Patent ID: 6490852
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for applying a layer to a surface of an elongate gas chromatograph (GC) component member, comprising:a support member having an opening formed therethrough; drive means coupled to said support member for rotative displacement of said support member about an axis line of rotation disposed coaxially with said opening in said support member, said drive means including a first variable speed drive motor for adjustably controlling an angular speed of said support member; dispensing means for dispensing said elongate GC component member to pass through said opening in said support member along said axis line of rotation, said dispensing means including a second variable speed drive motor for adjustably controlling a linear speed of said elongate GC component member being dispensed, said first and second variable speed drive motors being rotatively displaceable each with respect to the other in a predetermined rotative ratio; at least one spool for dispensing at least one substantially continuous fiber therefrom, an end portion of said substantially continuous fiber being spirally wrapped around said elongate GC component member; and, spindle means mounted to said support member for coupling said at least one spool to said support member at a predetermined radial distance away from said axis line of rotation, said substantially continuous fiber being dispensed responsive to said rotative displacement of said support member to progressively wrap said substantially continuous fiber around said elongate GC component member as said elongate GC component member is dispensed, a predetermined coverage density of said substantially continuous fiber being established responsive to adjustment of said angular speed of said support member responsive to the rotative speed of said first variable speed motor and adjustment of said linear speed of said elongate GC component member being dispensed to produce a corresponding predetermined ratio between said angular speed of said support member and said linear speed of said elongate GC component member being selectively dispensed responsive to said predetermined rotative ratio between said first and second variable speed motors.