Patent ID: 7528369

Claim:
A charged droplet sprayer apparatus for producing ions from a liquid sample, comprising: a) a sample delivery tube comprising an enhance end and an exit end, for transporting a liquid sample downstream from said entrance end to said exit end; b) a guide tube though which said sample delivery tube extends, said guide tube allowing said sample delivery tube to move freely along the axis of said guide tube while essentially preventing displacement of said sample delivery tube in any direction orthogonal to said guide tube axis; c) a conduit for gas flow, said conduit comprising the annular space between at least a portion of said sample delivery tube proximal to said exit end, and a gas flow tube surrounding and essentially coaxial with said portion, the exit opening of said gas flow tube being proximal to said exit end of said sample delivery tube; d) means for flowing gas though said gas flow conduit; e) means for forming an electric field at said exit end; f) means for adjusting the relative axial positions of said exit end of said sample delivery tube and said exit opening of said gas flow tube; and, g) a vacuum system, comprising a vacuum interface orifice for transporting said ions into said vacuum system.