Patent ID: 6579440
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A modular reference junction for a reference half-cell, said reference junction comprising:a body including a reference electrolyte interface portion and a process solution interface portion; the body defining an internal cavity; the process solution interface portion including a porous plug disposed in a recess of the body; the reference electrolyte interface portion having at least one opening extending from the internal cavity to a reference junction exterior; a wick disposed in the internal cavity; a junction electrolyte disposed in the internal cavity in contact with the wick; an ion-barrier membrane disposed in the internal cavity between the wick and a membrane engagement portion of the body; the wick being sized and shaped to apply pressure against the ion-barrier membrane to seal the ion-barrier membrane against the membrane engagement portion of the body; wherein the at least one opening is disposed on one side of the ion-barrier membrane, and the porous plug is disposed on the other side of the ion-barrier membrane; and an electrical path of least resistance through the reference junction is provided from the reference electrolyte interface portion, through the ion-barrier membrane, through the junction electrolyte, and to the process solution interface portion.