Apparatus for the multiple analysis of gases

• US 4,897,548 A
• Filed: 10/18/1988
• Issued: 01/30/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tecan AG Analytische Instrumente
• Original Assignee: Tecan AG Analytische Instrumente
• Inventors: Meier, Alfred, Dome, Peter, Wagner, Heinz
• Primary Examiner(s): Lacey, David L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Muir, Gregory R.
• Application Number:
  US07/259,524
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 422/52, 422/68, 422/83, 436/116, 436/135, 436/172, 250/343, 250/347, 250/373, 250/361 C, 250/368, 356/244, 356/246
• US Class Current: 250/343
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/766 of gases

Abstract

An apparatus for the multiple analysis of gases which can react with another gas to produce emission of light has at least two reaction chambers (1a, 1b), a single photodetector (3) and an optical redirection system (2) with a reflection surface movably mounted between the reaction chambers for sequentially and rapidly redirecting the light from the two reaction chambers onto the single photodetector for evaluation.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the multiple analysis of gases which emit light when reacted with other gases, the apparatus comprising

a plurality of chemiluminescence reaction chambers (1a, 1b) from each of which reaction chamber light is emitted when gases react therein;

a single photodetector (3);

an optical reflector (2) having a reflecting surface contained in a plane;

means for mounting said optical reflector for rotational motion about an axis which forms an acute angle with the plane containing said reflecting surface; and

drive means for moving said reflector in rapid sequence between a plurality of positions such that said light

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said optical reflector is a prism.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 which further includes means (17, 18) for flowing a stream of test gas into a first one of said reaction chambers (1a) and a converter (4) for the reduction of NO₂ to NO positioned in said means for flowing, serially upstream of said first one of said reaction chambers (1a).

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said optical reflector is mounted between said reaction chambers (1a, 1b) on a line extending between the centers of said reaction chambers.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said optical reflector is a mirror.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 which further includes means (17,18) for flowing a stream of test gas into a first one of said reaction chambers (1a) and a converter (4) for the reduction of NO₂ to NO positioned in said means for flowing, serially upstream of one of said reaction chambers (1a).

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said optical reflector is mounted between said reaction chambers (1a, 1b) on a line extending between the centers of said reaction chambers.