Multipole Assembly Galvanic Protection Mass Spectrometer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Imprecise electric fields in multipole assemblies of mass spectrometers lead to poor ion transmission, diminished resolution, sensitivity, and mass accuracy due to galvanic corrosion when exposed to humid environments.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating sacrificial anodes with a more negative electrochemical potential than the rod electrodes, such as magnesium, aluminum, or zinc, to prevent galvanic corrosion by allowing oxidation to occur at the anodes instead of the electrodes, thus maintaining the integrity of the electric field and enhancing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rod electrodes are used in humid environments, then mass spectrometer operation is enabled, but galvanic corrosion occurs causing imprecise electric fields

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode integrityVSAvoidgalvanic corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the sacrificial anode principle by introducing a consumable electrode made of less expensive, more corrosion-resistant material that deliberately corrodes instead of the critical rod electrodes. This disposable component protects the main electrodes from galvanic corrosion in humid environments, ensuring their long-term integrity and performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The sacrificial anode acts as an intermediary protective element between the humid environment and the rod electrodes. It mediates the corrosion process by being the preferred target for galvanic corrosion, thereby shielding the critical electrodes from direct corrosive attack and maintaining electric field precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If galvanic corrosion occurs on rod electrodes, then material loss happens, but electric field precision deteriorates causing poor ion transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode materialVSAvoidelectric field precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sacrificial anode is designed as a consumable component that absorbs material loss through controlled corrosion. By sacrificing this less critical component, the patent prevents material loss from the precision-critical rod electrodes, thereby maintaining their geometric integrity and the precision of the electric field they generate for accurate ion transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of galvanic corrosion into a beneficial protective mechanism. Instead of allowing corrosion to damage the rod electrodes, the sacrificial anode deliberately undergoes corrosion, transforming a destructive process into a protective one that preserves the critical electrodes and maintains electric field precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If sacrificial anodes are added to protect rod electrodes, then corrosion protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidmultipole assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the protective function into the existing multipole assembly structure by integrating sacrificial anodes as additional electrodes. This combination approach allows corrosion protection to be achieved without requiring separate protective systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sacrificial anodes serve multiple functions: they provide galvanic corrosion protection, maintain electric field precision, and can be positioned to support the rod electrodes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components, thereby limiting the overall increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive corrosion protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 use of sacrificial anodes effectively reduces galvanic corrosion, ensuring stable ion transmission and improved resolution, sensitivity, and mass accuracy in mass spectrometry systems by redirecting corrosion to the anodes, which are designed to corrode instead of the critical rod electrodes.

Implementation Method 1

galvanic corrosion when exposed to humid environments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGalvanic corrosion:

Implementation Method 2

allowing oxidation to occur at the anodes instead of the electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS10957524B1Multipole assembly with galvanic protection for use in a mass spectrometer

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 THERMO FINNIGAN LLC

AI summary

A multipole assembly configured to be disposed in a mass spectrometer includes a plurality of rod electrodes. Each rod electrode included in the plurality of rod electrodes may be made of molybdenum. The multipole assembly further includes a sacrificial anode in electrical contact with a rod electrode included in the plurality of rod electrodes. The sacrificial anode is made of a material having an electrochemical potential that is more negative than the electrochemical potential of the rod electrode.