Temperature-Compensated Ion Drive Control for Compact Analyzers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing analyzer apparatuses, such as mass spectrometers, face challenges in achieving smaller and more precise designs due to temperature-induced variations in ion and field drive circuitry outputs, leading to reduced detection precision and increased system size.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a temperature detecting unit and correction unit that adjusts the output settings of the ion drive and field drive circuitry, along with a compact housing design that stabilizes the emission current and internal chamber conditions, allowing for precise quantitative measurements and miniaturization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the analyzer apparatus is miniaturized by housing all units in a compact housing, then the portability and compactness are improved, but temperature-induced variations in circuitry outputs increase leading to reduced detection precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing sizeVSAvoiddetection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements temperature detecting units that continuously monitor the temperature of ion drive circuitry and field drive circuitry, feeding this information back to correction units that adjust output settings in real-time. This feedback mechanism compensates for temperature-induced variations, maintaining detection precision even in compact housings where thermal conditions may fluctuate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The correction units dynamically adjust output parameters (voltage, current settings) of the ion drive and field drive circuitry based on detected temperature values. By changing these parameters in response to temperature variations, the system maintains stable performance and linearity despite thermal fluctuations in the compact housing environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If temperature compensation functions are added to correct circuitry outputs, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidcircuitry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the outputs of ion drive and field drive circuitry, processes temperature data from detecting units, and executes correction calculations. By making the control unit multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated correction devices, thereby improving precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-diagnosis and self-correction by using temperature detecting units to monitor its own operational conditions and automatically adjusting circuitry outputs through correction units. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external calibration equipment or manual adjustments, improving precision while keeping the added complexity minimal and integrated within the existing system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 enhances the linearity and precision of the analyzer apparatus, enabling compact and portable designs while maintaining high detection accuracy by compensating for temperature-induced variations and stabilizing ion and field drive outputs.

Implementation Method 1

an ionization unit that ionizes molecules to analyze

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

a filter unit that forms a field for selectively passing ions generated by the ionization unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 3

a temperature detecting unit that detects a temperature about at least one circuitry out of the ion drive circuitry and the field drive circuitry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 4

a correction unit that corrects an output setting of the at least one circuitry out of the ion drive circuitry and the field drive circuitry based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature compensation:

Data Source

PatentEP3686918B1Analyzer apparatus and control method
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 ATONARP
  • EP3686918B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3686918B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3686918B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An analyzer apparatus (1) includes: an ionization unit (11) that ionizes molecules to analyze; a filter unit (13) that forms a field for selectively passing ions generated by the ionization unit; a detector unit (14) that detects ions that have passed through the filter unit; an ion drive circuitry (61) that electrically drives the ionization unit; a field drive circuitry (62) that electrically drives the filter unit; a control unit (22) that controls outputs of the ion drive circuitry and the field drive circuitry; a temperature detecting unit (27) that detects the temperature of the ion drive circuitry and the field drive circuitry; and a correction unit (22b) that corrects output settings of the ion drive circuitry and the field drive circuitry based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit.