Patent US4470699A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4470699A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Micro-column plasma emission liquid chromatograph
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1982-08-12
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Granted: 1984-09-11
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Expires: 2002-08-12
Abstract
Abstract In a direct current plasma emission spectrometer for use in combination with a micro-column liquid chromatograph, an improved plasma source unit. The plasma source unit includes a quartz capillary tube having an inlet means, outlet off gas means and a pair of spaced electrodes defining a plasma region in the tube. The inlet means is connected to and adapted to receive eluant of the liquid chromatograph along with a stream of plasma-forming gas. There is an opening through the wall of the capillary tube penetrating into the plasma region. A soft glass capillary light pipe is disposed at the opening, is connected to the spectrometer, and is adapted to transmit light passing from the plasma region to the spectrometer. There is also a source of electromotive force connected to the electrodes sufficient to initiate and sustain a plasma in the plasma region of the tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Don D. Gay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N30/00; G01N30/02; G01N30/62; G01N30/74; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/71; G01N21/73
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
In a direct current plasma emission spectrometer for use in combination with a micro-column liquid chromatograph, an improved plasma source unit which comprises: (A) a quartz capillary tube having an inlet means, outlet off gas means, and a pair of spaced electrodes defining a plasma region in said tube: (i) said inlet means being connected to and adapted to receive eluant of said liquid chromatograph along with a stream of plasma-forming gas; (ii) an opening through the wall of said capillary tube penetrating into said plasma region; and (iii) a soft glass capillary light pipe being disposed at said opening, being connected to said spectrometer, and adapted to transmit light passing from said plasma region to said spectrometer; and (B) a source of electromotive force connected to said electrodes sufficient to initiate and sustain a plasma in said plasma region of said tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a direct current plasma emission spectrometer for use in combination with a micro-column liquid chromatograph, an improved plasma source unit which comprises: (A) a quartz capillary tube having an inlet means, outlet off gas means, and a pair of spaced electrodes defining a plasma region in said tube: (i) said inlet means being connected to and adapted to receive eluant of said liquid chromatograph along with a stream of plasma-forming gas; (ii) an opening through the wall of said capillary tube penetrating into said plasma region; and (iii) a soft glass capillary light pipe being disposed at said opening, being connected to said spectrometer, and adapted to transmit light passing from said plasma region to said spectrometer; and (B) a source of electromotive force connected to said electrodes sufficient to initiate and sustain a plasma in said plasma region of said tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plasma-forming gas is helium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrodes include an anode connection and a cathode connection and said opening is located near said cathode connection of said electromotive force source to said capillary tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said opening is between about 1 and 2 mm diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said capillary light pipe has highly-polished internal walls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improvement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said capillary light pipe has a diameter of between about 2 mm and 3 mm, and is disposed to maintain a gap of about 1 to 2 mm between said light pipe and said opening in said capillary tube.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-09-11 | 1988-03-12 | 1988-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-11 | 1992-03-12 | 1992-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-11 | 1996-03-12 | 1996-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |