Heat Shield for Plasma Source Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analysis systems with plasma sources, such as mass spectrometers and optical emission spectrometers, face challenges in effectively managing thermal heat transfer from the plasma source to the instrument, leading to increased complexity, cost, and cooling requirements.
Innovation Solution
A heat shield is positioned between the plasma source and the instrument, constructed from high-temperature, thermally insulating materials like ceramics, to direct heated gas and plasma away from the instrument, reducing heat transfer and potentially eliminating the need for complex cooling structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plasma source is used to ionize samples, then ionization efficiency is improved, but heat transfer to the instrument increases
Solution Approach 1:
A heat shield is positioned between the plasma source and the instrument to act as an intermediary element. The heat shield blocks and redirects heated gas and plasma away from the instrument while allowing ionized samples to pass through, thereby maintaining ionization efficiency while reducing heat transfer to the instrument.
2Temperature
If complex cooling structures are added to manage heat, then heat management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful heat is extracted and redirected away from the instrument using the heat shield, separating the heat management function from the instrument itself. This eliminates the need for complex internal cooling structures within the instrument while still achieving effective heat management.
3Use of energy by moving object
If cooling requirements are reduced, then electricity usage is reduced, but heat shield design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield design incorporates specific geometric parameters including a first radial spacing between the heat shield and sampling cone, a second radial spacing between the heat shield and instrument wall, and controlled thickness variations. These parameter changes enable the heat shield to effectively redirect heat while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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 efficiently extracts heat in a gaseous form, reducing the amount of heat that reaches the instrument, simplifying the system design, reducing cooling requirements, and minimizing electricity usage and chiller hardware.
Implementation Method 1
A heat shield is positioned between the plasma source and the instrument, constructed from high-temperature, thermally insulating materials like ceramics, to direct heated gas and plasma away from the instrument, reducing heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
a plasma source (such as an inductively coupled plasma source) to generate an ionized sample that may be analyzed by the system. For example, a chemical sample may be introduced into the plasma source and passed through the plasma, and the high heat associated with the plasma may ionize the chemical sample
Data Source
AI summary
Thermal management arrangements for analysis systems including a plasma source such as inductively-coupled-plasma are disclosed. An analysis system may include a plasma source configured to a plasma source configured to receive and ionize a sample to create an ionized sample, and an instrument such as a mass spectrometer or optical emission spectrometer configured to receive and analyze the ionized sample. A heat shield may be positioned between the plasma source and the instrument, and the heat shield may be constructed and arranged to direct heated gas and/or plasma from the plasma source away from the instrument. In some instances, the heated gas and/or plasma may be extracted from a chamber containing the plasma source.