Elizabeth AlexanderProvidence, RI

2012006, Mar 15, 2012

Jul 29, 2011

13/193838

Julian Warhurst - Ashland MA, US
Bruce Zandi - Lexington MA, US
Alexander Carbone - Northridge MA, US
Frank Hunt - Shrewsbury MA, US
Robert Cloutier - Lancaster MA, US
James O'Toole - Franklin MA, US
Elizabeth Alexander - Shrewsbury MA, US

HAMILTON STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - Hopkinton MA

F25D 25/00
F25B 9/04
B66F 11/00
F25B 21/02

62 36, 62378, 62 5, 4147452, 414800

A tube picking mechanism is designed for use in an automated, ultra-low temperature (e.g. −80 C. or −135 C.) or cryogenic (e.g., about −140 C. to −196 C.) storage and retrieval system that stores biological or chemical samples. The samples are contained in storage tubes held in SBS footprint storage racks that are normally stored within an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer compartment. The tube picking mechanism includes a tube picking chamber that is maintained at about −80 C., about −135 C. or at cryogenic temperatures in cryogenic applications. Active electrical and mechanical components are maintained in a compartment above and separate from the refrigerated, ultra-low temperature or cryogenic compartment. Thermal stratification inhibits heat transfer into the lower, ultra-low temperature or cryogenic compartment in which tube picking occurs from the upper compartment in which active electrical and mechanical components are located, and also inhibits heat transfer into the lower, ultra-low temperature or cryogenic compartment via an access door for tube storage racks.