Compact Mass Spectrometer Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mass spectrometers are large, power-intensive, and limited to stationary use due to their requirement for low gas pressures, which restricts their application and sensitivity, especially at higher pressures.
Innovation Solution
The development of compact mass spectrometry systems that operate at higher pressures (13 Pa to 1.3 kPa) using a single mechanical pump, eliminating turbomolecular pumps, and employing adsorbent materials for sample pre-concentration and rapid heating to enhance sensitivity and reduce power consumption, allowing samples to be introduced directly into the system without flow rate-limiting components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional mass spectrometers operate at low gas pressures, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity and power consumption increase due to requiring turbomolecular pumps and flow rate-limiting components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating pressure parameter from conventional low pressure (10^-3 to 10^-6 Torr) to higher pressure (10^-1 to 10^2 Torr), enabling the elimination of turbomolecular pumps and flow rate-limiting components while maintaining measurement precision through modified ionization and detection methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes complex components including turbomolecular pumps, flow rate-limiting membranes, and aperture restrictions from the system, simplifying the overall device architecture while operating at higher pressures through alternative ionization techniques
2Measurement precision
If conventional mass spectrometers use turbomolecular pumps to maintain low pressure, then measurement precision is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating pressure parameter to higher values (10^-1 to 10^2 Torr), eliminating the need for power-intensive turbomolecular pumps while maintaining measurement capability through modified ionization and detection approaches suitable for higher pressure environments
3Stress or pressure
If samples are introduced through flow rate-limiting membranes or apertures, then pressure control is maintained, but sensitivity decreases due to restricted analyte flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes flow rate-limiting membranes and aperture restrictions from the sample introduction path, allowing direct injection of desorbed samples into the ionization region while maintaining pressure control through alternative means, thereby eliminating sensitivity losses associated with restricted analyte flow
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure operating regime to higher values, enabling direct sample introduction without flow rate-limiting components while maintaining acceptable pressure control through modified system design and operation
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 results in improved sensitivity and resolution, reduced power consumption, and a more compact, portable device capable of identifying chemical substances with lower operational costs and easier interpretation, suitable for mobile applications like security scanning and medical diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
samples are pre-concentrated on one or more different adsorbent materials
Implementation Method 2
desorbed via a rapid heating process
Implementation Method 3
the controller is configured to heat, at a pressure of between 100 mTorr and 10 Torr, sample particles adsorbed on the adsorbent material to desorb the particles
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D~1E
AI summary
Mass spectrometry systems include a core featuring an ion source, an ion trap, and an ion detector connected along a gas path, a pressure regulation subsystem connected to the gas path and configured to regulate a gas pressure in the gas path, a sample pre-concentrator connected to the gas path, where the sample pre-concentrator includes an adsorbent material, and a controller connected to the sample pre-concentrator, where during operation of the system, the controller is configured to heat sample particles adsorbed on the adsorbent material to desorb the particles from the adsorbent material and introduce the desorbed particles into the gas path, and a pressure difference between a gas pressure in the sample pre- concentrator and a gas pressure in at least one of the ion source, the ion trap, and the ion detector when the desorbed particles are introduced into the gas path is 50 mTorr (6,67 Pascal) or less.