Beckman Instruments, Inc.

Beckman Industrial Corporation

Carl A Farren

James H Crabtree

Philip L Deming

The invention provides an automatic analyzing machine comprising a unique reaction cup combination for running high volume chemical analyses, such as analyses for sodium, potassium, glucose, creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen). The reaction cup combination includes an aluminum body having at least one flat smooth side. A planar heating element is sandwiched between the flat side and a planar outer sidewall. Within the planar outer sidewall is disposed a reagent inlet conduit coiled or otherwise disposed in planar fashion. By this design, heating of inlet reagent is more efficient and control of the temperature within the reaction cup is more precise. In a preferred embodiment, the reaction cup assembly includes a pair of such heating element and inlet conduit combinations so that the reaction cup can be rinsed with heated water instead of heated reagent. Such a design not only reduces the use of expensive reagent, but minimizes toxic waste disposal needs.

Automatic chemistry analyzer with improved heated reaction cup assembly

The present invention relates to a gas chromatography assembly comprising a high mass, thermally conductive body provided with at least one cell in which is disposed a resistance filament for the detection of a sample gas. Lines are provided for communication between the cell and sample gas and carrier gas from chromatographic separation columns. The conductive body is adapted to carry the separation columns in heat transfer relationship therewith. In accordance with the present invention, the assembly components, including the interior of the cell and the separation columns are heated with a single heating element, which is controlled by a single heating element control means. The temperature of the environment of the sensor, switching valves and the separation columns, are thus controlled through a single constant temperature control system. Each element of the assembly is provided with sufficient surface area at the point where it is joined with an adjacent element of the assembly to define a flame path of sufficient length to prevent the escape of a flame from between the contiguous elements.

Thermal conductivity detector assembly

An improved non-dispersive infrared analyzer. The analyzer includes an improved source assembly having a reflecting element with a concave annular reflecting surface, and a circular heating element which is located substantially at the focal region of the reflective surface. The analyzer also includes an improved detecting assembly having a reflecting element with a paraboloid reflective surface that focuses radiation on one or more detecting elements that are located out of the field of view of the reflecting element. Because of the better collimation and more efficient use of its infrared beam, analyzers which include these source and detecting assemblies may use sample cells having non-reflective inner surfaces, and thereby provide output signals of improved stability.

Non-dispersive infrared analyzer having improved infrared source and

An improved source assembly for use in infrared gas analysis instruments. A rotating reflector having a generally conical shape is provided with a reflective interior surface. An infrared source directs infrared radiation against the reflector from a predetermined number of fixed directions each of which is generally perpendicular to its axis. One or more blocking members, which are aligned generally parallel to the axis of the reflector, pass between the source and the reflective surface as the reflector is rotated. In operation the source assembly generates a plurality of chopped beams of infrared radiation which, because they emanate from a single source and are reflected from the same reflective surface, have a highly uniform intensity. This uniformity of intensity allows the source assembly to illuminate a plurality of sample cells that are distributed circumferentially about the axis of the reflector. The result is an instrument having improved response at a cost that is less than that of a source assembly that includes multiple infrared sources.

Source assembly for gas analysis instruments

An improved liquid sample injection valve having a metering rod for receiving a sample of a test liquid in a sample loading assembly and delivering that sample to a sample evaporating assembly that is connected to a gas chromatograph. In the sample loading assembly there is provided a sample chamber housing having an improved sealing and mounting arrangement that provides a high degree of thermal isolation between the sample loading and evaporating assemblies. A novel mounting arrangement for the metering rod allows the latter to be conveniently changed without disassembling the valve. The sample evaporating assembly is provided with a flow control element which minimizes deal volume and provides improved sample removal and evaporation characteristics.

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Placentia, CA, United States of America

Carl A Farren