Electrospray apparatus for producing uniform submicrometer droplets
US5247842A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1991 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J49/165
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrospray nebulizer generates an aerosol comprised of submicrometer droplets substantially uniform in size. A liquid sample is supplied at a controlled rate to a capillary needle of the nebulizer, and droplets are formed due to an electrical field in the region about the needle discharge. The tendency of the droplets to disintegrate due to Coulomb forces is counteracted by sources of ionizing radiation within the nebulizer. The ions reduce the charge in each droplet while solvent evaporation reduces the diameter of the droplet. To further ensure against Coulomb disintegration, a controlled air sheath is introduced to the nebulizer for transporting droplets more rapidly downstream. Optionally, solvent vapor can be introduced into the air flow to reduce the rate of solvent evaporation within the nebulizer, and ions can be added to the air flow upstream of the needle discharge.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.