Patent US4641541A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4641541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Internal mass spectrometer interface to a gas chromatograph
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1986-02-11
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Granted: 1987-02-10
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Expires: 2006-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A device for sensitive analysis of unknown organic samples is disclosed. The device is particularly useful as an interface between a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer which has a high pumping capacity. The device comprises an interface internal to the mass spectrometer which may either be attached directly to an inlet probe inserted into a mass spectrometer or directly to the source body of a mass spectrometer. In both cases, the sample goes directly into the source cavity and an auxiliary vacuum system is not required for sample enrichment. For mass spectrometers with marginal pumping capacity, or when very low source pressures are required, the vacuum system may be augmented by designs which either partially or completely isolate the source and interface exhaust pumping systems from each other.
Inventors
- 👤 Daryl Sharp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N30/00; G01N30/02; G01N30/62; G01N30/72; G01N30/7206; G01N30/7213; G01N30/7293
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source, which comprises: (a) an output column having a first end and a second end; (b) an elongated rigid interface body having a first interface end and a second interface end, and having an interface gap positioned between the first interface end and the second interface end, said first interface end having a first bore extending therethrough to the interface gap for insertion of the gas chromatograph output means, said second interface end having a second bore extending therethrough to the interface gap for insertion of the output column, the output column being positioned such that its second end is located within the second bore, and said first bore and said second bore being axially aligned across the interface gap; (c) a means for moving the gas chromatograph output means through the first bore, across the interface gap and into the second bore; (d) a means for securing the interface to a mass spectrometer such that the first end of the output column is positioned in the mass spectrometer source; and (e) a vacuum means connected to the mass spectrometer source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source, which comprises: (a) an output column having a first end and a second end; (b) an elongated rigid interface body having a first interface end and a second interface end, and having an interface gap positioned between the first interface end and the second interface end, said first interface end having a first bore extending therethrough to the interface gap for insertion of the gas chromatograph output means, said second interface end having a second bore extending therethrough to the interface gap for insertion of the output column, the output column being positioned such that its second end is located within the second bore, and said first bore and said second bore being axially aligned across the interface gap; (c) a means for moving the gas chromatograph output means through the first bore, across the interface gap and into the second bore; (d) a means for securing the interface to a mass spectrometer such that the first end of the output column is positioned in the mass spectrometer source; and (e) a vacuum means connected to the mass spectrometer source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 1, wherein the vacuum means connected to the mass spectrometer source comprises a mass spectrometer vacuum system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 2, in which the interface gap is from 0.1 to 6 mm wide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 2, further comprising a vacuum pump external to the mass spectrometer vacuum system for separate evacuation of the interface, said vacuum pump being connected to the interface by a tube means surrounding the interface gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 2, wherein the vacuum means connected to the mass spectrometer source further comprises a separate vacuum pump being connected to an outer manifold within the mass spectrometer vacuum system and providing separate evacuation of the mass spectrometer source and the interface body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 2, wherein the inner diameter of the first end of the output column is smaller than the inner diameter of the second end of the output column.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 2, in which the first bore is widened and beveled at the first interface end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 2, wherein the interface body is formed in one piece.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 2, wherein the portion of the first interface end adjacent to the interface gap and surrounding the first bore conically protrudes into said interface gap and wherein the portion of the second interface end adjacent to the interface gap and surrounding the second bore conically protrudes into said interface gap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 2, wherein a stainless steel guide needle capillary is securely fitted into the first bore, said stainless steel guide needle capillary having an inside diameter wide enough to accomodate the gas chromatograph output means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 2, wherein the means for securing the interface to a mass spectrometer comprises external threads on the second interface end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 11, wherein the interface body is formed in one piece.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 12, wherein the second end of the output column is fixed within the second bore of said interface body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
73 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 2, wherein the interface body is comprised of stainless steel and includes a beveled fitting at the second interface end furthest from the interface gap, said beveled fitting being comprised of an insulating material and being capable of being sealingly fitted to a mass spectrometer source body having a beveled bore.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
62 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer as recited in claim 14, wherein the vacuum means connected to the mass spectrometer further comprises a separate vacuum pump being connected to an outer manifold within the mass spectrometer vacuum system and providing separate evacuation of the mass spectrometer source and the interface body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer as recited in claim 14, wherein the inner diameter of the first end of the output column is smaller than the inner diameter of the second end of the output column.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 14, wherein a stainless steel guide needle capillary is securely fitted into the first bore, said stainless steel guide needle capillary having an inside diameter wide enough to accommodate the gas chromatograph output means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 2, wherein the interface body is formed in one piece having a beveled end, said beveled end being coated with an insulating medium and being sealingly fitted to a mass spectrometer source body having a beveled bore.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 18, wherein the second end of the output column is fixed within the second bore of said interface body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface system for connecting a gas chromatograph output means to a mass spectrometer source as recited in claim 19, wherein the inner diameter of the first end of the output column is smaller than the inner diameter of the second end of the output column.
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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) | 1990-02-09 | 1990-08-11 | 1991-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-09 | 1994-08-11 | 1995-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-09 | 1998-08-11 | 1999-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |