Safety apparatus for an atomic absorption spectrophotometer burner
AssigneeThe Perkin-Elmer Corporation
InventorMichael W. Kendall-Tobias
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatic gas flow safety device or system is provided for use with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer burner. Generally speaking, a dual function pneumatic and electrical safety device is described which provides for a cut-off of the (acetylene) gas to the burner, upon monitoring an unacceptable air flow or electrical condition, to avert possible flash-backs at the burner. The invention basically comprises a pneumatic and electrical actuated means to control the on/off flow of gas to the burner determinative on the status of the air pressure and electrical power to the system.
Claims6
A safety system for an atomic absorption spectrophotometer having a burner, and having means for supplying acetylene, and having means for supplying air to the burner comprising:
- first means having a first operative state to enable acetylene flow from the acetylene supplying means to the burner, and having a second operative state to effect a substantial cutoff of the flow of acetylene from the acetylene supplying means to the burner;
- second means responsive to a first air pressure level of the air flow to the burner from the means supplying air for actuating said first means into said first operative state, and responsive to a second air pressure level of the air flow to the burner from the means supplying air for actuating said first means into said second operative state;
- and
- third means operatively coupled to said second means and being responsive to an electrical power failure for effecting an air pressure level at said second means equal to or less than said second air pressure level whereby said second means actuates said first means into said second operative state.
An automatic gas flow safety apparatus for an atomic absorption spectrophotometer system having a burner and mixing chamber, and having means for supplying acetylene to the mixing chamber, and having means for supplying air to the mixing chamber comprising:
- a flow control valve means connected in-line between the means for supplying acetylene and the mixing chamber, and having a closed condition for blocking the flow of acetylene to the mixing chamber, and having an open condition for permitting the flow of acetylene to the mixing chamber;
- and
- actuator means operatively connected with said flow control valve means and being responsive to a first predetermined air pressure to the mixing chamber for causing said flow control valve means to operate in said open state to enable acetylene flow to the mixing chamber, and being responsive to a second predetemined air pressure to the mixing chamber for effecting cutoff of acetylene flow to the mixing chamber a solenoid valve means operatively connected with the means for supplying air and with said actuator means, said solenoid valve means having normally closed state and a open state, said solenoid valve means being electrically enegizable to the open state for coupling air being provided by said means for supplying air to said actuator means, said solenoid valve means being returned to the normally closed state with detection of a power failure to cutoff the air flow between said actuation means and the means for supplying air.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.