TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fluid sampling, in general, and in particular to a fluid sampling cap, a fluid sampling reservoir, a fluid sampling assembly, and an associated fluid sampling interrogator.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] The present invention lies in the field of fluid sampling. For example, industrial processes and machinery typically require operating and/or lubricating fluids, like oil, in order to function within desired parameters. For example, machinery using internal combustion engines is extensively used in various industrial processes, such as mining, transport, material handling, and the like. Sampling of such fluids is used to provide an indication of the correct operation of such machinery.

[0004] Applicant has conducted research and analyses of the procedures and methods of fluid sampling and have identified that many oil samples are compromised by a lack of care on behalf of operators taking these samples. As a result, samples are not representative of the relevant fluids' operating conditions. These compromising causes are primarily due to human intervention in the process of sampling and a lack of care, cleanliness and accuracy when taking, retrieving and marking such samples.

[0005] Applicant has identified a need in the art for a solution to minimise contamination of a fluid sample. A further need which Applicant has identified involves logistics behind the taking and tracking of such fluid samples. Without accurate and reliable tracking of samples, any sampling becomes irrelevant if the veracity of such sampling is in doubt.

[0006] The present invention seeks to propose possible solutions, at least in part, in amelioration of some of the known shortcomings in the art of fluid sampling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fluid sampling cap for a sampling reservoir, said cap comprising:

a body configured for respective engagement with a liquid sampler and the sampling reservoir so that fluid is passable from the sampler to the reservoir, said body defining a fluid entry channel whereby fluid is able to operatively enter said reservoir, and at least one gas escape channel whereby a gas within the reservoir is ventable to the atmosphere when displaced by entry of the fluid into the reservoir; and a valve arrangement configured to operatively seal at least the fluid entry channel, said valve arrangement configured to only allow passage of fluid when said body fully engages the liquid sampler.

[0008] Typically, the body is configured to engage the liquid sampler by defining a first threaded connection.

[0009] Typically, the body is configured to engage the sampling reservoir by defining a second threaded connection.

[0010] Typically, the first and second threaded connections are concentrically defined on opposite ends of the body.

[0011] Typically, the valve arrangement is configured to operatively seal the at least one gas escape channel so that the valve arrangement only allows passage of gas therethrough when said body fully engages the liquid sampler.

[0012] Typically, the valve arrangement is arranged between the opposing first and second threaded connections.

[0013] Typically, the valve arrangement comprises a biased check valve configured within the fluid entry channel, engagement with the fluid sampler urging said check valve into an open position.

[0014] Typically, the valve arrangement comprises a biased check valve configured within the gas escape channel, engagement with the fluid sampler urging said check valve into an open position. [0015] Typically, the fluid sampling cap includes a programmable Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) indicator programmable to indicate a characteristic of a sampled fluid. It is to be appreciated that AIDC refers to any method of automatically identifying an object, such as a sampled liquid, collecting data about such object, and entering that data directly into a computer systems (i.e. without human involvement) . Examples of AIDC technologies include bar codes, Quick Response (QR) tags, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), biometrics, magnetic stripes, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), smart cards, voice recognition, etc .

[0016] Typically, the fluid sampling cap includes a programmable Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) indicator in the form of a programmable RFID tag.

[0017] Typically, the fluid sampling cap includes a level sensor configured to notify the liquid sampler once a predetermined volume of fluid is in the reservoir.

[0018] Typically, the level sensor comprises an electronic and/or electromechanical fluid level sensor.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a fluid sampling reservoir comprising:

a structure enclosing a cavity for operatively receiving a fluid, said structure defining an opening with a threaded connection configured to complementarily receive a threaded cap for fluidly sealing the cavity, the structure further defining a window configured to allow passage for a predetermined spectrum of electromagnetic radiation therethrough; and

an Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) indicator which is operatively configurable with identifying information of the fluid within said cavity.

[0020] Typically, the structure is cylindrical in shape with the opening located at one end thereof.

[0021] Typically, the structure comprises a moulded polymer material.

[0022] Typically, the window is configured to allow passage for electromagnetic radiation in any suitable frequency range conducive to spectroscopy.

[0023] Typically, the indicator is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

[0024] Typically, the indicator is programmable by means of a suitable programming device, such as an RFID writer, or the like.

[0025] Typically, the identifying information of the fluid comprises information selected from a group consisting of fluid type, date of sampling, time of sampling, location of sampling, origin of fluid or machinery sampled, a fluid temperature when sampled, and operating conditions when sampled .

[0026] Typically, the reservoir includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the threaded connection when complementarily engaged with a suitable corresponding threaded connection.

[0027] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a fluid sampling assembly comprising:

a fluid sampling cap, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, engaged with a fluid sampling reservoir in accordance with the second aspect of the invention .

[0028] According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a fluid sampling interrogator comprising:

a receptacle configured to receive at least one fluid sampling reservoir having an Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) indicator;

a processor configured to interrogate said indicator to extract identifying information about a fluid within said reservoir; and

a marker arranged in signal communication with the processor, said marker configured to, upon receiving instruction from the processor, mark the fluid sampling reservoir with the identifying information in a predetermined format .

[0029] Typically, the receptacle is configured to receive a plurality of fluid sampling reservoirs.

[0030] Typically, the receptacle comprises a carousel-type receptacle for receiving a plurality of reservoirs.

[0031] Typically, the processor comprises any suitable central processing unit having electronic circuitry configured to perform arithmetic, logical, control and/or input/output (I/O) operations as specified by a set of instructions .

[ 0032 ] Typically, the processor includes a suitable reader for interrogating the indicator.

[ 0033 ] Typically, the reader includes an RFID reader.

[ 0034 ] Typically, the marker includes a printer.

[ 0035 ] Typically, the predetermined format comprises a bar code, a Quick Response (QR) tag, an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tag, and/or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side-sectional diagrammatic representation of one example of a fluid sampling assembly, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, with a fluid sampling cap, in accordance with a further aspect of the invention, engaged with a sampling reservoir, in accordance with a yet further aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side-view diagrammatic representation of a fluid sampling interrogator, in accordance with an aspect of the invention; and Figure 3 is top-view diagrammatic representation of the fluid sampling interrogator of Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[ 0036 ] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non- limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention to the skilled addressee. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of the example embodiment or embodiments, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout.

[ 0037 ] With reference now to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown one example of a fluid sampling assembly 52. The assembly 52 generally comprises a fluid sampling cap 10 and a fluid sampling reservoir 12 that will be described individually below.

[ 0038 ] The fluid sampling cap 10 typically comprises a body 14 which is configured to respectively engage a liquid sampler 16. Applicant has developed an example of such an automated liquid sampler 16, which is disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT/AU2016 / 050077.

[ 0039 ] The cap 10 is also configured to engage the sampling reservoir 12 so that fluid is passable from the sampler 16 to the reservoir 12. In this example, the body 14 of the cap 10 is configured to engage the liquid sampler 16 by defining a first threaded connection 28, along with a second threaded connection 30 for operatively engaging the sampling reservoir 12, as shown. In the current example, the first and second threaded connections 28 and 30 are concentrically defined on opposite ends of the body 14.

[0040] The body 14 also defines a fluid entry channel 18 whereby fluid 22 (typically an oil) is able to operatively enter a cavity 40 of the reservoir 12. The body 14 further defines at least one gas escape channel 20 whereby a gas 24

(typically air), which is within the reservoir 12, is ventable to the outside atmosphere when the gas 24 is displaced by entry of the fluid 22 into the reservoir 12.

[0041] The cap 10 also generally includes a valve arrangement 26 which is configured to operatively seal at least the fluid entry channel 18. The valve arrangement 26 is typically configured to only allow passage of the fluid 22 when the body 14 fully engages the liquid sampler 16.

[0042] In another example, the valve arrangement 26 may be configured to operatively seal the gas escape channel 20 as well, so that the valve arrangement 26 only allows passage of gas therethrough when the body 14 fully engages the liquid samp1er 16.

[0043] In one example, the valve arrangement 26 is arranged between the opposing first and second threaded connections 28 and 30, as shown. The valve arrangement 26 generally comprises a biased check valve 32 configured within the fluid entry channel 18, as shown. In a further example, the valve arrangement 26 may comprise a biased check valve configured within the gas escape channel 20. It is to be appreciated that engagement with the fluid sampler typically urges said check valve into an open position.

[ 0044 ] The fluid sampling cap 10 typically includes a programmable Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) indicator 34 which is programmable to indicate a characteristic of the sampled fluid. It is to be appreciated that AIDC refers to any method of automatically identifying an object, such as a sampled liquid, collecting data about such object, and entering that data directly into a computer systems (i.e. without human involvement) . Examples of AIDC technologies include bar codes, Quick Response (QR) tags, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) , biometrics, magnetic stripes, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), smart cards, voice recognition, etc.

[ 0045 ] In a preferred embodiment, the fluid sampling cap

10 includes a programmable Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) indicator 34 in the form of a programmable RFID tag.

[ 0046] In one example, the fluid sampling cap 10 includes a level sensor 36 which is configured to notify the liquid sampler 16 once a predetermined volume of fluid is in the reservoir 12. Such a level sensor may comprise an electronic and/or electromechanical fluid level sensor, as is known in the art .

[ 0047 ] Turning our attention now to an example of the fluid sampling reservoir 12, the reservoir 12 generally comprises a structure 38 which encloses a cavity 40 for operatively receiving the fluid. The structure 38 generally defines an opening 42 with a threaded connection 44 for complementarily receive the threaded cap 10 for fluidly sealing the cavity 40.

[0048] In this example, the structure 38 is cylindrical in shape with the opening 42 located at one end thereof, as shown. The structure comprises a moulded polymer material, but may be manufactured from any suitable material.

[0049] The structure 38 further defines a window 46 which is configured to allow passage for a predetermined spectrum of electromagnetic radiation therethrough. Typically, the window 46 is configured to allow passage for electromagnetic radiation in any suitable frequency range conducive to spectroscopy .

[0050] In one example, the reservoir 12 also includes an

Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) indicator 48 which is operatively configurable with identifying information of the fluid within the cavity 40. Preferably, but non-limiting, the indicator 48 is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The indicator 48 is generally programmable by means of a suitable programming device, such as an RFID writer, or the like.

[0051] As such, the identifying information of the fluid can include information relating to fluid type, date of sampling, time of sampling, location of sampling, origin of fluid or machinery sampled, temperature when sampled, operating conditions when sampled, and/or the like. [0052] In the current example, the reservoir 12 also includes a locking mechanism 50 which is configured to lock the threaded connection 44 when complementarily engaged with a suitable corresponding threaded connection, e.g. the samp1er 16.

[0053] Figures 2 and 3 show an example of an associated fluid sampling interrogator 54. The interrogator 54 generally comprises a receptacle 56 which is configured to receive at least one fluid sampling reservoir 12 therein. As described above, the reservoir 12 generally has an Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) indicator, typically in the form of an RFID tag 48.

[0054] In the current example, the receptacle 56 is configured to receive a plurality of fluid sampling reservoirs 12. As shown, the receptacle comprises a carousel- type receptacle for receiving a plurality of reservoirs 12.

[0055] The interrogator 54 generally includes a processor 58 which is configured to interrogate the indicator 48 (or indicator 34 of the cap 10) in order to extract the identifying information about the fluid within the reservoir 12. The processor 58 may comprise any suitable central processing unit having electronic circuitry configured to perform basic arithmetic, logical, control and/or input/output (I/O) operations as specified by a set of instructions .

[0056] The processor 58 typically includes a suitable reader (not shown) for interrogating the indicator 34 or 48. Typically, the reader comprises an RFID reader where the indicators 34 or 48 are RFID tags.

[ 0057 ] The interrogator 54 further includes a marker 60 which is arranged in signal communication with the processor 58. The marker 60 is generally configured to, upon receiving instruction from the processor 58, mark the fluid sampling reservoir 12 with the identifying information in a predetermined format. Typically, the marker 60 includes a printer .

[ 0058 ] The predetermined format generally comprises a bar code, a Quick Response (QR) tag, an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tag, and/or the like.

[ 0059 ] Applicant believes it particularly advantageous that the current invention provides means for collecting unadulterated fluid samples, as well as automatically marking and tracking such samples.

[ 0060 ] Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. In the example embodiments, well- known processes, well-known device structures, and well known technologies are not described in detail, as such will be readily understood by the skilled addressee. [0061] The use of the terms "a", "an", "said", "the", and/or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the claimed subject matter) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open- ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter .

[0062] It is to be appreciated that reference to "one example" or "an example" of the invention, or similar exemplary language (e.g., "such as") herein, is not made in an exclusive sense. Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter are described herein, textually and/or graphically, for carrying out the claimed subject matter.

[0063] Accordingly, one example may exemplify certain aspects of the invention, whilst other aspects are exemplified in a different example. These examples are intended to assist the skilled person in performing the invention and are not intended to limit the overall scope of the invention in any way unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Variations (e.g. modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventor (s) expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor (s) intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

[0064] Any method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.