Patent ID: 6443616
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for determining the melting point of a material in an unmelted state, comprising:a carrier having a first side and a second side on which said first side said material is deposited; an infrared light wave heat source of sufficient intensity for melting said material, said heat source disposed below said second side of said carrier and directed at said material, said material when melted by said infrared light wave heat source changing its transmissivity to light at its melting point; an infrared thermometer disposed on said first side of said carrier for detecting the temperature of said material; at least one photocell disposed on said first side of said carrier in a position aligned with said infrared light wave heat source to detect changes in the percentage of transmission of light waves passing through said material; means to determine said temperature detected by said infrared thermometer as said photocell detects a change in said material's percentage of transmission of light waves passing through said material as its transmissivity changes at its melting point, such temperature indicating said melting point of said material; and multi-channel means for recording said changes in transmissivity against said changes in temperature of said material.