DC Power Supply Overdrive Control for Ion Optical Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mass spectrometers, changing DC offset voltages at ion optical components can be slow, especially when multiple components require simultaneous changes, which can limit instrument speed and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a DC power supply that applies an overdrive DC offset voltage for a predetermined period before switching to a target voltage, using an RC network to accelerate the change in DC offset voltage at the component, allowing for quicker and synchronized changes across multiple components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a DC offset voltage is changed at a DC power supply, then the DC offset voltage at the component eventually changes, but the change takes too much time due to the RC link causing the voltage to lag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first setting the DC power supply to an overdrive voltage level before the target voltage level. This preliminary overdrive setting accelerates the charging of the RC link capacitor, causing the component voltage to rise more quickly toward the target level. Once the voltage reaches the target, the power supply is then adjusted to the final target voltage, ensuring the component settles at the correct level. This two-stage approach (overdrive then settle) resolves the contradiction by using preliminary excessive action to overcome the RC time delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the DC power supply voltage through two distinct stages: first changing to an overdrive voltage parameter (higher than target), then changing to the final target voltage parameter. This parameter change strategy exploits the RC circuit's natural response characteristics, using the initial overdrive parameter to accelerate the transient response and reduce the time lag, thereby resolving the contradiction between speed and time delay.
2Productivity
If multiple ion optical components require simultaneous DC offset voltage changes, then the instrument efficiency improves, but the time synchronization becomes difficult due to different RC time constants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action uniformly across multiple DC power supplies, each controlling an ion optical component. Each power supply first transitions to its respective overdrive voltage level simultaneously, accelerating the voltage change across all components. After a predetermined time delay (accounting for different RC time constants), all power supplies then transition to their final target voltages simultaneously. This coordinated preliminary action ensures synchronized voltage changes at the components despite different RC time constants, resolving the contradiction between productivity and synchronization complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through a structured two-phase voltage transition sequence applied to multiple power supplies. Phase 1: All power supplies transition to overdrive voltages simultaneously. Phase 2: After a predetermined time delay, all power supplies transition to target voltages simultaneously. This periodic, rhythmic control sequence creates synchronized voltage changes across components with different RC time constants, resolving the contradiction by imposing a regular temporal structure on the voltage changes.
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 method significantly speeds up the change in DC offset voltage at ion optical components, improving the duty cycle and repetition rate of mass spectrometers by reducing the time required for voltage changes and enabling simultaneous changes across components with different RC time constants.
Implementation Method 1
a link that causes the DC offset voltage at the component to lag behind the DC offset voltage produced by the DC power supply when the DC offset voltage produced by the DC power supply is changed
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a DC power supply to change a DC offset voltage applied to a component for manipulating charged particles. The method includes, whilst an AC voltage waveform is being applied to the component: controlling the DC power supply to produce an initial DC offset voltage that is applied to the component via a link that causes the DC offset voltage at the component to lag behind the DC offset voltage produced by the DC power supply when the DC offset voltage produced by the DC power supply is changed; then controlling the DC power supply to produce an overdrive DC offset voltage that is applied to the component via the link for a predetermined period of time; then controlling the DC power supply to produce a target DC offset voltage that is applied to the component via the link, wherein the target DC offset voltage is between the initial DC offset voltage and the overdrive DC offset voltage.