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US5131999A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Voltammetric detector for flow analysis

Assignee: National University of Singapore
•
Filing: 1990-01-16
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Granted: 1992-07-21
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Expires: 2010-01-16
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Abstract

Abstract One of the fundamental limitations of voltammetric detectors in flow analysis is the problem of passivation or contamination of the working electrode. The present invention proposes a voltammetric detector based on the wall-jet principle which incorporates the concept of a replaceable working electrode. The voltammetric detector represents a significant improvement over existing detectors which are fully enclosed or sealed devices precluding easy replacement of the working electrode. The design of the present invention provides a detector where the top is fully open and where the solution volume is maintained by the outlet positioning. The other feature of the proposed detector is an optimised geometry that provides well defined wall-jet flow characteristics which is not provided in existing detectors.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hari Gunasingham

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 05:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/28; G01N27/30; G01N27/38

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim 172 words
A wall-jet detector for detecting electrochemical species in continuous-flow monitoring, comprising: a detector cell having an internal chamber of large solution volume where the chamber is open at one end; a liquid jet producing means coupled tothe cell housing for providing a liquid jet having a jet direction into said chamber and said liquid jet producing means defining a liquid jet inlet to said chamber; a working electrode fabricated on a flat, rectangular slide that is slidably positioned in said cell chamber opposite to said liquid jet inlet at a predetermined distance therefrom, and said working electrode lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of said liquid jet inlet; a reference electrode coupled to the cell and extending into said chamber and positioned outside the boundary layer of said liquid jet; a counter electrode coupled tothe cell; and a liquid outlet means for permitting the outflow of solution from said chamber where the outlet controls the solution level in the cell chamber so that the level is above the working
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 172 words
A wall-jet detector for detecting electrochemical species in continuous-flow monitoring, comprising: a detector cell having an internal chamber of large solution volume where the chamber is open at one end; a liquid jet producing means coupled tothe cell housing for providing a liquid jet having a jet direction into said chamber and said liquid jet producing means defining a liquid jet inlet to said chamber; a working electrode fabricated on a flat, rectangular slide that is slidably positioned in said cell chamber opposite to said liquid jet inlet at a predetermined distance therefrom, and said working electrode lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of said liquid jet inlet; a reference electrode coupled to the cell and extending into said chamber and positioned outside the boundary layer of said liquid jet; a counter electrode coupled tothe cell; and a liquid outlet means for permitting the outflow of solution from said chamber where the outlet controls the solution level in the cell chamber so that the level is above the working
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 81 words
The wall jet detector of claim 1 wherein the arrangement being such that in operative condition, a jet of liquid of a predetermined cross-sectional area is forced into said chamber through said liquid jet inlet means, said working electrode having an electrode cross-sectional area of at least five times the cross-sectional area of the liquid jet, said working electrode and said reference electrode being energised for said working electrode to detect electrochemical species in said jet impinging on said working electrode,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 48 words
A wall-jet detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said counter electrode and reference electrode are movable and each has respective locking means associated therewith for permitting respective said counter electrode and said reference electrode to be moved and positioned relative to the said working electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 29 words
A wall jet detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said counter electrode is symmetrically positioned in said chamber with respect to said liquid jet inlet and working electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 34 words
A well-jet detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said working electrode has a circular flat surface with the center of the flat surface being located along the axis of the liquid jet inlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 29 words
A wall jet detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said working electrode cross-sectional area is 5 to 10 times the cross-sectional area of the liquid jet cross-sectional area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 29 words
A wall jet detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the working electrode is a disk made of carbon, platinum or gold fabricated on a disposable flat rectangular slide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 32 words
A wall-jet detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least two spaced working electrodes are provided on a single slide, each working electrode, in use, detecting electroactive species at different potentials.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 29 words
A wall jet detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the working electrode is a micro-electrode array where the width of the electrode is between 1 and 50 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 26 words
A wall-jet detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slide is made of a material selected from the group consisting of glass, ceramic, and plastic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 20 words
A wall-jet detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the working electrode is made by screen printing conductive carbon ink.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 29 words
A wall-jet detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the working electrode is made by screen printing organic metal ink on the slide and thereafter the slide is fired.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 20 words
A wall-jet detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the working electrode is made by photolithographic and vapor deposition techniques.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 28 words
A wall-jet detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the working electrode is modified with a chemical coating to make the electrode sensitive to a specific chemical species.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 31 words
A wall-jet detector as claimed in claim 14, wherein the chemical coating is selected from the group consisting of a mercury film and a mercury film covered with a polymer layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 15 words
A wall-jet detector as claimed in claim 14, wherein the chemical coating is an enzyme.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 18 words
A wall-jet detector as claimed in claim 14, wherein the chemical coating is a mixture of several chemicals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 23 words
A wall-jet detector as claimed in claim 14, wherein the chemical coating is a membrane to provide a diffusion barrier to chemical species.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 27 words
A wall jet detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reference electrode is a silver-silver chloride and the counter electrode is made of carbon or platinum.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 29 words
A well jet detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reference electrode is not sealed and employs a flowing internal filling solution, thereby providing a flowing liquid junction.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3334039A Cited
US3479256A Cited
US3449232A Cited
US4201646A Cited
US4066406A Cited
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US4225410A Cited
US4496454A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-07-21 1996-01-20 1996-07-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-07-21 2000-01-20 2000-07-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-07-21 2004-01-20 2004-07-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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