Mass Spectrometer Sample Plate Handling System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass spectrometers face inefficiencies in sample plate transfer processes, leading to prolonged downtime and poor instrument utilization due to the time required for vent/evacuate cycles, which can exceed the sample analysis time.
Innovation Solution
A sample plate handling system with a three-chamber configuration and linear extenders equipped with catch and release mechanisms allows for rapid and simultaneous transfer of sample plates between chambers, maintaining vacuum integrity and minimizing dead time between analyses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gate valve is used to separate the ion source chamber from the mass analyzer chamber, then vacuum levels can be maintained independently in each chamber, but the system experiences prolonged downtime during vent/evacuate cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into three separate chambers: an ion source chamber, a mass analyzer chamber, and a sample loading chamber. This segmentation allows the sample loading chamber to be vented and prepared independently while the ion source and mass analyzer maintain vacuum, eliminating the need to vent the entire system during sample changes.
Solution Approach 2:
A sample loading chamber acts as an intermediary between the vacuum system and atmospheric environment. Sample plates can be loaded and prepared in this chamber at atmospheric pressure, then transferred to the vacuum chamber through a gate valve without requiring the vacuum chamber to be vented, thus maintaining continuous operation.
2Ease of operation
If the ion source chamber is vented to atmospheric pressure for plate ejection and reloading, then sample plates can be easily exchanged, but the time required for evacuation exceeds the sample analysis time
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the sample loading function into a dedicated chamber that can be independently vented. This allows sample plate exchange to occur in the loading chamber without affecting the vacuum status of the ion source and mass analyzer chambers, enabling continuous analysis operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Sample plates are pre-loaded and prepared in the sample loading chamber while the analysis is ongoing in other chambers. The linear extender mechanism is ready to transfer plates on demand, eliminating waiting time for plate exchange and maximizing instrument utilization.
3Device complexity
If manual plate transfer between chambers is used, then the system structure can be simpler, but the transfer time increases and automation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical plate transfer is replaced with an automated linear extender mechanism equipped with catch and release systems. This automated system rapidly transfers sample plates between chambers without human intervention, significantly reducing transfer time while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear extender with catch and release mechanisms enables self-service automated plate transfer. The system automatically positions, captures, and transports sample plates between chambers without requiring manual operation, reducing transfer time and improving automation while keeping the mechanical design straightforward.
Data Source
AI summary
A sample plate handling system for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer includes a sample plate for supporting samples for analysis. A first sample plate receiver is positioned in a first chamber. First and second sample plate receivers are positioned in a second chamber. A first gate valve isolates the first and second chambers when closed and allows transfer of sample plates between the first sample plate receiver in the first chamber and one of the first and second sample plate receivers in the second chamber when the first gate valve is open. A first linear extender pushes a sample plate from the first sample plate receiver in the first chamber to the first sample plate receiver positioned in the second chamber, and then retracts a second sample plate from the second sample plate receiver positioned in the second chamber and transports the second sample plate to the first sample plate receiver in the first chamber. A first sample plate receiver is positioned in a third chamber. A second gate valve isolates the third chamber from the second chamber when closed and allows transfer of sample plates between the first sample plate receiver in the third chamber and one of the first and second sample plate receivers in the second chamber when the second gate valve is open. A second linear extender pushes a sample plate from the first sample plate receiver in the third chamber to the first sample plate receiver positioned in the second chamber, and then retracts the second sample plate from the second plate receiver positioned in the second chamber and transports it into the third chamber.