Mass Spectrometer Vacuum Layout Using an Adsorption Pump
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mass spectrometers face challenges in miniaturization and weight reduction due to the requirements of their vacuum systems, particularly the mismatch between the working gas pressures of adsorption pumps and ion traps, which limits the use of adsorption pumps as primary pumps in portable and bench-top devices.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum system is designed with a hermetical chamber configuration, featuring a first chamber housing critical components like ion traps and a second chamber with an adsorption pump, connected by a flow restrictor to adjust gas pressure and utilize adsorption pumps as primary pumps, eliminating the need for large pre-pumping systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multi-stage vacuum system with pre-pumping pump and diffusion pump is used to meet high vacuum requirements, then the vacuum level is improved, but the volume and weight of the mass spectrometer increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum system is segmented into two independent chambers: a first chamber housing the ion trap operating at higher gas pressure, and a second chamber housing the adsorption pump operating at lower gas pressure. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific pressure requirements, enabling the use of a compact adsorption pump instead of a large multi-stage vacuum system.
Solution Approach 2:
A flow restrictor is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second chambers. This flow restrictor controls the gas flow from the first chamber to the second chamber, maintaining the pressure differential required for both chambers to operate simultaneously at their optimal pressure levels, thus enabling the compact vacuum system design.
2Weight of stationary object
If an adsorption pump is used as the primary pump to reduce volume and weight, then the size is reduced, but the working gas pressure mismatch with ion trap components prevents its use
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum system is segmented into two independent chambers: a first chamber housing the ion trap operating at higher gas pressure, and a second chamber housing the adsorption pump operating at lower gas pressure. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific pressure requirements, enabling the use of a compact adsorption pump instead of a large multi-stage vacuum system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different gas pressure conditions are created in different locations (chambers) of the system. The first chamber maintains higher gas pressure suitable for ion trap operation, while the second chamber maintains lower gas pressure suitable for adsorption pump operation. This local differentiation of pressure conditions allows both components to function optimally despite their different pressure requirements.
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 allows for efficient operation of ion traps in a preferred gas pressure environment, extends the service life of adsorption pumps, and reduces the overall size and weight of the mass spectrometer by using adsorption pumps as primary pumps, facilitating miniaturization and portability.
Implementation Method 1
a flow restrictor through which the first chamber and the second chamber are communicated with each other
Implementation Method 2
The adsorption pump is a trapping pump that operates based on the adsorption principle and forms a vacuum environment by chemical adsorption
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a mass spectrometer and a method for establishing a vacuum system thereof, the mass spectrometer having a hermetical chamber in communication with an external environment only through a vacuum interface, the chamber comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, the second chamber having an adsorption pump disposed therein, the first chamber being in communication with the second chamber through a flow restricting structure. The present solution can be applied to bench-top and even portable mass spectrometers, taking into account the low energy consumption, miniaturization and vacuum requirements of such mass spectrometers.