Flow modulation for facilitating detector ignition
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Company
InventorPaul B. Welsh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method for the analysis of one or more analytes present in a sample carried in a first fluid. The first fluid is combined with a first detector fluid and a second detector fluid to provide a fluid mixture which flows across the surface of an igniter. The analytes are ionized by means of an ionization process. The ion current is collected and measured at a collector electrode adjacent to the igniter. The flow of at least one of the first detector fluid and second detector fluid is modulated during an ignition sequence according to predetermined criteria so as to facilitate flame ignition.
Claims8
An analytical method for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample fluid, comprising the steps of:
- providing a selected flow of at least one of a plurality of detector fluids, said plurality including a first detector fluid and a second detector fluid,
- determining flow modulation criteria that facilitate ignition;
- generating an electronic control signal;
- and
- modulating, in response to the electronic control signal, said selected flow;
- providing a flame-based detector for receiving the sample fluid and the modulated selected flow;
- wherein said modulation in the selected flow is provided according to the predetermined flow modulation criteria and wherein said control signal is applied in a predetermined ignition sequence wherein said modulated flow is effected according to a continuous transition from a first predetermined flow rate to a second predetermined flow rate and according to said flow modulation criteria.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.