Abstract: Improved kugelrohr or apparatus for distilling or separating liquids. It includes a rugged, reliable air oven and drive unit with numerous safety features. One or more external guards eliminate burn hazard and risk of accidental contact. A thermal isolation support isolates the oven from its rest surface. A grounded heating element eliminates shock hazards. The oven is fitted with a grommet or bushing to support a flask connected to one or more additional flasks in a series. The outlet of the last flask in the series is connected to a drive tube via a flexible coupling. The drive tube is connected to a rotary bearing assembly mounted on a drive unit. The oven and the flasks may include impellers for circulating air to enhance heating efficiency.

Abstract: A block-type heater assembly for use in melting point/boiling point determination apparatus or other applications in which it is desirable to provide a substantially isothermal region for samples under test as well as a temperature sensor while also providing access for observation, visual or otherwise, of the samples.

Abstract: A heater which accommodates microwell plates having a variety of bottom and peripheral geometries. The heater consists of a thermally conductive compliant material layer disposed on a planar heated platen. The compliant layer is dimensioned such that it contacts the microplate along the bottoms of the wells only, and not along the peripheral portions thereof. A temperature sensor may be disposed within the compliant layer to provide an indication of the well temperature for accurate control.

Abstract: A thermocouple assembly includes a protective housing, preferably made of glass, a thermocouple suspended in the housing, and a thermally conductive material that fills the space between the inner wall of the housing and the thermocouple. In a preferred embodiment, a compressible ring is used to both confine the thermally conductive material and prevent damage to the thermocouple assembly caused by thermal expansion or contraction.