Measuring and testing – Sampler – sample handling – etc. – With heating or cooling
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-17
2001-07-31
Raevis, Robert (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Sampler, sample handling, etc.
With heating or cooling
C073S863840
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267015
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for obtaining gas samples at elevated temperatures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The obtaining of gas samples at elevated temperatures can be useful in monitoring chemical processes, gas phase compositions and the like. One possible use of the method and apparatus of the invention is to analyze gases that cause blisters in elastomeric products.
The composition of a gas that causes a blister in an elastomeric product may provide clues as to the source of the gas. Knowing the composition of the gases contained in the blister, one skilled in the art may be able to identify their source and eliminate the blistering.
Blisters are usually found when an elastomeric product is heated, such as in a curing process. If the blister gas is not sampled within minutes of its formation, cooling of the elastomeric article can cause major changes in the gas composition due to condensation, absorption, leaking, and possibly chemical reactions.
It is not practical or economical to place analysis equipment such as mass spectrometers, gas chromatographs, etc., on the factory floor so that a technician can obtain a sample of gas from an elastomeric product immediately after it is removed from a mold, and inject the gas directly into gas analyzing equipment. Accordingly, the gas sample must be obtained, removed from the factory floor, and then subjected to analysis. If the gas is permitted to cool while being transported from the factory floor to the laboratory, the compositional information needed by the analyst to solve the blistering problem could well be lost.
It is an object of this invention to provide a method and an apparatus whereby a gas sample can be maintained substantially in the condition, including the same composition and temperature, that the sample was in when it was obtained.
Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus for sampling gases at elevated temperatures comprises (a) a gas tight syringe comprising a barrel having an inside and an outside, a plunger inside the barrel and extending from a first end thereof, (b) a hollow needle attached to a second end of the barrel, the hollow needle communicating with the inside of the barrel, (c) heat insulating means surrounding the barrel of the syringe, and (d) a heated block adapted to receive the syringe, wherein the heated block is surrounded by insulating means. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat insulating means has heating elements which are used to heat the barrel of the syringe. The insulating means is also used to heat the heating block.
A method of the invention, for obtaining gas samples at elevated temperatures, comprises the steps of (a) preheating a gas tight syringe, the syringe comprising a barrel having a plunger within the barrel and extending from first end thereof, and a hollow needle which is in communication with the inside of the barrel attached to a second end thereof, to a temperature of within ±10° C. of the expected temperature of a sample, (b) inserting the needle into gases which are to be sampled and analyzed, (c) withdrawing the plunger in the barrel a specified distance to obtain a specific size sample of gases, and (d) removing the needle from the gases.
In the illustrated embodiment, the method comprises the further step of placing a syringe containing a sample in a heating block to maintain the temperature of the sample. In addition, the method may comprise the further steps of (e) preheating the syringe and the sample to a temperature substantially equivalent to the temperature at which the sample is obtained, and (f) analyzing the sample.
In a specific embodiment, the method is used to sample gases which cause a blister during curing of a pneumatic tire, and the step (b) of inserting the needle into gases to be analyzed comprises the further step of penetrating the blister with the needle, and the further step of delivering a specific quantity of sample gases from the syringe into analyzing equipment selected from the group consisting of a gas chromatograph, a mass spectrometer, an infrared analyzer (IR), a gas analyzer, and combinations thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5287758 (1994-02-01), Geiss et al.
patent: 6114178 (2000-09-01), Dezael et al.
patent: 6116098 (2000-09-01), Lubek et al.
Raevis Robert
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Wheeler David E
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