Abstract: A flame ionization detector including means for monitoring the flame condition, so as to enable ignition of an extinguished flame. An igniter coil is mounted proximate the burner nozzle of the FID, and thermocouple means are provided including a hot junction in thermal contact with the nozzle, and a spaced cold junction. Means are provided for applying an electrical potential to the igniter coil to enable ignition of the flame upon a flame-out condition being detected as measured by the thermocouple output. In a preferable embodiment, the ends of the igniter coil are connected to a pair of electrical leads, with the connection zones defining the hot and cold junctions of the thermocouple. This permits the same lead pair to provide both the potential enabling the igniter function of the coil, and the interconnection for the thermocouple output signal. The same lead pair may also be utilized to provide the biasing potential to the burner nozzle.

Abstract: Single and dual beam flow cells for liquid chromatography that provide good detectability and linear response with small sample volumes. A cylindrical window surrounds the sample flow path to permit focusing convergent light rays through the center of the flow path and along optical paths of equal length through the cell. Optical stops limit the light passing through the cell to convergent rays incident to the window surface. A wide acceptance angle for the rays results in high light transmission and averages variations in light output along the light source. A dual beam flow cell utilizes a common exit for the sample and reference liquids. The flow cells are economically constructed for direct coupling to a chromatographic column by using a standard compression fitting union and can be used in a single wavelength or discrete wavelength detector, or in a spectrophotometer.

Abstract: The heat-transfer capability of a movable-electrode gas-filled arc lamp is optimized. In the preferred embodiment, the movable electrode is the anode which is mounted at the base of the lamp coaxialy with and spaced apart from the cathode. Low-voltage starting of the lamp is provided by solenoid means for moving the anode briefly into contact with the cathode and then withdrawing the anode from contact with the cathode so that a difference of electrical potential develops between the cathode and the anode, which is sufficient to ionize the gas in the gap formed therebetween. The arc thereby generated in the gap follows the withdrawing anode to its fully spaced-apart position with respect to the cathode. A heat sink member is disposed within the gas-filled envelope at the base of the lamp, and a metal collar is affixed to and surrounds the movable anode. The collar provides thermally conductive contact with the heat sink member when the anode is in its fully spaced-apart position with respect to the cathode.

Abstract: A ferrite-to-metal bond suitable for the environment of a high-power microwave circulator is disclosed. The bonding surface of a gyromagnetic ferrite or garnet button is metallized by a sputtering process that deposits successive layers of nichrome, copper and gold thereon. During the sputtering process, a flexible stainless steel band surrounds the button to prevent sputtered material from being deposited on other than the bonding surface of the button. The metallized bonding surface is then soldered to a metal wall of the circulator. The bond so formed is capable of withstanding a peak power level in the circulator of 2.0 megawatts and an average power level of 3.5 kilowatts under standing-wave conditions.

Abstract: An alkali metal corrosion resistant vacuum tight metal-to-ceramic seal is formed between a high alumina ceramic body and a refractory alkali metal resistant metal member, such as Cb-1Zr, by interposing a powdered brazing mixture comprising by weight a majority of elemental columbium powder and a second metal powder selected from the class consisting of iron and nickel, and firing the assembly in vacuum at a temperature between 1500.degree.C and 1675.degree.C to partially melt a portion of the powder to form a melted bonding phase component interstitially of the undissolved columbium particles for bonding the ceramic to the metal part.

Abstract: Outgassing of hydrogen from high-vacuum system components made of stainless steel and similar alloys can be minimized if the metal surfaces to be exposed to the vacuum are treated according to the technique disclosed herein. First, an adherent layer comprising a mixture of oxides and nitrides is formed on the metal surfaces. This oxide and nitride mixture layer serves as a barrier to hydrogen diffusion. Then, a reduced layer having a low heat of adsorption for water is formed on the exposed surface of the oxide and nitride mixture layer. This reduced layer is made sufficiently thin to preclude outgassing of significant amounts of hydrogen into the vacuum system. In effect, a vacuum envelope is formed which outgasses only from a thin layer of reduced oxide.

Abstract: A ferrite-to-metal bond suitable for the environment of a high-power microwave circulator is disclosed. The bonding surface of a gyromagnetic ferrite or garnet button is metallized by a sputtering process that deposits successive layers of nichrome, copper and gold thereon. During the sputtering process, a flexible stainless steel band surrounds the button to prevent sputtered material from being deposited on other than the bonding surface of the button. The metallized bonding surface is then soldered to a metal wall of the circulator. The bond so formed is capable of withstanding a peak power level in the circulator of 2.0 megawatts and an average power level of 3.5 kilowatts under standing-wave conditions.

Abstract: A flame photometric detector including a burner assembly having a first passageway leading to the burner tip so that a mixture of the hydrogen fuel gas and the combustion supporting gas such as oxygen may be delivered via the passageway to the burner tip to produce a hydrogen rich reducing flame. The sample to be analyzed is delivered via a second passageway and directed by a sample guide to the peripheral region of the reducing flame where the sample is burned in a relatively low temperature, hydrogen rich region whereby the interfering light emission from interfering substances is maintained at a low level. SPThis is a division of application Ser. No. 389,614 filed on Aug. 20, 1973, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,879,126, which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 232,926 filed on Mar. 8, 1972 abandoned.

Abstract: A system for injecting sample fluids into an analyzer and processing the analysis data is disclosed. The system includes a fluid sample analyzer, a sample storage module for a number of fluid samples, an injection module by which samples are injected into the analyzer, and a control module for governing and sequencing the operation of the system. The storage module houses a plurality of sample-containing trays which can be loaded with samples remote from the system. A gas operated liquid purging system is employed for minimizing the quantity of residual material injected into the analyzer with successive samples, which system operates over a broad range of purging fluid viscosities using excessive amounts of fluid purge material.

Abstract: Failure inducive operating conditions of an X-ray generator tube are sensed. Some of the sensed operating conditions are events such as hot overload of the target and thermal shock of the target, while other sensed operating conditions include hot target bearing use and thermionic cathode filament heater use. Certain of the sensed operating conditions are integrated, with the integrated output being compared against a predetermined standard to yield a prediction of remaining operating life. Other sensed conditions, if present, are indicative of incipient failure without integration. The integrated signals are stored in electrochemical cells and read out periodically for a prediction of incipient tube failure.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting the refractive index and rate of fluid flowing through an elongated flow cell, having applications in liquid chromatography. The cell may be of circular cross section and has an input window in one end, an exit window in the other, and a longitudinal side wall. A light source directs divergent light through the entrance window, longitudinally through the cell, to pass through the exit window and be sensed by a photoelectric detector outside the exit window. In a first embodiment, heat transmission apparatus connected to the cell establishes a constant temperature gradient in the cell. This temperature gradient, preferably, has a component perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the cell and extending toward the center of the cell. This causes the density of the fluid in the cell to vary as an increasing function of its distance from the walls. The index of refraction of the fluid thus, in this embodiment, increases with distance from the cell walls.

Abstract: An automated envelope opener receives a stack of unopened envelopes of varying sizes, types and shapes, and feeds these envelopes individually to a cutting station. An edge of each envelope is automatically aligned with a reference surface, whereby each such aligned envelope edge can be cut at the cutting station by a rotating multi-toothed cutter and stationary anvil which are also aligned with the reference surface. In a preferred embodiment, means are additionally provided for shingling and stacking the envelopes after they have been cut open.

Abstract: A high pressure sample injector for liquid chromatographs is disclosed. The apparatus includes structure defining a cylindrical dispensing chamber for receiving the sample to be injected into the flow path of a high pressure stream of carrier fluid in a liquid chromatograph. Control structure is interposed between the dispensing chamber and the flow path of the carrier stream for preventing liquid flow from the carrier stream to the dispensing chamber, and for enabling flow in the opposite direction only when the pressure in the dispensing chamber at least equals the carrier stream pressure. A pressurizing apparatus is connected to the dispensing chamber to raise its pressure, when desired, to a value at least equal to that of the carrier stream, in order that the sample may be injected into the carrier without reducing the carrier stream pressure.

Abstract: A ferrite-to-metal bond suitable for the environment of a high-power microwave circulator is disclosed. The bonding surface of a gyromagnetic ferrite or garnet button is metallized by a sputtering process that deposits successive layers of nichrome, copper and gold thereon. During the sputtering process, a flexible stainless steel band surrounds the button to prevent sputtered material from being deposited on other than the bonding surface of the button. The metallized bonding surface is then soldered to a metal wall of the circulator. The bond so formed is capable of withstanding a peak power level in the circulator of 2.0 megawatts and an average power level of 3.5 kilowatts under standing-wave conditions.

Abstract: Solvent gradient generating apparatus in a liquid column chromatography system. A multi-compartment vessel having an input/output port pair for each compartment is coupled between a high pressure pump and the column cell for providing both gradient generation and pulse damping. A piston, which is slidably contained within the vessel, sealably provides the compartments. Means external to the vessel are provided for controlling the rate of movement of the piston within the vessel. The volume of each compartment is controlled by the position of the piston, and the rate of movement of the piston controls mixing of the solvent components delivered to the column cell. Each compartment has input and output ports. In one embodiment, both input ports are coupled to the high pressure pump while only one output port is coupled to the column cell. In another embodiment, only one input port is coupled to the pump and the other input port and one output port are sealed.

Abstract: In a gas-filled lamp an arc is initiated by withdrawal of a stinger electrode from contact with a stationary cathode, with subsequent transfer of the arc to the gap between the cathode and a stationary anode. The anode is cylindrical; and the stinger is elongate and is movably mounted within and electrically insulated from the anode. The cathode is elongate, having a long axis parallel to but spaced apart from the long axis of the stinger. The stinger contacts the cathode at other than the tip of the cathode, thereby precluding continual impacting of the stinger on the cathode tip with concomitant blunting of the cathode tip during the use cycle of the lamp. A magnetic core is affixed to the stinger, whereby the stinger can be moved by the energization of a solenoid. The magnetic core is apertured to provide a dashpot effect to damp the motion of the stinger.

Abstract: Electron gun having a source of electrons, means for forming the electrons into a beam directed along an axis, and an output electrode comprising a plurality of semi-cylindrical plates disposed coaxially of the axis of the beam. This electrode is part of the final lens of the gun, and voltages for deflecting the beam and correcting astigmatism are superposed on the plates of this electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus and method applicable to liquid chromatography for continuously detecting the viscosity of the effluent from an analysis column of a chromatograph system. The effluent is forced through a tubular path in a flow resistance element, which may contain a packing material to increase the amount of energy dissipated in the flow resistance element. The temperature of the effluent is sensed before and after passage through the path. A signal is generated which is a function of the difference between the value of temperature which is sensed before and after traversal of the effluent through the tubular path. From these measurements, the viscosity of the effluent may be computed as a function of the observed temperature change.