Abstract: An injection needle particularly intended for transferring a representative fluid sample into a sample bottle (1) is closed by a membrane (2) made from a rubber elastic material. The needle has a tubular inner wall (6) having a needle point (8), and a tubular outer wall (10) concentrically surrounding and radially spaced from the inner wall (6) at least along a portion thereof distant from the needle point (8) and, at its end facing the needle point, having a conically tapering portion (12) sealingly engaging the inner wall (6). The outer wall (10) is provided with at least two apertures (14, 16) spaced longitudinally of the needle.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting biological aerosols from an air sample is provided comprising an air intake assembly adapted to draw the air sample into the apparatus, a separation section coupled to the intake assembly and adapted to separate aerosol particles from the air sample, a capture section coupled to the separation section and adapted to transport the aerosol particles in a stream of liquid, and a hydrophobic membrane disposed between the separation section and the capture section and adapted to establish a controllable air/fluid boundary therebetween.

Abstract: Collecting rods are pre-greased for use with a rotorod sampler. Multiple collecting rods are molded in one piece with a header to form a group. The collecting rods are attached to the header by thin gates so that they can be easily broken off for use. Multiple groups are combined into an assembly that is adhered to a container lid and dipped into a pre-greasing suspension to pre-grease the collecting rods. The container lid is attached to the rest of the container to enclose the pre-greased collecting rods for shipment.

Abstract: An arrangement for the withdrawal of samples from a flow of harvested crop flowing in a conveying channel in a harvesting machine includes a guide element mounted so as to cover a sample withdrawal opening provided in a wall of the channel. The guide element is mounted for movement between a first position wherein it blocks the withdrawal opening, and in a second position wherein it opens the withdrawal opening and includes a region that is inserted into the conveying channel so as to forcibly deflect a crop sample through the withdrawal opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automation of existing medical diagnostic tests is described. This method, called sequential injection analysis, makes use of a pump, multi-position selection valve, and micro-bore tubing to automate sample manipulation and reagent addition. A suitable detector with a flow cell also forms part of the flow manifold and this detector is used to measure some parameter that can be related to the desired diagnostic measurement. A reagent cartridge suitable for storing and reconstituting lyophilized reagent or reagent concentrate is also described. Use of such a reagent cartridge further enhances the automation of the device by providing a means for preparing reagents in an automated fashion. Automation of the measurement sequence and the sequencing of tests are controlled by a suitable central processor unit and software. The apparatus provides a means of automating existing manual diagnostic tests and as yet, undefined tests.

Abstract: An instrument comprising a housing (30) having a fluid-tight seal and a probe (10), adapted to carry a catalyst or sorbent (37), for monitoring a process fluid stream or the behavior of a catalyst or sorbent placed therein. The use of such an instrument permits investigation of catalyst or sorbent behavior in process fluid streams without the need for process shut down or construction of separate process equipment.

Abstract: A automatic system for the capture, weighing and expulsion of solid particles, consisting of an airtight weighing chamber, inside which there is an inner container in which the particles entering the chamber through an entrance duct are collected. Said container transmits its weight to a weighing sensor, also located inside the weighing chamber but not in contact with the walls of the chamber. Once weighed, the sample is expelled from the chamber by the injection of compressed air. The system can be directly applied to determine the mass flow of solid particles in pneumatic transport ducts by integrating it into automatic sampling systems, and also gives a signal which can be integrated in regulating loops for the control of said flow.

Abstract: Collecting rods are pre-greased for use with a rotorod sampler. Multiple collecting rods are molded in one piece with a header to form a group. The collecting rods are attached to the header by thin gates so that they can be easily broken off for use. Multiple groups are combined into an assembly that is adhered to a container lid and dipped into a pre-greasing suspension to pre-grease the collecting rods. The container lid is attached to the rest of the container to enclose the pre-greased collecting rods for shipment.

Abstract: An exhaust gas dilution apparatus 10-2 is the same form multi-venturi type comprising a rectifier 11, divider 12, exhaust chamber 14, dilution tunnel 15, and a divider pipes 13t on the dilution side of a tunnel 15 side. All divider pipes 13 are provided with a venturi 21 having the same performance inserted in the same position, to measure the flow rate in the dilution tunnel and the flow rate on the exhaust pipe side. The opening of the shutter 19 provided in the exit of the exhaust chamber 14 is controlled so that the two flow rates are equivalent.

Abstract: Collecting rods are pre-greased for use with a rotorod sampler. Multiple collecting rods are molded in one piece with a header to form a group. The collecting rods are attached to the header by thin gates so that they can be easily broken off for use. Multiple groups are combined into an assembly that is adhered to a container lid and dipped into a pre-greasing suspension to pre-grease the collecting rods. The container lid is attached to the rest of the container to enclose the pre-greased collecting rods for shipment.

Abstract: An on-line sampling and analysis system and method in which a sampling line inlet pipe receives a continuous flow of a suspension or a slurry having particulates, such as grains, seed or phosphate rock, for rapid analysis of the contents therein in a flowing stream. A sample presentation area such as a window is positioned below the flow of the suspension or slurry in an assembly allowing for the depositing of a sample of solid content from the suspension or slurry which is collected for viewing by a computer controlled video camera. The camera is provided for imaging the sample of the solid content collected at the sample presentation area, and a personal computer analyzes images provided by the camera to characterize the content of the fluid media.

Abstract: A gas sampling system 36 capable of testing and certifying internal combustion engines 16 under transient conditions is provided and includes a partial flow dilution tunnel 38, master and slave mass flow controllers 80,60 and a transient dilution air flow controlling arrangement 110. The transient dilution air flow controlling arrangement 110 measures the transient changes in intake air and varies the flow of diluent air to the partial flow dilution tunnel 38. By controlling the diluent air in this manner ensures that a particle sample can be taken at any time that is at a constant proportion to the exhaust flow rate.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of characterizing the fluid content of chemicals in a reaction line comprises a rheometer. The apparatus can be connected to or included in a reaction flow stream, and has a retractable wall 26 that opens to provide an opening 28 that permits a portion of the reaction flow steam to enter into sampling chamber 12. The sample is isolated from the flow stream and rheometric data is obtained from the sample. In the method of the invention, data on the sample is collected and transferred to a computer. The computer is used to analyze the data, and optionally can be used to control reaction parameters in the reaction flow stream.

Abstract: A sampling device samples gas from a gas stream flowing through a tube to means utilizing the gas to detect the presence or otherwise of particulate contaminants. The device ensures that the sampled flow has at least as many particulate contaminants/unit volume as the main flow. The device divides the flow into two parallel flows and then decelerates one flow before providing the sampled flow. The other flow passes to the utilizing means. The device is particularly useful in the sterile packaging of product to detect microorganisms and other culturable contamination.

Abstract: An analytical apparatus for measuring a low concentration of a constituent in a stream at a parts per billion level is provided. The apparatus comprises a sample loop having a predetermined volume for receiving a sample from the stream, a purifier for producing substantially pure carrier liquid from a sample of the stream, a first and a second multi-path valve, a preconcentrator column for absorbing and increasing the concentration of the low concentration constituent, an eluent, and a detector. In one embodiment, the apparatus is an ion chromatograph and may be used to analyze ions at concentrations as low as about 1 to about 500 parts per trillion. A method for analyzing a stream for a low concentration constituent present in a stream at a parts per billion level is also provided. The invention also includes methods for single- and multi-point calibration of a detector in an analytical apparatus for measuring a low concentration of a constituent in a stream at a parts per billion level.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an apparatus and method for collection, sorting, concentrating and impinging particles on a surface, primarily for use in detecting and classifying chemicals, particles, vira, and bacteria in fluids. In addition to mechanical and aerodynamic filtering, the present invention uses isokinetic filtering to acquire particles of interest by creating a local vortex in the fluid through use of a dam element at a high angle of attack. This isokinetically sorts particles by density and aerodynamic diameter.

Abstract: A process for comparing the dust retention properties of various treated and untreated hard surfaces, within a dust retaining enclosure, that includes subjecting the surfaces to be compared, previously coated with a standardized layer of dust, to a standardized dust dislodging force sufficient to dislodge dust from at least one of the surfaces, determining any increase in the quantity of dust particles in the atmosphere within the enclosure as a result of the dust dislodging force, and comparing the relative amounts of dust particles found in within the enclosure for the surfaces.

Abstract: A film-type vaporizer in a vaporization enclosure, for example the upper column of a double air-distillation column, is associated with a measurement and analysis box where a polished surface and a spillway reconstruct the flow of liquid in the vaporizer in order to check for the absence of the deposition of impurities in the liquid that is to be evaporated. If deposition occurs, the impurities involved are quantified and analyzed and appropriate action taken on the settings of the machine.

Abstract: An on-line sampling and analysis system and method in which a sampling line inlet pipe receives a continuous flow of a suspension or a slurry having particulates, such as grains, seed or phosphate rock, for rapid analysis of the contents therein in a flowing stream. A sample presentation area such as a window is positioned below the flow of the suspension or slurry in an assembly allowing for the depositing of a sample of solid content from the suspension or slurry which is collected for viewing by a computer controlled video camera. The camera is provided for imaging the sample of the solid content collected at the sample presentation area, and a personal computer analyzes images provided by the camera to characterize the content of the fluid media.