US5316262A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid restrictor apparatus and method for making the same
Assignee: Teledyne Isco Inc
•
Filing: 1992-01-31
•
Granted: 1994-05-31
•
Expires: 2012-01-31
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is an apparatus for restricting the flow of fluid. The apparatus defines a tubular member having a channel. The tubular member has a first portion in which the channel has a first cross sectional area. There is also a second portion for restricting the flow of fluid defined by a reproducible deformity in the channel such that the channel has a second cross sectional area which is smaller than the first cross sectional area of the first portion. The tubular member further defines a third portion having a third cross sectional area which is greater than the second cross sectional area of the second portion. All of the cross sectional dimensions of the second and third portions are disposed within a cylindrical envelope having a diameter equal to the diameter of the first portion and extending therefrom. The tubular member is comprised of a material having sufficient rigidity to maintain a preferred reproducible permanent deformity in the channel. Portion has an essentially constant outside diameter and wherein all cross sectional dimensions of the tubular member are less than or equal to the diameter of the first portion and all of the cross sectional dimensions of the second and third portions are disposed within a cylindrical envelope having a diameter equal to the diameter of the first portion and extending therefrom. Preferably, the deformity is defined by a spherical indentation and the tubular member is comprised of stainless steel. The present invention is also a method of forming a fluid restrictor comprising the steps of first placing a tubular member having a channel and a predetermined outside diameter into a fixed relationship with a deforming apparatus. Then, there is the step of deforming the tubular member in a reproducible manner such that a cross sectional area of the channel is decreased so flow of fluid through the channel is restricted a desired amount. The deforming step does not cause the tubular member to flare and all of the cross sectional dimensions of the second and third portions disposed within a cylindrical envelope having a diameter equal to the diameter of the first portion and extending therefrom. Preferably, the deforming step includes the step of forcing a shaping element of the deforming apparatus against the tubular member. Alternatively, the deforming apparatus can be used to adjust the magnitude of fluid restriction during operation of the fluid restrictor.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas J. Koebler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:46
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K7/00; F16K7/02; F16K7/04; F16K7/06; F16K7/061; G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/007; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0391; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/218; Y10T137/2191; Y10T137/2196
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for restricting the flow of supercritical fluid comprising: a tubular member having a channel, said tubular member having a first portion in which said channel has a first cross sectional area, a second portion restricting the flow of supercritical fluid at a pressure between 100-680 atmospheres to a flow having pressure below supercritical pressure, said second portion defined by a reproducible deformity in the channel such that the channel has a second cross sectional area which is smaller than the first cross sectional area of the first portion, and a third portion having a third cross sectional area which is greater than the second cross sectional area of the second portion, said first portion having an essentially constant outside diameter and wherein the cross sectional dimensions of the second and third portions of the tubular member are less than or equal to said outside diameter of said first portion, all of said cross sectional dimensions of the second and third portions disposed within a cylindrical envelope having a diameter equal to the diameter of the first portion and extending therefrom, said tubular member comprised of a material having sufficient rigidity to maintain a preferred reproducible permanent deformity in the channel when it is freestanding.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for restricting the flow of supercritical fluid comprising: a tubular member having a channel, said tubular member having a first portion in which said channel has a first cross sectional area, a second portion restricting the flow of supercritical fluid at a pressure between 100-680 atmospheres to a flow having pressure below supercritical pressure, said second portion defined by a reproducible deformity in the channel such that the channel has a second cross sectional area which is smaller than the first cross sectional area of the first portion, and a third portion having a third cross sectional area which is greater than the second cross sectional area of the second portion, said first portion having an essentially constant outside diameter and wherein the cross sectional dimensions of the second and third portions of the tubular member are less than or equal to said outside diameter of said first portion, all of said cross sectional dimensions of the second and third portions disposed within a cylindrical envelope having a diameter equal to the diameter of the first portion and extending therefrom, said tubular member comprised of a material having sufficient rigidity to maintain a preferred reproducible permanent deformity in the channel when it is freestanding.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the deformity is defined by a spherical indentation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the deformity is defined by a plurality of indentations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein the tubular member is comprised of stainless steel, platinum, or plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein the first portion is in contact with the second portion and the second portion is in contact with the third portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as described in claim 5 including means for heating the tubular member, said heating means in thermal communication with the tubular member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein the plastic is poly ether ether ketone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the second cross sectional area has a width less than 0.01 mm.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of forming a supercritical fluid restrictor comprising the steps of: placing a tubular member having a channel and a predetermined outside diameter into a fixed relationship with a deforming apparatus; deforming the tubular member in a reproducible manner such that a cross sectional area of the channel is decreased so flow of supercritical fluid at a pressure between 100-680 atmospheres through said channel is restricted to a flow having pressure below supercritical pressure, the tubular member does not flare and all portions of the tubular member are disposed within a cylindrical envelope defined by said outside diameter; and removing the tubular member from the deforming apparatus such that a desired deformation remains in the tubular member.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of forming a supercritical fluid restrictor comprising the steps of: placing a tubular member having a channel and a predetermined outside diameter into a fixed relationship with a deforming apparatus; deforming the tubular member in a reproducible manner such that a cross sectional area of the channel is decreased so flow of supercritical fluid at a pressure between 100-680 atmospheres through said channel is restricted to a flow having pressure below supercritical pressure, the tubular member does not flare and all portions of the tubular member are disposed within a cylindrical envelope defined by said outside diameter; and removing the tubular member from the deforming apparatus such that a desired deformation remains in the tubular member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as described in claim 9 wherein the deforming step includes the step of forcing a shaping member of the deforming apparatus against the tubular member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as described in claim 10 wherein the forcing step includes the step of pressing the shaping member against the tubular channel in an adjustable manner.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as described in claim 11 wherein the shaping member includes a ball bearing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as described in claim 11 wherein the shaping member includes a shaped head.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as described in claim 13 wherein the shaping member is screwed past a point of desired fluid restriction such that when the shaping member is released from the tubular member, the elasticity of the tubular member causes the channel of the second portion to open such that the desired level of fluid restriction is achieved.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as described in claim 14 including before the deforming step, the steps of establishing a flow of fluid through the channel of the tubular member; and monitoring the flow of fluid through the tubular member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as described in claim 13 wherein the shaped head has a diameter no greater than half the diameter of the tubing so essentially no flaring occurs to the tubular member during the deforming step.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of restricting the flow of supercritical fluid comprising the steps of: placing a tubular member having a channel into a fixed relationship with a deforming apparatus having a shaping member such that the shaping member can adjustably contact and release from the tubular member; establishing a flow of fluid through the channel of the tubular member; and deforming the tubular member with the deforming apparatus in a reproducible manner such that a cross sectional area of the channel is decreased so flow of supercritical fluid through said channel is restricted a desired amount, said supercritical fluid having a pressure of 100-680 atmospheres on a first side of the cross-sectional area.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of restricting the flow of supercritical fluid comprising the steps of: placing a tubular member having a channel into a fixed relationship with a deforming apparatus having a shaping member such that the shaping member can adjustably contact and release from the tubular member; establishing a flow of fluid through the channel of the tubular member; and deforming the tubular member with the deforming apparatus in a reproducible manner such that a cross sectional area of the channel is decreased so flow of supercritical fluid through said channel is restricted a desired amount, said supercritical fluid having a pressure of 100-680 atmospheres on a first side of the cross-sectional area.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as described in claim 17 wherein after the establishing step, there is the step of heating the tubular member; and including after the deforming step, there is the step of adjustably releasing the deforming apparatus from the tubular member such that the cross sectional area of the channel is increased due to the elastic properties of the tubular member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as described in claim 18 wherein the deforming step includes the step of deforming the tubular member such that it does not flare; and wherein the tubular member has a predetermined outside diameter and all portions of the tubular member are disposed within a cylindrical envelope defined by said outside diameter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as described in claim 19 wherein the flow rate of the fluid is between 10 microliters/min. to 10 ml/min.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as described in claim 20 wherein the tubular member is made of stainless steel, platinum or plastic.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as described in claim 21 wherein the plastic is poly ether ether ketone.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as described in claim 22 wherein before the establishing step, there is the step of mixing a modifier into the fluid.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as described in claim 23 wherein the fluid is CO 2 and the modifier is selected from a group of organic solvents consisting of methanol, ethanol, polypropylene carbonate and formic acid.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as described in claim 17 wherein the establishing step includes the step of establishing a flow of fluid in a supercritical fluid chromatograph or a supercritical fluid extraction system.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as described in claim 25 wherein the deforming step includes the step of deforming the tubular member such that the flow of fluid is restricted to a flow rate between 10 microliters/min. to 10 milliliters/min.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as described in claim 17 including after the deforming step, there is the step of releasing the shaping member from the tubular member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as described in claim 18 wherein the heating step includes the step of heating the tubular member to between 50° C. and 250° C.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
221 words
An apparatus for restricting the flow of fluid comprising: a tubular member having a channel, said tubular member having a first portion in which said channel has a first cross sectional area, a second portion for restricting the flow of fluid defined by a reproducible deformity in the channel such that the channel has a second cross sectional area which is smaller than the first cross sectional area of the first portion, and a third portion having a third cross sectional area which is greater than the second cross sectional area of the second portion, said first portion having an essentially constant outside diameter and wherein the cross sectional dimensions of the second and third portions of the tubular member are less than or equal to said outside diameter of said first portion, all of said cross sectional dimensions of the second and third portions disposed within a cylindrical envelope having a diameter equal to the diameter of the first portion and extending therefrom and wherein the first portion is in contact with the second portion and the second portion is in contact with the third portion, said deformity defined by a spherical indentation, said tubular member comprised of stainless steel, platinum or plastic; and means for heating the tubular member, said heating means in thermal communication with the tubular member.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
221 words
An apparatus for restricting the flow of fluid comprising: a tubular member having a channel, said tubular member having a first portion in which said channel has a first cross sectional area, a second portion for restricting the flow of fluid defined by a reproducible deformity in the channel such that the channel has a second cross sectional area which is smaller than the first cross sectional area of the first portion, and a third portion having a third cross sectional area which is greater than the second cross sectional area of the second portion, said first portion having an essentially constant outside diameter and wherein the cross sectional dimensions of the second and third portions of the tubular member are less than or equal to said outside diameter of said first portion, all of said cross sectional dimensions of the second and third portions disposed within a cylindrical envelope having a diameter equal to the diameter of the first portion and extending therefrom and wherein the first portion is in contact with the second portion and the second portion is in contact with the third portion, said deformity defined by a spherical indentation, said tubular member comprised of stainless steel, platinum or plastic; and means for heating the tubular member, said heating means in thermal communication with the tubular member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as described in claim 29 wherein the plastic is poly ether ether ketone.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of restricting the flow of supercritical fluid comprising the steps of: placing a tubular member having a channel into a fixed relationship with a deforming apparatus, said tubular member having elastic properties; mixing a modifier into the supercritical fluid; establishing a flow of fluid through the channel of the tubular member; and deforming the tubular member with the deforming apparatus in a reproducible manner such that a cross sectional area of the channel is decreased so flow of supercritical fluid through said channel is restricted a desired amount, said supercritical fluid having a pressure of 100-680 atmospheres on a first side of the cross-sectional area.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of restricting the flow of supercritical fluid comprising the steps of: placing a tubular member having a channel into a fixed relationship with a deforming apparatus, said tubular member having elastic properties; mixing a modifier into the supercritical fluid; establishing a flow of fluid through the channel of the tubular member; and deforming the tubular member with the deforming apparatus in a reproducible manner such that a cross sectional area of the channel is decreased so flow of supercritical fluid through said channel is restricted a desired amount, said supercritical fluid having a pressure of 100-680 atmospheres on a first side of the cross-sectional area.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as described in claim 31 wherein the fluid is CO 2 and the modifier is selected from a group of organic solvents consisting of methanol, ethanol, polypropylene carbonate and formic acid.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as described in claim 32 wherein the tubular member is made of stainless steel, platinum or plastic.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as described in claim 33 wherein the plastic is poly ether ether ketone.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of forming a fluid restrictor comprising the steps of: placing a tubular member having a channel into a fixed relationship with a deforming apparatus; and deforming the tubular member in a reproducible manner by forcing a ball bearing of the deforming apparatus against the tubular member in an adjustable manner such that a cross sectional area of the channel is decreased so flow of fluid through said channel is restricted a desired amount and the tubular member does not flare.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of forming a fluid restrictor comprising the steps of: placing a tubular member having a channel into a fixed relationship with a deforming apparatus; and deforming the tubular member in a reproducible manner by forcing a ball bearing of the deforming apparatus against the tubular member in an adjustable manner such that a cross sectional area of the channel is decreased so flow of fluid through said channel is restricted a desired amount and the tubular member does not flare.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
196 words
An apparatus for restricting the flow of fluid comprising: a tubular member having a channel, said tubular member having a first portion in which said channel has a first cross sectional area, a second portion for restricting the flow of fluid defined by a reproducible deformity in the channel such that the channel has a second cross sectional area which has a width less than 0.01 mm and is smaller than the first cross sectional area of the first portion, and a third portion having a third cross sectional area which is greater than the second cross sectional area of the second portion, said first portion having an essentially constant outside diameter and wherein the cross sectional dimensions of the second and third portions of the tubular member are less than or equal to said outside diameter of said first portion, all of said cross sectional dimensions of the second and third portions disposed within a cylindrical envelope having a diameter equal to the diameter of the first portion and extending therefrom, said tubular member comprised of a material having sufficient rigidity to maintain a preferred reproducible permanent deformity in the channel when it is freestanding.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
196 words
An apparatus for restricting the flow of fluid comprising: a tubular member having a channel, said tubular member having a first portion in which said channel has a first cross sectional area, a second portion for restricting the flow of fluid defined by a reproducible deformity in the channel such that the channel has a second cross sectional area which has a width less than 0.01 mm and is smaller than the first cross sectional area of the first portion, and a third portion having a third cross sectional area which is greater than the second cross sectional area of the second portion, said first portion having an essentially constant outside diameter and wherein the cross sectional dimensions of the second and third portions of the tubular member are less than or equal to said outside diameter of said first portion, all of said cross sectional dimensions of the second and third portions disposed within a cylindrical envelope having a diameter equal to the diameter of the first portion and extending therefrom, said tubular member comprised of a material having sufficient rigidity to maintain a preferred reproducible permanent deformity in the channel when it is freestanding.
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) | 1997-05-30 | 1997-11-29 | 1998-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-30 | 2001-11-29 | 2002-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-30 | 2005-11-29 | 2006-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |