Waters Investments Limited

Waters Technologies Corporation

Amichai Shdaimah

John R Reader, Jr

Eric Pilacik

Fred L Ferguson

Embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatus, systems and methods for adding a humidity-controlled system to a thermogravimetric instrument. A humidity-controlled controlled chamber incorporates a housing, a humidifier, a sample chamber, a reference chamber, Peltier devices, humidity and temperature sensors, and gas transmission lines into a single unit. This single unit along with an electronic control unit and mass flow controllers provide a humidity-controlled system designed to control the atmosphere of TGA sample and reference chambers simultaneously. A system comprising an arm, motorized linear actuator an electric control unit, allows a humidity-controlled chamber to be automatically opened and closed, in turn, allowing reference and sample chambers to automatically be accessed.

Humidity-controlled chamber for a thermogravimetric instrument

Embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatus, systems and methods for adding a humidity-controlled system to a thermogravimetric instrument. A humidity-controlled chamber incorporates a housing, a humidifier, a sample chamber, a reference chamber, Peltier devices, humidity and temperature sensors, and gas transmission lines into a single unit. This single unit along with an electronic control unit and mass flow controllers provide a humidity-controlled system designed to control the atmosphere of TGA sample and reference chambers simultaneously. A system comprising an arm, motorized linear actuator and electronic control unit, allows a humidity-controlled chamber to be automatically opened and closed, in turn, allowing reference and sample chambers to automatically be accessed.

The present invention relates to apparatus, systems, and methods for opening an autosampler sealed sample pan prior to TGA testing. The sealed sample pan comprises a pan, cover, and bail. A notch is formed in the seal sample pan cover. The cover can be opened by applying a concentrated force to the inside of the notch with a punch element integrated into the autosampler. This causes the center disk portion of the cover to be partially sheared and the sealed sample pan to be opened. It also prevents the punch element from touching the sample. A force sensor is used to determine if the cover has been opened. If the cover has been opened, then the sample pan is loaded to the TGA balance. If the cover has not been opened, the autosampler will not load the pan and will automatically move to the next sealed sample pan.

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Ardmore, PA, United States of America

Amichai Shdaimah