Apparatus and method for supercritical fluid extraction or supercritical fluid chromatography
First Claim
1. A variable-orifice fluid restrictor for use with a supercritical extractor or chromatograph including:
- an inlet line adapted to carry fluid at a pressure above its critical pressure;
an extended tubular probe having an inner and an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end;
said proximal end of the probe being disposed toward the inlet line and the distal end of the probe containing an outlet orifice means;
an analyte collection means;
said probe being positioned with at least its outlet portion within said analyte collection means for collecting at least a portion of the fluid flowing from said probe;
said outlet orifice means including at least one portion that is movable to adjust the fluid resistance at the outlet orifice means;
means for adjusting at least one portion of said outlet orifice means;
said outlet orifice means being adapted to be positioned to release said fluid into said collection means.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A variable-orifice fluid restrictor for use with a supercritical extractor or chromatograph includes an inlet line for fluid at a pressure above its critical pressure, an extended tubular probe having an inner and an outer surface and a proximal and a distal end. The proximal end of the probe is disposed toward the inlet line. The distal end of the probe includes an adjustable orifice means adapted for metering the fluid and having first and second orifice members and an adjusting stem having first and second ends. The adjustable orifice means is adjacent to the outer surface of the probe and the orifice means is adjustable with the adjusting stem. The end of the adjusting stem is located at the distal end of the probe and is adapted for moving the first orifice member with respect to the second orifice member to control the adjustable orifice for varying the restriction of fluid passing through the adjustable orifice.
98 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A variable-orifice fluid restrictor for use with a supercritical extractor or chromatograph including:
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an inlet line adapted to carry fluid at a pressure above its critical pressure; an extended tubular probe having an inner and an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end; said proximal end of the probe being disposed toward the inlet line and the distal end of the probe containing an outlet orifice means; an analyte collection means; said probe being positioned with at least its outlet portion within said analyte collection means for collecting at least a portion of the fluid flowing from said probe; said outlet orifice means including at least one portion that is movable to adjust the fluid resistance at the outlet orifice means; means for adjusting at least one portion of said outlet orifice means; said outlet orifice means being adapted to be positioned to release said fluid into said collection means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A variable-orifice fluid restrictor for use with a supercritical extractor or chromatograph including:
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an inlet line adapted to carry fluid at a pressure above its critical pressure; an extended tubular probe having an inner and an outer surface and a proximal and a distal end; said proximal end of the probe being disposed toward the inlet line and the distal end of the probe containing an adjustable orifice means adapted for metering the fluid, which orifice means is comprised of first and second orifice members and an adjusting stem having first and second ends; said adjustable orifice means being adjacent to the outer surface of the probe; said orifice means being adjustable with the said adjusting stem having first and second ends, and lying within the inner surface of the probe; said first end of the adjusting stem including means located at the distal end of the probe for moving the first orifice member with respect to the second orifice member, thereby controlling the adjustable orifice for varying the restriction of fluid passing through the adjustable orifice; and said second end of the adjusting stem extending past the proximal end of the probe and cooperating with an orifice adjustment control.
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11. A variable-orifice fluid restrictor for use with a supercritical extractor or chromatograph including:
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an inlet line adapted to carry fluid at a pressure above its critical pressure; an extended tubular probe having an inner and an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end; an analyte collection means; said proximal end of the probe being disposed toward the inlet line and the distal end of the probe containing an outlet orifice means, the analyte collection means for collecting at least a portion of the fluid flowing from said probe in said analyte collection means; said outlet orifice means including at least one portion that is movable to adjust at least one of the pressure or flow within the probe; means for adjusting said at least one portion of said outlet orifice means; the orifice means being adjustable with an adjusting means having first and second sections; said first section of the adjusting means located at the distal end of the probe and being adapted for moving the first orifice member, thereby controlling the adjustable orifice for varying the restriction of fluid passing through the adjustable orifice; and said second end of the adjusting means being remote from said first end and being in communication therewith for controlling the movement of said first orifice member. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A variable-orifice fluid restrictor for use with a supercritical extractor or chromatograph including:
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an inlet line adapted to carry fluid at a pressure above its critical pressure; an extended tubular probe having an inner and an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end; said proximal end of the probe being disposed toward the inlet line and the distal end of the probe containing an outlet orifice means; an analyte collection means; said probe having at least its outlet portion within a collection means for collecting at least a portion of the fluid flowing from said probe; said outlet orifice means including at least one portion that is movable to adjust at least one of the pressure or flow within the probe; means for adjusting said at least one portion of said outlet orifice means; said outlet orifice means being adapted to be positioned to release said fluid into said collection means. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification