Patent ID: 8642954
Filing Date: 2014-02-04
Classification: B05B,G01N,H01J

Abstract:
1. A sample introduction system for atomic spectrometry comprising: a spray head including a mesh having opposite faces, a sample flow path for conducting a liquid sample to one face of the mesh and a transducer for vibrating the mesh; a driver for driving the transducer to expel sample droplets from the other face of the mesh; an elongated tubular adapter defining a flow passage having a proximal end aligned with and spaced from the mesh and a distal end; a tubular wall surrounding a proximal end segment of the elongated tubular adapter to define a chamber in fluid communication with said other face of the mesh and with said proximal end of the flow passage; a carrier gas source connected to the chamber; a flow control device for controlling the flow of gas from the carrier gas source to the chamber so that the gas can mix with any sample droplets expelled from the mesh to form an aerosol in the flow passage, and a controller for controlling the driver to provide in said aerosol a selected total volume of monodisperse droplets and for independently controlling said flow control device to provide a selected rate of flow of the aerosol along said flow passage thereby to optimize consumption of the liquid sample.