Patent ID: 9528953
Filing Date: 2016-12-27
CPC Classification: G01K,G01N

Claim Text:
1. A method for operating a thermo-analytical instrument in an enhanced heat flux mode, the thermo-analytical instrument comprising a sample position and a reference position, means for heating each of the sample position and the reference position, sample temperature sensing means for sensing a temperature of a sample placed at the sample position, reference temperature sensing means for sensing a temperature at the reference position, and means for controlling the power supplied by the means for heating to the respective sample and reference positions, the method comprising the steps of: placing a sample on the sample position; measuring sample temperature using the sample temperature sensing means; applying heating power over time to each of the sample position and the reference position, the means for controlling solely using measured sample temperature as the basis for determining an amount of the heating power being applied, so as to cause the measured sample temperature to follow a predetermined program of sample temperatures versus time that is configured in the means for controlling; and during the step of applying heating power, determining a temperature differential arising between the respective temperature sensing means and deriving a net heat flow into the sample from the temperature differential determined.