Richard P Graff

US Patent:

49174991, Apr 17, 1990

Filed:

Oct 3, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/914900

Inventors:

Robert J. Champetier - Torrance CA
Richard L. Graff - Ventura CA

Assignee:

Hughes Aircraft Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

G01N 2500

US Classification:

374 14

Abstract:

An apparatus (10) for identifying molecular contamination in an environment includes a pair of crystals (12, 14) supported within supports (16, 18, 20) which are cantilevered to a base (44) by standoffs (36). Base is housed within an enclosure (56) which opens through an opening (54) to an environment to be tested. Contaminants from the environment are deposited on sensing crystal (12) which, after a build up of the contaminants thereon, is heated by a heater. Through a thermo-gravimetric analysis, the points at which contaminants on crystal (12) sublime provide a means for identifying the contaminants.