Nicolet Instrument Corporation

Gregory E Adams

Richard C Wieboldt

Michael Jablonski

Jeff R Henderson

A gas sample collection device and method for cold trapping individual gas bands from a gas source that may include a chromatographic separation and for spectrographically analyzing the individual gas bands. The device includes a vacuum chamber containing a rotatably supported highly thermally conductive transmissive substrate having a highly thermally conductive support axle and at least one transmissive surface for holding a sample deposited thereon. A gas inlet is provided for depositing a mixture of sample and matrix material on the transmissive surface which is maintained at a sufficiently low temperature to cause solidification of the gas. A first set of optical elements directs an incident beam of electromagnetic analytical radiation from a source onto the solidified deposit, while a second set of optical elements directs the portion of incident beam transmitted through the deposit and substrate to a detector that is sensitive to the spectral wavelengths being investigated. A highly thermally conductive flexible strap is connected between the support axle and a cold head of a cryogenic refrigerator for transferring heat from the substrate. The strap is of sufficient length and flexibility to wrap around the axle as it is rotated through an angle of 360 degrees. A cold shield having closable apertures is provided for thermally insulating the substrate from warmer outside temperatures, the closable apertures being opened to allow access to the substrate for sample deposition and analysis. An insulated actuator is provided for imparting rotational movement to the axle and substrate assembly.

Cold trapping apparatus for infrared transmission analysis including a

A thermogravimetric analysis flow cell interface unit has an elongated tubular cell body, glass inlet and outlet transfer lines integrally connected to the cell body for flowing a gas therethrough, a window element for allowing passage of an infrared radiation beam into and out of the cell body, and a mirror element for reflecting the radiation beam back through the cell body. The mirror element and the window element are assembled to the cell body in such a manner that the entire unit may be quickly disassembled and reassembled for easy cleaning and replacement. The flow cell assembly is adapted to interface a thermogravimetric analyzer and an infrared spectrometer.

Infrared spectrometer interface for thermogravimetric analysis

An interchangeable beam splitter holder includes a retainer which holds the beam splitter, and a front door and rear door which are both hingedly connected to the retainer. The doors are movable between a closed position, in which the doors substantially cover the beam splitter, and an open position, in which the doors are pivoted upwardly so that the beam splitter is exposed. The beam splitter holder also has three adjusting screws with ends which are adapted to abut against pivot points in the interferometer to thereby align the beam splitter. The beam splitter holder also has three spring plungers which abut against surfaces within the interferometer to push the ends of the adjusting screws against the three pivot points in the interferometer. The beam splitter mounting assembly includes a portion of the interferometer which forms a cavity in which the beam splitter is mounted, and three adjustable pivot points against which the beam splitter holder is mounted to register the inserted beam splitter in its proper position. The beam splitter holder compartment protectively stores unused beam splitter holders and covers and protects the solt into the interferometer chamber where a beam splitter holder is placed for use. The compartment includes a base, and a lid which is hingedly connected to the base to close and seal the compartment.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

Gregory E Adams