Abstract: Chemical composition of liquid phase samples is determined based on laser induced ablation spectroscopy of droplets. An aerosol jet comprising a carrier gas and liquid phase sample droplets, less than about 10 microns in diameter, is formed. An emissive plasma plume is generated from the sample droplets using a pulsed laser to deposit energy at a focal point in the aerosol jet. Light from the plasma plume is gathered with a concave mirror and focused into one end of a fiber optic lightguide. The lightguide can transmit spectral emissions from the plume to a spectrometer/detector which can send wavelength and intensity values to a computer. The computer is operable to determine a liquid sample composition based on the wavelength and intensity values.

Abstract: Methods for laser induced ablation spectroscopy (LIBS) are disclosed. Light from laser ablation can be gathered into a lightguide fiber bundle that is subdivided into branches. One branch can convey a first portion of the light to a broadband spectrometer operable to analyze a relatively wide spectral segment, and a different branch can convey a second portion of the light to a high dispersion spectrometer operable to measure minor concentrations and/or trace elements. Emissions can be analyzed using a plurality of spectrometers having distinct and/or complementary capabilities, and with a synergistic method using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A connector for connection between two fluid-conveying elements, in particular for connection between two motor vehicle pipes, with a female plug-in part and a male plug-in part which is insertable into the female plug-in part. A retainer is connected to the female plug-in part, the retainer allowing the male plug-in part to be fixed, in the inserted state, to the female plug-in part. The retainer may be pivoted from an open position to a fixing position—and vice versa—about a pivot axis arranged in the region of the outer surface of the female plug-in part.

Abstract: Methods of liquid and solid materials analysis by laser induced ablation spectroscopy are disclosed. The liquid and solid materials are analyzed in an instrument having one pulsed laser to produce emissive plasma plumes and ablate solid material. Liquid phase samples are aerosolized before streaming to an analysis zone where they are dissociated into a plasma plume. A large number of sites within solid phase sample structures and be analyzed using a movable x-y-z stage and displayed in a chemical map.

Abstract: Methods for laser induced ablation spectroscopy (LIBS) are disclosed. Light from laser ablation can be gathered into a lightguide fiber bundle that is subdivided into branches. One branch can convey a first portion of the light to a broadband spectrometer operable to analyze a relatively wide spectral segment, and a different branch can convey a second portion of the light to a high dispersion spectrometer operable to measure minor concentrations and/or trace elements. Emissions can be analyzed using a plurality of spectrometers having distinct and/or complementary capabilities, and with a synergistic method using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Portable instruments for analyzing elemental composition of liquid and solid phase materials by laser induced ablation spectroscopy are disclosed. The optical path of a single pulsed laser beam in the instrument is directed to a position depending on the phase of the sample material. Liquid phase samples are aerosolized before streaming to an analysis zone where they are dissociated in a plasma plume. A wide range of physical and chemical characteristics of liquid materials can be analyzed by the instruments. A large number of sites within solid phase sample structures are analyzed using a movable x-y-z stage in the instrument and the results are displayed in a chemical map.

Abstract: A connector for connection between two fluid-conveying elements, in particular for connection between two motor vehicle pipes, with a female plug-in part and a male plug-in part which is insertable into the female plug-in part. A retainer is connected to the female plug-in part, the retainer allowing the male plug-in part to be fixed, in the inserted state, to the female plug-in part. The retainer may be pivoted from an open position to a fixing position—and vice versa—about a pivot axis arranged in the region of the outer surface of the female plug-in part.

Abstract: Methods for laser induced ablation spectroscopy are disclosed. A position sensor, and position motors can move a sample stage in three independent spatial coordinate directions, and a stage position control circuit can move an analysis sample site to selected coordinate positions for ablation. Light from laser ablation can be gathered into a lightguide fiber bundle that is subdivided into branches. One branch can convey a first portion of the light to a broadband spectrometer operable to analyze a relatively wide spectral segment, and a different branch can convey a second portion of the light to a high dispersion spectrometer operable to measure minor concentrations and/or trace elements. Emissions can be simultaneously analyzed in various ways using a plurality of spectrometers having distinct and/or complementary capabilities, and isotope analysis of a sample can be performed.

Abstract: A connector for a fluid medium to be conditioned, wherein an internal pipe is provided for the fluid medium to be conditioned and at least one external pipe for a fluid conditioning medium. The internal pipe is encompassed by the external pipe and runs substantially parallel to the external pipe. At least one conducting channel is arranged between the internal pipe and the external pipe for the fluid conditioning medium or for the fluid medium to be conditioned. In one form the connector is made by injection molding.

Abstract: A quick connector for making a releasable connection in a fluid line with a connector body, a male member, a retainer and a verification element. The connector body comprises a through bore, wherein the male member introduced into the through bore is releasably fixable in the through bore by the retainer. The retainer comprises a ring and the verification element has an annular body. The annular body of the verification element can be displaced in an axial direction with respect to the through bore from an initial open position to a verification position when the male member is secured by the retainer in the through bore to place the verification element in a verification and locked position. In one form, the retainer includes lifting arms pivotably attached within coupling openings which cooperate with the coupling projections of the verification element to permit axial translation of the verification element to the verification position when the male member is fully inserted into the through bore.

Abstract: A coupling, for a fluid line, having a retainer and a coupling body defining a throughbore extending from an inlet opening at a male member reception end which functionally receives a male member. The retainer has a crossbar, with two spaced retainer legs, and at least one locking arm. The retainer is mounted in a moveable manner to the coupling body in radial direction in relation to the throughbore. In a starting position when the male member is not or not fully inserted into the coupling body, one free end of a retainer leg rests upon a blocking surface on the coupling body blocking the retainer from shifting into a locking position, whereby the crossbar is in the starting position, protruding out of the coupling body.

Abstract: A motor vehicle assembly unit having a connector, in particular a quick connector, and having a motor vehicle fluid line, wherein the connector includes an insertion end for inserting the fluid line, wherein there is a securing spike on the insertion end, which is encompassed by an outer sleeve. An annular insertion space for the fluid line or a fluid line end of the fluid line is disposed between the securing spike and the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve is connected to the securing spike by means of at least one break-away element, that breaks when the fluid line is inserted in the annular insertion space, such that the outer sleeve can be slid onto the securing spike, or further slid onto the securing spike from, or with, the fluid line.

Abstract: A coupling, for a fluid line, having a retainer and a coupling body defining a throughbore extending from an inlet opening at a male member reception end which functionally receives a male member. The retainer has a crossbar, with two spaced retainer legs, and at least one locking arm. The retainer is mounted in a moveable manner to the coupling body in radial direction in relation to the throughbore. In a starting position when the male member is not or not fully inserted into the coupling body, one free end of a retainer leg rests upon a blocking surface on the coupling body blocking the retainer from shifting into a locking position, whereby the crossbar is in the starting position, protruding out of the coupling body.

Abstract: A motor vehicle assembly unit having a connector, in particular a quick connector, and having a motor vehicle fluid line, wherein the connector includes an insertion end for inserting the fluid line, wherein there is a securing spike on the insertion end, which is encompassed by an outer sleeve. An annular insertion space for the fluid line or a fluid line end of the fluid line is disposed between the securing spike and the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve is connected to the securing spike by means of at least one break-away element, that breaks when the fluid line is inserted in the annular insertion space, such that the outer sleeve can be slid onto the securing spike, or further slid onto the securing spike from, or with, the fluid line.

Abstract: Quick connector coupling having a connector body to receive a male member with a radial upset comprised of two separate, interconnected components, a head element and a sealing element which define a through-hole from a male member entry port at the end of the head element axially to an exit port at the end of the sealing element. A retainer for releasably securing the male member to the connector body is ring-shaped, and encircles the connector body head element. It includes at least one retainer element, which reaches through a window in the head element and interacts with the radial upset of the male member to secure the male member in the connector body.

Abstract: A method for real-time optical diagnostics in laser ablation and laser processing of layered or structured materials or material structures. Diagnostics is provided during laser ablation that is utilized regularly in laser processing and/or chemical analysis of structured materials, by means of measuring optical emission generated as a result of the pulsed laser-material interaction in real time. The method can involve a single-layer-film or a stack of multiple layers or a structure of different domains. The method is particularly beneficial in fabrication of thin-film structures, such as photovoltaic and electronic devices or circuits of devices.

Abstract: A coupling, for a fluid line, having a retainer and a coupling body defining a throughbore extending from an inlet opening at a male member reception end which functionally receives a male member. The retainer has a crossbar, with two spaced retainer legs, and at least one locking arm. The retainer is mounted in a moveable manner to the coupling body in radial direction in relation to the throughbore. In a starting position when the male member is not or not fully inserted into the coupling body, one free end of a retainer leg rests upon a blocking surface on the coupling body blocking the retainer from shifting into a locking position, whereby the crossbar is in the starting position, protruding out of the coupling body.

Abstract: A quick connector for making a releasable connection in a fluid line with a connector body, a male member, a retainer and a verification element. The connector body comprises a through bore, wherein the male member introduced into the through bore is releasably fixable in the through bore by the retainer. The retainer comprises a ring and the verification element has an annular body. The annular body of the verification element can be displaced in an axial direction with respect to the through bore from an initial open position to a verification position when the male member is secured by the retainer in the through bore to place the verification element in a verification and locked position. In one form, the retainer includes lifting arms pivotably attached within coupling openings which cooperate with the coupling projections of the verification element to permit axial translation of the verification element to the verification position when the male member is fully inserted into the through bore.

Abstract: A motor vehicle assembly unit having a connector, in particular a quick connector, and having a motor vehicle fluid line, wherein the connector includes an insertion end for inserting the fluid line, wherein there is a securing spike on the insertion end, which is encompassed by an outer sleeve. An annular insertion space for the fluid line or a fluid line end of the fluid line is disposed between the securing spike and the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve is connected to the securing spike by means of at least one break-away element, that breaks when the fluid line is inserted in the annular insertion space, such that the outer sleeve can be slid onto the securing spike, or further slid onto the securing spike from, or with, the fluid line.

Abstract: Quick connector coupling having a connector body to receive a male member with a radial upset comprised of two separate, interconnected components, a head element and a sealing element which define a through-hole from a male member entry port at the end of the head element axially to an exit port at the end of the sealing element. A retainer for releasably securing the male member to the connector body is ring-shaped, and encircles the connector body head element. It includes at least one retainer element, which reaches through a window in the head element and interacts with the radial upset of the male member to secure the male member in the connector body.