Abstract: A bait sleeve for securing a bait therein is disclosed. The bait sleeve includes a sleeve including a first end, and a second stretchable end opposite the first end. The second stretchable end defines an opening into the sleeve, wherein the second stretchable end is stretchable between an open state to receive the bait within the sleeve and a substantially closed state to secure the bait within the sleeve. The bait sleeve also includes a shape-defining frame connected to the sleeve, the shape-defining frame extending between the first end and the second stretchable end. The bait sleeve also includes at least one fishing hook. Advantageously, the frame prevents excessive compression of the bait by the sleeve.

Abstract: An improved fitting assembly for analytical devices is provided. The fitting assembly includes a tube securable to a fitting component via rear and front ferrules and a nut. The fitting component includes a body having a cavity for receiving the tube and ferrules. The body also includes a channel connecting the cavity to a leak chamber defined in a space between the tube, the fitting component and the inner sidewall of the nut body, the leak chamber being in fluid communication with the exterior of the nut body via the channel in the nut body. Sealing elements are provided between the tube and nut for encouraging leaks to flow through the leak path. A method for detecting leaks in the fitting assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A chromatography valve for use in fluid analysis and chromatography applications is provided. The valve includes a first body having passages extending therethrough and opening on a flat face of the first body at respective passage ports. The valve also includes a second body engaged with the first body in a sealed relationship, whereby one of the first and second bodies is movable relative to the other one between two or more positions for controlling fluid circulation through the passages. The second body includes at least one cartridge receiving cavity for receiving at least one cartridge removably provided therein. The cartridge has channel(s) for channeling fluid of pairs of the passage ports, depending on the position of the first body relative to the second body, thereby channeling fluid through selected ones of the passages via the at least one channel. A method of operating the valve is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a method for measuring a composition of a gas circulating through a plasma-based detector, the plasma-based detector having a discharge chamber defining an internal volume and having discharge electrodes configured to apply a plasma-generating field across the discharge chamber. The method includes ramping a voltage until it reaches a breakdown voltage to generate a plasma, detecting the presence of the plasma, determining a pressure based on the breakdown voltage upon detection of the presence of the plasma, operating the detector at an operation voltage greater than the breakdown voltage, performing measurement(s) on the plasma, generating a detector signal based the measurement(s) and compensating the detector signal based on the determined pressure to obtain a compensated detector signal, the compensated detector signal being representative of the composition of the gas. A plasma-based detector for measuring the composition of the gas is also provided.

Abstract: A sleigh shovel is provided. The sleigh shovel includes a scoop having lateral panels, a rear panel extending between the lateral panels and a bottom panel extending between the lateral panels. The shovel further includes a push bar assembly extending from the scoop, an actuation assembly and a discharge mechanism connected to the scoop. The discharge mechanism includes a sliding wall mounted within the scoop in an upright position and operatively connected to the actuation assembly, and an adjustable panel mounted between the lateral panels and operatively connected to the actuation assembly. The sleigh shovel being operable between a scooping configuration for containing and transporting material within the scoop, and a discharge configuration, for discharging material from the scoop upon manual operation of the actuation assembly.

Abstract: There is provided a gas chromatography modular oven. The modular oven includes a main enclosure, panel(s) and thermal plate(s). The main enclosure includes a backwall and sidewalls defining an internal volume. The sidewalls include a plurality of panel-engaging structures defining multiple panel-mounting positions within the internal volume. The panel(s) are releasably engageable with the panel-engaging structures to divide the main enclosure into individual cells. The thermal plate(s) are releasably engageable with the backwall within an associated one of the individual cells, each thermal plate being operable to set an operation temperature in the associated individual cell, thereby creating temperature-controlled zones within the gas chromatography modular oven. An explosion-proof gas chromatography modular oven is also provided. A gas chromatography column cartridge mountable into a modular oven is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring, in a gas stream, an analyte concentration level from a gas chromatography elution peak outputted by a gas chromatography system are provided. The method includes receiving an analyte signal representative of the gas chromatography elution peak in the time domain, converting the analyte signal from the time-domain to the frequency domain, in the frequency domain, preprocessing the analyte signal to distinguish frequencies of the analyte signal, integrating the analyte signal after preprocessing to obtain a redressed analyte signal in the time domain, the redressed analyte signal having a substantially Gaussian shape, and processing the redressed analyte signal to obtain the analyte concentration level.

Abstract: A geothermal pile for harvesting electricity from a gradient of temperature between ambient air and an underground area is provided. The geothermal pile includes an elongated thermally-conductive body, a thermoelectric cell and an electrical output. The elongated thermally-conductive body has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is configured to be introduced, in use, into an underground area. The thermoelectric cell is provided at the first end so as to be exposed to ambient air when the second end is introduced into the underground area. The thermoelectric cell is in thermal contact with the second end of the elongated thermally-conductive body and is configured to generate electricity from a gradient of temperature between a first temperature of the ambient air and a second temperature of the underground area. The electrical output is electrically connected to the thermoelectric cell.

Abstract: A discharge-based photo ionisation detector (PID) for use with gas chromatography systems is provided. The PID includes a discharge zone in which a plasma can be generated, resulting in the emission of energetic photons. The PID further includes an ionisation zone in which the gas sample to be analysed is bombarded by the photons created in the discharge zone, photo ionising the impurities in the gas sample. The generated current is measured in order to measure the concentration of impurities in the gas sample. Plasma localizing of the plasma in the discharge zone and optical monitoring of the emission from the plasma in the discharge zone may be provided. Methods using such a PID with a split input from a chromatography column or with inputs from two different chromatography columns are provided.

Abstract: A dolly for attachment to a vehicle hitch is disclosed. The dolly includes a connection assembly for connecting and disconnecting the dolly to the vehicle hitch. The connection assembly also allows to position the dolly from a ramp position in which the support surface is inclined, to a loading position in which the support surface is raised and parallel to the ground, for loading the object from the dolly to the vehicle. The connection assembly also allows to position the dolly from the loading position to a transport position. In the transport position, the support surface is upright and extends along the rear of the vehicle, for transporting the dolly with the vehicle, once the object has been loaded in the vehicle. A method of operating the dolly is also provided.

Abstract: A valve is provided. The valve includes a body provided with fluid passages for circulating fluid therein. The body has a body interface with ports connected to the fluid passages. The valve also includes a valve element having a valve element interface facing the body interface. The valve element can move between different positions so as to permit or obstruct communication between the fluid passages. A biasing element biases the valve element interface against the body interface. A load varying mechanism is provided to load the biasing element with different sealing load forces according to the different positions of the valve element. The sealing load force applied on the rotor is thus decreased during rotation, reducing friction between the valve body and the valve element.

Abstract: Methods and systems of testing for a gas leak between an inlet zone and an outlet zone of a gas flow component in a shut state are provided. Different tracer and carrier gases are used. The carrier gas is circulated through the outlet zone of the gas flow component to purge the tracer gas from this outlet zone. A spectroscopic emission from the carrier gas indicative of an amount of the purged tracer gas is monitored. A test flow of the tracer gas is introduced in the inlet zone of the gas flow component, and the inlet pressure is increased for successive pressure increments. The presence of a gas leak is determined upon detecting an intensity step variation in the monitored spectroscopic emission following one of the pressure increments in the inlet pressure.

Abstract: A plasma-based detector using optical spectroscopic techniques for analyzing the constituents of gas samples are provided. The detector includes a plasma-generating mechanism and a plasma-localizing mechanism. Electron-injecting electrodes may be provided in the plasma chamber of the detector. A Pressure control mechanism as well as a doping module may optionally be included. In accordance with some implementations, the collection, detection and analysis of light extracted from the plasma may enable one or more of various operation modes, such as an emission mode, an absorption mode, and indirect detection mode or a constant emission mode.

Abstract: A bait sleeve for securing a bait therein is disclosed. The bait sleeve includes a sleeve including a first end, and a second stretchable end opposite the first end. The second stretchable end defines an opening into the sleeve, wherein the second stretchable end is stretchable between an open state to receive the bait within the sleeve and a substantially closed state to secure the bait within the sleeve. The bait sleeve also includes a shape-defining frame connected to the sleeve, the shape-defining frame extending between the first end and the second stretchable end. The bait sleeve also includes at least one fishing hook. Advantageously, the frame prevents excessive compression of the bait by the sleeve.

Abstract: An improved fitting assembly for analytical devices is provided. The fitting assembly includes a tube securable to a fitting component via rear and front ferrules and a nut. The fitting component includes a body having a cavity for receiving the tube and ferrules. The body also includes a channel connecting the cavity to a leak chamber defined in a space between the tube, the fitting component and the inner sidewall of the nut body, the leak chamber being in fluid communication with the exterior of the nut body via the channel in the nut body. Sealing elements are provided between the tube and nut for encouraging leaks to flow through the leak path. A method for detecting leaks in the fitting assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An emission-based detector for use in conjunction with capillary chromatography or other applications involving a gas sample having a small volume is provided. The detector is based on optical emission from a plasma medium. An optical cartridge or other detection and/or processing means may be provided to receive and analyse the emitted radiation and thereby obtain information on the gas to be analysed. The emission-based detector includes a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a capillary channel which is in fluid communication with the gas inlet and gas outlet. The capillary channel acts as the plasma chamber. Preferably, the capillary channel has transversal dimensions of the same order as the cross-section of typical chromatography capillary columns and defines a winding path within the detection area. A multi-cell emission-based detector and a method of analysing a gas sample using multiple detection cells are also provided.

Abstract: A method for extending useful life of a sorbent for purifying a gas by sorption of an impurity is provided. The method generating a electrical discharge within the gas to obtain a spectral emission representative of a concentration of the impurity. The method also includes monitoring the concentration of the impurity according to the spectral emission. The method also includes lowering the concentration of the impurity by conversion of at least a portion of the impurity into a secondary impurity having a greater affinity to the sorbent than the impurity. The method also includes comparing the concentration of the impurity to a polluting concentration and managing the sorption of the gas onto the sorbent according to the comparison.

Abstract: A ball valve is provided. The ball valve includes at least one load varying mechanism provided in the static body assembly. The load varying mechanism includes a biasing member pressing one of the ball seat seals against the outer surface of the ball of the ball valve with a variable sealing load force applied on the ball, toward the ball and coaxial with the direction of the fluid. The load varying mechanism also includes a movable member operatively connected to a cam and to the biasing member, a rotation of the cam translating the movable member coaxially to the direction of the fluid, in order to variably load the biasing member toward or away from the ball, based on the different positions of the ball.

Abstract: A discharge-based photo ionisation detector (PID) for use with gas chromatography systems is provided. The PID includes a discharge zone in which a plasma can be generated, resulting in the emission of energetic photons. The PID further includes an ionisation zone in which the gas sample to be analysed is bombarded by the photons created in the discharge zone, photo ionising the impurities in the gas sample. The generated current is measured in order to measure the concentration of impurities in the gas sample. Plasma localizing of the plasma in the discharge zone and optical monitoring of the emission from the plasma in the discharge zone may be provided. Methods using such a PID with a split input from a chromatography column or with inputs from two different chromatography columns are provided.

Abstract: A plasma-based detector using optical spectroscopic techniques for analysing the constituents of gas samples are provided. The detector includes a plasma-generating mechanism and a plasma-localizing mechanism. Electron-injecting electrodes may be provided in the plasma chamber of the detector. A Pressure control mechanism as well as a doping module may optionally be included. In accordance with some implementations, the collection, detection and analysis of light extracted from the plasma may enable one or more of various operation modes, such as an emission mode, an absorption mode, and indirect detection mode or a constant emission mode.