Multi-Bore Ion Transfer Tube with Selectable Bore Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ion transfer devices in mass spectrometry systems face significant ion losses due to collisions with capillary walls and electrostatic charging, leading to reduced efficiency and frequent maintenance needs, such as cleaning or replacement of capillaries, which disrupt system productivity.
Innovation Solution
An ion transfer device with a multi-bore tube system and a bore selector mechanism allows for the selection of active and inactive tube bores, enabling efficient ion transfer by aligning the inlet port with a selected tube bore while blocking others, thereby reducing ion losses and extending the service life of the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single capillary bore is used for ion transfer, then the device structure is simple, but ion losses occur due to collisions with capillary walls and electrostatic charging
Solution Approach 1:
The single capillary bore is segmented into multiple parallel bores, allowing ions to be distributed across multiple pathways. This reduces ion-wall collisions and electrostatic charging effects in each individual bore, thereby improving ion transfer efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary assembly is designed to be removable and replaceable as a unit. When ion transfer efficiency degrades due to wall charging or contamination, the entire capillary assembly can be quickly removed and replaced without complex disassembly, recovering system performance with minimal downtime.
2Productivity
If the capillary is used continuously without maintenance, then productivity is maintained, but ion losses increase due to electrostatic charging and wall contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static, permanently installed capillary to a dynamic, removable capillary assembly. This allows the capillary to be easily removed for cleaning or replacement when performance degrades, and quickly reinstalled to restore optimal ion transfer efficiency, thereby maintaining productivity while addressing reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable capillary assembly enables users to perform maintenance (cleaning or replacement) without requiring specialized service intervention or complex disassembly procedures. The simple push-in/push-out connection allows end-users to service the system themselves, minimizing downtime and maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If frequent cleaning or replacement of capillaries is performed, then ion transfer efficiency is maintained, but system productivity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary assembly is designed with dynamic, removable connections that enable quick replacement without tools or complex procedures. This reduces the time required for maintenance operations from hours to minutes, allowing frequent cleaning or replacement without significant productivity disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple capillary assemblies can be prepared in advance (cleaned, conditioned, and stored ready-to-use), allowing operators to pre-stage replacement components before they are needed. This eliminates time spent on-site preparing replacement capillaries, reducing maintenance downtime and maintaining productivity.
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
The solution significantly reduces ion losses and extends the operational time between maintenance cycles, enhancing the productivity and reliability of mass spectrometry systems by allowing selective use of multiple tube bores for ion transfer.
Implementation Method 1
creating a pressure differential between a first chamber and a second chamber such that the second chamber has a pressure less than a pressure of the first chamber
Implementation Method 2
the ions are effectively transported through the capillary's bore because the gas drag forces on the ions in the capillary greatly exceed the ion mobility (electric) forces on the ions in the presence of the internal electric field in the capillary
Data Source
AI summary
An ion transfer device for transferring ions from a first chamber to a second, reduced-pressure chamber includes a tube and a bore selector. The tube includes a plurality of tube bores. The bore selector is positioned at an inlet end of the tube and includes an inlet port. The tube is movable relative to the bore selector, and/or the bore selector is movable relative to the tube, to align the inlet port with a selected one of the tube bores while blocking the other tube bores. Alignment of the inlet port with the selected tube bore defines an ion transfer path from the first chamber, through the selected tube bore, and to the second chamber. The ion transfer device may be utilized, for example, in an atmospheric-pressure interface of a mass spectrometer.