Curved Ion Manipulation Path for Cleaner Ion Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ion extraction and transmission systems face challenges such as contamination of analyzer regions due to gas flow, complex and costly designs, and inefficient turn regions that cause ion misalignment and reduced mobility resolution.
Innovation Solution
A system with an ion manipulation path and vacuum pump to extract ions from a gas flow, using electrodes to guide ions while diverting gas away from the exit port, and a curved turn region with segmented electrodes to enhance ion transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional ion funnels are used to extract ions from gas flow, then ion extraction capability is achieved, but the analyzer region becomes contaminated by uncontrolled gas flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas flow problem by introducing a dedicated gas removal system (vacuum pump with gas inlet) that separates gas removal from ion extraction. The gas inlet is positioned to selectively remove gas molecules while allowing ions to be extracted through the ion funnel, effectively taking out the harmful gas component without affecting ion transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary gas removal system that acts as a mediator between the ion source and analyzer region. This intermediate system (vacuum pump with strategically positioned gas inlet) controls gas flow independently, preventing gas from reaching the analyzer while maintaining ion extraction functionality.
2Reliability
If stacked ring ion funnels are used for ion extraction, then ion transmission is achieved, but the system requires high-precision components and complex assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ion extraction function with a simplified funnel structure that eliminates the need for multiple stacked rings. By combining ion extraction capabilities with a single or reduced-number funnel design, the system maintains ion transmission efficiency while reducing component count and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional ion funnel system that performs both ion extraction and gas management functions. The ion funnel is designed to work effectively with the added gas removal system, providing universal functionality that handles both ions and gas flow control without requiring separate specialized components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If dual ion funnels or orthogonal capillary inlet configurations are used to remove gas jet effects, then gas flow control is improved, but the overall system cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas jet effects by positioning a gas inlet within the ion funnel structure to selectively remove gas molecules. This extraction approach targets gas removal directly at the source without requiring additional external systems, reducing overall system size and cost while effectively managing gas jet effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified version of the gas removal concept rather than implementing full dual ion funnel or orthogonal capillary configurations. By copying only the essential gas removal functionality and integrating it into the existing ion funnel design, the system achieves gas flow control without the full complexity and cost of alternative configurations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If inlet ion optics are designed for specific ionization sources and analyzers, then compatibility is achieved, but additional or alternative optics cannot be utilized without substantial modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the ion funnel and gas removal system with universal characteristics that allow compatibility with multiple ionization sources and analyzer types. The standardized interface and modular gas removal system can be adapted to different configurations without requiring substantial modifications, enhancing versatility while maintaining performance.
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
Prevents gas contamination of analyzer regions, reduces system complexity and cost, and improves ion mobility resolution by optimizing ion direction and transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump port configured to receive a vacuum pump in fluidic communication with the vacuum pump port
Implementation Method 2
The pump is in fluidic communication with the vacuum pump port, and is configured to extract the gas from the housing through the vacuum pump port
Implementation Method 3
the ion manipulation path is configured to receive the gas flow, extract at least a portion of the ions from the gas flow, and transmit the ions extracted from the gas flow toward the exit port
Implementation Method 4
The ion manipulation path includes a first surface having a first plurality of electrodes and a second surface having a second plurality of electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for ion manipulations includes an ion manipulation path extending between an inlet and an outlet, at least one continuous electrode configured to receive a first RF voltage signal, and a plurality of segmented electrodes configured to receive a second voltage signal and generate a traveling wave field based thereon. The ion manipulation path includes a first region extending in a first direction, a second region extending in a second direction, and a curved region extending between the first and second regions. The at least one continuous electrode extends through the first region, the curved region, and second region. The segmented electrodes are arranged along the ion manipulation path in the first region, the curved region, and the second region. The traveling wave field is configured to cause ions to travel through, the first region, the curved region, and the second region.