Multipole Rod Support Assembly for Precise Mass Spectrometer Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of multipole rod assemblies for mass spectrometers is challenging due to the need for high precision in rod alignment, limited material choices for insulators, complex connectivity requirements, and potential charge buildup, leading to high costs, variability in performance, and susceptibility to errors.
Innovation Solution
A method of manufacturing rod supports involves machining a body to form openings with defined seats for rods, cutting it into identical pieces, and using rotated pairs of rod supports with field nulling elements to ensure accurate alignment and minimize field penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional separate rod supports with multiple connectivity features are used, then each rod can be supported and connected, but the build time increases and opportunities for trapped volumes arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple rod supports into a single integrated support structure that can accommodate multiple rods simultaneously. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate connectivity features for each rod, reducing assembly steps and build time while maintaining proper rod support and electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated rod support structure is designed to perform multiple functions: supporting multiple rods, providing electrical connectivity, and preventing trapped volumes. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components, streamlining the assembly process.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional rod supports are used without rotation, then assembly is simpler, but performance variation between multipole assemblies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric positioning of rods within the integrated support structure, where rods are not uniformly distributed but positioned according to specific geometric relationships. This asymmetric arrangement, combined with rotational orientation, ensures consistent performance across assemblies while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a rotational dimension to the assembly process, where the integrated rod support can be rotated to specific angular orientations. This rotational degree of freedom allows for precise alignment and consistent performance while the integration itself maintains manufacturing simplicity.
3Reliability
If high voltage differences between rods of opposing phase are accommodated, then electrical functionality is achieved, but material choices for insulators are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the rod support structure by making it conductive rather than insulating. This allows the support to be connected to specific rods (e.g., rods of the same phase) while using shielding and grounding techniques to manage high voltage differences, thereby expanding material selection beyond traditional insulators.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated rod support acts as an intermediary structure that manages electrical connections between rods. By providing a conductive path and using shielding elements, it mediates the high voltage differences between opposing phase rods, allowing versatile material choices while maintaining electrical functionality.
4Reliability
If shield rods are added to prevent charge buildup, then charge accumulation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shielding function into the integrated rod support structure itself, eliminating the need for separate shield rods. The conductive support structure provides charge dissipation pathways while maintaining structural integrity, reducing assembly complexity while preventing charge buildup.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a multipole assembly of a mass spectrometer, the method comprising: machining a body to form an opening extending along a predetermined axis through the body, wherein the opening has a profile that defines a pair of opposed seats, each seat being configured to guide a rod of the multipole assembly, cutting the body into a plurality of pieces to form a plurality of identical rod supports, seating a first pair of rods in the seats of a first pair of the rod supports, and seating a second pair of rods in the seats of a second pair of the rod supports, wherein the second pair of rod supports are rotated relative to the first pair of rod supports.