Mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection device and structure

Abstract

The utility model discloses mass spectrum sampling cone leak detection device and structure belong to mass spectrometer field, including leak detection spare, leak detection spare includes body, with the flange of body fixed connection and second sealing washer, and the second sealing washer is located between the body and the flange and seals the body and the flange, and the body includes the liquid storage part of air extraction part and the extension of air extraction part, and air extraction part and liquid storage part integral molding, and air extraction part is equipped with the air extraction channel, and liquid storage part is equipped with the liquid storage cavity, and the top of air extraction part is located in the liquid storage cavity, and the both ends of air extraction channel extend to the liquid storage cavity and the flange respectively, through above -mentioned design, inject the liquid of different height in the liquid storage cavity, and the leak detection instrument of mass spectrum can detect that the leakage point is located abutting surface, the sealing surface or ceramic main part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of mass spectrometers, and in particular to a mass spectrometer sampling cone leak detection device and a structure including the mass spectrometer sampling cone leak detection device. Background Technology

[0002] Mass spectrometry is one of the core pieces of equipment in modern analytical chemistry. It achieves qualitative and quantitative analysis by converting sample molecules or atoms into ions and separating and detecting them based on their mass-to-charge ratio. In most mass spectrometers, the sampling cone is a crucial interface component for facilitating the transition from an atmospheric pressure ion source to a high-vacuum mass analyzer. It is typically a conical element with a millimeter-scale aperture, and its core function is to initially sample the ion beam (mixed with a large amount of neutral gas) generated by the ion source, forming a supersonic jet and achieving the first stage of pressure reduction. The performance of the sampling cone, such as its sealing, aperture accuracy, material stability, and long-term reliability, directly affects the instrument's sensitivity, stability, and signal-to-noise ratio.

[0003] Currently, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) occupies a core position in popular fields such as life sciences due to the wide range of analytes it can analyze. Its sampling cone is structurally more complex and demands higher standards compared to other mass spectrometers: LC-MS often uses atmospheric pressure ion sources (such as electrospray ionization ESI). Its interface environment is chemically complex, and a specific deflection voltage (cone voltage) needs to be applied to the sampling cone to optimize ion transport efficiency and generate in-source debris. Therefore, LC-MS sampling cones generally employ a composite structure of a ceramic substrate and a metal cone. The ceramic substrate provides excellent electrical insulation properties, ensuring the independent application of the cone voltage; while the metal cone (such as Kovar alloy) welded to it withstands the physical erosion and chemical corrosion of the gas flow.

[0004] Although the "ceramic-metal" composite structure successfully solved the electrical insulation requirements of LC-MS, it also introduced an inherent technical bottleneck: the reliability of vacuum sealing at the interface of heterogeneous materials.

[0005] Specifically, the problem manifests itself in the following aspects: Mismatch in thermal expansion coefficients: Ceramics and metals are two materials with vastly different physical properties, and their thermal expansion coefficients typically differ by more than an order of magnitude. During the repeated heating (to prevent condensation) and cooling cycles of a mass spectrometer, this mismatch can generate periodic thermal stress at the welding or sealing interface, which can easily lead to the generation and propagation of microcracks.

[0006] The inherent defects of the sealing process: Current sealing processes such as active metal brazing are extremely sensitive to parameter control. Any slight process fluctuation (such as uneven temperature, poor solder wetting, internal residual stress) may form microscopic leakage channels in the sealing area that are difficult to detect with the naked eye.

[0007] The Leak Detection Challenges of Multiple Sealing Points and Compact Structures: A typical LC-MS interface module often integrates multiple components such as a sampling cone, a cutoff cone, and an ion transmission lens, forming multiple closely spaced, parallel vacuum sealing interfaces. When the system vacuum level drops, traditional overall leak detection methods (such as the flange-purge method for helium mass spectrometers) can only determine that there is a leak in the mass spectrometry vacuum system, but cannot quickly and accurately pinpoint whether the leak occurs at the ceramic-metal seal, the adjacent O-ring seal, a ceramic crack, or other connecting flanges. Maintenance personnel can only rely on experience to disassemble, reseal, and verify each component one by one. This process is time-consuming and ultimately fails to accurately locate the leak, severely impacting the instrument's production and assembly efficiency and after-sales maintenance speed. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, one of the objectives of this utility model is to provide a mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection device that can quickly and accurately locate the leak point.

[0009] To overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, the second objective of this utility model is to provide a mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection structure that can quickly and accurately locate the leak point.

[0010] One of the objectives of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: A mass spectrometer sampling cone leak detection device includes a leak detection component. The leak detection component includes a body, a flange fixedly connected to the body, and a second sealing ring. The second sealing ring is located between the body and the flange to seal the body and the flange. The body includes a gas extraction section and a liquid storage section extending from the gas extraction section. The gas extraction section and the liquid storage section are integrally formed. The gas extraction section has a gas extraction channel, and the liquid storage section has a liquid storage cavity. The top of the gas extraction section is located in the liquid storage cavity, and the two ends of the gas extraction channel extend to the liquid storage cavity and the flange, respectively.

[0011] Furthermore, the axis of the flange is perpendicular to the extension direction of the extraction channel.

[0012] Furthermore, the leak detection component also includes a first sealing ring, which is sleeved on the end of the suction section located inside the liquid storage cavity. The end of the suction section located inside the liquid storage cavity is used to install a sampling cone, and the first sealing ring seals the sampling cone and the suction section.

[0013] Furthermore, the top of the air extraction section is provided with a step, and the first sealing ring is installed at the step.

[0014] Furthermore, the mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection device also includes a mass spectrometry leak detector, which is connected to the flange. The mass spectrometry leak detector evacuates and detects leaks in the leak detection component.

[0015] The second objective of this utility model is achieved by the following technical solution: A mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection structure includes a sampling cone comprising a metal cone and a ceramic body. The metal cone is mounted on the ceramic body, and a sealing surface is formed between the metal cone and the ceramic body. The bottom of the ceramic body is provided with an installation groove and an abutment surface. The mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection structure also includes any of the above-mentioned mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection devices. The leak detection component also includes a first sealing ring, which is sleeved on the end of the gas extraction section located in the liquid storage chamber. The top of the gas extraction section is mounted on the installation groove, and the abutment surface abuts against the first sealing ring.

[0016] Furthermore, a sampling hole is provided at the top of the metal cone.

[0017] Furthermore, the top of the air extraction section is provided with a step, the first sealing ring is installed on the step, and the abutting surface presses against the top of the first sealing ring.

[0018] Furthermore, the top of the metal cone is located inside the liquid storage cavity.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the leak detection device of this utility model mass spectrometry sampling cone includes a leak detection component, which includes a body, a flange fixedly connected to the body, and a second sealing ring. The second sealing ring is located between the body and the flange to seal the body and the flange. The body includes an air extraction section and a liquid storage section extending from the air extraction section. The air extraction section and the liquid storage section are integrally formed. The air extraction section is provided with an air extraction channel, and the liquid storage section is provided with a liquid storage chamber. The top of the air extraction section is located in the liquid storage chamber. The two ends of the air extraction channel extend to the liquid storage chamber and the flange, respectively. With the above design, liquid of different heights is injected into the liquid storage chamber. The leak point can be detected by the mass spectrometer leak detector at the contact surface, sealing surface, or ceramic body. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of the leak detection structure of the mass spectrometry sampling cone of this utility model; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial three-dimensional view of the leak detection structure of the mass spectrometry sampling cone; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the sampling cone of the mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection structure; Figure 4 for Figure 3 A three-dimensional sectional view of the sampling cone; Figure 5 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the leak detection component of the mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection structure; Figure 6 for Figure 5 A three-dimensional sectional view of the leak detection component; Figure 7 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection structure; Figure 8 for Figure 7 A magnified view of point A; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the sampling cone leak detection process; Figure 10 This is another schematic diagram of the sampling cone leak detection process.

[0021] In the figure: 10, sampling cone; 11, metal cone; 110, sampling hole; 12, ceramic body; 120, mounting groove; 121, contact surface; 13, sealing surface; 20, leak detection component; 21, body; 210, gas extraction section; 2101, gas extraction channel; 211, liquid storage section; 2110, liquid storage chamber; 22, flange; 23, fastener; 24, first sealing ring; 25, second sealing ring; 30, mass spectrometer leak detector. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0023] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly on the other component or it can be fixed through another intermediate component. When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or it may be fixed through another intermediate component. When a component is said to be "set on" another component, it can be set directly on the other component or it may be set through another intermediate component. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only.

[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0025] Please see Figure 1 The mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection structure of this application includes a sampling cone 10 and a mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection device. The mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection device is used to detect whether the sampling cone 10 is leaking and the location of the leak.

[0026] Please continue reading. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The sampling cone 10 includes a metal cone 11 and a ceramic body 12. The metal cone 11 is mounted on the ceramic body 12, and a sealing surface 13 is formed between the metal cone 11 and the ceramic body 12. In this embodiment, the sealing surface 13 is formed by welding. The sealing surface 13 of the sampling cone 10, the ceramic body 12 itself, and the bottom of the ceramic body 12 are prone to leakage. Specifically, the sampling cone 10 is cone-shaped and has a hollow structure. The top of the metal cone 11 is provided with a sampling hole 110, and the bottom of the ceramic body 12 is provided with a mounting groove 120 and an abutment surface 121 located on the side of the mounting groove 120. The mounting groove 120 is used to install the end of the suction section 210 of the leak detection component 20. The abutment surface 121 presses against the first sealing ring 24.

[0027] Please continue reading. Figures 4 to 7 The leak detection component 20 includes a body 21, a flange 22, a fastener 23, a first sealing ring 24, and a second sealing ring 25. The flange 22 is fixed to the body 21 by the fastener 23. The second sealing ring 25 is installed between the flange 22 and the body 21 to achieve a seal between the flange 22 and the body 21. The first sealing ring 24 is installed between the body 21 and the sampling cone 10 to achieve a seal between the body 21 and the sampling cone 10.

[0028] Specifically, the main body 21 includes an extraction section 210 and a liquid storage section 211, which are integrally formed. The extraction section 210 has a hollow structure with an internal extraction channel 211. The top of the extraction section 210 is open, and the bottom is closed. A flange 22 is fixed to the side of the extraction section 210, and the extraction channel 211 communicates with the interior of the flange 22. The extension direction of the extraction channel 211 is perpendicular to the axis of the flange 22. The top of the extraction section 210 has a step for installing the first sealing ring 24 and for inserting the top of the extraction section 210 into the sampling cone 10. In this embodiment, there are three steps.

[0029] The liquid storage section 211 extends from the side wall of the suction section 210, forming a liquid storage cavity 2110, with the top of the suction section 210 located within the liquid storage cavity 2110. In this embodiment, the liquid storage cavity 2110 is cylindrical. The height of the liquid storage cavity 2110 is greater than the top height of the sampling cone 10 after it is installed on the leak detection element 20.

[0030] Fastener 23 is any one of bolts or screws, which is existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0031] The first sealing ring 24 is fitted onto the step of the suction section 210 of the leak detection component 20, with the top of the first sealing ring 24 facing the sampling cone 10, and the contact surface 121 of the sampling cone 10 pressing against the top of the first sealing ring 24. The axis of the first sealing ring 24 is the same as the extension direction of the suction channel 2101.

[0032] The second sealing ring 25 is installed between the air extraction section 210 and the flange 22 to achieve a seal between the air extraction section 210 and the flange 22. The axis of the second sealing ring 25 is perpendicular to the axis of the first sealing ring 24.

[0033] When using a mass spectrometer sampling cone leak detector, the mass spectrometer leak detector 30 is connected to the flange 22 of the leak detection component 20 via a pipeline, such as... Figure 1 as well as Figures 6 to 7 As shown, the sampling cone 10 is placed in the liquid storage chamber 2110 of the leak detection component 20. The mounting groove 120 is fitted with the top step of the extraction section 210 via a shaft hole. Under the action of gravity, the sampling cone 10 exerts downward pressure on the first sealing ring 24. Then, the mass spectrometer leak detector 30 is turned on to perform pre-vacuuming and real-time leak detection. In this embodiment, the mass spectrometer leak detector 30 is a helium mass spectrometer leak detector. At this time, the sampling cone 10 presses the first sealing ring 24 tightly under atmospheric pressure. There are three possible leak points on the sampling cone 10: the contact surface 121, the ceramic body 12, and the sealing surface 13.

[0034] When using the mass spectrometer sampling cone leak detector, first determine whether the sampling cone 10 is leaking. Specifically, after the reading of the mass spectrometer leak detector 30 stabilizes, spray helium gas around the sampling cone 10. If the mass spectrometer leak detector 30 does not react, the sampling cone 10 is well sealed, and the leak detection work can be completed.

[0035] When the reading of the mass spectrometer leak detector 30 changes, it indicates that there is a leak in the sampling cone 10. The leak point should be located.

[0036] First, determine whether there is leakage at the contact surface 121 (i.e., between the contact surface 121 and the first sealing ring 24): like Figure 9 As shown, a volatile, non-corrosive liquid, such as anhydrous ethanol, is added to the liquid storage chamber. The liquid level is just above the first sealing ring 24, forming a liquid seal between the first sealing ring 24 and the contact surface 121.

[0037] If the leak rate and vacuum readings of the mass spectrometer leak detector 30 fluctuate significantly during operation, it indicates a large leak between the first sealing ring 24 and the contact surface 121, allowing both liquid and gas to pass through. The large leak at this location needs to be addressed first, and the leak detection operation is then complete.

[0038] If the mass spectrometer leak detector 30 reading shows no fluctuation at this point, it indicates that there is no leak or the leak is small between the first sealing ring 24 and the contact surface 121. If the leak is small, a liquid seal is formed between the first sealing ring 24 and the contact surface 121, and helium gas is sprayed around the sampling cone 10. If the leak rate reading of the mass spectrometer leak detector 30 does not change at this point, the leak only exists between the first sealing ring 24 and the contact surface 121, and the leak detection work can be completed.

[0039] If the mass spectrometer leak detector reading rises at this point, compare the leak rate at this point with the rate when no liquid was added.

[0040] If the leakage rate is lower than when no liquid was added, it indicates that there is a leak between the first sealing ring 24 and the contact surface 121, and there is more than one leak. The leak detection work needs to continue.

[0041] If the leakage rate is the same as when no liquid was added, it means that there is no leak between the first sealing ring 24 and the contact surface 121, and the leak is elsewhere. The leak detection work needs to continue.

[0042] If leak detection needs to continue, the next step can be to simultaneously determine whether there is leakage between the first sealing ring 24 and the contact surface 121, and at the sealing surface 13. Figure 10 As shown, the liquid level is just above the ceramic body 12, forming a liquid seal between the first sealing ring 24 and the contact surface 121, and between the ceramic body 12 and the atmosphere. If the leak rate and vacuum readings of the leak detector fluctuate significantly at this point, it indicates a large leak between the ceramic body and the atmosphere, allowing both liquid and gas to pass through. This large leak needs to be addressed first, and the leak detection work is then complete.

[0043] If the reading of the mass spectrometer leak detector 30 does not fluctuate at this time, helium gas is sprayed around the sampling cone 10.

[0044] If the leak rate reading of the mass spectrometer leak detector 30 does not change at this point, there is a leak point between the ceramic body 12 and the atmosphere, but no leak point at the sealing surface 13, and the leak detection work can be completed.

[0045] If the leak rate reading on the mass spectrometer leak detector rises at this point, compare the current leak rate with the previous one.

[0046] If the leakage rate is lower than before, it indicates that there is a leak between the ceramic body 12 and the atmosphere, and there is also a leak at the sealing surface 13. The leak detection work can then be completed.

[0047] If the leakage rate is the same as when no liquid was added, it means that there is a leak only at the sealing surface 13, and the leak detection work can be completed.

[0048] The mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection device of this application can quickly and accurately locate the leak point by injecting liquid of different heights into the liquid storage chamber 2110 and using the mass spectrometry leak detector 30 to detect the leak point located at the contact surface 121, the sealing surface 13, or the ceramic body 12.

[0049] The above embodiments only illustrate several implementation methods of this utility model, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of this utility model. These are all equivalent modifications and improvements made to the above embodiments based on the essential technology of this utility model, and all of these fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection device, including a leak detection element, characterized in that: The leak detection component includes a body, a flange fixedly connected to the body, and a second sealing ring. The second sealing ring is located between the body and the flange to seal the body and the flange. The body includes an air extraction section and a liquid storage section extending from the air extraction section. The air extraction section and the liquid storage section are integrally formed. The air extraction section is provided with an air extraction channel, and the liquid storage section is provided with a liquid storage cavity. The top of the air extraction section is located in the liquid storage cavity, and the two ends of the air extraction channel extend to the liquid storage cavity and the flange, respectively.

2. The mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The axis of the flange is perpendicular to the extension direction of the extraction channel.

3. The mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The leak detection component also includes a first sealing ring, which is sleeved on the end of the suction section located inside the liquid storage cavity. The end of the suction section located inside the liquid storage cavity is used to install a sampling cone, and the first sealing ring seals the sampling cone and the suction section.

4. The mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The top of the air extraction section is provided with a step, and the first sealing ring is installed at the step.

5. The mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection device also includes a mass spectrometry leak detector, which is connected to the flange. The mass spectrometry leak detector evacuates and detects leaks in the leak detection component.

6. A mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection structure, comprising a sampling cone, the sampling cone including a metal cone and a ceramic body, the metal cone being mounted on the ceramic body, and a sealing surface being formed between the metal cone and the ceramic body, characterized in that: The ceramic body has an installation groove and a contact surface at its bottom. The mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection structure also includes a mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection device as described in any one of claims 1-5. The leak detection component also includes a first sealing ring. The first sealing ring is sleeved on the end of the gas extraction part located in the liquid storage chamber. The top of the gas extraction part is installed in the installation groove. The contact surface abuts against the first sealing ring.

7. The mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The metal cone has a sampling hole at its top.

8. The mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The top of the air extraction section is provided with a step, the first sealing ring is installed on the step, and the abutting surface presses against the top of the first sealing ring.

9. The mass spectrometry sampling cone leak detection structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The top of the metal cone is located inside the liquid storage cavity.

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