Patents by Inventor Darrell Gourley

Darrell Gourley has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20070023675
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for use with a mass spectrometer. The multimode ionization source of the present invention provides one or more atmospheric pressure ionization sources (e.g., electrospray, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and/or atmospheric pressure photoionization) for ionizing molecules. A method of producing ions using the multimode ionization source is also disclosed. The apparatus and method provide the advantages of the combined ion sources without the inherent disadvantages of the individual sources. In an embodiment, the multimode ionization source includes an infrared emitter enclosed in an inner chamber for drying a charged aerosol. ESI/APCI multimode sources may include a corona needle shield and/or an auxiliary electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Fischer, Darrell Gourley, James Bertsch
  • Publication number: 20060243917
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for use with a mass spectrometry system. The invention provides an ion source, infrared emitter and sensor with closed control feedback loop coupled to the infrared emitter. Methods of control and heating using the apparatus of the present invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Fischer, Darrell Gourley, Glen Ingle, Timothy Joyce
  • Publication number: 20060124859
    Abstract: A multimode ionization source includes an electrospray ionization source for providing a charged aerosol, an atmospheric pressure ionization source downstream from the electrospray ionization source for further ionizing said charged aerosol, and a mode separator, or mask, situated so as to separate a portion of the charged aerosol and prevent the portion from being exposed to the atmospheric pressure ionization source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Fischer, Darrell Gourley, Patricia Cormia
  • Publication number: 20060086908
    Abstract: A multimode ionization source includes an electrospray ionization source for providing a charged aerosol, an atmospheric pressure ionization source downstream from the electrospray ionization source for further ionizing said charged aerosol, and a mode separator, or mask, situated so as to separate a portion of the charged aerosol and prevent the portion from being exposed to the atmospheric pressure ionization source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Fischer, Darrell Gourley, Patricia Cormia
  • Publication number: 20060076505
    Abstract: An atmospheric pressure ion source, e.g. for a mass spectrometer, that produces ions by atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI). It includes a vaporizer, a photon source for photoionizing vapor molecules upon exit from the vaporizer, a passageway for transporting ions to, for example, a mass spectrometer system, and a means for directing the ions into the passageway. The center axis of the vaporizer and the center axis of the passageway form an angle that may be about 90 degrees. Included in the invention is a method for creating ions by atmospheric pressure photoionization along an axis and directing them into a passageway oriented at an angle to that axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Fischer, Darrell Gourley, Patricia Cormia, James Bertsch, Karl Hanold
  • Publication number: 20050211911
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for use with a mass spectrometry system. The invention provides an ion source, infrared emitter and sensor with closed control feedback loop coupled to the infrared emitter. Methods of control and heating using the apparatus of the present invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Steven Fischer, Darrell Gourley, Glen Ingle, Timothy Joyce
  • Publication number: 20050045833
    Abstract: An atmospheric pressure ion source, e.g. for a mass spectrometer, that produces ions by atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI). It includes a vaporizer, a photon source for photoionizing vapor molecules upon exit from the vaporizer, a passageway for transporting ions to, for example, a mass spectrometer system, and a means for directing the ions into the passageway. The center axis of the vaporizer and the center axis of the passageway form an angle that may be about 90 degrees. Included in the invention is a method for creating ions by atmospheric pressure photoionization along an axis and directing them into a passageway oriented at an angle to that axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: Steven Fischer, Darrell Gourley, Patricia Cormia, James Bertsch, Karl Hanold