PerkinElmer OilExpress 4, User Manual

Page: 54 / 152

54 . OilExpress 4 System User's Guide
Ultrasonic Liquid Level Sensor Bar (Optional)
The Ultrasonic Liquid Level Sensor Bar (part number L1610020), mounted to the left side of
the Varispan arm, is fitted with eight ultrasonic sensors. At the start of an FT-IR analysis (in
OilExpress 4) or oil dilution protocol (in WinPREP), these sensors move over each column of
eight in the sample racks mounted on the deck (Figure 35) and determine the liquid level in
each sample container. All OilExpress 4 systems scan from right to left.
Figure 35 Ultrasonic Liquid Level Sensor Bar
Using the levels determined, pipet tip submersion depths are optimized for each sample,
minimizing sample adhesion to the tip exterior, and reducing the risk of drips forming and
contaminating samples or clean tips.
The option for using ultrasonic height sensing is on the Autosampler Setup dialog. Refer to
Defining the Sampling Heights
on page 75 for more information.
During the system installation by your PerkinElmer Service Representative, the separation of
the sensors will be matched to the separation of the sample containers positioned in the
sample rack on the deck. This means that you cannot simply change your sample rack type
in the OilExpress 4 software to use the Ultrasonic Liquid Level Sensor Bar with another rack
type: you will need to contact your PerkinElmer Service Representative.
NOTE: Ensure that the Ultrasonic Liquid Level Sensor Bar is connected to the USB expansion
card installed in the rear of the PC, and not directly to a USB port on the PC. DO NOT
connect any other devices to the USB expansion card.
FT-IR-Only Analysis with the 96-position Rack Type
NOTE: This information does not apply to the 32-position rack type or the 96-position rack
type with FT-IR / Oil Dilution.
If the Ultrasonic Liquid Level Sensor Bar is configured for the 96-position rack type, then the
sensors can scan only the rear sample rack(s). Therefore, any sample rack(s) that will be
analyzed in a front position must first be moved to a rear position to be scanned.