William R Pyle

US Patent:

39985920, Dec 21, 1976

Filed:

Dec 24, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/644224

Inventors:

William I. Pyle - Costa Mesa CA

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G01N 2126

US Classification:

23254E

Abstract:

A chemiluminescence detector is comprised of a gaseous reaction chamber having a light transmitting element mounted to define one wall of the reaction space. A light responsive device, for example a photomultiplier, is arranged to receive light generated by a chemiluminescent reaction within the reaction chamber and transmitted through the light transmitting element. A thermoelectric heat pump means is situated in proximity to the reaction chamber and to the photomultiplier. The heat pump means is arranged to provide for cooling of the photomultiplier by extracting heat therefrom while simultaneously heating the reaction chamber. The thermoelectric heat pump is comprised of at least one mounting gasket means arranged to have a first surface in contact with the housing of the reaction chamber and a second surface in contact with a portion of the housing of the light sensing means. The thermoelectric heat pump includes a plurality of electrically serially connected thermoelectric coolers embedded within the gasket means and arranged to have one surface of each in thermal contact with the light sensing means and the opposite surface of each in contact with the reaction chamber housing. The thermoelectric coolers are arranged to extract thermal energy (heat) from the housing of the light sensing element, thereby lowering its temperature, and to apply this thermal energy to the housing of the reaction chamber thereby elevating its temperature and promoting the chemiluminescent reaction.