US 11,835,537 B2
Fluid ejector system
Richard Janse Van Rensburg, Royston (GB); and Benjamin James Metcalf, Royston (GB)
Assigned to TTP Plc, Royston (GB)
Appl. No. 16/756,883
Filed by TTP Plc, Royston (GB)
PCT Filed Oct. 18, 2018, PCT No. PCT/GB2018/053009
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 17, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/077355, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 25, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 1717103 (GB), filed on Oct. 18, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0025913 A1, Jan. 28, 2021
Int. Cl. G01N 35/10 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/1095 (2013.01) [G01N 35/1009 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sample ejection system for ejecting a sample from a flow of fluid, the system comprising:
a controller; and
a device having at least one channel comprising:
a fluid flow channel for receiving at least one flow of fluid;
a first inlet channel coupled to the fluid flow channel for providing a continuous flow of a process fluid to the fluid flow channel;
a suction channel coupled to the fluid flow channel at a first location located downstream from the first inlet channel for ejecting the process fluid,
wherein the first inlet channel comprises a valve controlled by the controller for selectively opening and closing the valve to stop providing process fluid to the fluid flow channel and wherein the suction channel comprises a valve controlled by the controller for selectively opening and closing the valve to stop the ejection of process fluid from the fluid flow channel;
an external vacuum system operatively coupled to the suction channel providing suction for aiding in ejecting the process fluid from the fluid flow channel;
a second inlet channel coupled to the fluid flow channel for selectively providing a pressurized fluid to the fluid flow channel,
wherein the second inlet channel comprises a valve controlled by the controller for selectively opening and closing the valve to introduce pressurized fluid to the fluid flow channel,
a pressurized fluid supply connected to the second inlet channel for providing the pressurized fluid to the fluid flow channel,
wherein, in response to introduction of pressurized fluid to the fluid flow channel, the fluid flow channel comprises both process fluid and pressurized fluid; and
an exit channel coupled to the fluid flow channel at a second location located downstream from the first inlet channel and the second inlet channel for ejecting the process fluid and the pressurized fluid,
wherein increased pressure in the fluid flow channel through introduction of the pressurized fluid causes both the process fluid and the pressurized fluid to enter the exit channel from the fluid flow channel and exit the device via the exit channel,
wherein entry of the pressurized fluid into the suction channel is prevented at least in part by at least one of (i) configuring the suction channel to have a length greater than a length of the exit channel; or (ii) configuring the suction channel to have a cross-sectional dimension smaller than a cross-sectional dimension of the exit channel.