Jet Disruptor for Atmospheric Pressure Ion Source Vacuum Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interfaces for mass spectrometers fail to provide optimal vacuum protection during capillary replacement, leading to potential vacuum disruptions and increased complexity and cost due to the need for additional pumping capacity and bulky valves.
Innovation Solution
A retractable jet disruptor is introduced to block gas jets during capillary insertion or removal, which is resiliently biased to disrupt gas flow only when the capillary is not fully inserted, and combines with a sealing valve to maintain vacuum integrity without affecting instrument performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gate valve is installed in front of the capillary to protect vacuum during capillary removal, then vacuum protection is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The jet disruptor is designed to automatically activate when the capillary is removed, using the capillary's own movement to trigger the vacuum protection mechanism. The disruptor remains passive during normal operation and only becomes active when needed, eliminating the need for external control systems or additional valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential vacuum protection function from complex valve mechanisms. Instead of installing a full gate valve system, the patent uses a simple jet disruptor that blocks the gas jet path, providing vacuum protection through a minimal, focused mechanism that reduces overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If excess pumping capacity is provided to tolerate gas load during capillary removal, then vacuum protection is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jet disruptor applies preliminary anti-action by blocking the gas jet at its source before it can reach the vacuum chamber. This preventive measure stops the harmful gas flow before it occurs, eliminating the need for excess pumping capacity to handle the gas load.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful gas jet into a beneficial controlled flow by using the disruptor to shape and redirect it. The gas flow that would otherwise overwhelm the vacuum system is instead channeled through a controlled path, allowing standard pumping capacity to handle the load effectively.
3Reliability
If conductance restriction is maintained in the interface during capillary removal, then vacuum protection is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The jet disruptor provides dynamic vacuum protection that adapts to the operational state. During capillary removal, the disruptor activates to block the gas jet and protect vacuum. During normal operation with the capillary in place, the disruptor remains passive, allowing optimal ion transmission without restriction. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between protection and precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An interface for receiving ions in a carrier gas from an atmospheric pressure ion source at a spectrometer that is configured to analyse the received ions at a lower pressure includes an interface vacuum chamber having a downstream aperture; a support assembly defining an axial bore arranged to allow a removable capillary tube to extend therethrough; ions being received from the atmospheric pressure ion source through the capillary tube and directed towards the downstream aperture; and a jet disruptor, positioned downstream from the axial bore and configured to disrupt gas flow between the axial bore and the downstream aperture only when the capillary tube is not fully inserted through the axial bore.