Grounded Electrospray Interface Using Ceramic Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mass spectrometers often require high voltage components that pose a risk of electrical shock due to accidental contact, and existing interfaces do not adequately address this safety concern while maintaining efficient ion introduction and analysis.
Innovation Solution
The development of an atmospheric interface for mass spectrometers that keeps both the electrospray nebulizer and the exterior of the mass spectrometer at or near ground potential, using a ceramic tube structure with high electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity materials to manage voltage gradients and ensure safety while maintaining efficient ion flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high voltage components are used in mass spectrometers to enable electrospray ionization, then ion introduction efficiency is improved, but safety risk increases due to potential electrical shock from accidental contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by grounding both the electrospray nebulizer and the mass spectrometer exterior at the same electrical potential (ground potential), eliminating voltage differences that could cause electrical shock. The high voltage is contained within isolated ceramic tubes, while the external surfaces remain at ground potential, allowing safe operation without compromising ion introduction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ceramic tubes as intermediary elements that provide electrical insulation between high voltage components and the external environment. These ceramic tubes allow the high voltage to be maintained internally for efficient ionization while preventing external exposure, thus mediating between the need for high voltage and safety requirements.
2Reliability
If ceramic tubes with high electrical resistivity are used to isolate high voltage, then safety is improved, but thermal management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting ceramic materials with specific electrical and thermal properties. The ceramic tubes are chosen to have high electrical resistivity for isolation while maintaining adequate thermal conductivity for heat dissipation. This changes the material parameters to simultaneously satisfy both electrical isolation and thermal management requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite ceramic materials that combine high electrical resistivity with sufficient thermal conductivity. These composite materials allow the ceramic tubes to provide electrical isolation while still enabling effective thermal management of the high voltage components contained within.
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 solution minimizes the risk of electrical shock and ensures efficient ion introduction and analysis by maintaining the electrospray nebulizer and mass spectrometer at or near ground potential, using ceramic materials with high resistivity and thermal conductivity to manage voltage gradients effectively.
Implementation Method 1
an inner ceramic tube fabricated from a first ceramic material that has high electrical resistivity and high thermal conductivity
Implementation Method 2
an intermediate ceramic tube fabricated from a second ceramic material that has, at room temperature, an electrical resistivity that is at least an order of magnitude higher than the electrical resistivity of the first ceramic material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An interface for a mass spectrometer system is provided. The interface can include an inner ceramic tube fabricated from a first ceramic material and an outer tube fabricated from a second ceramic material surrounding the inner ceramic tube. The inner ceramic tube can have high electrical resistivity and high thermal conductivity and the intermediate ceramic tube can have an electrical resistivity that is at least an order of magnitude higher than the electrical resistivity of the first ceramic material and a thermal conductivity that is at least an order of magnitude higher than the thermal conductivity of the first ceramic material.