Patent ID: 6069694
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: G01N,G02B

Abstract:
A flow cell for optically analyzing fluids comprising a cell body defining a fluid passageway, first and second opposed fiber optic cable assemblies extending through the walls of said cell body projecting into said fluid passageway, said assemblies comprising tubular metal casings housing fiber optic cables and each having a sapphire window at the distal end thereof in said fluid passageway, the sapphire windows of said fiber optic cable assemblies defining a path length for light transmitted through said fiber optic cable assembles to be transmitted through fluid flowing in the gap between said opposed cable assemblies, and clamps releasably engaging said tubular metal casings to hold said cable assemblies in fixed axial positions by frictional force between said clamps and said tubular metal casings when said clamps engage said tubular metal casings and to permit said cable assemblies to slide axially when said clamps are released from said tubular metal casings so that the axial positions of said fiber optic cable assemblies can be adjusted to thereby permit said path length to be adjusted, said clamps each comprising first and second clamping members arranged to engage opposite sides of the tubular metal casing of a cable assembly, said clamping members defining cylindrical slots shaped to fit with said tubular metal casing, said slots being less than half cylinders, said clamps having means to force said clamping members together to frictionally engage said tubular metal casings with said cylindrical slots.