Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Apparatus – Including measuring or testing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-10
2001-04-03
Redding, David A. (Department: 1744)
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Apparatus
Including measuring or testing
C435S288300, C435S303100, C422S050000, C422S109000, C165S201000, C165S253000, C165S267000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210958
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a temperature regulating block for lab thermostatting systems having a receiving side with recessed seats to implement large-area contact seating of filled, lower zones of receptacles filled with sample liquids and having at least one temperature regulator with which it is in contact.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A temperature regulating block of this general type is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,300 wherein the seats are identical recesses receiving one kind of receptacles and are in rows and columns in the temperature regulating block.
This has the drawback, first, that only one kind of receptacle can be used. If, as occurs in the lab, different kinds of receptacles must be used, the temperature regulating block must then be replaced because inadequate thermal contact would result if the containers were less than optimally matched to the recesses. Moreover, the recesses forming the seats are significantly separated from one another in this known design. Accordingly, the temperature regulating block is quite heavy and its heat capacity is high. The temperature of such a temperature regulating block can only be changed slowly. Another drawback is the excellent thermal conductivity of the block, entailing high heat flux when temperature gradients are produced and demanding large energies for heating and cooling. If the temperature regulating block is used at a regulated temperature differential by multiple temperature regulators to produce a temperature gradient, then the heat flux between the temperature regulators also will exist between the recesses, and the temperature distribution may be non-uniform.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a temperature regulating block of the type mentioned above which assures rapidly a state of optimal temperature distribution for different vessels.
The invention provides two kinds of recesses to seat different receptacles. Accordingly, the temperature regulating block accepts receptacles of one kind as well as of the other, optionally even simultaneously. As a result, the thermostatting systems for lab work can be operated in a significantly more flexible manner. Because of the large number of mutually nesting recesses, the temperature regulating block is made substantially thinner, and its overall weight is relatively very modest. Thereby its heat capacity is reduced and the temperature regulating block can be made to more rapidly assume the desired temperatures. Illustratively, samples received in a temperature regulating block can be rapidly and consecutively made to assume different temperature levels. By thinning the material of the temperature regulating block, its thermal conductivity is reduced, i.e., its thermal impedance is raised. If the temperature regulating block is operated with several temperature regulators in turn operated in different manners to implement a temperature gradient, then a slight heat flux suffices because of the high thermal impedance, and consequently the energy consumption for heating and cooling can be substantially reduced. By situating the recesses at the receptacle receiving side, the thick segments of the temperature regulating block are reduced, especially at the seating side. When differentially heating the temperature regulating block for achieving a temperature gradient, there is a lesser heat flux in that zone than in the lower segment of the temperature regulating block. As a result, uniformity of temperature distribution is improved.
By arranging the seats of one shape in a predetermined grid configuration in the temperature regulating block, the block is usable with such receptacles mounted in a predetermined grid and illustratively connected in a plate configuration.
By providing a hole between each two seats of each kind, the upper segment near the receiving side of the temperature regulating block is thinned further.
It is advantageous to form the block so that the part underneath the recesses and any holes is a continuous plate. The heat flux is thereby made to pass through a plate segment of very good thermal conductivity which evens the temperatures in the temperature regulating block. The temperature then resulting in the temperature regulating block is essentially determined by the temperature distribution in the plate whereas the part of the temperature regulating block fitted with the recesses laterally taps the plate temperatures without adversely affecting them. A temperature regulating block including a continuous plate segment underneath the part thinned by recesses also is advantageous in implementing a uniform temperature through the entire temperature regulating block when the block is operated without a temperature gradient. The lamellar lower part of the temperature regulating block furthermore assures good contact with temperature-regulating means present therein.
Increased thermal-impedance zones illustratively may be used to control the heat flux in the temperature regulating block, for instance to reduce this flux between adjacent temperature regulators when such are used to generate a temperature gradient. In this manner regulation fluctuations in the temperature regulators may be decreased. These zones also may be used to locally control the temperature gradients, for instance, to control the temperature curve through the full temperature regulating block, illustratively to linearize it. The invention, wherein the zones are grooves, is advantageous over the design of the initially cited art of boreholes. Grooves are more easily made. In particular they begin at the contacting side and thus they thin the continuous plate of the temperature regulating block, contributing predominantly to heat conduction. The grooves in particular may meander between the recesses and holes so as to be a safe distance from said recesses and holes even when the grooves are deep.
Providing several temperature regulators at a contacting side of the block opposite the receiving side allows setting samples at different temperatures in one temperature regulating block. While the initially cited design already allows doing so, it implements this feature by temperature regulators acting on the ends of the temperature regulating block. The invention, on the other hand, offers the advantage that by large-surface contact with the temperature regulating block, the selected temperature profile can be very rapidly achieved over the block's full length and that this block is thermally better controlled against ambient effects. Moreover, the temperature regulating block can be operated at constant temperature in an alternate mode without resort to auxiliary apparatus, whereas the known design requires an additional temperature regulator resting against the contacting side. For that purpose, increased thermal-impedance zones are advantageously provided parallel to the activity boundaries and may directly adjoin them to restrict fluctuations in temperature regulation between the temperature regulators, or they may be mounted above the temperature regulators to control the temperature profile, for instance to linearize it. These zones may be in the form of grooves reducing the block's cross-sectional area. Furthermore, the contacting side may be fitted with temperature regulators split in the longitudinal and transverse directions allowing one to set a temperature profile in either direction, for instance also alternatingly across the temperature regulating block or even in both directions.
It is possible to provide several temperature regulating blocks displaceable relative to a support which supports the receptacles and which can alternatingly move its seats flush with the receptacles. The receptacles in this arrangement, just as in the known design initially discussed, are consecutively engaged by temperature regulating blocks kept at different temperatures and either presenting a temperature gradient or a constant temperature over their surfaces. For the purpose of lateral displacement, the temperatur
Brust Ruediger
Lenz Juergen
Brown & Wood LLP
Eppendorf-Netheler-Hinz, GbmH
Redding David A.
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