Patent Application
20220065828
The present disclosure generally relates to the field of gas chromatography including gas chromatography column connectors.
Gas chromatography (GC) is a useful technique for analyzing volatile compounds of a sample. A GC column having a retention medium or stationary phase can be used to separate the volatile compounds based on their affinity to the retention medium. The time it takes a compound to traverse the column (retention time) is compound dependent as compounds with higher affinity for the stationary phase can be retained in the column for a longer period of time than compounds that have limited interactions with the stationary phase.
As the mobile phase is a gas (typically helium, hydrogen, or nitrogen), it is necessary to ensure gas tight connections between the column and a sampling device, such as an injector, at one end and a detector at the other end. Typically, connecting the column involves threading a ferrule onto the column, trimming the end of the column to remove any damage or contamination caused by threading the ferrule and positioning the end of the column at an optimal length for the sampling device or detector. With typical connection fittings, it can be difficult to maintain the column positioning while attaching the column.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that a need exists for improved gas chromatography column connectors.
A connector for a gas chromatography (GC) column can include a receiving portion coupled to a ferrule receiving conical surface and a column holding portion. The column holding portion can include a column guide tube and a column retention spring to fix the axial position of the column and a compression spring to bias the column guide tube towards the ferrule receiving conical surface. When connected, a ferrule can be compressed between the ferrule receiving conical surface and the column guide tube.
For a more complete understanding of the principles disclosed herein, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
It is to be understood that the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, nor are the objects in the figures necessarily drawn to scale in relationship to one another. The figures are depictions that are intended to bring clarity and understanding to various embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods disclosed herein. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.
Embodiments of systems and methods for gas chromatography column connectors are described herein.
The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the described subject matter in any way.
In this detailed description of the various embodiments, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed. One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that these various embodiments may be practiced with or without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form. Furthermore, one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the specific sequences in which methods are presented and performed are illustrative and it is contemplated that the sequences can be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments disclosed herein.
All literature and similar materials cited in this application, including but not limited to, patents, patent applications, articles, books, treatises, and internet web pages are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety for any purpose. Unless described otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have a meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the various embodiments described herein belongs.
It will be appreciated that there is an implied “about” prior to the temperatures, concentrations, times, pressures, flow rates, cross-sectional areas, etc. discussed in the present teachings, such that slight and insubstantial deviations are within the scope of the present teachings. In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, the use of “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “contain”, “contains”, “containing”, “include”, “includes”, and “including” are not intended to be limiting. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present teachings.
As used herein, “a” or “an” also may refer to “at least one” or “one or more.” Also, the use of “or” is inclusive, such that the phrase “A or B” is true when “A” is true, “B” is true, or both “A” and “B” are true. Further, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.
A “system” sets forth a set of components, real or abstract, comprising a whole where each component interacts with or is related to at least one other component within the whole.
Upon exiting the column 104, the compounds can enter the detector 106. Various detectors can be used as part of a GC system including flame ionization detectors, nitrogen phosphorous detectors, electron capture detectors, thermal conductivity detectors, flame photometric detectors, mass spectrometers, and the like.
The injector 102 can be coupled to the column 104 with connector 110 and column 104 can be coupled to the detector 106 by connector 112. In various embodiments, connectors 110 and 112 can be compression fittings in which a ferrule is threaded onto column 104 and deformed to form a seal to prevent leaks. In various embodiments, it may be necessary to position column 104 such that the end of the column 104 extends a predetermined distance from the ferrule. Additionally, the optimum distance the end of the column extends past the ferrule can be dependent on what the column is connecting to, with the optimal distance to connect to the injector being different than the optimal distance to connect to the detector, and the optimal distance for connecting to the detector being dependent on the type and model of detector being used.
The receiving portion includes a receiver body 206 and a ferrule receiving conical surface 208. In various embodiments, an injector or detector can include an attachment point and the receiver body 206 can be coupled to the injector or detector, such as by threading the receiver body 206 onto the attachment point. In various embodiments, the ferrule receiving conical surface 208 can be an integral part of the injector or detector.
The column holding portion 204 includes a body 210, a column guide tube 212, a column retention spring 214, a compression spring 216, a washer 218, and a retention clip 220.
As illustrated in
The column retention spring 214 can hold a column 302 in place as illustrated in
In various embodiments, receiver body 206 can include coupling wings 224. Body 210 can include corresponding coupling slots 226 and finger wings 228. When connecting the receiving portion 202 and the column holding portion 204, the coupling wings 224 can be inserted into the coupling slots 226. By applying a rotational force on the finger wings 228, the column holding portion 204 can be rotated relative to the receiving portion 202, such as by a quarter rotation, to secure the coupling wings 224 in the coupling slots 226.
While the present teachings are described in conjunction with various embodiments, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.
Further, in describing various embodiments, the specification may have presented a method and/or process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63071502 | Aug 2020 | US |
