Abstract: The present disclosure is, in one aspect, directed to a locking assembly for securing a sample tube assembly to a sample manifold of a measurement system. The locking assembly includes a ramp block having one or more slots defined therein and configured to at least partially receive a portion of the sample tube assembly. The ramp block also includes a plurality of surface features defined therealong and configured to engage and move the sample tube assembly toward and into engagement with the sample manifold. The ramp block further is movable between a plurality of positions including an open position for allowing the sample tube assembly to be received through the one or more slots or openings, and a closed position substantially sealing the sample tube assembly against or within the sample manifold. Other aspects also are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a gas pycnometer utilizing a custom volume reference standard are disclosed. The custom volume reference standard may include a material. The material may include a low CTE and high-accuracy dimensions. The material may have a high-aspect ratio reference shape corresponding to an inner area of a custom made sample cup. The custom volume reference standard may include a specified number of inclusions of the material, a high purity, and/or an accurately known density. The custom volume reference standard may include a known volume.

Abstract: The present disclosure is, in one aspect, directed to a locking assembly for securing a sample tube assembly to a sample manifold of a measurement system. The locking assembly includes a ramp block having one or more slots defined therein and configured to at least partially receive a portion of the sample tube assembly. The ramp block also includes a plurality of surface features defined therealong and configured to engage and move the sample tube assembly toward and into engagement with the sample manifold. The ramp block further is movable between a plurality of positions including an open position for allowing the sample tube assembly to be received through the one or more slots or openings, and a closed position substantially sealing the sample tube assembly against or within the sample manifold. Other aspects also are described.

Abstract: The present disclosure is, in one aspect, directed to a locking assembly for securing a sample tube assembly to a sample manifold of a measurement system. The locking assembly includes a ramp block having one or more slots defined therein and configured to at least partially receive a portion of the sample tube assembly. The ramp block also includes a plurality of surface features defined therealong and configured to engage and move the sample tube assembly toward and into engagement with the sample manifold. The ramp block further is movable between a plurality of positions including an open position for allowing the sample tube assembly to be received through the one or more slots or openings, and a closed position substantially sealing the sample tube assembly against or within the sample manifold. Other aspects also are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for profiling a material property are provided. A plurality of measurement devices can be configured to measure at least a portion of the material property. A controller including at least one processor can be in communication with one or more of the plurality of measurement devices. At least one measurement device of the plurality of measurement devices can measure at least one segment of the material property, and at least one additional measurement device of the plurality of measurement devices can measure at least one additional segment of the material property. The at least one segment and the at least one additional segment can be combined to provide at least a partial profile of the material property.

Abstract: A blend valve assembly including a plurality of ports, a stator having at least one fluid flow path defined therein that extends between at least one port of the plurality of ports in communication with the primary fluid media and at least one port of the plurality of ports in communication with an intake of a testing device, and a rotor comprising at least one fluid flow path defined therein. The rotor is movable between a series of positions such that the blend valve assembly is operable to provide the intake of the testing device with only the primary fluid media and to provide the intake of the testing device with a blend of the primary fluid media and the secondary fluid media.

Abstract: A blend valve assembly including a plurality of ports, a stator having at least one fluid flow path defined therein that extends between at least one port of the plurality of ports in communication with the primary fluid media and at least one port of the plurality of ports in communication with an intake of a testing device, and a rotor comprising at least one fluid flow path defined therein. The rotor is movable between a series of positions such that the blend valve assembly is operable to provide the intake of the testing device with only the primary fluid media and to provide the intake of the testing device with a blend of the primary fluid media and the secondary fluid media.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for obtaining and analyzing light scattering data to determine the size distribution of a group of dispersed particles that scattered the light. The apparatus and method use a two-dimensional array of photosensitive pixels such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) or an array of solid-state photodiodes. The analyzer illuminates the particles with a dose of light in a collimated beam from a light source so as to scatter light of the beam, and at least a portion of the light interacting with the particles is detected with the photosensitive pixel array. The pixels are functionally equivalent and the analyzer dynamically configures and re-configures at least a portion of the pixels into a variable number of data collection areas which correspond to a selected set of scattering angles. The analyzer also determines whether and, from the pixel output data, where an unscattered center of the incident light beam intersects the pixel array.

Abstract: A sample handling system provides an evenly-suspended, small volume, bubble-free sample to an analyzer such as a light scattering particle size analyzer. A flow of suspension is forced through an elongate channel below the surface of the liquid in the channel, along a downwardly sloping path, into impact with an end wall, and through an abrupt downward turn. Controlled turbulence created in the flow disperses particles and releases bubbles from the liquid.

Abstract: A compaction device for determining envelope and bulk densities of sample materials. The device uses a rotating sample cylinder and a plunger positioned within the cylinder. The force on the plunger is measured as the plunger advances in the cylinder. The position of the plunger at which a predetermined level of force is applied thereto is determined. Envelope density is determined from the difference in the advance of the plunger when the cylinder is partially filled with a dry flowing medium and when a sample material such as a rigid object is added into the medium. Bulk density is determined from the difference in the advance of the plunger when the cylinder is empty and when the cylinder contains a sample material such as a powder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the volume and calculating the envelope density of an object of known weight. The apparatus has a hollow sample cylinder of known interior diameter mounted to a motor for rotation about its horizontal axis. A dry flowing medium is placed in the sample cylinder and a plunger is removably positioned therein. The plunger is mounted to another drive motor for axial movement within the sample cylinder to compact the dry flowing medium. A load cell connected to the plunger measures the force on the plunger as it advances in the sample cylinder. Control means responsive to the load cell determines the position of the plunger in the sample cylinder at which a known force is exerted on the plunger. The control means also calculates the volume of the dry flowing medium in the sample cylinder both with and without the object positioned therein and divides the difference in the volumes into the weight of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for obtaining and analyzing light scattering data to determine the size distribution of a group of dispersed particles that scattered the light. The apparatus and method use a two-dimensional array of photosensitive pixels such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) or an array of solid-state photodiodes. The analyzer illuminates the particles with a dose of light in a collimated beam from a light source so as to scatter light of the beam, and at least a portion of the light interacting with the particles is detected with the photosensitive pixel array. The pixels are functionally equivalent and the analyzer dynamically configures and re-configures at least a portion of the pixels into a variable number of data collection areas which correspond to a selected set of scattering angles. The analyzer also determines whether and, from the pixel output data, where an unscattered center of the incident light beam intersects the pixel array.

Abstract: An x-ray sedimentation particle size analyzer in which data is taken only at particular positions along the sedimentation cell, and each such position is individually calibrated. Presentation of the data in the form of a particle size distribution curve can be accomplished very accurately using interpolation techniques. The sedimentation cell design is free of the effects of undesirable density gradients, capable of detecting and removing bubbles, capable of attaining a highly uniform dispersion of sample prior to sedimentation, and including a safety interlock device for blocking x-ray projection when the cell is being accessed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for obtaining adsorption data to be used for surface area and pore volume analysis. The apparatus and method utilize the differential pressures between a pair of dosing systems to indicate the amount of gas adsorbed by a sample. The system doses a sample chamber and a null chamber from essentially equal volumes of gas, and causes the chambers to be dosed such that any pressure difference between them, caused by adsorption, is eliminated. The resulting differential pressure between the essentially equal volumes of gas then indicates the amount of gas adsorbed by the sample. The system may be operated to dose in equilibrated increments or in a scanning mode in which adsorbate gas is continuously leaked into the sample chamber. A feedback circuit then controls dosing into the null chamber to eliminate the pressure difference caused by adsorption onto the sample surface.

Abstract: A gas comparison pycnometer is disclosed which provides a method and apparatus for determining and checking the accuracy of the volume of a solid substance. The pycnometer is also outfitted with a unique cap assembly which fixes the volume in the pycnometer's sample chamber from run to run. The pycnometer also employs a series of purges with a suitable gas to carry unwanted moisture and vapors out of the system. This pycnometer solves many problems in the prior art by quickly and accurately determining the volume of a solid substance.

Abstract: The invention provides improvements in a system for carrying out volumetric sorption analysis of porous materials. According to one aspect of the invention, the saturation pressure of the adsorbate gas is measured after dosing of the sample during an actual run has brought the adsorbate gas to a saturation condition above the sample, and this measured saturation pressure is then used by the system to determine the relative pressures at which data will be taken during desorption. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the system automatically adds extra adsorbate gas to the dosing manifold until the analysis proceeds beyond a selected relative pressure, so that far fewer doses are required to reach initial target relative pressures in the case of materials which adsorb large amounts of gas at low relative pressures.

Abstract: An automated device for warming and cooling a sample is disclosed, and is particularly useful in connection with a flowing gas surface area analyzer. The device is capable of directing a flow of room temperature air onto a sample chamber after the chamber is removed from a coolant, thus rapidly warming the sample up to, but not exceeding, room temperature. In the disclosed embodiment, a Dewar flask containing coolant is mounted on an elevator platform. The flask is mechanically raised or lowered so as to immerse the sample chamber, located above the flask, in the coolant. A fan directs a flow of air onto the sample after the flask is lowered away from the sample chamber. A logic controller, connected to a timer, operates and regulates the cooling and warming process. The elevator assembly, fan and controller are disposed within a housing. The sample chamber is connected to gas input and output tubes, which are monitored by a detector for the composition of gas passing through the tubes.

Abstract: An x-ray sedimentation particle size analyzer in which data is taken only at particular positions along the sedimentation cell, and each such position is individually calibrated. Presentation of the data in the form of a particle size distribution curve can be accomplished very accurately using interpolation techniques. The sedimentation cell design is free of the effects of undesirable density gradients, capable of detecting and removing bubbles, capable of attaining a highly uniform dispersion of sample prior to sedimentation, and including a safety interlock device for blocking x-ray projection when the cell is being accessed.

Abstract: An automatic sample feeder system for handling suspended samples is disclosed, and is particularly useful in connection with a sedimentation particle size analyzer. The system is capable of dispersing a particulate sample into suspension without preliminary sample preparation, maintaining a sample in suspension at the time of delivery of the sample to an analyzer, consistently delivering an acceptable concentration of a suspended sample, and cleaning and flushing its components between samples to avoid contamination. In the disclosed embodiment, sample beakers are arrayed on a rotatable tray, and a sample preparation and delivery assembly consisting of an ultrasonic probe, a stirrer blade, and a dip tube are indexed into position over the beakers in a preprogrammed sequence, and lowered into the beaker for preparation and withdrawal of the sample. The components are rinsed by directing clear liquid back through the dip tube onto the rotating stirrer blade, scattering the liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a constant temperature within a vessel immersed in a liquid by surrounding a portion of the vessel, extending above the surface of the liquid, with a wick. The wick conducts liquid up to a predetermined point on the vessel and maintains the liquid at that point, regardless of changes in the level of the liquid due to evaporation. The wick is encased within a layer of heat insulating or heat conducting material to further aid in maintaining a constant temperature within the vessel. A second embodiment, including alternating layers of heat conducting and heat insulating material, is disclosed for increased temperature control. The disclosed apparatus is particularly useful for maintaining a constant temperature within a vessel attached to a scientific instrument, such as a port volume and surface area analyzer.