainer is removed, being capable of being advanced while maintaining its self sealing characteristic within said sample container whereby said gas samples may be compressed,   a first annular ring sealably connected to said first self sealing valve, whereby said first annular ring produces a seal against the walls of said first sample container, said first annular ring and said first self sealing valve may be inserted through said first opposing notches and retained within said first sample container end,   a second annular ring sealably connected to said second self sealing valve, whereby said second annular ring produces a seal against the walls of said second sample container,   said second annular ring and said second self sealing valve may be inserted through said second opposing notches and retained within said second sample container end.   
     a plurality of flow directors fluidly attached to said mounting apparatus, said plurality of flow director sequentially disposing gas into said mounting apparatus and sample containers. 
   
   
       8 . The gas sampling apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said first sample container end further comprising a plurality of edge areas wherein said edge area is partially curved inward. 
   
   
       9 . The gas sampling apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said second sample container end further comprising a plurality of edge areas wherein said edge area is partially curved inward. 
   
   
       10 . The gas sampling apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said mounting apparatus further comprises
 a frame,   a plurality of fixed chucks mounted to said frame,   a plurality of opposing spring loaded chucks mounted to said frame opposite said plurality of fixed chucks, said opposing spring loaded chucks capable of being compressed in length, allowing the distance between said opposing spring loaded chucks and said fixed chucks to be increased whereby said sample containers may be inserted therebetween,   said opposing spring loaded chucks capable of being decompressed thereby retaining said sample containers between said fixed chucks and said opposing spring loaded chucks,   whereby said sample containers are fluidly connected to said opposing spring loaded chucks and said fixed chucks.   
   
   
       11 . The gas sampling apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said fixed chucks are self sealing. 
   
   
       12 . The gas sampling apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said opposing spring loaded chucks are self sealing. 
   
   
       13 . The gas sampling apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said plurality of fixed chucks, further comprise:
 a first fixed chuck,   a second fixed chuck.   
   
   
       14 . The gas sampling apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said plurality of opposing spring loaded chucks, further comprising:
 a first opposing spring loaded chuck,   a second opposing spring loaded chuck.   
   
   
       15 . The gas sampling apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said plurality of flexible connectors further comprising:
 a first flexible connector fluidly connected to said first fixed chuck,   a second flexible connector fluidly connected to said second fixed chuck,   a third flexible connector fluidly connected to said first opposing spring loaded chuck,   a fourth flexible connector fluidly connected to said second opposing spring loaded chuck.   
   
   
       16 . The gas sampling apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said frame further comprise:
 a longitudinal planar segment having a first planar segment end and a second planar segment end,   a first panel attached to said first planar segment end,   a second panel attached to a said second planar segment end,   said first panel and said second panel attached at right angles to said longitudinal planar segment,   said first and second panel having a plurality of opposing apertures.   
   
   
       17 . The gas sampling apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first panel further comprises:
 a first panel first aperture,   a first panel second aperture,   a first panel third aperture,   said second fixed chuck fixedly mounted within said first panel first aperture,   said first fixed chuck fixedly mounted within said first panel third aperture.   
   
   
       18 . The gas sampling apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said second panel further comprises:
 a second panel first aperture,   a second panel second aperture,   a second panel third aperture,   said second opposing spring loaded chuck fixedly mounted within said second panel first aperture, said first opposing spring loaded chuck fixedly mounted within said second panel third aperture.   
   
   
       19 . The gas sampling apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said first flow director further comprises:
 a first valve mounted to said first panel,   said first valve having an first valve inlet, a first valve left outlet, and a first valve right outlet,   said first valve inlet fluidly connected to said gas source,   said first valve left outlet fluidly connected to said second flexible connector,   said second flexible connector fluidly connected to said first fixed chuck,   said first fixed chuck fluidly connected to said first sample container first end,   said first valve right outlet fluidly connected to said third flexible connector,   said third flexible connector fluidly connected to said second fixed chuck,   said second fixed chuck fluidly connected to said second sample container first end,