Patent ID: 11885778
Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G  A  H | IPC A  G  H

Claim 0:
1. A system for analyzing droplets, comprising:
a probe comprising an outer probe housing having an open end; a liquid supply conduit within the housing and having an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end of the housing, the liquid supply conduit being connectable to a liquid supply for delivering a liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing, and a liquid exhaust conduit within the housing for removing liquid from the open end of the housing;
a pump that meters the liquid at the first volumetric flow rate;
a liquid exhaust system in fluid connection with the liquid exhaust conduit for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate, wherein the liquid exhaust conduit comprises a tubular conduit positioned within the outer probe housing, and wherein the liquid supply conduit is defined by the annular space between the liquid exhaust conduit and an inner wall of the outer probe housing;
a droplet dispenser that dispenses drops of a liquid sample or a sample-containing solvent into the liquid at the open end of the housing;
a chemical analysis device that receives the liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit;
wherein during operation of the system, the open end receives the liquid from the liquid supply conduit at the first volumetric flow rate and the liquid is drawn into and through the liquid exhaust conduit at the second volumetric flowrate, and wherein the open end receives the drops from the droplet dispenser into the liquid.