Patent ID: 6455850
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus (10) for analyzing a fluid sample (12) comprising:an enclosure (58) having an open position and a closed position; upper (128) and lower (130) electrodes disposed in the enclosure (58), said electrodes (128, 130) being generally disposed along a longitudinal axis (â€œAâ€ ) and having respective spark surfaces (214, 220) associated therewith that are spaced apart to define a gap region (224) therebetween, said electrodes (128, 130) being configured to be connected to a power supply for causing an electric discharge across said gap region (224) for exciting the fluid sample (12) to spectroemissive levels; a fluid transfer assembly (20) configured to deliver the fluid sample (12) to said gap region (224); a spectrometer assembly (26) disposed in sensing relation with said gap region (224) configured to sense said spectroemissive levels and generate spectral data in response thereto; a computer controller (28) configured to generate an output in response to said spectral data and a predetermined operating strategy; and, an exhaust assembly (186) coupled to said enclosure (58) configured to exhaust an interior volume (175) of said enclosure (58); wherein said enclosure (58) includes an airflow passage (254) having a first region (256) characterized by airflow that is substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis (â€œAâ€ ) when said exhaust assembly is operated and said enclosure (58) is in the closed position, said spark surfaces (214, 220) being contained in said first region (256).