Ion Source Capillary-Pipe Face Seal for Low Dead Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ion sources for mass spectrometry have a large dead volume at the connecting portion of the pipe to the capillary, leading to increased replacement time for sample liquid solutions, potential contamination, and degradation in analysis performance.
Innovation Solution
The ion source incorporates a capillary with a large-diameter part forming the upstream end face and a pipe with a downstream end face that directly contacts the capillary, utilizing a capillary retaining unit and a pipe retaining unit to achieve face-seal connection with elastic force, thereby minimizing dead volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional tapered sealing connection is used to connect the pipe to the capillary, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the dead volume at the connecting portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pipe and capillary into a single integrated component, eliminating the separate connection interface and its associated dead volume. The tapered sealing structure is incorporated directly into the capillary assembly, combining the functions of connection and sealing in one unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate connection components (union, connector, ferrule) that create dead volume. By removing these separate sealing elements and their associated gaps, the design achieves both sealing reliability and minimal dead volume.
2Reliability
If a resin tube is interposed between the capillary and union for sealing, then the sealing capability is improved, but the dead volume increases due to gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the resin tube intermediate layer and other separate sealing components from the connection structure. By eliminating these intermediary elements, the design achieves direct sealing contact between the capillary and pipe, reducing dead volume while maintaining sealing capability through the integrated tapered design.
3Reliability
If micro gaps are produced at the sealing sites for tapered part engagement, then the sealing mechanism functions, but the dead volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function with the structural connection in a unified tapered interface. By merging the sealing mechanism directly into the capillary-pipe junction without separate sealing elements, the design eliminates the additional gaps that would otherwise be required for sealing, thereby reducing dead volume while maintaining sealing functionality.
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 configuration significantly reduces the dead volume at the connecting portion, enhancing analysis stability, reproducibility, and maintainability by shortening replacement times and preventing contamination.
Implementation Method 1
The capillary retaining unit and the pipe retaining unit are disposed such that the capillary upstream-side end face contacts the pipe downstream end face to connect the capillary to the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an ion source and a mass spectrometer that reduce a dead volume of the connecting part of a pipe to a capillary. An ion source has a capillary and a pipe. The capillary has a large-diameter part that forms a capillary upstream-side end face on an upstream side. The large-diameter part has a large-diameter part downstream side face on a downstream side. The pipe has a pipe downstream end face on the downstream side. A capillary retaining unit has a hole through which the capillary downstream-side end face is passable and a face on which the large-diameter part downstream side face is installable. The ion source includes a pipe retaining unit that retains the pipe. The capillary retaining unit and the pipe retaining unit are disposed such that the capillary upstream-side end face contacts the pipe downstream end face to connect the capillary to the pipe.