DESI Sprayer Sheath Assembly for Capillary Tip Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ion source sprayer assemblies, particularly DESI sprayer assemblies, face challenges with the fragility of solvent capillaries, which are vulnerable to damage during transportation, installation, and when nozzles are removed for maintenance or replacement, leading to exposure and potential injury risks.
Innovation Solution
A sprayer assembly featuring a capillary with a protective sheath that can move between covered and exposed positions, utilizing an elastic member like a compression spring to automatically restore the protective position, ensuring the capillary is safeguarded during normal use and maintenance, and a removable nozzle system that aligns coaxially with the capillary for consistent performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the solvent capillary is made accessible for use, then spray functionality is enabled, but the capillary becomes vulnerable to damage and injury risks
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is designed to be movable rather than fixed, transitioning between a protective position that covers the capillary outlet and a retracted position that exposes it for spraying. This dynamic structure allows the system to adapt between protection and functionality modes, resolving the contradiction between safety and operational accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath is positioned to cover the capillary outlet before use, providing preliminary protection against damage and injury risks. The automatic restoration mechanism ensures the protective position is reestablished after each use, preventing exposure during transportation and maintenance without requiring manual intervention.
2Ease of repair
If the nozzle is removed for maintenance or replacement, then accessibility for cleaning is improved, but the capillary becomes exposed and vulnerable
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member automatically restores the sheath to the protective position when the nozzle is removed, without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures the capillary is reprotected immediately after nozzle removal, maintaining reliability while allowing easy nozzle access for maintenance and replacement.
3Productivity
If the capillary is frequently replaced as a consumable, then operational continuity is maintained, but damage during transportation and installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath provides preliminary protection to the capillary during transportation and installation before the capillary is even removed or handled. This pre-protective measure reduces damage risks during the frequent replacement cycles, maintaining both productivity and reliability.
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
The solution effectively protects the solvent-emitting tip of the capillary from damage, reduces injury risks, and ensures consistent spray reproducibility by automatically covering the capillary when not in use and aligning the nozzle correctly, enhancing the reliability and usability of the ion source.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member, which acts to bias the position of the sheath to the protective position in which the outlet is covered (protected) by the sheath
Implementation Method 2
The assembly may be configured such that when the sheath moves from the first position to or towards the second position, the compression spring is compressed
Data Source
AI summary
A sprayer assembly for an ion source is disclosed. The sprayer includes a capillary having an outlet, a sheath for the capillary, and an elastic member. The sheath can move relative to the capillary between a first position in which the sheath covers the outlet of the capillary and a second position in which the outlet of the capillary is exposed. When the sheath moves from the first position to or towards the second position, the elastic member provides a restoring force that acts to restore the position of the sheath to or towards the first position.