Abstract: A sample injection system for a gas chromatograph or other analysis instrument is described. The sample injection system can be used in conventional gas chromatographs containing a detecting device and an internal heat source to provide temperature-programming capability for analyses involving thermal extraction of hydrocarbons and other gaseous products from a solid or liquid sample. The injection system includes a sample chamber having a sample inlet and an outlet, means to control the temperature of the sample chamber, a carrier gas inlet to the sample chamber, and means defining a flow path extending from the sample chamber outlet and for absorbing heat from the internal heat source. A method for analyzing geological samples to determine certain petroleum-related characteristics is also described.

Abstract: A gas detector of the type using an electric heater in which a substrate consists of an upper film of electrically insulating substance having a resistance to heat and a lower film of substance different from the substance of the upper film, a recess is formed below or under the upper film by removing part of the lower film, and a film of electrically conductive substance is deposited over the bridge of the upper film across the recess in the lower film, thereby providing a heating element characterized in that said heating element consists of a film of a substance having catalytic effects in the presence of a gas to be detected deposited on said electrically conductive substance or a material responsive to a gas to be detected, or consists of said electrically conductive substance having catalytic effects in the presence of a gas to be detected or a substance containing said substance having catalytic effects in the presence of a gas to be detected or a substance responsive to a gas to be detected, and said

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for picking up liquid samples to be analyzed, especially in automatic samplers, said device comprising a needle connected to a sucking pump and supported by a support which moves said needle downwards to pick up the sample from a vial containing same and upwards from said vial. In order to perform a washing step after one aspiration and before the subsequent one, the needle support is designed to perform an oscillating movement when the support is in its upward position with respect to the vial. The oscillating movement is performed by the cooperation of cam means and a control rod having at least a pivot axis controlling the alternative movements. The oscillating movement makes the needle plunge into a sidewardly positioned trough containing a washing liquid.

Abstract: A fluid transfer mechanism for rapidly and accurately picking up or aspirating a fluid quantity or aliquot in one position, moving it to a second position and dispensing the aspirated aliquot. The mechanism includes an arm mounted on a high helix shaft on one end and driven up and down the shaft by a first motor and rotated around the shaft by a second motor. The arm includes at a second end a fluid transfer probe which is moved into and out of the fluids to aspirate and dispense the fluids in precise angular locations. The arm may be accelerated and deaccelerated as it is rotated to avoid vibrations and spilling of the fluid from the probe. The probe may include a level sensing structure for sensing when the probe has contacted a fluid surface. The probe also may be coupled to an oscillator to oscillate the probe in a vessel into which the fluid has been dispensed to mix the fluids therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling sample carrier material is described. The apparatus comprises (a) a punch holder; (b) at least one punch means raisably and lowerably mounted on the holder; (c) a die having an upper and a lower surface, the thickness of the die being less than the punch means lower travel from the die upper surface, the die in functional alignment with the punch means, and the die upper and lower surface in a cutting and delivery position, respectively, of the sample material; and (d) control means to regulate the punch means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for repeatedly and accurately depositing predetermined amounts of fluid, especially biological fluids, onto generally planar analysis slides. The apparatus comprises a dispenser which is adapted to pick up a disposable metering tip, aspirate fluid into the tip, meter a predetermined amount of fluid from the tip onto an analysis slide, and eject the tip after the metering operation.

Abstract: An over the counter swab kit for self detection of gonorrhea in the male using an ampul containing 1% N, N, N' N' tetramethyl-p- phenylenediamene or tetramethyl chromogen. The method of taking a sample is also shown in which the open end of a tube is filled with a plug in the form of fibrous material. After a sample is taken of exudate from a male, the 1% solution of tetramethyl chromogen reacts with Neisseria gonorrhea which may be present in the exudate to produce a color change. The plug, before the test, is in a dry condition, the plug is activated only by the tetramethyl chromogen which is placed below the plug in the tube and the ampul broken to release its contents. A sufficient amount of 1% tetramethyl chromogen is held within the frangible ampul to wet the plug and this amount is 1/2 the volume than is used in the saline ampul in my companion patent application entitled Over the Counter Swab Kit for Self Detection of Gonorrhea in the Male Using Saline Ampul.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the flow of a molten mass reaction medium into a reaction zone, said method comprising introducing the molten mass medium and a control gas into an elongated, vertical supply conduit leading to the reaction zone whereby the control gas exerts a gas-lift effect on the molten medium and apportioning the flow of control gas to the desired flow of molten medium; said apparatus comprising a reaction zone, supply conduit means for supplying a molten mass reaction medium to said reaction zone, and means for controllably introducing a control gas into said supply conduit means for regulating the flow of said molten mass reaction medium therethrough.

Abstract: A thin film semiconductor gas sensor including a metal oxide semiconductor sensor layer whose electrical resistance changes in dependence upon the nature and concentration of a gas being detected and having a heating element integrated therewith is improved by forming the sensor from a semiconductor body having a shell zone located relatively close to an outer surface of such body and being doped to the point of degeneration, with two spaced apart metal contact strips being positioned on such doped shell zone for connection with a current source to heat the sensor.

Abstract: A liquid sample analyzer has an analysis chamber adapted to receive sample material to be analyzed, sensor means coupled to the analysis chamber for providing an output signal related to a constituent of the sample material, and sampler apparatus that includes structure defining a sample intake flow path that has an inlet port and is connected to the analysis chamber, and rinse apparatus in communication with a waste system. A wiper member slides along the intake tube for wiping sample residue from the outer surface of the intake tube. A drive moves the sample inlet port between a sample intake position in which the inlet port is exposed to the operator and a reset position in which the inlet port is aligned with and the wiper is seated on the rinse apparatus.

Abstract: Corrosion of a component surface, e.g. the surface of a pipe, is monitored by monitoring the thickness, e.g. by resistance measurement, of a test element formed from the material of the component and mounted so that its exposed surface is flush with and extends over substantially all of one dimension of the component surface, e.g. substantially all round the circumference of a pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic end-point detection in tripolyphosphate sequestration of hardness are disclosed. A desired approximate 1:1 molar ratio of the hardness elements calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) to sodium tripolyphosphate in a wash water solution is achieved by adding to the wash water solution sodium tripolyphosphate at a preselected rate as the electrical conductivity of the wash water solution is monitored.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the corrosion rate of petroleum distillation equipment so that corrosion inhibitors may be effectively utilized to control corrosion. The apparatus includes a water box having a coil arranged in the box through which hydrocarbon vapors are directed. Cooling water is forced through the box in a counterflow direction to cool the vapors and simulate cooling that will take place in heat exchange units. Corrosion and temperature probes are arranged along the coil to determine corrosion rates at the various temperature levels of the hydrocarbons so that a corrosion profile can be established and related to the temperature of the vapors at various locations in the heat exchange units of the equipment.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for facilitating the practice of a method for determining the conversion efficiency of the NOx converter of an oxides of nitrogen analyzer. An improved ozone control assembly facilitates the control of the ozone content of the gas mixture that is applied to the input of the analyzer. An improved gas flow regulating arrangement allows the composition of the gas mixture to be changed without affecting the flow rate thereof. Together, these structures improve the stability and ease of use of the conversion efficiency detector.

Abstract: An arrangement for supplying metered quantities of reagent liquid to a test-tube in a clinical analyzing apparatus, includes a cup for reagent liquid and a pipetting pump which is movable between the reagent cup and the test-tube and which is able to withdraw by suction a given volume of reagent liquid from the reagent cup and dispense said volume of liquid into the test tube. The reagent liquid can be supplied to the cup from a storage vessel, by connecting a source of sub-pressure to the reagent cup and by withdrawing reagent liquid from the storage vessel by suction up into said cup through a line connecting the storage vessel with the cup. The sub-pressure is applied to the reagent cup by means of a bellow structure mounted on the pump so as to be moved into sealing abutment with the rim of the reagent cup when the pump is lowered thereinto. The bellow structure is connected to a source of sub-pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing carbon in metals, in which a metallic sample is burned in a current of oxygen in a combustion furnace and the concentration of carbon contained in the metallic sample is calculated from the total concentration of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the gas generated in the combustion furnace, the concentration determined by means of a non-dispersive infrared analyzer. The non-dispersive infrared analyzer is provided with a detector which exhibits almost the same sensitivity to both carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.