# US 8,784,543 B2 · Non-seizing tapers for use in purged connections of capillary tubing used in gas chromatography

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,784,543 B2
- Document ID: US8784543B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/170,719
- Filed: 2014-02-03
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2013-12-15
- Applicants: Matthew Spangler Klee
- Inventors: Matthew Spangler Klee
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784543B2

## CPC

- G01N 30/60: Construction of the column
- G01N 30/10: using a splitter
- G01N 30/16: Injection (G01N30/24 takes precedence)
- B01D 53/025: {with wetted adsorbents; Chromatography (analytical chromatography G01N30/00 - G01N30/96; for liquids B01D15/08)}
- G01N 30/12: by evaporation
- G01N 30/6039: {in series}
- G01N 2030/6008: {capillary restrictors}
- G01N 30/6078: {Capillaries}
- G01N 2030/167: {on-column injection}
- G01N 2030/025: {Gas chromatography}
- G01N 30/6034: {joining multiple columns}
- B01D 53/02: by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography {(solid sorbent compositions B01J20/00, preparation of inorganic compounds or elements C01)}
- G01N 30/6004: {end pieces}
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)

## Abstract

A non-seizing taper used for purged capillary tubing connections in gas chromatography that stops capillary tubing at a predictable position within the taper during installation and maintains space for gas to flow past the capillary tubing. The disclosed taper is an improved component of commonly used purged devices such as inlet liners and purged unions. The arresting aspect of the taper simplifies the process of capillary tubing installation while ensuring that the tubing will reproducibly be positioned in the taper. One or more features of the taper prevent tubing from seizing within the taper so that the devices can be reused and ensure that there is open space for a portion of gas to flow around and past the tubing. The angle of the taper, the dimensions of the taper, and the nature of the features within the taper can be adjusted to meet specific performance, usability and/or manufacturability requirements.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A continuously-narrowing taper incorporated into a purged connection for capillary gas chromatography that
a. stops capillary tubing during installation at a predictable position within the taper and
b. contains one or more features that prevent capillary tubing of a circular cross section from seizing within the taper and maintains an extra-tubular open space for gas to flow past the end of the capillary tubing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The taper of claim 1 wherein the purged connection is a capillary gas chromatograph inlet liner.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The taper of claim 1 wherein the purged connection is a connector of two or more capillary tubes.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The taper of claim 1 wherein the diameter of at least one radial axis of the taper scales linearly relative to its position along the central axis of the taper.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The taper of claim 1 wherein the diameter of at least one radial axis of the taper scales non-linearly relative to its position along the central axis of the taper.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The taper of claim 1 wherein the radial cross-sectional area of the extra-tubular open space at the contact position of a capillary tube of circular cross section arrested within the taper is constant and independent of tubing diameter and arresting position along the central axis of the taper.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The taper claim 1 wherein the radial cross-sectional area of the extra-tubular open space at the arrested position of the capillary tube of circular cross section within the taper scales as a function of tubing diameter and arresting position along the central axis of the taper.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The taper of claim 1 wherein the feature in the taper that prevents seizing and maintains space for extra-tubular gas flow comprises one or more grooves in the surface of the taper.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The taper of claim 8 comprised in a capillary gas chromatograph inlet liner.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The taper of claim 1 wherein the feature in the taper that prevents seizing and provides space for extra-tubing flow comprises one or more ridges on the surface of the taper.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The taper of claim 10 comprised in a capillary gas chromatograph inlet liner.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The taper of claim 1 wherein the feature of the taper that prevents seizing and maintains space for extra-tubular gas flow comprises a radial asymmetry perpendicular to the central axis of the taper.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The taper of claim 12 wherein the form of the radial asymmetry is elliptical.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The taper of claim 13 comprised in a capillary gas chromatograph inlet liner.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The process of forming the taper of claim 1, comprising:
a. providing an inorganic crystalline material, and
b. using a mandrel to shape the inorganic crystalline material to form the taper.