Abstract: An improved micro-machined valve assembly includes a valve diaphragm that will not adhere to a valve seat during elevated temperature operation. In one embodiment, a portion of the diaphragm that is susceptible to adhering to the valve seat at elevated temperature is removed in the region where the diaphragm contacts the valve seat. In another embodiment, the valve diaphragm includes a metal layer applied to the portion of the diaphragm that comes into contact with the valve seat during operation of the valve. The metal layer extends the operating temperature of the valve by preventing adhesion of the diaphragm to the valve seat during high temperature operation. Selection of an appropriate material for the metal layer can improve chemical inertness of valve, thereby reducing the possibility that the material flowing through the valve will react with the metal.

Abstract: A guard catalyst, comprising an alumina support and molybdenum and/or tungsten and nickel and/or cobalt supported on the alumina support, wherein the total ammonia integral adsorption heat of said alumina support does not exceed 25 J/g, the percentage taken up by the ammonia integral adsorption heat of the ammonia differential adsorption heat greater than 100 kJ/mol does not exceed 10% of the total ammonia integral adsorption heat. Compared to the catalysts of the prior art, the guard catalyst has higher catalytic activity, less coke deposit, lower reduction rate of pore volume, better stability of activity, and higher strength.

Abstract: A device with a multi-layered micro-component electrical connector. The multi-layer micro-component electrical connector includes a dielectric layer, a micro-mesh of a first electrical conductor secured to the dielectric layer, and a second electrical conductor secured to and contacting the micro-mesh to provide electrical communication. The dielectric layer has a dielectric layer thermal expansion coefficient and the first electrical conductor has a thermal expansion coefficient different from the dielectric layer thermal expansion coefficient. Due to the presence of the micro-mesh the device is operable at temperatures above 250° C. without delamination or blistering of the first electrical conductor from the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A microminiature valve having an actuator member that includes a central body suspended on radially spaced legs, with each leg having first and second layers of materials having substantially different coefficients of thermal expansion. The legs include heating elements and are fixed at one end to allow radial compliance as selected heating of the legs causes flexure. An actuator member includes a boss having an actuator face. A seat substrate having a flow via defined by a valve seat is aligned with the actuator face. Asymmetrical thermal actuation of the actuator member moves the actuator face from the valve seat in a rotational displacement relative to the flow orifice, thereby offering improved control of the fluid flow through the orifice.

Abstract: A flow conditioning system includes a flow randomizing section for receiving an input fluid stream and for increasing the uniformity of the streamwise velocity components of the input fluid stream while randomizing the non-streamwise velocity components, so as to provide a randomized fluid stream; a flow expansion section for receiving the randomized fluid stream and damping the non-streamwise velocity components therein, so as to provide a damped fluid stream; and a flow straightening section for receiving the damped fluid stream and for dividing the damped fluid stream into multiple, parallel output substreams so as to provide a laminar flow profile in an output fluid stream.

Abstract: A simplified method and apparatus for electronic pressure control with compensation for current operating temperature and pressures in which computer memory is employed for storing a plurality of firmware models which characterize the effects of temperature and pressure variations on (1) fluid flow through the flow restrictor, (2) the temperature sensor, and (3) the pressure sensor, so that control signals can be generated which compensate a plurality of thermally coupled sensors for changes in current operating temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A chromatograph includes an injector for receiving a sample and a pressurized carrier fluid flow and in response providing a sample/fluid mixture; a separation column located in a temperature-controlled zone for receiving the sample/fluid mixture and for providing a column effluent stream; a pneumatic detector having an orifice for receiving the effluent stream; means for sensing the volumetric flow rate of the fluid mixture entering the column and for generating a respective flow rate signal; means for sensing the column input pressure and generating a respective input pressure signal; an electronic pneumatic controller including means for receiving the flow rate signal and input pressure signal and for controlling in response the input pressure and the volumetric flow rate of the carrier fluid; and means for detecting a change in the pressure of the effluent stream at the orifice in response to a change in the density of the effluent stream passing through the orifice and for generating a representative out

Abstract: A flow conditioning system includes a flow randomizing section for receiving an input fluid stream and for increasing the uniformity of the streamwise velocity components of the input fluid stream while randomizing the non-streamwise velocity components, so as to provide a randomized fluid stream; a flow expansion section for receiving the randomized fluid stream and damping the non-streamwise velocity components therein, so as to provide a damped fluid stream; and a flow straightening section for receiving the damped fluid stream and for dividing the damped fluid stream into multiple, parallel output substreams so as to provide a laminar flow profile in an output fluid stream.

Abstract: Sample analysis in a portable analytical instrument, preferably in the form of a gas chromatograph, benefits from temperature control of one or more thermal zones in the instrument by way of a thermal isolation system that includes a novel pumping assembly to effect a selective amount of thermal isolation of the thermal zone. The pumping assembly includes a pumping element in the form of a tubular or planar palladium structure. The pumping assembly makes use of the unique properties of palladium to allow selective control of a nominal gas pressure within a vacuum cavity. A component system, which may include a separation column and a thermal device for heating and/or cooling the component system, may be provided within the vacuum cavity. The thermal device and the pumping assembly are individually controlled by a control system.

Abstract: Sample analysis in a portable analytical instrument, preferably in the form of a gas chromatograph, benefits from temperature control of one or more thermal zones in the instrument by way of a thermal isolation system that includes a novel pumping assembly to effect a selective amount of thermal isolation of the thermal zone. The pumping assembly includes a pumping element in the form of a tubular or planar palladium structure. The pumping assembly makes use of the unique properties of palladium to allow selective control of a nominal gas pressure within a vacuum cavity. A component system, which may include a separation column and a thermal device for heating and/or cooling the component system, may be provided within the vacuum cavity. The thermal device and the pumping assembly are individually controlled by a control system.

Abstract: A simplified method and apparatus for electronic pressure control with compensation for current operating temperature and pressures in which computer memory is employed for storing a plurality of firmware models which characterize the effects of temperature and pressure variations on (1) fluid flow through the flow restrictor, (2) the temperature sensor, and (3) the pressure sensor, so that control signals can be generated which compensate a plurality of thermally coupled sensors for changes in current operating temperatures and pressures.