Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for performing a light-absorption measurement on a test sample and a compliance measurement on a reference sample. A method includes moving a reference sample receptacle carrier of an apparatus to position a first reference sample receptacle received in the carrier at a second position in a light path, directing light from an illumination system to a detection system along the light path to perform a light-absorption measurement on a first reference sample at the second position, moving the carrier to position the first receptacle out of the light path, placing a test sample receptacle in a test sample receptacle holder of the apparatus in the light path at a first position different from the second position, and directing light along the light path to perform a light-absorption measurement on a test sample in the test sample receptacle holder at the first position.

Abstract: A spectrograph as disclosed includes a housing, wherein a wall of the housing includes first, second and third openings, an entrance slit located at the first opening and configured to direct light along a first light path portion in the interior of the housing, a dispersive element located at the second opening and configured to receive light from the entrance slit along the first light path portion and direct light along a second light path portion in the interior of the housing, a detector located at the third opening and configured to receive light from the dispersive element along the second light path portion. The detector can include first and second groups of light-sensitive regions. A cover can be positioned to separate the first group of light-sensitive regions from the light path, the second group of light-sensitive regions being exposed to the light path.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for performing a light-absorption measurement of a specified amount of sample. A method for performing a light-absorption measurement of a specified amount of sample includes placing the sample on the surface of an apparatus including the surface and a light reflector, the light reflector being mechanically coupled with the surface and separated from the surface by a separation distance, changing the separation distance, while the light reflector remains mechanically coupled with the surface, to a first separation distance, and performing a first light-absorption measurement of the sample via the apparatus, while the separation distance is equal to the first separation distance, and while the sample is subject to pressure force.

Abstract: At least one of the softening point and the dropping point of a substance is determined with a measuring instrument that comprises a sample chamber (4), a temperature sensor (16), a heater device (11), a means for providing temperature/time target values, an image-recording means (5) and a controller unit (17) with a processor unit. The heater device heats the sample chamber, the temperature sensor measures the temperature in the sample chamber, and the image-recording means captures a visual image of the interior of the sample chamber. A method using the measuring instrument has at least the steps of determining the change over time of the sample as a function of temperature based on the recorded image/time data and actual temperature/time data, and of determining the dropping- or softening point of the sample based on the observed change over time as a function of temperature.

Abstract: A device for splitting a sample, in particular a time-inhomogeneous sample, into two or more representative fractional samples, as well as a sample taking system with a sample splitter and a sample taker, wherein the sample splitter has a first pump (1, 201, 301) with a first flow rate and at least one second pump (2, 202, 302; 215) with a second flow rate, wherein the first pump and the at least one second pump (2, 202, 302; 215) co-act, so that the inhomogeneous sample on its passage through a conduit system (3, 203, 303) is at the same time split up into at least two representative fractional samples.

Abstract: A method estimates the effect on the weighing result of a balance (1) that is caused by electrostatic charges on an object (2) received on a load receiver (6) thereof. A first predefined positive voltage (U1) and a second predefined negative voltage (U2) of equal magnitude are alternatingly applied to a first electrode (12) in the vicinity of the weighing object. The forces acting on a force-measuring cell (17) are measured and are registered as the first and second measurement results. The difference between the respective measurement results represents the magnitude of the influence that the electrostatic charges residing on the weighing object are having on the weighing result. The difference also represents an essentially proportional part of the force resulting from electrostatic charges on the weighing object which causes a change in the weighing result and is sent as a signal to a processor unit.

Abstract: A force-transmitting mechanism of a gravimetric measuring instrument, with a stationary portion, and a load-receiving portion that is joined through a force-transmitting connection to a measurement transducer that is arranged on the stationary portion. A calibration weight may be coupled to the force-transmitting mechanism in such a way as to minimize the degree to which changes of the geometry can affect the force that the calibration weight exerts on the measurement transducer.

Abstract: A reference electrode with an in-situ modified porous diaphragm has at least one housing (1, 201, 301), a first conductor element (4, 204, 304), a modifying electrolyte which is capable of free-flow movement and is contained in the housing (1, 201, 301), and a porous diaphragm (3, 203, 303) which establishes a liquid connection between the modifying electrolyte and a measurement medium (9, 209, 309). The modifying electrolyte seeps out through the porous diaphragm during operation. The modifying electrolyte has a first component and a surface-modifying component which modifies the surface of the porous diaphragm (3, 203, 303) in situ during the passage of the modifying electrolyte. A method for modifying the porous diaphragm in situ is presented.

Abstract: A weighing cell based on the principle of electromagnetic force compensation and having an optoelectronic position sensor that includes a light source, a light receiver, and a shutter vane. The light receiver functions to generate a position sensor signal corresponding to a deflection of the shutter vane from a zero position which occurs as a result of placing a load onto a load receiver of the weighing cell. A controller functions to regulate compensation current in response to the position sensor signal in such a way that the shutter vane and the movable parts of the weighing cell connected to the shutter vane are returned to the zero position by the electromagnetic force between a coil and permanent magnet system of the weighing cell.

Abstract: An optochemical sensing device has source that emits radiation of a first and a second predetermined intensity, a detector, and a sensitive element that comprises a signal substance. To measure an analyte in a measurement medium, the sensitive element is contacted with the analyte. A first raw signal, which is dependent on the analyte content is obtained by exciting the signal substance with radiation of the first predetermined intensity. At a later time, a second raw signal is also obtained. A comparison of the raw signals yields a comparison value, which is compared against a predetermined limit value. If the comparison value exceeds the limit value, the radiation source is set at the first intensity. If the comparison value is smaller than the limit value, the radiation source is set at the lower second intensity. Using the lower radiation intensity prolongs the life of the sensitive element.

Abstract: A weighing cell based on the principle of electromagnetic force compensation. A permanent magnet system is mounted on a base part and includes an air gap within which is suspended a coil that is connected to a load receiver through a force-transmitting mechanism. The coil carries an electrical compensation current when the weighing cell is in operation. An optoelectronic position sensor is also included, and its signal corresponds to the deflection of the coil from a zero position which occurs as a result of placing a load on the load receiver. A closed-loop controller regulates the compensation current in response to the sensor signal in such a way that the coil and the load receiver that is connected to it are returned to their zero position by the electromagnetic force that is acting between the coil and the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A draft shield (1) for a balance has a rear wall (2), a front wall (11), two side walls (9, 10), a top cover 8, and rail members (3, 4) which extend from the upper corners of the rear wall (2) to the upper corners of the front wall (11) and carry guide tracks (5, 6, 7) in which the top cover (8) and the side walls (9, 10) are slidably seated. According to the invention, each rail member (3, 4) includes at its front end a spring element and a holder element which are integrally connected to the rail members (3, 4) and are made of one piece with the latter. The spring elements and the holder elements are arranged on the rail members (3, 4) in such a way that the front wall (11) can be inserted between the spring elements (16) and the holder elements (17), and as a result of said insertion the front wall (11) will be secured to the rail members (3, 4).

Abstract: An exemplary method for the temperature correction of a force-measuring device such as a balance is disclosed. The method includes generating, by means of a force-measuring cell, a force measurement signal corresponding to the input force; generating an electrical temperature measurement signal by means of a temperature sensor that is arranged at a distance from the heat-generating components of the force-measuring device, processing the force measurement signal into a temperature-corrected output signal based on the temperature measurement signal and the force measurement signal; and transmitting the output signal to an indicator unit and/or to a further processing unit.

Abstract: A force-transmitting mechanism (110) has stationary and load-receiving portions (111, 112). The load-receiving portion is joined to a measurement transducer on the stationary portion through a force-transmitting connection, directly or through at least one coupling element (119) and at least one lever (116). The force-transmitting mechanism has a parallel-guided coupling means (124), a calibration lever (120) with a fulcrum on the stationary portion, and calibration lever arms (121, 122), one of which is rigidly connected to a calibration weight (123). The parallel-guided coupling means (124) is arranged between the second calibration lever arm and the at least one coupling element or an arm (117, 118) of the lever. The parallel-guided coupling means is divided into fixed and parallel-guided coupling parts (126, 125), which allows a force to be transmitted between the coupling parts. Parallel elements of the parallel-guided coupling part absorb relative traverse displacements from transmitted forces.

Abstract: A dosage-dispensing unit with an interior space, delimited by a lateral wall and a bottom portion. The bottom portion further includes an outlet orifice. The dosage-dispensing unit can be connected to a holder device of a dosage-dispensing device. The holder device is supported by constraints that allow movement in a prescribed direction. The outlet orifice has a central longitudinal axis that is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to this prescribed direction of movement. The internal surface of the bottom portion facing towards the interior space includes a surface region having at least a line segment that starts at the outlet orifice and extends in the prescribed direction of movement.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of samples by means of a dosage-dispensing device, a weighing system with a load receiver, a processor unit, a memory unit, and an exchangeable dosage-dispensing unit. A target container is set on the load receiver. The dosage-dispensing unit and/or the target container includes electrically insulating material. The dosage-dispensing unit has the capability to change positions relative to the load receiver. While the dosage-dispensing unit is in a first position and a target container is on the load receiver, a starting weight value is determined, the dosage-dispensing unit is brought into a second position, a dosage-dispensing cycle delivers a dosage material in a predefined amount from the dosage-dispensing unit into the target container by means of the processor unit, the dosage-dispensing unit is brought into the first position, and while the dosage-dispensing unit is at rest in the first position, an ending weight value is determined.