Abstract: A liquid chromatographic instrument includes specimen vessels in randomly designated locations. An automatic sampler sequentially samples specimens from selected vessels based on instructions from a set of command instruction lines. A detector module measures characteristics of each sampled specimen, and results for each test specimen relative to a standard specimen are computed.

Abstract: A microdevice assembly includes a miniature fluid processing device of silicon with a fluid orifice therein. A high-silica glass attachment member sealed to the device has an aperture with a narrow portion aligned with the orifice and a conical portion with a conical wall diverging from the narrow portion. A tube with a soft graphite ferrule thereon is inserted into the conical portion. A rigid package member includes a base supporting the device, a cover disposed proximate the attachment member, and side walls connecting the base and the cover. A threaded opening through the cover is aligned with the aperture. An externally threaded nut with a hole therethrough is fitted slidingly over the tube, and is tightened into the threaded opening so as to sealingly compress the ferrule between the wall and the tube.

Abstract: A powder or wire thermal spray gun, useful for spraying a low oxide coating of oxidizable material, comprises a nozzle member with a nozzle face, and a gas cap extending from the nozzle member and having an inwardly facing cylindrical wall defining a combustion chamber with an open end for propelling combustion products into the ambient atmosphere at supersonic velocity and an opposite end bounded by the nozzle face. An annular flow of a combustible mixture is injected from the nozzle member coaxially into the combustion chamber at a pressure therein sufficient to propel combustion products of the mixture from the open end at supersonic velocity. A first annular flow of inert gas is injected adjacent to the cylindrical wall radially outward of the annular flow of the combustible mixture.

Abstract: A circuit for synchronizing digital signals with alternating current includes a first counter that repetitively starts a first counting sequence at a predetermined phase point in each AC line cycle and effects the sequence at a high frequency rate thereby generating a total count during each line cycle. The total count is then divided by a dividing integer to produce a count number. A second counter repetitively starts a second counting sequence at the predetermined phase point and effects the second sequence at the high frequency rate up to the count number continuously during each line cycle. A decoder responsive to the second counter produces a digital output signal at one or more predetermined points in preselected second counting sequences during each line cycle.

Abstract: A high pressure check valve assembly includes a ceramic cage loosely fitted into the bore of a body so as to leave at least a partial clearance between the cage and the body. A passage through the cage includes a retaining section adjacent a fluid inlet end for loosely containing a ball and an irregular cross-section adjacent the retaining section so as to obstruct the ball without hindering fluid flow forwardly through the passage. The cage further has a lateral bleed hole between the passage and the clearance to equalize fluid pressure. An outlet-end sealing member is press fitted into the bore against the outlet end of the cage. An oversized resilient washer-shaped inlet-end sealing member is press fitted into the bore against the inlet end of the cage to seal and retain the assembly. This member has a central aperture with a washer shaped seat member fitted therein, the seat member functioning with the ball as the check valve.

Abstract: A plasma flame apparatus capable of self-extinguishing in the event of an unstable plasma discharge includes an inductively coupled plasma torch for producing a plasma flame which will have an acoustical signal characteristic of an unstable plasma discharge. A power generator is coupled to the plasma torch for powering the plasma. A microphone is receptive of the acoustical signal for effecting a representative electrical signal. A comparator generates a output electrical signal when the representative signal exceeds a selected level. The output signal is coupled to the power generator of the plasma flame such as to shut off the power generator when the representative signal exceeds the selected level.

Abstract: Laminated wafers with channels formed therein define a plurality of gas chromatographic columns in a body, with substantially minimal connecting channels between an injector and a detector. One or more of the columns at a time is selected by valve to be receptive of sample gas. Detector and injector cavities have surfaces with the adsorbent phase utilized in the column being further coated on the surfaces, whereby the detector and injector constitute an integral portion of the gas chromatographic column. A channel is formed between wafers each with grooves that have semicircular cross sections so as to form the channel with a circular cross section. A digital gas injector includes a plurality of chambers with respective measured volumes. Valves select one or more of the chambers at a time to be receptive of sample gas from the common inlet.

Abstract: A thermal spray gun, for spraying wire and powder simultaneously at high velocity to produce a dense and tenacious coating, comprises a nozzle and a gas cap extending from the nozzle. Combustible gas is injected from the nozzle coaxially into the combustion chamber in the gas cap. An annular outer flow of pressurized air is injected into the chamber adjacent to the gas cap. Heat fusible wire is fed axially from the nozzle into the combustion chamber. An annular inner flow of pressurized air is injected into the combustion chamber adjacent to the wire. Powder in a carrier gas is fed annularly from the nozzle into the combustion chamber coaxially between the combustible mixture and the inner flow, such that a spray stream containing the powder and the heat fusible material commingled in finely divided form is propelled through the open end.

Abstract: A plasma gun apparatus with precision adjustment of arc voltage, includes a gun body with a bore therethrough, a nozzle anode in the bore, a cathode holder engaged in the bore with threads, and a cathode mounted on the cathode holder. A locking ring is engaged in the bore with threads for locking the cathode holder. An inner wrench is formed of a handle attached to a shaft inserted through a hole in the locking ring and engaged with the cathode holder to rotate the same for axial positioning. A sleeve wrench is disposed coaxially over the shaft and engaged with the locking ring. The handle and the sleeve wrench each has a plurality of angular position markings thereon mutually alignable to provide rotational reference for precision positioning of the cathode holder.

Abstract: Iterative compensation of drift of peak positions of spectral lines is effected in a spectral monochromator including a grating, a detector of spectral fractions of a spectral band, a stepper motor for varying relative orientation of the grating and the detector, and a computer. Computer-defined spectral windows each encopasses a spectral band and has an initial spectral center. Each window is scanned to determine a peak spectral position. Calculation is made for determining a spectral position error of the peak position from the initial center for each corresponding window. A functional average of the offsets for the peaks is calculated as a linear function of window position, and a revised spectral center for each window is calculated as being equal to the initial center plus the functional average for the window position determined from the linear function. Each window is shifted correspondingly.

Abstract: A system for feeding powder into high backpressure includes a carrier gas conduit with an orifice for entraining powder from a hopper, and a line for discharging feed gas at regulated pressure into the hopper to effect entrainment. A gas bleeder line has an outlet connection to the output carrier conduit, with a line pressure representative of carrier pressure. A differential pressure regulator equal to carrier pressure plus an increment. A regulated relief valve in the input carrier gas conduit provides a bleed gas supply to the bleeder line at a pressure equal to carrier pressure plus an increment. Pinch valves in the carrier conduit allow or prevent powder entrainment; alternatively, a rotatable sleeve is on the carrier conduit with a side opening alignable with the entrainment orifice. A carrier bypass conduit may be connected between the input conduit and the output conduit and hopper pressurization line may be connected between the output conduit and the hopper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for standardizing spectral line intensities in a spectral monochromator separate an input beam into a sample spectral line characteristic of a sample element, a reference spectral line, a standard spectral line and a background spectral band. At a first point in time an intensity I.sub.A of the sample line, a first intensity I.sub.R1 of the reference line and a first intensity I.sub.B1 of the background band are measured. At a second point in time an intensity I.sub.S of the standard line, a second intensity I.sub.R2 of the reference line and a second intensity I.sub.B2 of the background band are measured. An intensity ratio IR defined by the formula ##EQU1## is computed wherein the intensity ratio IR represents a standardized intensity of the sample line compensated for source fluctuations.

Abstract: A direct-imaging, monochromatic electron microscope includes an objective lens for collecting a substantial portion of emitted electrons from an area across a sample surface, and focusing the electrons through an image plane. A collimating lens for collimating the electrons into beams is located at its focal distance from the image plane. An energy filter with an entrance aperture is receptive of the beams to transit monochromatic beams, and a transfer lens is receptive of the monochromatic beams for refocusing the same through a projection lens to effect an image of the plurality of spots in a projection plane. The objective lens is formed of a magnetic toroidal coil having a central hole therein with a dish-shaped magnetically permeable member cupped coaxially over the toroidal coil. The permeable member has a neck portion protruding through the central hole. The sample surface is interposed proximate the objective lens between the objective lens and the energy filter.

Abstract: It has been discovered that a glass envelope at elevated temperature containing a noble gas will result in electrons being evolved. The phenomenon has been employed to construct both argon and helium detectors for gas chromatography.

Abstract: A desiccant system is for maintaining an enclosure at atmospheric pressure and in a gas controlled condition. The system includes desiccant material contained in two gas permeable packets each having a flattened side. A perforated box has a cover plate and is adapted for retaining the two packets with the respective flattened sides juxtaposed. An open tube has a length to internal diameter ratio of at least about ten and an outer end open to atmosphere through the cover plate. An inner end of the tube is positioned centrally between the flattened sides of the packets. The box is insertable into a port in an enclosure with the cover plate adapted to seal the port.

Abstract: A cobalt bonded tungsten carbide powder is produced by a method comprising preparing a mixture consisting of a first tungsten carbide powder having a particle size of -5 microns, a second tungsten carbide powder having a particle size of -44+10 microns, a cobalt powder having a particle size of -5 microns and a carbon powder having a particle size of -1 micron. The mixture has proportions, by weight totaling 100%, of about 10% to 30% first tungsten carbide, 40% to 80% second tungsten carbide, 8% to 25% cobalt and 0.5 to 3% carbon. The mixture is processed by compacting, sintering, crushing, and classifying to produce the cobalt bonded tungsten powder in a size range -100+10 microns.

Abstract: A mounting system includes a carriage member section of an apparatus being isolated from external vibrations, and a bench member having three support assemblies thereon to support the apparatus. Each support assembly comprises an upwardly oriented pin affixed to the bench member, and an elastomer isolating ring with a central hole press fitted onto the pin. The carriage member has an aperture therein aligned with each support assembly. The aperture is shaped as a slot portion superimposed centrally on a circular hole portion press fitted over the isolating ring. The isolating ring thereby is retained in compression between the pin and the outer wall such that elastomer overfill of the isolating ring can expand into the slot portion sufficiently to compensate for tolerance misalignment between the support member and the aperture, without substantial thickening of the isolating ring. A clamping assembly with an elastomer isolation pad holds the carriage onto three upward protrusions over each support assembly.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for producing a dense and tenacious coating with a thermal spray gun including a nozzle member and a gas cap. The gas cap extends from the nozzle and has an inwardly facing cylindrical wall defining a combustion chamber with an open end and an opposite end bounded by the nozzle. An annular flow of a combustible mixture is injected at a pressure of at least two bar above atmospheric pressure from the nozzle coaxially into the combustion chamber. An annular outer flow of pressurized air is injected from the nozzle adjacent to the cylindrical wall. Heat fusible powder entrained in a carrier gas is fed axially from the nozzle into the combustion chamber. An annular inner flow of pressurized air is injected from the nozzle into the combustion chamber coaxially between the combustible mixture and the powder-carrier gas. Upon combusting the annular mixture a supersonic spray stream containing the powder is propelled through the open end to produce a coating.

Abstract: A powder feeding system includes closed loop regulation of powder feed rate. A feed gas is discharged under constant pressure into an enclosed hopper. A valve is disposed to constrict a carrier conduit conveying powder in a carrier gas. A load cell measures the rate at which powder is flowing from the hopper through an intake orifice into the carrier conduit, and filtered flow rate signal is produced. A first controller produces a reference signal representative of the difference between a set point signal and the flow rate signal. A differential signal is produced corresponding to the pressure difference between the hopper pressure and a carrier conduit pressure taken between the intake orifice and the valve. A second controller produces a control signal representative of the difference between the differential signal and the reference signal. The valve is responsive to the control signal to proportionately constrict the carrier gas stream such as to regulate the powder flow rate.

Abstract: A plasma gun for spraying in a recessed region comprises a cathode member and a tubular anode arranged with the cathode member to generate a plasma stream. An elongated tubular extension including a tubular wall with an axial plasma duct therein extends forwardly from the anode. A transverse plasma duct causes the plasma stream to exit transversely from the tubular extension. Channeling for fluid coolant is in the tubular wall and extends substantially the length of the axial plasma duct. A first external pipe connected to the tubular extension forwardly of the transverse duct directs fluid coolant to the channeling. A powder injector injects spray powder rearwardly into the exiting plasma stream. A second external pipe from a powder source is connected to the powder injector.