Ion Mobility Separator Environment Control for CCS Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ion mobility-mass spectrometry, variations in the ambient environment can affect the accuracy and precision of ion mobility and collision cross section measurements due to direct influences on the ion mobility separator, leading to instability and the need for additional costly and complex differential pumping stages.
Innovation Solution
A mass spectrometer with an ion mobility separator and upstream stages, where the operating environment is monitored and controlled using a control system to maintain stability through gas flow adjustments, avoiding the need for differential pumping and buffer gas refilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the ion mobility separator is located between the ion source and mass spectrometer to reduce cost, then cost is reduced, but accuracy and precision of ion mobility measurements deteriorate due to environmental variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors the operating environment (pressure, temperature, gas composition) within the ion mobility separator and automatically adjusts gas flows to maintain stable conditions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the need for differential pumping stages while preserving measurement accuracy, thus resolving the contradiction between cost reduction and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts gas flow parameters based on real-time environmental monitoring. By changing gas flow rates in response to detected environmental variations, the system maintains optimal operating conditions within the ion mobility separator despite external disturbances, thereby preserving measurement accuracy without requiring additional pumping infrastructure.
2Measurement precision
If differential pumping stages are introduced to maintain stable operating environment, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex differential pumping hardware, the patent employs a feedback control system that uses sensors to monitor environmental parameters and automatically adjusts gas flows to compensate for variations. This software-based control approach achieves the same stability goal with significantly reduced mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical differential pumping system with a control system that uses electronic sensing and automated gas flow regulation. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical vacuum pumping infrastructure while maintaining environmental stability through intelligent control algorithms.
3Measurement precision
If buffer gas refilling is performed to maintain stable environment, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system continuously monitors buffer gas composition and pressure, and only adjusts gas flows when necessary to maintain optimal conditions. This on-demand adjustment approach minimizes buffer gas consumption compared to continuous refilling, while still preserving measurement precision through targeted environmental corrections.
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 ensures accurate and precise measurements by maintaining a stable operating environment within the ion mobility separator, reducing variations and eliminating the requirement for additional pumping stages or buffer gas refilling, thus simplifying and cost-reducing the system.
Implementation Method 1
Ion Mobility Separation or Spectrometry (IMS) is a well established analytical technique whereby ions are separated according to their ion mobility by subjecting the ions to a weak electric field in the presence of a buffer gas. The ions experience a force in one direction due to the electric field and an effective force in the opposite direction due to collisions with the buffer gas.
Implementation Method 2
a control system arranged and adapted: (i) to monitor directly or indirectly the operating environment within the ion mobility separator; and (ii) to control the operating environment within the ion mobility separator based on the monitoring by controlling one or more gas flows to or within one or more of the one or more first devices or stages
Data Source
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AI summary
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion mobility separator 4 for separating ions according to their ion mobility, one or more first devices or stages arranged upstream of the ion mobility separator and a control system. The control system is arranged and adapted to monitor directly or indirectly the operating environment within the ion mobility separator 4, and to control the operating environment within the ion mobility separator 4 based on the monitoring by controlling one or more gas flows to or within one or more of the one or more first devices or stages.