Ion Mobility Gas Analysis with Gated Mass Spectrum Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas analysis devices with time-of-flight mass analyzers are bulky and complex, leading to slow detection speeds that are not synchronized with ion mobility spectrum analysis, preventing the complete acquisition of ion mobility and mass spectra.
Innovation Solution
A gas analysis device incorporating an ion mobility spectrometer with an ion gate, electrodes, suppression grid, and Faraday plate, controlled by a controller to alternate between ion mobility and mass spectrum detection modes, allowing sample ions to flow through a gate valve for simultaneous or sequential analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a time-of-flight mass analyzer with extremely fast scanning speed is used, then detection speed is improved, but the device becomes bulky and has a complicated control system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into two separate but coordinated analyzers: an ion mobility spectrometer for separation and a mass spectrometer for mass analysis. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, avoiding the need for a single complex time-of-flight analyzer while achieving comprehensive spectral data acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The ion mobility spectrometer is designed to serve multiple functions: it separates ions by mobility, acts as a transmission interface to the mass spectrometer, and enables both ion mobility spectrum detection and mass spectrum detection through coordinated operation with the mass analyzer.
2Volume of moving object
If a miniaturized mass spectrometer is used, then device volume is reduced, but detection speed becomes slow and cannot be synchronized with ion mobility spectrum analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ion mobility spectrometer and mass spectrometer into an integrated system where ions are sequentially processed through both analyzers. This combination allows the use of a compact mass spectrometer while maintaining synchronization through coordinated timing of ion transmission and mass analysis, achieving both miniaturization and fast detection.
3Productivity
If a single scanning of the ion mobility system is used to acquire all mass spectrum data, then detection efficiency is improved, but complete ion mobility spectrum-mass spectrum spectrogram cannot be obtained due to synchronization issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic gating control where the gate valve alternates between open and closed states in synchronization with ion mobility drift periods. This periodic action allows selective transmission of ion packets at specific time intervals, enabling the acquisition of complete two-dimensional spectral data while maintaining high detection efficiency through coordinated timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback control through the gate valve that responds to ion mobility drift time information. The gate valve timing is adjusted based on the periodic ion arrival patterns from the ion mobility spectrometer, ensuring that mass spectrum data is acquired at the correct moments to reconstruct complete spectrogram information.
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
Enables efficient and synchronized detection of ion mobility and mass spectra, improving detection speed and enabling miniaturization of the device while maintaining high analysis accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
through a primary separation of chromatography and a secondary separation of an ion mobility system, two-dimensional data consisting of retention time and mobility time may be obtained for an object to be inspected. Since polarities and collision cross-sectional areas of ions of different substances are different, a good distinction may be obtained.
Implementation Method 2
the Faraday plate is configured to receive sample ions discharged from the suppression grid
Implementation Method 3
a time-of-flight mass analyzer with an extremely fast scanning speed is used in the gas analysis device described above
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a gas analysis device and a method for detecting sample gas. The gas analysis device includes: an ion mobility spectrometer including an ion mobility tube, an ion gate, a plurality of electrodes, a suppression grid, and a Faraday plate sequentially disposed in the ion mobility tube, wherein the Faraday plate is configured to receive sample ions discharged from the suppression grid, and the Faraday plate is provided with a through hole; a mass spectrometer; a gate valve disposed between the Faraday plate and an ion inlet of the mass spectrometer; and a controller configured to control an opening or closing of the gate valve to allow the sample ions discharged from the suppression grid to flow into the mass spectrometer through the through hole of the Faraday plate when the gate valve is opened.