Patent · US Expired

Dry bath temperature control and method

US6191398A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
7References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 10, 1999
Grant dateFeb 20, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 10, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB01L7/00
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A dry bath with a heat conductive block having a plurality of bores adapted to receive tubes containing samples of material. The dry bath includes a heater and a temperature sensor mounted to the block. A heat controller executes a control cycle of initially operating the heater to heat the block in the absence of the tubes to a desired temperature. Next, the heat controller automatically detects a change in temperature of the block in response to tubes being placed in the bores, wherein the samples in the tubes have a temperature different, for example, less, than the desired temperature. In that case, the heat controller operates the heater to first automatically heat the block to a temperature greater than the desired temperature. Thereafter, the heat controller automatically reduces the heat being applied to the block while heat continues to transfer to the samples such that the block and samples simultaneously reach, and are maintained at, the desired temperature. The dry bath may also include a fan and provides for other cycles of operation of the heat controller.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.