Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for sampling a high-temperature gaseous process stream containing components with high boiling points. The sampling system is especially suited for instruments having extremely low pressure chambers, such as mass spectrometers. The invention reduces the condensation of high boiling point components of the sample in the sampling system without the necessity of maintaining extremely high temperatures. The gaseous sample is passed through an orifice from the high temperature stream into a lower-temperature zone of the sampling system where a low pressure is maintained by a vacuum pump. The low pressure reduces the boiling point of the sample components so they may be maintained in a gas phase without excessive heating. The low pressure sample is then introduced into an instrument chamber through a sample introduction valve.

Abstract: The masonry line block facilitates the alignment of standard masonry walls while providing clearance for the construction of quoin corner buildouts without need to relocate the corner pole set for alignment of the standard wall. The line block has a squared U shape, with a central side or leg and two opposed, parallel legs or sides extending therefrom. The space between the legs fits closely about a conventional masonry corner pole. One of the parallel legs is slightly longer than the other, with the width of the shorter parallel leg preferably being equal to their difference in length. The width of the short leg and their difference in lengths define the additional setback of the corner pole from the corner, and thus the width of the quoin buildout. A medial groove is provided about the device for the guide line, with guide line anchor screws provided in the central leg.

Abstract: A system for determining and quantifying specific trace elements in samples of complex materials has a laser ablation (LA) apparatus (1) coupled to a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FT-ICR-MS) (2) with a mass range of at least 2 to 300 amu and a mass resolution of at least 8000 for 300 amu.

Abstract: A stall control wind turbine is eguipped with a latchable furling mechanism so that, except in the event of a fault condition or dangerously high winds, the rotor faces directly into the prevailing wind while generating power. A fault condition may occur when the electrical power grid, to which the wind turbine is connected, fails, when the alternator armature winding develops an open circuit and causes an unloading of the turbine, or when the gearbox breaks, also causing an unloading of the turbine. For a preferred embodiment of the invention, the release mechanism employs an electromagnet, which when energized, maintains the tail boom locked in place and the tail in the proper position to maintain the aerodynamic force. The wind turbine may also be eguipped with an electrically released mechanical brake and a back-up centrifugal brake.

Abstract: A system, method, and device for providing remote mass spectrometry are disclosed. The exemplary system may have an ion source for injecting ions and a measurement chamber. The measurement chamber may be coupled to the ion source for receiving and detecting signals of the ions. The measurement chamber may have an analysis cell, a magnet and an ionizing device. A control board may be in communication with the measurement chamber. The control board may receive signals received and detected by the measurement chamber. The control board may be located remotely and may have a processor for analyzing the signal.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for identifying a mixture of particles using a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FT-ICR MS). The particles are first reacted in a charge exchange reaction within the FT-ICR MS chamber using ionic partners that are chosen to discriminate among components of the mixture based on ionization potential. Mass spectra of test runs using different ionic partners may then be compared to identify components based on information gathered about both molecular mass and ionization potential.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for sampling a high-temperature gaseous process stream containing components with high boiling points. The sampling system is especially suited for instruments having extremely low pressure chambers, such as mass spectrometers. The invention reduces the condensation of high boiling point components of the sample in the sampling system without the necessity of maintaining extremely high temperatures. The gaseous sample is passed through an orifice from the high temperature stream into a lower-temperature zone of the sampling system where a low pressure is maintained by a vacuum pump. The low pressure reduces the boiling point of the sample components so they may be maintained in a gas phase without excessive heating. The low pressure sample is then introduced into an instrument chamber through a sample introduction valve.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for identifying a mixture of particles using a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FT-ICR MS). The particles are first reacted in a charge exchange reaction within the FT-ICR MS chamber using ionic partners that are chosen to discriminate among components of the mixture based on ionization potential. Mass spectra of test runs using different ionic partners may then be compared to identify components based on information gathered about both molecular mass and ionization potential.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method for automatically optimizing an FTMS. The method can comprise a plurality of potential activities, some of which can be automatically, repeatedly, and/or nestedly performed, and some of which follow. A composite amplitude relating to an FTMS spectral output signal for each of a plurality of FTMS samples can be obtained, each of the samples having an substantially similar number of molecules. The FTMS variable can be changed repeatedly and the composite amplitude re-obtained until a value of an optimization parameter substantially converges, the optimization parameter a function of the composite amplitude.

Abstract: A snap together spring block enables the reliable capture, formation and support of metallic conductors known as lead frames. First and second body halves are designed to mate forming the complete spring block. Each body half incorporates a plurality of cavities and projections, similar to hills and valleys. The cavities and projections can be designed to fit various configurations of lead frames. Integrally molded or formed into one of the body halves is an internal attachment mechanism, such as a clip, which is designed to fit an internal recess molded into the second body half, or mating half, of the spring block for mating the two halves. The plurality of cavities and projections are alternately spaced such that when the first body half is mated to the second body half, the projections are received within the cavities forming a plurality of apertures.