Method and apparatus for feedback controlled electrospray
First Claim
1. A feedback control system for an electrospray nozzle communicating with a source of electrical potential and having a nozzle tip which is displaced from a counter-electrode, comprisinga source of light, with focusing optics, focused to intersect one or more of the liquid cone, jet and plume of the fluid exiting the electrospray nozzle, one or more photo detectors, configured individually or in an array and disposed to detect scattered light patterns, transmitted light patterns or both, passing through, reflected by or emitted from said liquid discharged from said electrospray nozzle as a result of the intersection of light from said source of light with said liquid, and generate photo-electronic signals in response thereto, an electronic detection and amplification system adapted to convert said photo-electronic signals to electronic signals, a first computer or microprocessor system which interprets said electronic signals, and a second computer or microprocessor system communicating with said first computer or microprocessor system, which generates a signal to a controller which either adjusts the distance between said electrospray nozzle and a counter-electrode by displacing said nozzle, said counter-electrode, or both, or changes the voltage applied to said nozzle with respect to a counter electrode or mass spectrometer inlet.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A feedback control system for an electrospray nozzle and counter-electrode, comprising a source of light which intersects, one or snore of the liquid cone, jet and plume of the fluid exiting the nozzle, one or more photo detectors to detect light patterns and generate photo-electronic signals in response thereto, an electronic detection and amplification system to convert the photo-electronic signals to electronic signals, a computer or micro-processor to interpret said electronic signals and a second computer or microprocessor to communicate with the first computer and generate a signal to a controller which adjusts the electric field surrounding the nozzle either by changing the distance between the nozzle and counter-electrode or changing the voltage of the nozzle or counter-electrode.
246 Citations
55 Claims
-
1. A feedback control system for an electrospray nozzle communicating with a source of electrical potential and having a nozzle tip which is displaced from a counter-electrode, comprising
a source of light, with focusing optics, focused to intersect one or more of the liquid cone, jet and plume of the fluid exiting the electrospray nozzle, one or more photo detectors, configured individually or in an array and disposed to detect scattered light patterns, transmitted light patterns or both, passing through, reflected by or emitted from said liquid discharged from said electrospray nozzle as a result of the intersection of light from said source of light with said liquid, and generate photo-electronic signals in response thereto, an electronic detection and amplification system adapted to convert said photo-electronic signals to electronic signals, a first computer or microprocessor system which interprets said electronic signals, and a second computer or microprocessor system communicating with said first computer or microprocessor system, which generates a signal to a controller which either adjusts the distance between said electrospray nozzle and a counter-electrode by displacing said nozzle, said counter-electrode, or both, or changes the voltage applied to said nozzle with respect to a counter electrode or mass spectrometer inlet.
-
32. A feedback control system for an electrospray nozzle which is held at ground potential, having a nozzle tip which is displaced from a counterelectrode which communicates with a source of electrical potential, comprising
a source of light, with focusing optics focused to intersect one or more of the liquid cone, jet and plume of the fluid exiting the electrospray nozzle, one or more photo detectors, configured individually or in an array and disposed to detect scattered light patterns, transmitted light patterns or both, passing through, reflected by or emitted from said liquid discharged from said electrospray nozzle as a result of the intersection of light from said source of light with said liquid, and generate photo-electronic signals in response thereto, an electronic detection and amplification system adapted to convert said photo-electronic signals to electronic signals, a first computer or microprocessor system programmed or adapted to interpret said electronic signals, and a second computer or microprocessor system communicating with said first computer or microprocessor system, and adapted to generate a signal to a controller which will either adjust the distance between said electrospray nozzle and a counterelectrode by displacing said nozzle, said counterelectrode, or both, or change the voltage applied to said counterelectrode with respect to said nozzle.
Specification