Patent ID: 6534005
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A material phase transition analyzer, comprising:a body having a chamber presenting an open end and adapted to receive a sample of material to be analyzed; a heating assembly operable to controllably heat said sample within said chamber; a force-applying assembly operable to apply a compressive force to said sample within the chamber, including a block adjacent said body open end which at least substantially closes said chamber so as to inhibit flow of said sample therefrom said block having a first solid segment positionable across said open end to prevent escape of said sample from said chamber during said heating and application of force to said sample, and a second apertured segment alternately positionable across said open end to only partially close the open end to permit limited escape of said sample from said chamber; said force-applying assembly operable to decrease the volume of said chamber in response to changes in said sample arising from said heating and application of force thereto; and a device operable to determine said decrease in volume of said chamber.