US5594249A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Subambient temperature controlled cell for infrared spectroscopic analysis and a method for the detection of paraffinic hydrocarbons
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
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Filing: 1995-06-16
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Granted: 1997-01-14
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Expires: 2015-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A system and a method are provided for analyzing a small sample in a test chamber using infrared spectrophotometry. The invention is particularly applicable to analyzing a liquid sample in a test chamber by subjecting the liquid sample to infrared spectrophotometry and analyzing the infrared spectra of the subjected liquid sample. An evaporator is provided to cool the sample to sub-zero temperatures by forcing a refrigerant through the evaporator to cool the sample prior to testing.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. Benefiel
- 👤 Louis R. Kessler
- 👤 Alan J. Mitchell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/01; G01N21/03; G01N21/0332
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for analyzing a sample in a test chamber using infrared spectrophotometry, the system comprising: a sample holder in the test chamber capable of holding the sample to be analyzed; a refrigerant input line capable of receiving a refrigerant to cool the sample in the sample holder; and receiving means freestanding in the test chamber and supported by the refrigerant input line wherein the receiving means supports the sample holder and is capable of receiving infrared transmissions from a source such that the transmissions are subjected through the receiving means to the sample in the sample holder.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for analyzing a sample in a test chamber using infrared spectrophotometry, the system comprising: a sample holder in the test chamber capable of holding the sample to be analyzed; a refrigerant input line capable of receiving a refrigerant to cool the sample in the sample holder; and receiving means freestanding in the test chamber and supported by the refrigerant input line wherein the receiving means supports the sample holder and is capable of receiving infrared transmissions from a source such that the transmissions are subjected through the receiving means to the sample in the sample holder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the refrigerant is carbon dioxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: input means capable of purging dry nitrogen into the test chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the refrigerant line includes a coil surrounding the sample holder receiving the refrigerant in the coil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: a metering valve capable of regulating the refrigerant input into the refrigerant input line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the receiving means includes a mounting block capable of holding a salt disk and attached to the test chamber to receive the infrared transmissions through the salt disk.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: a thermocouple wiring capable of detecting a temperature in the test chamber.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for analyzing a sample in a test chamber using infrared spectrophotometry, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sample; providing an evaporator in the test chamber to which the sample is operatively attached; cooling the sample in the test chamber using a coil wrapped around the evaporator wherein the coil has a refrigerant added thereto; and subjecting the sample to infrared transmissions from a source wherein the source directs the transmissions through the evaporator onto the sample.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for analyzing a sample in a test chamber using infrared spectrophotometry, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sample; providing an evaporator in the test chamber to which the sample is operatively attached; cooling the sample in the test chamber using a coil wrapped around the evaporator wherein the coil has a refrigerant added thereto; and subjecting the sample to infrared transmissions from a source wherein the source directs the transmissions through the evaporator onto the sample.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: analyzing the infrared spectra of the subjected sample.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: measuring temperature within the test chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: injecting dry nitrogen into the test chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: providing a sample holder within the test chamber capable of holding the sample therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: providing an outlet for draining all wastes from the test chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: mounting a salt disk on the test chamber through which the infrared transmissions are transmitted.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
104 words
A device for analyzing a liquid sample in a test chamber by subjecting the liquid sample to infrared spectrophotometry and analyzing the infrared spectra of the subjected liquid sample, the device comprising: a holder in the test chamber capable of receiving the liquid sample to be analyzed; cooling means capable of subjecting the sample to sub-zero temperatures for testing the sample by adding a refrigerant; a bracket mounted on a wall of the test chamber; and a salt disk held by the bracket mounted on the wall of the test chamber wherein infrared transmissions penetrate the salt disk and are directed to the sample.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
104 words
A device for analyzing a liquid sample in a test chamber by subjecting the liquid sample to infrared spectrophotometry and analyzing the infrared spectra of the subjected liquid sample, the device comprising: a holder in the test chamber capable of receiving the liquid sample to be analyzed; cooling means capable of subjecting the sample to sub-zero temperatures for testing the sample by adding a refrigerant; a bracket mounted on a wall of the test chamber; and a salt disk held by the bracket mounted on the wall of the test chamber wherein infrared transmissions penetrate the salt disk and are directed to the sample.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 15 further comprising: nitrogen feeding means capable of adding nitrogen to an interior of the test chamber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 15 wherein the refrigerant is carbon dioxide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 15 wherein the cooling means includes a coil constructed and arranged to surround an outside of the holder.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 15 further comprising: a port constructed and arranged to receive the sample through the port for placement in the holder.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 15 further comprising: a thermocouple wire constructed and arranged to detect temperature within the test chamber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |