Separation microcolumn assembly for a microgas chromatograph and the like
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An assembly comprising:
- a sealed structure having a vacuum cavity;
a vacuum sealed microcolumn suspended from the structure in the vacuum cavity wherein heat losses from the device are minimized and the device is thermally isolated; and
a first microstructure having high thermal conductivity for dividing the elongated device into temperature zones and to thermally isolate the zones from each other.
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Abstract
A high-sensitivity, separation microcolumn assembly for a microgas chromatograph and the like is provided. The assembly has an ultra-low mass complete with integrated heaters. The assembly uses multiple zones for temperature control, and microstructures that permit very rapid heating and cooling of the microcolumn.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An assembly comprising:
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a sealed structure having a vacuum cavity;
a vacuum sealed microcolumn suspended from the structure in the vacuum cavity wherein heat losses from the device are minimized and the device is thermally isolated; and
a first microstructure having high thermal conductivity for dividing the elongated device into temperature zones and to thermally isolate the zones from each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An assembly comprising:
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a sealed structure having a vacuum cavity;
a elongated device suspended from the structure in the vacuum cavity wherein heat losses from the device are minimized and the device is thermally isolated;
a first microstructure having high thermal conductivity for dividing the elongated device into temperature zones and to thermally isolate the zones from each other; and
a second microstructure having high thermal conductivity and a microactuator for moving the second microstructure to a cooling position to cool one of the temperature zones in response to an electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An assembly comprising:
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a sealed structure having a vacuum cavity;
a elongated device suspended from the structure in the vacuum cavity wherein heat losses from the device are minimized and the device is thermally isolated;
a first microstructure having high thermal conductivity for dividing the elongated device into temperature zones and to thermally isolate the zones from each other; and
a heater and a microactuator for moving the heater to a heating position to heat one of the temperature zones in response to an electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. An assembly comprising:
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a sealed structure having a vacuum cavity;
a elongated device suspended from the structure in the vacuum cavity wherein heat losses from the device are minimized and the device is thermally isolated; and
a first microstructure having high thermal conductivity for dividing the elongated device into temperature zones and to thermally isolate the zones from each other wherein the structure includes a rim structure. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. An assembly comprising:
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a sealed structure having a vacuum cavity;
a elongated device suspended from the structure in the vacuum cavity wherein heat losses from the device are minimized and the device is thermally isolated; and
a first microstructure having high thermal conductivity for dividing the elongated device into temperature zones and to thermally isolate the zones from each other wherein the device is suspended in the vacuum cavity at entry and exit portions of the device.
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Specification