Ion concentration probe with enhanced shielding
AssigneeThermo Orion Inc.
InventorsArthur E. Tobey, Xiaowen Wen, James M. Stark, Andrea F. Gulla
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Abstract
A probe for measuring a sample solution includes an outer body configured to receive an operational amount of a reference solution, and a sensor assembly including an inner body at least a portion of which is located inside the outer body. A shield is positioned between the outer surface of the inner body and the inner surface of the outer body. The shield is configured to be in contact with the reference solution and extends above the top surface of the reference solution when the probe is filled with an operational amount of the reference solution.
Claims19
A probe for measuring a first solution, the probe comprising:
- an outer body including an inner surface and configured to receive an operational amount of a second solution, the second solution including a top surface;
- a sensor assembly including an inner body having an outer surface, at least a portion of the inner body being located inside the outer body;
- a shield comprising a layer of conductive material positioned between the outer surface of the inner body and the inner surface of the outer body so that the shield encircles the sensor assembly, the shield being configured to be in contact with the second solution and extend above the top surface of the second solution when the probe is filled with the operational amount of the second solution during use of the probe;
- a connector including a ground conductor,
- wherein the shield is electrically coupled to the ground conductor of the connector;
- and
- a reference electrode, wherein the reference electrode is electrically coupled to the ground conductor of the connector,
- wherein the inner body comprises a lower end including a chamber having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion of the chamber being defined by a membrane that is joined to the upper portion of the chamber so that a joint is formed between the membrane and the upper portion of the chamber,
- wherein the outer body includes an upper end and a lower end,
- wherein the inner body and the outer body are configured so that there is a fluid-tight seal between the inner body and the outer body that defines an outer chamber extending from the lower end of the outer body toward the upper end and formed between the inner surface of the outer body and the outer surface of the inner body and sealed by the fluid-tight seal, and
- wherein the reference electrode is immersed in the second solution disposed in the outer chamber.
A probe for measuring a first solution, the probe comprising:
- an outer body having an inner surface and being configured to receive an operational amount of a second solution,
- the operational amount of the second solution including a top surface;
- a sensor assembly comprising an inner body having an outer surface,
- at least a portion of the inner body being located within the outer body;
- and
- a conductive shield disposed between the outer body and the sensor assembly,
- the shield being positioned so as to (1) contact the second solution received by the outer body and (2) extend above the top surface of the second solution when the probe is filled with the operational amount of the second solution,
- wherein the outer body includes an upper end and a lower end,
- wherein the inner body and the outer body are configured so that there is a fluid-tight seal between the inner body and the outer body that defines a chamber extending from the lower end toward the upper end and formed between the inner surface of the outer body and the outer surface of the inner body and sealed by the fluid-tight seal, and
- wherein the probe comprises a reference electrode immersed in the second solution disposed in the chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.