Patent ID: 7404670
Filing Date: 2008-07-29
Classification: F27B,F27D,G01G,G01N,H05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An analytical furnace comprising: a combustion furnace having a generally disk-shaped body with a cylindrical side wall; a resistive heating element positioned within said side wall and extending around said furnace; a crucible-holding platter positioned within said furnace and having a plurality of apertures therein; a plurality of crucibles positioned within said apertures of said platter, wherein said crucibles hold samples for combustion within said furnace; a control circuit for controlling the application of power to said heating element; a first temperature sensor positioned in fixed relationship within said furnace for detecting the furnace temperature at said fixed location; a second temperature sensor removably positionable within one of said crucibles positioned on said platter; and wherein said control circuit includes a temperature modeling cycle for correlating the temperature between said first and second temperature sensors during a cycle of furnace temperature steps and developing in response thereto optimum temperature control signals for increasing crucible temperatures to desired temperature levels.