Optical multiplexer for liquid samples in a conduit
View Patent ↗Multiplexer for electromagnetic radiation, e.g. UV-light, in which a single electromagnetic radiation source ( 203 ) and a single electromagnetic radiation detector ( 223 ) are connectable in turn to a plurality of sample-containing units ( 207 ( a )- 207 ( n )). The multiplexer comprises a sled ( 253 ) movable in relation to a fixed base ( 255 ) by an actuator ( 281 ).
1. A liquid analysis system including a plurality of sample containing units ( 207 a - 207 n ) comprising a multiplexer for electromagnetic radiation, said multiplexer comprising:
a first part ( 253 ) provided with a first outward through hole ( 263 ) connectable to a source of electromagnetic radiation ( 203 ) and a first return through hole ( 265 ) connectable to a detector of electromagnetic radiation ( 223 ), wherein said first outward through hole ( 263 ) and said first return through hole ( 265 ) are spaced a distance D apart;
a second part ( 255 ) provided with a plurality of second outward though holes ( 273 ( 1 )- 273 ( n )) and a plurality of second return through holes ( 275 ( 1 )- 275 ( n )) wherein said second outward through holes ( 273 ( 1 )- 273 ( n )) and said second return through holes ( 275 ( 1 )- 275 ( n )) are arranged in equidistantly spaced apart pairs ( 273 ( 1 ), 275 ( 1 ); 273 ( 2 ), 275 ( 2 ); . . . 273 ( n ), 275 ( n )) of second outward and return through holes, with each second outward hole ( 273 ( x )) at a distance D from its second return through hole ( 275 ( x )),
wherein said first part ( 253 ) is movable relative to said second part ( 255 ) from a first position P 1 in which first outward through hole ( 263 ) is aligned with a second outward through hole ( 273 ( 1 )) and said first return through hole ( 265 ) is aligned with a second return through hole ( 275 ( 1 )), to a second position Px in which first outward through hole ( 263 ) is aligned with another second outward through hole ( 273 ( x )) and said first return through hole ( 265 ) is aligned with another second return through hole ( 275 ( x )).
2. The liquid analysis system of claim 1 , wherein said second outward through holes ( 273 (l)- 273 ( n )) and said second return through holes ( 275 ( 1 )- 275 ( n )) are arranged in two parallel rows.
3. The liquid analysis system of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator ( 281 ) for moving said first part ( 253 ) relative to said second part ( 255 ).
4. The liquid analysis system of claim 3 , wherein said actuator comprises a voice coil.
5. The liquid analysis system of claim 3 , wherein said actuator comprises an electric motor.
6. The liquid analysis system of claim 1 , wherein some or all of said through holes ( 263 , 265 , 273 ( 1 )- 273 ( n ), 275 ( 1 )- 275 ( n )) are wave guides.
7. The liquid analysis system of claim 1 , wherein the second outward through hole ( 273 ( x )) in each pair of equidistantly spaced apart pairs ( 273 ( 1 ), 275 ( 1 ); 273 ( 2 ), 275 ( 2 ); . . . 273 ( n ), 275 ( n )) of second outward and return through holes, is connectable to an inlet port ( 209 ( x )) in a sample-containing unit ( 207 ( x )) and the said second return through hole ( 275 ( x )) from the same pair of second outward and return through holes ( 273 ( x ), 275 ( x )) is connectable to an outlet port ( 213 ( x )) in the same sample-containing unit ( 207 ( x )).