Capillary Tube Partition Orifice for Vacuum Mass Spectrometer Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mass spectrometer systems with atmospheric pressure ionization interfaces require complex isolation gates for maintenance, which reduce ion transport efficiency and restrict the placement of convergent lenses, and necessitate breaching the vacuum for capillary tube removal.
Innovation Solution
A small orifice is formed in the partition wall between the atmospheric pressure ionization and intermediate evacuation chambers, allowing the capillary tube to be detachably installed without breaching the vacuum, maintaining communication and minimizing vacuum pump load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an isolation gate is installed to allow capillary tube removal without breaching vacuum, then the vacuum can be maintained, but the device complexity increases and ion transport efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the isolation gate component entirely from the system. Instead of using a complex isolation gate mechanism, the patent creates a simple through-hole in the partition wall that allows the capillary tube to pass through. This eliminates the isolation gate structure while maintaining the ability to remove the capillary tube without breaching the vacuum in the mass spectrometry chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the communication path between chambers by creating a dedicated through-hole specifically for the capillary tube. This separate, simple opening allows the capillary tube to be removable while maintaining vacuum isolation, replacing the need for a complex isolation gate that would require multiple moving parts and sealing mechanisms.
2Ease of repair
If an isolation gate is installed to allow capillary tube removal, then maintenance becomes possible, but the ease of operation decreases due to restricted capillary tube placement
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the isolation gate entirely and replacing it with a simple through-hole, the invention eliminates the spatial constraints and operational complexities associated with isolation gate mechanisms. The capillary tube can now be positioned freely through the through-hole without being restricted by gate structures, improving both maintenance accessibility and operational flexibility.
3Reliability
If a complex isolation gate structure is used, then vacuum can be maintained during maintenance, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention completely removes the isolation gate valve mechanism from the system. The through-hole design allows the capillary tube to pass through the partition wall without requiring any moving parts, seals, or complex mechanisms. Vacuum integrity is maintained simply by the presence of the capillary tube itself blocking the hole when installed, and the hole being open when the tube is removed for maintenance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances maintainability and ion transport efficiency, eliminating the need for isolation gates and allowing for capillary tube removal without disrupting the vacuum, thus improving the overall performance and usability of the mass spectrometer system.
Implementation Method 1
a small orifice 17 having a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the capillary tube 11 is formed in a partition wall 16
Implementation Method 2
The desolvating unit 12 functions as a means for removing solvent components contained in the charged particles generated in the atmospheric pressure ionization chamber 15. In other words, a portion of the charged particles sprayed from the nozzle 14 is caused to flow into the capillary tube 11 due to the pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure ionization chamber 15 and the intermediate evacuation chamber 21, and is heated by the heating block 12a, thereby promoting the desolvating process
Data Source
AI summary
An atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry system has an atmospheric pressure ionization chamber for ionizing a sample, an evacuated intermediate evacuation chamber into which generated ions are introduced through a capillary tube, and a vacuum chamber further downstream therefrom into which ions are introduced for mass separation. A partition wall separating the atmospheric pressure ionization chamber from the intermediate evacuation chamber includes a small orifice having a diameter corresponding to an internal channel diameter of the capillary tube. The capillary tube is detachably installed on the partition wall so that an outlet end of the capillary tube abuts on the small orifice. The internal channel of the capillary tube is in communication with the small orifice. The capillary tube can be installed and removed from the system without breaching the vacuum.