US5540464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Capillary connector
Assignee: Agilent Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1994-10-04
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Granted: 1996-07-30
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Expires: 2014-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A capillary column connector assembly includes a pair of body members fabricated from a resilient, inert ceramic having high compressive strength. Each body member has an inwardly tapering longitudinal throughbore within which the end of a capillary column can be inserted by press-fitting. A split sleeve holds the two body members in mutually facing alignment with inner end surfaces in compressed mutual contact. The inner end surfaces are slightly radiussed in order to deform upon compression and provide a fluid-tight seal surrounding the junction between the inner ends of the longitudinal bores, thereby eliminating the need for any separate sealing gasket. A mechanical assembly comprising an inner spool, an outer housing, a spring, and a bearing-mounted support provide axial compression forces tending to urge the ceramic body members into mutual facing contact with the radiussed surfaces deformed.
Inventors
- 👤 Neil R. Picha
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N30/00; G01N30/02; G01N30/60; G01N30/6034; G01N30/6039; G01N30/6004; G01N30/6052; G01N30/6073; G01N30/6078; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/911; Y10S285/915
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A connector for fluid coupling a capillary column to a connection device having an internal fluid path and a connection surface, said connector comprising: a body member formed from a material having a high compressive strength, resiliency and inertness to chromatographic substances,, said body member having a first end and a second end, an internal bore extending between said first and second ends and dimensioned to receive an end portion of a capillary column in fluid sealing relation therewith even in the absence of any externally caused deformation of the body member, one of said first and second ends of said body member having a curved surface with a region thereof capable of slight deformation when brought into contact with the connection surface to provide a fluid seal therebetween without the need for a sealing gasket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A connector for fluid coupling a capillary column to a connection device having an internal fluid path and a connection surface, said connector comprising: a body member formed from a material having a high compressive strength, resiliency and inertness to chromatographic substances,, said body member having a first end and a second end, an internal bore extending between said first and second ends and dimensioned to receive an end portion of a capillary column in fluid sealing relation therewith even in the absence of any externally caused deformation of the body member, one of said first and second ends of said body member having a curved surface with a region thereof capable of slight deformation when brought into contact with the connection surface to provide a fluid seal therebetween without the need for a sealing gasket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said material is ceramic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said body member is formed from zirconia.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said body member is formed from silica.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said internal bore is tapered along a portion thereof to enable an interference fit between said end portion of said capillary column said internal bore.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said body member has cylindrical geometry.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said curved surface has a positive radius of curvature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said internal bore has an uneven surface portion for promoting adherence of an adhesive for retaining said end portion of said capillary column therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 1 further including a capillary column having an end portion received within said internal bore in fluid sealing relation therewith.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 9 further including an adhesive material within said internal bore for promoting said fluid sealing relation and retention of said end portion of said capillary column within said internal bore.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said body member is provided with attachment means for enabling attachment of a capillary column holder thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said attachment means comprises an external threaded portion of said body member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said external threaded portion is located adjacent the other one of said first and second ends of said body member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
150 words
A connector assembly for providing a sealed fluid coupling between a pair of capillary columns, said assembly comprising: a pair of body members, each member having a first end and a second end, an internal bore extending between said first and second ends and dimensioned to receive an end portion of an associated capillary column in fluid sealing relation therewith even in the absence of any externally caused deformation of the body member, one of said first and second ends of at least one of said body members having a curved surface, at least one of said pair of body members being formed from a material having high compressive strength, resiliency and inertness to chromatographic substances; and means for maintaining said pair of body members in mutual alignment with said curved surface in sealing contact under slight deformation with a confronting end of the other one of said body members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
150 words
A connector assembly for providing a sealed fluid coupling between a pair of capillary columns, said assembly comprising: a pair of body members, each member having a first end and a second end, an internal bore extending between said first and second ends and dimensioned to receive an end portion of an associated capillary column in fluid sealing relation therewith even in the absence of any externally caused deformation of the body member, one of said first and second ends of at least one of said body members having a curved surface, at least one of said pair of body members being formed from a material having high compressive strength, resiliency and inertness to chromatographic substances; and means for maintaining said pair of body members in mutual alignment with said curved surface in sealing contact under slight deformation with a confronting end of the other one of said body members.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein said material is ceramic.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein said body member is formed from zirconia.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein said body member is formed from silica.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein said internal bore of each of said pair of body members is tapered along a portion thereof to enable an interference fit between said end portion of an associated capillary column and said internal bore.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein at least one of said pair body member has cylindrical geometry.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein said curved surface has a positive radius of curvature.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein said internal bore of at least one said pair of body members has an uneven wall surface portion for promoting adherence of an adhesive for retaining said end portion of said capillary column therein.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
129 words
A connector assembly for providing a sealed fluid coupling between a pair of capillary columns, said assembly comprising: a pair of body members, each member having a first end and a second end, an internal bore extending between said first and second ends and dimensioned to receive an end portion of an associated capillary column in fluid sealing relation therewith, one of said first and second ends of at least one of said body members having a curved surface; and means for maintaining said pair of body members in mutual alignment with said curved surface in sealing contact under slight deformation with a confronting end of the other one of said body members, said maintaining means including a split sleeve covering the ends of said pair of body members.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
129 words
A connector assembly for providing a sealed fluid coupling between a pair of capillary columns, said assembly comprising: a pair of body members, each member having a first end and a second end, an internal bore extending between said first and second ends and dimensioned to receive an end portion of an associated capillary column in fluid sealing relation therewith, one of said first and second ends of at least one of said body members having a curved surface; and means for maintaining said pair of body members in mutual alignment with said curved surface in sealing contact under slight deformation with a confronting end of the other one of said body members, said maintaining means including a split sleeve covering the ends of said pair of body members.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 22 wherein said maintaining means further includes means for applying a biasing force urging said pair of body members into facing contact.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 22 wherein said maintaining means further includes means for applying a biasing force urging said pair of body members into facing contact of sufficient magnitude to deform said curved surface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 14 further including at least one capillary column having an end portion received within said internal bore of at least one of said pair of body members in fluid sealing relation therewith.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 23 further including an adhesive material within said internal bore for promoting said fluid sealing relation and retention of said end portion of said at least one capillary column within said internal bore.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 14 further including a pair of capillary columns each having an end portion received within said internal bore of the associated one of said pair of body members in fluid sealing relation therewith.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention of claim 27 further including an adhesive material within each said internal bore of said pair of body members for promoting said fluid sealing relation and retention of said end portion of said capillary column within said internal bore.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein at least one of said pair of body members is provided with attachment means for enabling attachment of a capillary column holder thereto.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 29 wherein said attachment means comprises an external threaded portion of said at least one of said pair of body members.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 30 wherein said external threaded portion is located adjacent the other one of said first and second ends of said at least one of said pair of body members.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein each of said body members has a curved surface.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein the confronting end of the other one of said body members is substantially flat.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein one of said body members is a portion of an analytical instrument; and wherein said internal bore of said one of said body members has an internal diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the capillary column associated to the other one of said body members.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 34 wherein said portion of an analytical instrument comprises an injector body.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 34 wherein said portion of an analytical instrument comprises an injection liner.
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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) | 1999-07-30 | 2000-01-29 | 2000-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-30 | 2004-01-29 | 2004-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-30 | 2008-01-29 | 2008-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |