US3728032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow cell for spectroscopic analysis of density gradients
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-10-13
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Granted: 1973-04-17
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Expires: 1991-10-13
Abstract
Abstract A flow cell having a flow path which is step-free and totally streamlined so that pure laminar flow is achieved therethrough. Analytical resolution and sensitivity is further enhanced by the geometry of the flow path which combines minimal volume with maximal light path. There is likewise disclosed a two part mirror-image construction for reduced cost of manufacture and ease of maintenance.
Inventors
- 👤 H Noll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/01; G01N21/03; G01N21/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A flow cell for use in spectroscopic analysis comprising: an opaque body block; a fluid flow path in said body block having an inlet orifice, an outlet orifice and an elongated conduit therebetween, said conduit tapering smoothly outwardly between said orifices to a medial area of maximum dimension; a pair of aligned, narrow openings formed in opposed sides of said body block to define a transverse light path through said medial area; light-permeable means closing said openings; and means associated with said flow path for retaining inlet and outlet tubing having an inside diameter substantially identical with the diameter of said orifices in communication therewith, whereby fluids pass through the step-free and streamlined flow path in substantially pure laminar flow.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A flow cell for use in spectroscopic analysis comprising: an opaque body block; a fluid flow path in said body block having an inlet orifice, an outlet orifice and an elongated conduit therebetween, said conduit tapering smoothly outwardly between said orifices to a medial area of maximum dimension; a pair of aligned, narrow openings formed in opposed sides of said body block to define a transverse light path through said medial area; light-permeable means closing said openings; and means associated with said flow path for retaining inlet and outlet tubing having an inside diameter substantially identical with the diameter of said orifices in communication therewith, whereby fluids pass through the step-free and streamlined flow path in substantially pure laminar flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flow cell of claim 1 in which said flow path comprises a cavity formed within said body block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The flow cell of claim 2 in which said last-mentioned means comprises: a pair of bores formed in said body block and opening respectively to opposite ends thereof, said bores terminating internally in an annular shoulder of depth equal to the thickness of the tubing wall, said bores and shoulders cooperating to retain said inlet and outlet tubing in contour-accommodating relationship whereby the same are in intimate communication with their respective orifices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flow cell of claim 1 in which each of said openings comprises a longitudinally extending oval defined by a knife edge boundary.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The flow cell of claim 5 in which the body block opposed sides surrounding said openings comprise thin planar walls cooperating with said tapering conduit to provide said knife-edge boundaries, said light-permeable means comprising planar windows retained against said planar walls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The flow cell of claim 5 and comprising further: an annular opening formed in each of the body block opposed sides surrounding said ovals and providing said planar walls, and means for releasably retaining said windows against said planar walls.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The flow cell of claim 6 in which said last-mentioned means comprises a ring-shaped screw adapted to cooperate with internal threading formed in said annular openings for releasably retaining said windows against said oval openings in fluid-tight relationship.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The flow cell of claim 3 in which said body block comprises a pair of mirror-image body members and means for releasably connecting said body members together in fluid-tight relationship.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The flow cell of claim 8 in which said conduit taper is defined by a first pair of curves in a longitudinal plane including the light path and said conduit comprises further a second taper in a longitudinal plane perpendicular to the first longitudinal plane defined by a second pair of curves of larger radius so that the conduit is ovate in section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flow cell of claim 9 in which said last-mentioned means comprises threaded screws and said body members are formed with a plurality of screw threaded holes for receiving said screws.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3552865A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |