Carl J Shapiro

US Patent:

43670423, Jan 4, 1983

Filed:

Dec 12, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/215674

Inventors:

Stanley B. Smith - Westford MA
Carl Shapiro - West Roxbury MA

Assignee:

Instrumentation Laboratory Inc. - Lexington MA

International Classification:

G01N 2172

US Classification:

356315

Abstract:

A spectroanalytical instrument includes burner structure and a nebulizer for furnishing sample in fog form for flow through a premix chamber to the burner structure. Flow structure extending from a chamber port to a drain port provides a condensate flow path from the chamber to a drain. Trap structure is disposed in series in the flow path between the chamber port and the drain port, and drain line closure apparatus is switched between a first condition in which the drain line is closed and a second condition in which the drain line is opened by a control responsive to liquid in the trap structure such that the drain line is initially closed and is opened automatically in response to accumulation of condensate liquid in the trap structure to enable maintenance of positive pressure in the premix chamber.