Patent ID: 9709478
Date: 2017-07-18
CPC Classifications: G01N

Claim:
1. A test apparatus for use with a source of test fluid, the test apparatus for characterizing properties of a sample under test, the test apparatus comprising: an intake valve fluidly coupled to the source of test fluid; a reference cell fluidly coupled to the source of test fluid via the intake valve; a sample cell that holds the sample under test; an isolation valve fluidly coupled between the reference cell and the sample cell; an exhaust port; an exhaust valve fluidly coupled between the sample cell and the exhaust port; wherein the intake valve, the isolation valve, and the exhaust valve are electronically-controlled; a first pressure sensor associated with the reference cell for measuring pressure within the reference cell; a second pressure sensor associated with the sample cell for measuring pressure within the sample cell; a data processing system that interfaces with the intake valve, the isolation valve, and the exhaust valve via electronic signals communicated therebetween in order to control operation of the intake valve, the isolation valve, and the exhaust valve; a first temperature sensor associated with the reference cell for measuring temperature within the reference cell; a second temperature sensor associated with the sample cell for measuring temperature within the sample cell; and wherein the data processing system interfaces to the first and second temperature sensors via electronic signals communicated therebetween in order to generate and store first and second temperature data representing the temperatures measured by the first and second temperature sensors, respectively, over time.