1. A method of representing table-, array- or graphical object variables in a spreadsheet cell frame displayed on a display device, specified by an advanced function, from a programming language capable of handling and returning variables of at least one of said object variable types in addition to text and numeric derived variable types, the method comprising:
(a) communicating with the display device connected to a process device,
(b) accessing the cell frame containing multiple cells displayed on said display device,
(c) displaying text or numbers or icons or other symbols in said cell frame,
(d) associating at least one of said object variable types with a spreadsheet cell in said cell frame,
(e) displaying in the cells, associated with said object variable types, an indication value, containing text andor icons or other symbols as determined by an indication value function.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying on said display device a table frame containing values from the table associated with said table object variable.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying on said display device a list containing values from the array associated with said array object variable.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying on said display device a graphical image representing the image associated with said graphical object variable.
5. A computer based system for representing table-, array- or graphical object variables in a spreadsheet cell frame displayed on a display device, specified by an advanced function, from a programming language capable of handling and returning variables of at least one of said object variable types in addition to text and numeric derived variable types, the system comprising:
(a) means for communicating with the display device connected to a process device,
(b) means for accessing the cell frame containing multiple cells displayed on said display device,
(c) means for displaying text or numbers or icons or other symbols in said cell frame,
(d) means for associating at least one of said object variable types with a spreadsheet cell in said cell frame,
(e) means for displaying in the cells, associated with said object variable types, an indication value, containing text andor icons or other symbols as determined by an indication value function.
6. The system of claim 5, further including means for displaying on said display device a table frame containing values from the table associated with said table object variable.
7. The system of claim 5, further including means for displaying on said display device a list containing values from the array associated with said array object variable.
8. The system of claim 5, further including means for displaying on said display device a graphical image representing the image associated with said graphical object variable.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A vapour generator comprising:
a vapour chamber in which a vapour is produced,
a vapour chamber inlet by which gas can enter the chamber, and
a vapour chamber outlet by which vapour can flow out of the vapour chamber, and
a vapour-adsorbent passage extending from the vapour chamber outlet such that all gas and vapour flowing from the vapour chamber outlet flows through the vapour-adsorbent passage and such that, when no gas is caused to flow through the generator, vapour produced in the vapour chamber flows to the vapour-adsorbent passage and is adsorbed at a rate that ensures substantially no vapour passes as far as the generator outlet but, when gas is caused to flow through the generator, the vapour is carried through the vapour adsorbent passage at a rate sufficiently high to ensure a flow of vapour from the generator outlet
wherein the vapour adsorbent passage is provided by a vapour-permeable passage extending through an adsorbent means,
wherein the adsorbent means includes a chamber containing an adsorbent material, and
wherein the adsorbent material includes charcoal.
2. The vapour generator according to claim 1, wherein the vapour chamber includes a housing containing a wicking, adsorbent material soaked with a compound.
3. The vapour generator according to claim 1, wherein the vapour-permeable passage is provided by vapour-permeable tubing.
4. The vapour generator according to claim 3, wherein the tubing is made of an elastomer.
5. The vapour generator according to claim 1, further comprising an airflow generator connected with the vapour chamber inlet.
6. The vapour generator according to claim 5, wherein the airflow generator is a fan or blower.
7. A detection system comprising:
a detection apparatus, and
a vapour generator comprising:
a vapour chamber in which a vapour is produced,
a vapour chamber inlet by which gas can enter the chamber, and
a vapour chamber outlet by which vapour can flow out of the vapour chamber, and
a vapour-adsorbent passage extending from the vapour chamber outlet such that all gas and vapour flowing from the vapour chamber outlet flows through the vapour-adsorbent passage and such that, when no gas is caused to flow through the generator, vapour produced in the vapour chamber flows to the vapour adsorbent passage and is adsorbed at a rate that ensures substantially no vapour passes as far as the generator outlet but, when gas is caused to flow through the generator, the vapour is carried through the vapour adsorbent passage at a rate sufficiently high to ensure a flow of vapour from the generator outlet,
wherein the vapour generator is arranged to supply vapour to the detection apparatus.
8. The detection system according to claim 7, wherein the detection apparatus includes an IMS or gas chromatography instrument.
9. The detection system according to claim 7, wherein the passage is provided through an adsorbent material.
10. The detection system according to claim 7, wherein the passage is provided through a sintered material.
11. The detection system according to claim 7, wherein the vapour adsorbent passage is provided by a vapour-permeable passage extending through an adsorbent means.
12. The detection system according to claim 11, wherein the adsorbent means includes a chamber containing an adsorbent material.
13. The detection system according to claim 12, wherein the adsorbent material includes charcoal.
14. The detection system according to claim 7, wherein the vapour chamber includes a housing containing a wicking, adsorbent material soaked with a compound.
15. The detection system according to claim 7, wherein the vapour-permeable passage is provided by vapour-permeable tubing.
16. The detection system according to claim 15, wherein the tubing is made of an elastomer.
17. The detection system according to claim 7, wherein the vapour generator further comprises an airflow generator connected with the vapour chamber inlet.
18. The detection system according to claim 17, wherein the airflow generator is a fan or blower.
19. A method comprising:
providing a vapour generator comprising:
a vapour chamber in which a vapour is produced,
a vapour chamber inlet by which gas can enter the chamber, and
a vapour chamber outlet by which vapour can flow out of the vapour chamber,
and a vapour-adsorbent passage extending from the vapour chamber outlet,
wherein the vapour adsorbent passage is provided by a vapour-permeable passage extending through an adsorbent means,
wherein the adsorbent means includes a chamber containing an adsorbent material, and
wherein the adsorbent material includes charcoal;
causing a flow of gas through the vapour chamber to the vapour-adsorbent passage at a rate sufficient to ensure that vapour flows out of the vapour-adsorbent passage; and
terminating the flow of gas such that any vapour from the vapour chamber entering the vapour-adsorbent passage is adsorbed by the adsorbent material in the vapour-adsorbent passage at a rate sufficient to ensure that substantially no vapour flows out of the vapour-adsorbent passage.
20. The detection system according to claim 19, wherein the vapour-permeable passage is provided by vapour-permeable tubing.