Abstract: A lid holder for use in centrifuge systems, particularly suited for rotor lids. A lid holder including a lid support and a lid receiving end for holding a centrifuge rotor lid on a centrifuge that may not have a hinged door. A method for securing a centrifuge rotor lid to a centrifuge that may not have a hinged door.

Abstract: Mirror elements are selectively interposable in the beam paths in a dual aperture microspectrometer system to selectively bypass the aperture element in transmission or reflection modes to increase optical throughput and field of view. The system may be operated in a dual aperture transmission mode or reflection mode and in modes in which the aperture is bypassed before or after the infrared beam reaches the sample. The system may be operated to bypass the aperture both before and after the sample, which may be utilized with an array detector having multiple detector elements in which an image of the sample is formed on the array detector.

Abstract: A flood gun 10 for charge neutralization of an analysis region Ra of a sample S downstream of the flood gun, comprising: a first source 30 of electrons; a second source 50 of positively charged particles; and an extraction and focusing assembly 60,64, arranged to: (i) extract a first, electron beam from the first source and focus the first beam to a first flood area Ae at the analysis region; and (ii) extract a second, positive particle beam from the second source and focus the second beam to a second flood area Ai at the analysis region. The electron beam and the positive particle beam may both be extracted and focused simultaneously, in a single mode of operation or, alternately, in a dual mode of operation. A corresponding method of providing charge neutralization and a spectroscopic system for secondary particle emission analysis are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pump device 50 which is usable to dilute a sample 52 before analysis. A first pump 54 pumps the sample to a mixing region 58 where it mixes with a diluent 66. A second pump 64 pumps the diluted sample to the analysis instrument. The flow of the diluent to the mixer is equal to the difference of the flow of the sample to the mixer and the flow of the diluted sample to the instrument. Pumps 54 and 64 are independently controllable by a controller unit which is arranged so that data from the instrument can be used to determine the dilution factor of the sample. Thus, the controller can control this dilution factor in real time, upon receipt of such data from the instrument, by change either one of (or both) the pump's flow rate.

Abstract: A metal detector has a circular excitation coil (10) through which foodstuffs to be tested (65) pass, on a conveyor belt (40). The excitation coil (10) is excited by a stable oscillator (50) and the lines of flux generated by the excitation coil (10) link two receiver coils (20, 30) equidistantly spaced either side of the excitation coil (10). As a foodstuff (65) having a foreign ferromagnetic or electrically conductive object therein passes through the receiver coils (20, 30), a voltage is induced in them. This induced voltage is phase compensated. The change in amplitude or frequency of the oscillator (50) as the foodstuff (65) moves through the excitation coil (10) is also passed to the processor (70) which removes the artifacts from the detector signal caused by the volume of the foodstuff (65) itself. The resultant signal, which was previously swamped by the effect of the volume of the foodstuff itself, can then be detected and the foodstuff can be removed from the conveyor (40).

Abstract: An infrared spectrometer system with automated tablet sampling includes an infrared spectrometer providing a modulated output beam to a sample position, and reflected and transmitted light detectors. A tablet holding wheel is mounted to advance multiple tablets one at a time to the sample position. The tablet holding wheel includes a tablet wheel base having a plurality of transmission openings therein in a circular pattern around a central axis of the base, grippers adjacent to each of the transmission openings that are movable inwardly and outwardly, and a cam ring mounted to and rotatable with respect to the tablet wheel base, the cam ring being operatively engaged with the grippers to move the grippers outwardly and inwardly to engage and hold tablets over the transmission openings.

Abstract: A pumping apparatus (50) which isolates a sample (52) from a pump (72), thereby circumventing the so-called “memory effect” problem. The sample is pumped into an intermediary, or buffer region (64) using a first pump (54). The sample is displaced from this buffer region by pumping a second fluid (74) into the buffer region using a second pump (72). When the sample is displaced from the buffer region it proceeds to a mixer (78) where it can be diluted before analysis. The second pump is required to operate with a high degree of accuracy so that the sample is diluted by a consistent amount. Preferably, the second pump is a highly accurate piston pump.

Abstract: A multi-way radiation monitoring and detection system is capable of detecting a radiation source on or within traffic that can travel within M adjacent traffic ways, where M is an integer equal to or greater than a value of 2. The radiation detection system comprises a set of (M+1) radiation detector assemblies with individual radiation detector assemblies of the set of (M+1) radiation detector assemblies respectively positioned at each of two sides of each of the M adjacent traffic ways. A set of M controllers is included and each controller is associated with a respective traffic way of the M adjacent traffic ways. Each controller is coupled to the respective individual radiation detector assemblies positioned at the two sides of the traffic way to which that controller is associated, such that two controllers associated with two adjacent traffic ways couple to the individual radiation detector assembly positioned between those two adjacent traffic ways.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a mass spectrometer, in particular a static mass spectrometer, with an ion source and an analyzer. The invention likewise concerns the mass spectrometer. According to the invention, a gas admitted into the mass spectrometer is bonded in a concentrated manner on a cooled surface and then ionized.

Abstract: A rheometer has a measuring shaft which is borne for rotation about and/or axial displacement along its longitudinal axis and has a detection device for determination of the normal force and/or the torque which acts on the measuring shaft during a measurement. The detection device thereby has a first holding member which is connected to the measuring shaft and a second holding member which is mounted to a stationary frame, wherein the second holding member is connected to the first holding member by means of resilient connecting members and at least one strain gage is introduced onto at least one of the connecting members to measure the deformation of the connecting member.

Abstract: A rheometer has a measuring chamber which is delimited by a measuring chamber wall in which at least one measuring component is disposed for acceptance of a sample. The measuring chamber can have a gas flowing through it whose temperature is controlled in a desired fashion by a first temperature control device. A second temperature control device is also disposed in the measuring chamber wall by means of which the wall of the measuring chamber can be temperature controlled to a desired temperature. To temperature control the sample, the gas flow in the measuring chamber can be switched off or at least highly reduced prior to measurement of the reological characteristic quantities and further temperature control of the measuring chamber is effected by means of the temperature control of the measuring chamber wall.

Abstract: A rheometer has an upper measuring part and a lower measuring part, between which a measuring chamber is formed for receiving a sample of a substance to be examined, wherein the two measuring parts can be moved relative to each other and, in particular, can be rotated or pivoted. Moreover, a heating device is provided for heating at least the lower measuring part and therefore the sample. The lower measuring part comprises a support part carrying the sample which can be heated through application of an electrical voltage. The support part is preferably made from glass which is itself electrically conducting and/or which can be provided with an electrically conducting medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test tube carrier (4) for transporting test tubes in a transport system, said carrier (4) comprising a base (8) having a recess made thereto for accommodating the bottom of a test tube/vial (1), and support members (9, 10) adapted to the carrier base (8) for clamping a test tube (1) inserted in said recess and supporting the same. The support members (9, 10) are permanently affixed to said carrier base (8) and comprise elongated portions with their free ends bent toward the vertical center axis of the carrier base and said upper ends providing a support surface (22) for making supportive contact to the test tube. The bottom of the carrier base recess for accommodating a test tube is advantageously made flat and the carrier base is provided with test tube support members whose support surfaces (22) extend to at least two different heights from the top level of the carrier base (8).

Abstract: This invention concerns a method and apparatus for vaporization injection of large volumes of liquid sample (substance to be analysed+solvent) introduced by a syringe needle into a heated vaporization chamber which is part of an injector coupled operatively to a device for gas chromatographic analysis. The sample is sent in the form of a liquid band traveling through the vaporization chamber at high speed until it reaches a stopping and vaporization device positioned adjacent to the inlet of a capillary to collect the vapors. In order to inject large volumes without modifying the vaporization chamber and without partial losses of the samples, the sample vapors, in splitless mode, are drawn up from the vaporization chamber into the capillary by virtue of the local action of volume contraction caused by recondensation of at least the solvent vapors in the capillary.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for collecting ions, in particular in an isotope mass spectrometer. At least one secondary electron multiplier (SEM) is provided, this being constructed in the manner of a card, namely box-like and with a thickness which is low in comparison with its length and width. The SEM is held in a frame. In addition, a flat flexible printed circuit board with a plurality of parallel conductors is connected to the SEM. The flexible printed circuit board permits the positioning of the SEM in order to match the ion paths to be sampled.

Abstract: A flood gun 10 for charge neutralization of an analysis region Ra of a sample S downstream of the flood gun, comprising: a first source 30 of electrons; a second source 50 of positively charged particles; and an extraction and focusing assembly 60,64, arranged to: (i) extract a first, electron beam from the first source and focus the first beam to a first flood area Ae at the analysis region; and (ii) extract a second, positive particle beam from the second source and focus the second beam to a second flood area Ai at the analysis region. The electron beam and the positive particle beam may both be extracted and focused simultaneously, in a single mode of operation or, alternately, in a dual mode of operation. A corresponding method of providing charge neutralization and a spectroscopic system for secondary particle emission analysis are disclosed.

Abstract: A proximity sensor module includes a housing; and a proximity sensor disposed in the housing, wherein the proximity sensor comprises a sensor plate configured to contact inside of the housing such that substantially no gap exists between the sensor plate and the housing. The housing may be a substantially explosion-proof housing. The housing may include two members coupled by a thread engagement, wherein a sensor plate of the proximity sensor is placed off-center with respect to an axis of rotation for the thread engagement.

Abstract: A rheometer, in particular, a rotational or extensional rheometer, comprises a lower measuring part and an upper measuring part, between which a sample space is formed for receiving a material sample, and which can be moved relative to each other. The sample space is surrounded at a distance by a cover which forms an inner closed measuring chamber, wherein a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature within the measuring chamber and a temperature control device for the measuring chamber are provided. A further sensor device serves to detect the air moisture and/or the pressure within the measuring chamber, wherein a gas and/or liquid can be supplied to the measuring chamber and can be discharged therefrom via a discharge line.

Abstract: This invention relates to a modulator for use in gas chromatographic analyses, in particular for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography, adapted to alternatively trap and release fractions of solutes in a length of a capillary column within a chromatographic oven, of the type comprising one nozzle placed to spray one jet in one corresponding capillary column section along said capillary column length, said nozzle being connected to a source of liquid CO2 and means for alternatively causing a jet of gaseous CO2 to impinge during a predetermined time on said capillary column section and to leave the oven atmosphere to heal said capillary column section after said predetermined time. By controlling said capillary column section cooling time by the single jet and said column section heating time by the oven atmosphere in each modulation cycle comprising a heating time and a cooling time a perfect modulation of the sample fractions can be ontained.