Ion Analyzer Capillary Conductance Control for Vacuum Pump Lifespan

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Solution Overview

Problem

The operation of evacuating the analysis chamber in ion analyzers with an atmospheric pressure ionization chamber and a vacuum analysis chamber places a high load on vacuum pumps, shortening their lifespan and increasing maintenance costs due to prolonged evacuation times.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a conductance changer, such as a heated capillary or a heating-gas supply mechanism, to reduce the conductance of the capillary during startup, thereby decreasing the air flow and shortening evacuation time, and utilizing existing components like heating-gas supply mechanisms to decrease the viscosity of air flowing into the analysis chamber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the analysis chamber is evacuated from atmospheric pressure to achieve desired vacuum for mass spectrometry, then the analysis chamber can be used for mass spectrometry analysis, but the vacuum pump experiences greater load and shorter lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum pump lifespanVSAvoidevacuation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The capillary conductance is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The conductance changer modifies the capillary's conductance based on operational requirements, allowing the system to optimize between evacuation efficiency and vacuum maintenance. This dynamic adjustment reduces the load on the vacuum pump during evacuation while maintaining adequate conductance during analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameter of capillary conductance is changed to optimize system performance. By controlling the conductance of the capillary through the conductance changer, the system regulates the flow of gas between the ionization chamber and analysis chamber, thereby reducing the evacuation burden on the vacuum pump and extending its lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the analysis chamber is evacuated for extended periods, then mass spectrometry can be performed, but the cost for vacuum pump replacement or repair increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass spectrometry availabilityVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic control of capillary conductance allows the system to maintain vacuum more efficiently. By reducing unnecessary gas flow into the analysis chamber through conductance modulation, the vacuum pump operates under reduced load and for shorter durations, thereby decreasing maintenance costs while preserving instrument availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The conductance changer converts what would be a harmful continuous gas flow into a beneficial controlled flow. By regulating the capillary conductance, the system transforms the constant burden on the vacuum pump into a manageable, reduced load, extending pump life and reducing maintenance expenses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If the capillary conductance is high to allow ion flow, then ions can be efficiently transferred to the analysis chamber, but the vacuum pump load increases during evacuation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion transfer efficiencyVSAvoidvacuum pump lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The capillary conductance is dynamically adjusted based on operational phase. During evacuation, conductance is reduced to minimize pump load. During analysis, conductance is increased to maximize ion transfer efficiency. This temporal separation of conductance requirements resolves the contradiction between ion transfer efficiency and pump lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The conductance changer operates periodically, adjusting capillary conductance according to the operational cycle of the mass spectrometer. The system alternates between evacuation mode (low conductance) and analysis mode (high conductance), optimizing both ion transfer efficiency and vacuum pump durability through periodic conductance modulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 approach reduces the load on vacuum pumps, prolongs their lifespan, and lowers maintenance costs by shortening evacuation times and utilizing existing components for the conductance changer.

Implementation Method 1

decreasing the viscosity of air flowing into the analysis chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity:

Data Source

PatentUS10991565B2Ion analyzer

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

Provided is an ion analyzer characterized by: an ionization chamber (10) to be maintained at atmospheric pressure; an analysis chamber (11) for analyzing an ion generated in the ionization chamber (10); a vacuum pump (15, 16) for evacuating the inside of the analysis chamber (11); a capillary (102) for allowing the ionization chamber (10) and the analysis chamber (11) to communicate with each other; a conductance changer (103, 104) for changing the conductance of the capillary (102); and a controller (20) for operating the conductance changer (103, 104) in such a manner as to decrease the conductance of the capillary (102) when the degree of vacuum in the analysis chamber (11) is lower than a predetermined degree of vacuum.