Simultaneous differential thermal analysis system

A simultaneous differential thermal analysis instrument, comprising:

• a holder assembly that includes sample and reference sensors that are configured for one of DSC and DTA measurements;
• a first balance member mechanically coupled to the holder assembly;
• a second balance member pivotally connected to the first balance member using a crossed-flexure pivot;
• and
• plates of a high thermal conductivity material surrounding the first and second balance members,
• wherein each of the first and second balance members is a composite member that includes electrically conductive paths that are affixed to an insulating portion of the balance member, and
• wherein the instrument is configured to conduct electrical signals along an electrically conductive path that extends from the sample and/or reference holder assembly along at least a portion of the first balance member, through the pivot assembly and along at least a portion of the second balance member;
• wherein the instrument is housed within an enclosure that is maintained at a constant uniform temperature such that the instrument remains at a uniform temperature, thereby reducing extraneous thermoelectric voltages generated along the electrically conductive path.

A parallel guided balance for use in a simultaneous differential thermal analysis instrument, comprising:

• a vertical fixed member;
• a first horizontal member pivotally connected to the vertical fixed member via a first set of pivots;
• a second horizontal member pivotally connected to the vertical fixed member via a second set of pivots;
• a movable vertical member pivotally connected to each of the first and second horizontal members via a third and fourth set of pivots;
• and
• plates of a high thermal conductivity material surrounding the movable vertical member, the first horizontal member and the second horizontal member,
• wherein the movable vertical member and at least one of the first and second horizontal members each comprise a composite member that comprises electrically conductive traces disposed on an insulator,
• wherein a continuous electrically conductive path extends from the electrically conductive traces of the vertical movable member to the vertical fixed member without the use of flexible wire leads, and
• wherein the entire balance is housed within an enclosure that is maintained at a constant uniform temperature.

An instrument, comprising:

• a holder assembly that includes a means for conducting electrical signals from the holder assembly;
• a first composite balance member mechanically coupled to the holder assembly;
• a second composite balance member, wherein plates of a high thermal conductivity material surround the first and second composite members;
• and
• a coupling means,
• wherein the coupling means comprises:
• pivot means for pivotally connecting the first composite balance member to the second composite balance member, and
• a continuous electrically conductive path between the conductive means on the first composite balance member and the conductive means on the second composite balance member;
• wherein the composite balance members, the pivot means, and the electrically conductive path are housed within a temperature-regulated enclosure.

A simultaneous thermal analysis instrument comprising:

• (a) a parallel guided balance comprising:
• a stationary structure supporting a fixed vertical member and a meter movement comprising a linear motor and a position sensor;
• a first set of flexures pivotally attaching an upper horizontal member to the stationary structure;
• a second set of flexures pivotally attaching a lower horizontal member to the fixed structure;
• a third set of flexures pivotally attaching the upper horizontal member to a movable vertical member;
• a fourth set of flexures pivotally attaching the lower horizontal member to the movable vertical member;
• a holder assembly rigidly attached to the movable vertical member,
• wherein the upper and lower horizontal members have matching lengths and matching thermal expansion coefficients, wherein the movable vertical member is constrained to move such that its orientation remains parallel to the fixed vertical member, and wherein plates of a high thermal conductivity material surround the movable vertical member and the upper and lower horizontal members;
• and
• (b) a DTA or DSC instrument comprising:
• sensors for measuring the differential heat flow to a sample holder in the holder assembly with respect to the heat flow to a reference holder in the holder assembly;
• conductive traces on one of the upper or lower horizontal members for conducting electrical signals from the sensors to the fixed vertical member,
• wherein the flexures attaching the one of the upper or lower horizontal member to the movable vertical member and to the fixed vertical member are conductive flexures;
• wherein the instrument is housed within a temperature-regulated enclosure.