US 11,733,216 B2
Matching thermally modulated variable restrictors to chromatography separation columns
Michael O. Fogwill, Uxbridge, MA (US); Joseph D. Michienzi, Plainville, MA (US); Geoff Gerhardt, Woonsocket, RI (US); and James P. Murphy, Franklin, MA (US)
Assigned to Waters Technologies Corporation, Milford, MA (US)
Filed by Waters Technologies Corporation, Milford, MA (US)
Filed on Jun. 30, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/917,178.
Application 16/917,178 is a continuation of application No. 14/773,786, abandoned, previously published as PCT/US2014/013985, filed on Jan. 31, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/777,110, filed on Mar. 12, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/777,065, filed on Mar. 12, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2020/0333301 A1, Oct. 22, 2020
Int. Cl. B01D 15/08 (2006.01); B01D 15/16 (2006.01); B01D 15/40 (2006.01); G01N 30/32 (2006.01); G01N 30/86 (2006.01); G01N 30/02 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 30/32 (2013.01) [B01D 15/08 (2013.01); B01D 15/161 (2013.01); B01D 15/163 (2013.01); B01D 15/40 (2013.01); G01N 30/8658 (2013.01); G01N 2030/025 (2013.01); G01N 2030/324 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for configuring a chromatography system comprising:
receiving a target system pressure and a desired mass flow rate of a compressible mobile phase for the chromatography system;
selecting a type of a chromatography separation column to be used in the chromatography system based on the target system pressure and the desired mass flow rate;
constructing a thermally modulated variable restrictor with a structural configuration including:
a restrictor body having a fluidic channel with an inlet end that receives a compressible mobile phase from the chromatography separation column and an outlet end through which the mobile phase leaves the fluidic channel;
a restrictor tip disposed adjacent the restrictor body at the outlet end of the fluidic channel, the restrictor tip having an egress opening that is smaller than an internal diameter of the fluidic channel; and
a heating element thermally coupled to a subsection of the fluidic channel between the inlet and outlet ends to heat the compressible mobile phase passing through that subsection of the fluidic channel;
wherein the structural configuration of the thermally modulated variable restrictor that maintains the desired mass flow rate and the target system pressure when the thermally modulated variable restrictor is attached to the selected chromatography separation column during operation of the chromatography system; and
attaching the chromatography separation column to the thermally modulated variable restrictor to form a single unit for distribution.