Thermal isolation system in a chromatograph
US5744696A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2030/3084
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
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. The pumping assembly may be operated to allow selective control of the thermal isolation of the thermal zone; alternatively, the component system may be subject to a controlled temperature by operating the thermal device. A sample mixture passing through the separation column may thereby be exposed to a desired temperature profile according to a selected pr…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.