US5132014A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for supercritical fluid extraction
Assignee: Teledyne Isco Inc
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Filing: 1991-11-01
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Granted: 1992-07-21
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Expires: 2011-11-01
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction incorporates a removable extraction cartridge which in operation has insignificant pressure difference between its inside and outside walls. Because of the low pressure difference, the extraction cartridge need not have the strength to withstand significant pressure and can be made out of molded plastic for disposable use as well as stainless steel and machined plastic for reusability. The extraction cartridge can be removed and opened for sample access without the use of tools. The outside of the cartridge can be purged after it is installed in a heated high pressure vessel to remove contamination from its exterior.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Allington
- 👤 Dale L. Clay
- 👤 Daniel G. Jameson
- 👤 Robin R. Winter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 04:57
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21F; G21F5/00; G21F5/015; B; B01; B01D; B01D11/00; B01D11/02; B01D11/0203; B01D11/04; B01D11/0403; B01D11/0407; F; F04; F04B; F04B15/00; F04B15/06; F04B15/08; F04B49/00; F04B49/06; F04B49/065; F04B9/00; F04B9/02; F04B9/04; F04B9/042; F16; F16K; F16K15/00; F16K15/18; F16K15/182; F16K15/1823; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/34; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/34; G01N1/40; G01N30/00; G01N30/02; G01N30/26; G01N30/28; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/126; F04B2205/00; F04B2205/03; F04B2205/05; F04B2205/09; F05; F05B; F05B2230/00; F05B2230/40; F05B2230/41; F05C; F05C2201/00; F05C2201/04; F05C2201/0469; F05C2201/0493; F05C2253/00; F05C2253/12; G01N1/4022; G01N2001/4033; G01N1/4055; G01N2001/4061; G01N30/60; G01N30/6004; G01N2030/6013; G01N35/00; G01N35/02; G01N35/04; G01N2035/0439; G01N2035/0441; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53443
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
Apparatus comprising means for supercritical fluid extraction of a sample; said means for supercritical fluid extraction including: a pressure vessel; an extraction cartridge having an inlet and an outlet, and a sealing plug; said extraction cartridge including means for fastening to said sealing plug; and means for fastening said combination extraction cartridge and sealing plug sealedly into said pressure vessel; said pressure vessel having a fluid inlet which is connected to said inlet of said extraction vessel when said plug and said extraction vessel are sealedly mounted inside of said pressure vessel; and said pressure vessel having an outlet coupled to said outlet of said extraction cartridge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus comprising means for supercritical fluid extraction of a sample; said means for supercritical fluid extraction including: a pressure vessel; an extraction cartridge having an inlet and an outlet, and a sealing plug; said extraction cartridge including means for fastening to said sealing plug; and means for fastening said combination extraction cartridge and sealing plug sealedly into said pressure vessel; said pressure vessel having a fluid inlet which is connected to said inlet of said extraction vessel when said plug and said extraction vessel are sealedly mounted inside of said pressure vessel; and said pressure vessel having an outlet coupled to said outlet of said extraction cartridge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further including means for preventing contamination from reaching said outlet fitting said means for preventing contamination including means for flushing fluid originating from said inlet across the outside of said extraction cartridge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for flushing includes means for flushing said fluid through a third port serving as a second outlet in said pressure vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus comprising means for supercritical fluid extraction of a sample; said means for supercritical fluid extraction including: a pressure vessel means having an interior, an exterior, a first port for fluid entrance and at least a second port for fluid outlet; a removable sample holding extraction cartridge which sealedly installs within said pressure vessel; said cartridge having an interior and an exterior; said cartridge interior being adapted to hold sample; means for distributing said fluid to both the interior and exterior of said cartridge; and said cartridge having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus comprising means for supercritical fluid extraction of a sample; said means for supercritical fluid extraction including: a pressure vessel means having an interior, an exterior, a first port for fluid entrance and at least a second port for fluid outlet; a removable sample holding extraction cartridge which sealedly installs within said pressure vessel; said cartridge having an interior and an exterior; said cartridge interior being adapted to hold sample; means for distributing said fluid to both the interior and exterior of said cartridge; and said cartridge having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction in accordance with claim 4 in which: said pressure vessel first port is coupled by first coupling means to said fluid inlet of said cartridge; and said extraction cartridge outlet coupled by second coupling means to said fluid outlet of said pressure vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 further including means for preventing contamination from reaching said outlet fitting said means for preventing contamination including means for flushing fluid originating from said inlet across the outside of said extraction cartridge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the means for flushing includes means for flushing the fluid through a third port serving as a second outlet in said pressure vessel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus used in supercritical fluid extraction of the type performed in an extraction pressure vessel having an opening to receive a sample comprising: a breech plug adapted to fit and be fastened sealing over the top of the extraction pressure vessel; a handle for the breech plug; first fastening means for fastening the breech plug to the extraction pressure vessel; and a sample holding cartridge; second fastener means adapted to removably connect the sample holding cartridge to the breech plug; said sample holding cartridge including an internal cavity for supporting a sample, an inlet channel for permitting fluid to contact the sample and outlet means for permitting the passage of analyte from the interior of the sample holding cartridge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus used in supercritical fluid extraction of the type performed in an extraction pressure vessel having an opening to receive a sample comprising: a breech plug adapted to fit and be fastened sealing over the top of the extraction pressure vessel; a handle for the breech plug; first fastening means for fastening the breech plug to the extraction pressure vessel; and a sample holding cartridge; second fastener means adapted to removably connect the sample holding cartridge to the breech plug; said sample holding cartridge including an internal cavity for supporting a sample, an inlet channel for permitting fluid to contact the sample and outlet means for permitting the passage of analyte from the interior of the sample holding cartridge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the breech plug has screw threads sized to match the threads of the opening to the extraction pressure vessel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the second fastening means is a snap-on fastener.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 further including means for blocking heat transfer from the cartridge to the handle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus comprising means for supercritical fluid extraction; said means for supercritical fluid extraction comprising: pressure vessel means for receiving supercritical fluid; a sample cartridge sized to fit snugly into the pressure vessel; a breech plug adapted to be fastened to said cartridge; said breech plug including an opening adapted to communicate with a source of fluid, the interior of said cartridge and the exterior of said cartridge; means for sealingly fastening said breech plug into an opening of said pressure vessel means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus comprising means for supercritical fluid extraction; said means for supercritical fluid extraction comprising: pressure vessel means for receiving supercritical fluid; a sample cartridge sized to fit snugly into the pressure vessel; a breech plug adapted to be fastened to said cartridge; said breech plug including an opening adapted to communicate with a source of fluid, the interior of said cartridge and the exterior of said cartridge; means for sealingly fastening said breech plug into an opening of said pressure vessel means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus comprising means for supercritical fluid extraction; said means for supercritical fluid extraction comprising: a pressure vessel; a sample holder; first outlet means communicating with the interior of said sample holder; second outlet means communicating with the interior of the pressure vessel outside of said sample holder; inlet means communicating with the interior of said sample holder and said pressure vessel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus comprising means for supercritical fluid extraction; said means for supercritical fluid extraction comprising: a pressure vessel; a sample holder; first outlet means communicating with the interior of said sample holder; second outlet means communicating with the interior of the pressure vessel outside of said sample holder; inlet means communicating with the interior of said sample holder and said pressure vessel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 in which one of said first outlet means and inlet means is aligned with the longitudinal axis of said sample holder and the other communicates at an angle with said sample holder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus comprising means for supercritical fluid extraction; said means for supercritical fluid extraction comprising: a pressure vessel having an opening; a heating block; said pressure vessel being mounted to said heating block; a sample holder; a breech plug adapted to removably be fastened to said sample holder and to sealingly close said pressure vessel; inlet means for supplying fluid to said sample holder; and outlet means for removing extractant from said sample holder.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus comprising means for supercritical fluid extraction; said means for supercritical fluid extraction comprising: a pressure vessel having an opening; a heating block; said pressure vessel being mounted to said heating block; a sample holder; a breech plug adapted to removably be fastened to said sample holder and to sealingly close said pressure vessel; inlet means for supplying fluid to said sample holder; and outlet means for removing extractant from said sample holder.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 further including valve means for controlling the flow of fluids to said inlet means and from said outlet means; said valve means being in a heat receiving relationship with said heating block.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
116 words
A method comprising the step of: assembling apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction of a sample, said step of assembling apparatus comprising the substeps of: providing an extraction cartridge having an inlet and an outlet, a sealing plug and a pressure vessel having an inlet and an outlet; fastening the extraction cartridge to the sealing plug; fastening the combination extraction cartridge and sealing plug sealedly into the pressure vessel wherein said pressure vessel has a fluid inlet which is connected to said inlet of said extraction vessel when said plug and said extraction vessel are sealingly mounted inside of said pressure vessel; and coupling an outlet of said pressure vessel to the outlet of said extraction cartridge.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
116 words
A method comprising the step of: assembling apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction of a sample, said step of assembling apparatus comprising the substeps of: providing an extraction cartridge having an inlet and an outlet, a sealing plug and a pressure vessel having an inlet and an outlet; fastening the extraction cartridge to the sealing plug; fastening the combination extraction cartridge and sealing plug sealedly into the pressure vessel wherein said pressure vessel has a fluid inlet which is connected to said inlet of said extraction vessel when said plug and said extraction vessel are sealingly mounted inside of said pressure vessel; and coupling an outlet of said pressure vessel to the outlet of said extraction cartridge.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 17 further including the step of preventing contamination from reaching said outlet fitting by flushing fluid originating from the inlet across the outside of said extraction cartridge.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 17 in which said fluid after flushing exits through a second outlet in said pressure vessel.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
88 words
A method comprising the step of assembling apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction of a sample, said step of assembling apparatus comprising the substeps of: providing an extraction cartridge and a pressure vessel; inserting a sample into the interior of the extraction cartridge; inserting the sample holding extraction cartridge sealingly within the pressure vessel wherein said pressure vessel has an interior, an exterior, a first port for fluid entrance and a second port for fluid outlet; and distributing fluid to both the interior and an exterior of said cartridge.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
88 words
A method comprising the step of assembling apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction of a sample, said step of assembling apparatus comprising the substeps of: providing an extraction cartridge and a pressure vessel; inserting a sample into the interior of the extraction cartridge; inserting the sample holding extraction cartridge sealingly within the pressure vessel wherein said pressure vessel has an interior, an exterior, a first port for fluid entrance and a second port for fluid outlet; and distributing fluid to both the interior and an exterior of said cartridge.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for supercritical fluid extraction in accordance with claim 20 further including the steps of: coupling said pressure vessel first port by first coupling means to said fluid inlet of said cartridge; and coupling said extraction cartridge outlet by second coupling means to said fluid outlet of said pressure vessel.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 20 in which the step of preventing contamination from reaching said outlet fitting includes the step of flushing fluid originating from said inlet across the outside of said extraction cartridge.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 22 in which the step of flushing includes the step of flushing said fluid through a second outlet in the said pressure vessel.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
117 words
A method comprising the step of preparing a sample for application of fluid during supercritical fluid extraction, said step of preparing comprising the substeps of: providing a plastic sample holder, a breech plug, and a pressure vessel having a pressure chamber; inserting a sample into the plastic sample holder; connecting the sample holder to the breech plug; sealing the pressure vessel with the breech plug and with the sample holder connected thereto; pumping supercritical fluid into the pressure chamber and sample holder wherein the pressure on the inside of the sample holder is substantially the same as on the outside of the sample holder; and removing analyte from the sample holder and collecting extractions of the sample.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
117 words
A method comprising the step of preparing a sample for application of fluid during supercritical fluid extraction, said step of preparing comprising the substeps of: providing a plastic sample holder, a breech plug, and a pressure vessel having a pressure chamber; inserting a sample into the plastic sample holder; connecting the sample holder to the breech plug; sealing the pressure vessel with the breech plug and with the sample holder connected thereto; pumping supercritical fluid into the pressure chamber and sample holder wherein the pressure on the inside of the sample holder is substantially the same as on the outside of the sample holder; and removing analyte from the sample holder and collecting extractions of the sample.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 24 further including the steps of: unfastening the breech plug after extraction of the sample and removing it with the sample holder; and removing the sample holder from the breech plug.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 25 further including the step of discarding the sample holder and replacing it with a new sample and sample holder.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 26 further including the step of removing the sample holder from the breech plug and removing the spent sample; inserting a new sample into the sample holder; inserting the sample holder into the breech plug; and inserting the breech plug into the pressure vessel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5075017A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-21 | 1996-01-20 | 1996-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-21 | 2000-01-20 | 2000-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-21 | 2004-01-20 | 2004-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |