Abstract: The present invention provides a method for monitoring select purge water parameters and determining when the parameters have stabilized. The method includes the steps of selecting which parameters are to be monitored and selecting the time interval between which evaluation readings are performed. The time interval may be selected in set time increments from within a predetermined time range. With the passing of each interval, the results of the evaluation readings are stored in a memory device for at least one, and more preferably a plurality, of consecutive readings. If the readings do not fall within the defined stabilization ranges for the selected parameters, the oldest scan is deleted from the memory device. The comparison of the reading results is again performed with the start of the next interval, with the new reading results being compared to the two old reading results.

Abstract: A surface particle detector that includes a scanner slidable over a surface, a particle counter for counting particles passed therethrough, and a conduit connected between the scanner and the particle counter. The particle counter includes a pump for creating an airstream for drawing particles from the surface, through the scanner and conduit, to the particle counter, and back to the scanner. A sensor measures the airstream flow rate, and a controller controls the pump speed based upon the sensed airstream flow rate. The conduit attaches to the particle counter via a first connector, which contains electronic indicia identifying the type of scanner attached to the other end of the conduit. The controller controls the particle counter in response to the detected electronic indicia. The particle counter also includes a removable filter cartridge with a filter element that captures the counted particles for laboratory analysis.

Abstract: A process for sampling aldehydes and ketones contained in diluted exhaust gases from thermal combustion engines uses a sampling unit that has a specific trapping circuit and a simulation circuit that simulates the specific trapping circuit. The specific trapping circuit and the simulation circuit are arranged in parallel. The diluted gases are passed for some time in the simulation circuit (5) before they are passed into specific trapping circuit wherein aldehydes and ketones are trapped.

Abstract: Hand-held pipettes are provided which have automatic volume setting and either manual or power assisted piston operation. Power assisted piston operation may be achieved with a fly-by-wire operation wherein movement of a plunger button is detected and used to control a drive for the plunger. A data transfer capability in at least one direction may also be provided for the pipette.

Abstract: A storage box 100, on the bottom surface of which are attached casters 101, has a heater 102 positioned on the bottom surface thereof and left-hand side and the right-hand side interior spaces being divided by a partition plate 103, wherein nine (9) sampling bags 104 . . . in total can be received within a wide space at the right-hand side thereof. On one side of the storage box 100 is provided a connector unit 110. This connector unit 110 is constructed with an elevating block 112 hooking on guide rails provided in a direction of up and down, and the elevating block 112 is biased upward with a gas spring 113. In guide holders 112b of the elevating block 112 are provided guides 115 . . . in the same number as the number of the sampling bags 104, and into each guide 115 is inserted a flexible conduit 116 made from stainless steel, in a such manner that it can be drawn out therefrom.

Abstract: A storage box 100, on the bottom surface of which are attached casters 101, has a heater 102 positioned on the bottom surface thereof and left-hand side and the right-hand side interior spaces being divided by a partition plate 103, wherein nine (9) sampling bags 104 . . . in total can be received within a wide space at the right-hand side thereof. On one side of the storage box 100 is provided a connector unit 110. This connector unit 110 is constructed with an elevating block 112 hooking on guide rails provided in a direction of up and down, and the elevating block 112 is biased upward with a gas spring 113. In guide holders 112b of the elevating block 112 are provided guides 115 . . . in the same number as the number of the sampling bags 104, and into each guide 115 is inserted a flexible conduit 116 made from stainless steel, in a such manner that it can be drawn out therefrom.

Abstract: A particulate sample mixing and delivery apparatus externally sonically mixes respective samples of particulate stored in storage containers that are sequentially indexed by a carousel prior to being dispensed into an analyzer reservoir. Each container is compliant to acoustic energy emitted by a sonicator unit that is placed against an external surface of a respective container to which preferably a carrier fluid and surfactant are controllably supplied. After sonication, the container is indexed to a sample dispensing location adjacent to the analyzer reservoir. A tiltable cradle then rotates the container to rapidly dispense its mixed contents into the reservoir, and then discards the empty container.

Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for batch processing a group of samples in respective containers. A monolayer of particulate matter is filtered from each sample and deposited on a corresponding slide for examination. A controller coordinates each mechanism and sub-assembly of the apparatus.

Abstract: A bilaterally symmetrical lightweight hand holdable battery powered microprocessor controlled electronic pipette including an axially elongated hollow housing having a vertically extending longitudinal axis. An upper portion of the housing includes a forward compartment containing a forwardly facing alpha-numeric display, a plurality of columns of forwardly facing control keys and plurality of forwardly facing trigger switches arranged in a vertically spaced pattern such that a user in gripping a lower handle portion of the housing in either his or her right or left hand can easily reach with his thumb the control keys, trigger switches as well as a push button of a pipette tip ejector.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic devices that comprise a body structure comprising at least a first microscale channel network disposed therein. The body structure has a plurality of ports disposed in the body structure, where each port is in fluid communication with one or more channels in the first channel network. The devices also include a cover layer comprising a plurality of apertures disposed through the cover layer. The cover layer is mated with the body structure whereby each of the apertures is aligned with a separate one of the plurality of ports.

Abstract: An automatic dilution system and method provides optimal dilution factor DF for a sample suspension containing particles mixed with a diluent. A diluent flows into a mixing chamber, and the sample is injected into the chamber. A sensor, such as a single particle optical sensor (SPOS), measures the value of a particular characteristic, which characteristic Rmax(0) is the initial rate of increase of a quantity related to particle concentration. A CPU/Controller calculates from Rmax(0) the optimal value of DF, and develops a control signal which adjusts the flow of the sample to provide the optimal value of DF. In a first embodiment, all of the diluted sample passes through the sensor. In a second embodiment, only a portion of the sample is directed through the sensor to shorten the time to reach equilibrium. The time to reach equilibrium is further reduced in a third embodiment in which the mixing means is a static mixer, having relatively small volume, inserted in series with a diluent flow tube.

Abstract: A sample transport device for use in analyzing samples by the headspace analysis technique. The device has a cylindrical platen with counterbored chambers for accepting sample vials. The platen is heated and caused to rotate from a first vial transport point to a sampling point and then back for ejection of the sample vial. Vertical movement of the sample vials is accomplished by use of elevator rods connected to level winding screws mounted below the cylindrical platen.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a portable hand device with biosensor for the investigation of biological fluids such as whole blood, liquor, urine and serum. It is characterized by a securely fixed electrode, which is covered by a replaceable biomembrane, as reservoir bag containing system solution and a waste bag, a pump, a tube transport system, an operating lever with a valve function, three operating elements, a display, and a control unit signal capture and overall procedure.

Abstract: A sample transport device for use in analyzing samples by the headspace analysis technique. The device has a cylindrical platen with counterbored chambers for accepting sample vials. The platen is heated and caused to rotate from a first vial transport point to a sampling point and then back for ejection of the sample vial. Vertical movement of the sample vials is accomplished by use of elevator rods connected to level winding screws mounted below the cylindrical platen. The device has a mechanism for agitating the vials in the platen chambers during transport to the sampling point.

Abstract: A sampling system controller includes a control unit for interfacing with a collection chamber module having a plurality of sampling chambers. The control unit controls the times at which the sampling chambers acquire samples of a fluid flow and control flow rates into the sampling chambers. The timing of the sampling chambers and the flow rates may be programmed by a user and downloaded into the control unit through an interface. The control unit measures the flow rate of the fluid flow to be sampled and controls the flow rate through each sampling chambers in order to achieve a desired and known rate through the sampling chambers. The flow rates through the fluid flow and through the sampling chambers are recorded on a data module. The control unit may be equipped with a portable weather station for monitoring weather conditions and with a global positioning system for determining a geographic position of the sampling chambers. The weather and location information may be recorded on the data module.

Abstract: A gas sampling system includes a sample trapping module having a gas pump and a power supply, and a removable magazine that fits within a port of the trapping module. The magazine contains a non-volatile electronic memory, which controls operation of the trapping module, and has a rotating carousel for holding sample tubes. Individual sample tubes are sealed at each end by a cap that has a needle-pierceable septum, and contain a solid collector material to trap chemical and biological contaminants in a gas sample drawn through the sample tube. Individual sample tubes are moved into and out of a sampling location by incremental rotation of the carousel and, while at the sampling location, a pair of hollow bore needles are inserted through the sample tube end caps to allow the drawing of a gas sample through the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a star wheel for precise positioning of specimen containers in circumferentially successive segments of the star wheel. The apparatus includes at least two sensor arrays, each including a transmitter and receiver, which are angularly offset from one another in the plane of rotation of the star wheel and face end surfaces of segmental vanes of the star wheel. Each time the star wheel reaches a defined angular position, one of the sensor arrays responds, and the output signal of this sensor array, via a control circuit, triggers a drive motor for the star wheel such that its rotational speed is reduced, and the output signal of the other sensor array, when the same segment moves past it, stops the motor.