Module transport system that can be combined into an automation system
US9927451B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 2013 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2035/0406
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An integrated automation system for use in transporting samples between modules, the system can include a plurality of modules configured to be connected to one another for processing samples, each of the plurality of modules having an internal transport system. Each internal transport system includes one or more periphery track portions integrated within a respective module, each of the periphery track portions having two ends and one or more transverse track portions integrated within the respective module, the one or more transverse track portions intersecting at least one of the one or more periphery track portions. The internal transport systems can be configured to connect to one another via one end of the two ends connecting to one end of the two ends of adjacent periphery track portions, thereby forming a continuous periphery track running through and connecting the plurality of modules. Samples are transported along the continuous periphery track and the one or more transverse track portions. The continuous periphery track and the one or more transverse track portions form a plurality of paths along which the samples are transported.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.