US3926561A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Gas analysis employing semi-permeable membrane
Assignee: Meloy Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1974-05-13
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Granted: 1975-12-16
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Expires: 1994-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A semi-permeable membrane is employed in gas analysis utilizing Fick''s First and/or Second Laws of Diffusion. In some embodiments a series of time-separated plateaus is obtained, the timing of the plateaus representing different molecular species, and the height of the plateaus corresponding to the respective concentrations. In other embodiments the membrane device is used in conjunction with conventional analytical devices, such as gas chromatograph columns. The membrane transversely divides a diffusion cell having a pair of cylindrical housing parts, each containing a cup-shaped core with an end wall spaced from the membrane to provide transverse radial flow passages at opposite sides of the membrane and with the side walls spaced from the side wall of the housing to provide longitudinal flow passages of annular cross-section. Fluid is admitted to each longitudinal passage by means of an enlarged circumferential flow distributing passage and is exhausted from each transverse passage by means of a conduit extending through the end wall of the associated core. Electric heating elements are supported upon the side wall of the housing and are controlled by temperature sensors in the transverse passages adjacent to the permeable membrane. The entire housing is surrounded by insulation so that precise control of the temperature within the housing is possible.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel P Lucero
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 07:20
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/22; G; G01; G01N; G01N7/00; G01N7/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/18; Y10T436/186; Y10T436/21; Y10T436/25; Y10T436/25125; Y10T436/25375; Y10T436/255; Y10T436/25625; Y10T436/25875
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
FLUID SAMPLE ANALYSIS APPARATUS COMPRISING MEANS DEFINING FIRST AND SECOND FLUID FLOW PATHS SEPARATED BY A WALL SATURABLE TO DIFFERENT SAMPLE CONSTITUENTS AT DIFFERENT RATES, MEANS FOR ALTERNATELY SUPPLYING TO SAID FIRST FLOW PATH A FLUID SAMPLE TO BE ANALYZED AND A FLUSH FLUID, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A CARRIER FLUID TO SAID SECOND FLOW PATH, WHEREBY SAID SAMPLE CONSTITUENTS WHICH PERMEATE SAID WALL ARE INTRODUCED TO SAID CARRIER FLUID TO FORM A FLUID MIXTURE, AND DETECTOR MEANS FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF SAMPLE CONSTITUENTS IN SAID MIXTURE AT DIFFERENT TIMES DEPENDENT UPON THE CORRESPONDING SATURATION RATES.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
FLUID SAMPLE ANALYSIS APPARATUS COMPRISING MEANS DEFINING FIRST AND SECOND FLUID FLOW PATHS SEPARATED BY A WALL SATURABLE TO DIFFERENT SAMPLE CONSTITUENTS AT DIFFERENT RATES, MEANS FOR ALTERNATELY SUPPLYING TO SAID FIRST FLOW PATH A FLUID SAMPLE TO BE ANALYZED AND A FLUSH FLUID, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A CARRIER FLUID TO SAID SECOND FLOW PATH, WHEREBY SAID SAMPLE CONSTITUENTS WHICH PERMEATE SAID WALL ARE INTRODUCED TO SAID CARRIER FLUID TO FORM A FLUID MIXTURE, AND DETECTOR MEANS FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF SAMPLE CONSTITUENTS IN SAID MIXTURE AT DIFFERENT TIMES DEPENDENT UPON THE CORRESPONDING SATURATION RATES.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said detector means has means for producing a recording of the output of said detector means as a function of time, whereby said output is recorded as a series of plateaus distinguishable in time and amplitude, the timing of each plateau identifying a corresponding sample constituent, and the amplitude of each plateau with respect to the preceding plateau designating the concentration of the corresponding sample constituent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first-mentioned supplying means comprises a source of sample fluid, a source of flush fluid, and means for alternately connecting said sources to said first flow path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein the last-mentioned means comprises a valve and means for operating said valve repetitively to connect said sources alternately to said first path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said flush fluid comprises pure fluid sample host fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for maintaining said wall at a selected constant temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein the last-mentioned means comprises means for controlling the temperature of said fluids.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said wall comprises a semi-permeable membrane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said flow paths comprises a first passage adjacent to and substantially parallel to said wall and a second passage extending toward said wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 9, further comprising means for supplying controlled amounts of heat to said second passages.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein said wall divides a cylindrical chamber transversely.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein said chamber contains a cylindrical core on each side of said wall defining said second passages between an outer wall of each core and an inner wall of the chamber and defining said first passages between an end of each core and the permeable wall.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of fluid sample analysis comprising providing first and second fluid flow paths separated by a wall saturable to different sample constituents At different rates, alternately supplying to said first path a fluid sample to be analyzed and a flush fluid, supplying a carrier fluid to said second path, whereby said sample constituents which permeate said wall are introduced to said carrier fluid to form a fluid mixture, and detecting the presence of sample constituents in said mixture at different times dependent upon the corresponding saturation rates.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of fluid sample analysis comprising providing first and second fluid flow paths separated by a wall saturable to different sample constituents At different rates, alternately supplying to said first path a fluid sample to be analyzed and a flush fluid, supplying a carrier fluid to said second path, whereby said sample constituents which permeate said wall are introduced to said carrier fluid to form a fluid mixture, and detecting the presence of sample constituents in said mixture at different times dependent upon the corresponding saturation rates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 13, further comprising detecting the concentration of the last-mentioned constituents.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein said detecting comprises recording a signal having a series of plateaus the timing of which is dependent upon the presence of corresponding constituents and the amplitude of which relative to that of the preceding plateau is dependent upon the concentration of said corresponding constituents.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 13, further comprising precisely controlling the temperature and flow rates of said fluids.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein said controlling comprises varying said temperature according to a program during said detecting.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein said sample and flush fluids are supplied repetitively and the sample is supplied abruptly.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
80 words
Fluid sample analysis apparatus comprising a fluid sample resolving device, a fluid diluter, and a fluid detector connected in sequence, said fluid diluter having a wall with different permeabilities for different sample constituents, said wall separating first and second fluid flow paths, means for supplying a fluid sample to said resolving device, means for supplying fluid from said resolving device to said first path, and means for supplying a carrier fluid to said second path and then to said detector.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
80 words
Fluid sample analysis apparatus comprising a fluid sample resolving device, a fluid diluter, and a fluid detector connected in sequence, said fluid diluter having a wall with different permeabilities for different sample constituents, said wall separating first and second fluid flow paths, means for supplying a fluid sample to said resolving device, means for supplying fluid from said resolving device to said first path, and means for supplying a carrier fluid to said second path and then to said detector.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 19, wherein said resolving device comprises a gas chromatograph column.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein said fluid sample constitutes the gas chromatograph carrier.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 19, further comprising means for supplying said fluid sample to said resolving device alternately with a flush fluid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
81 words
Fluid sample analysis apparatus comprising a fluid diluter, a fluid chromatographic sample resolving device and a fluid detector connected in sequence, said fluid diluter having a wall with different permeabilities for different sample constituents, said wall separating first and second fluid flow paths, means for supplying a fluid sample to said first path, means for supplying a carrier fluid to said second path and then to said resolving device, and means for supplying fluid from said resolving device to said detector.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
81 words
Fluid sample analysis apparatus comprising a fluid diluter, a fluid chromatographic sample resolving device and a fluid detector connected in sequence, said fluid diluter having a wall with different permeabilities for different sample constituents, said wall separating first and second fluid flow paths, means for supplying a fluid sample to said first path, means for supplying a carrier fluid to said second path and then to said resolving device, and means for supplying fluid from said resolving device to said detector.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein said resolving device comprises a gas chromatograph column.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein said carrier fluid constitutes the gas chromatograph carrier.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 23, further comprising means for supplying said fluid sample to said first path alternately with a flush fluid.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said sample supplying means comprises means for supplying a fluid stream containing sulfur and hydrocarbon constituents.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein a fluid sample containing sulfur and hydrocarbon constituents is supplied to said first fluid path.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 19, wherein said sample supplying means comprises means for supplying a fluid stream containing sulfur and hydrocarbon constituents.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 29, wherein said detector is a flame photometric detector.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein said sample supplying means comprises means for supplying a fluid stream containing sulfur and hydrocarbon constituents.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 31, wherein said detector is a flame photometric detector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |