NMR-MAS Probehead with Internal Transport Conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current NMR-MAS probe heads require complex and labor-intensive rotor changes, often necessitating removal from the magnet, which disrupts RF shielding and temperature control, especially under extreme conditions, and obstructs the room temperature bore.
Innovation Solution
An NMR-MAS probe head design featuring a transport conduit within the shielding tube allows for pneumatic transfer of MAS rotors without external ducts, maintaining RF shielding and temperature control, enabling automated sample changes from one side and reducing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a transport conduit is guided through the room temperature bore externally, then MAS rotor can be supplied and removed, but the room temperature bore is obstructed and initial mounting is aggravated
Solution Approach 1:
The transport conduit is nested inside the shielding tube, running internally from the bottom box through the tube to the MAS stator. This internal routing allows rotor supply and removal while keeping the room temperature bore clear, as the conduit does not protrude externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport conduit is repositioned from an external arrangement (which would obstruct the bore) to an internal arrangement within the shielding tube. This dimensional repositioning resolves the conflict between operational accessibility and space utilization.
2Ease of operation
If a transport conduit is guided through the shielding tube wall, then MAS rotor can be transferred, but RF shielding is aggravated
Solution Approach 1:
The transport conduit is completely nested within the shielding tube interior, eliminating the need for wall penetrations. This internal routing maintains the continuous RF shielding provided by the shielding tube wall, as no conduits pass through it.
3Ease of operation
If the probe head is removed from the magnet for rotor change, then rotor can be manually changed, but RF shielding and temperature control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The transport conduit function is extracted from the external environment and integrated internally within the shielding tube. This allows rotor supply and removal operations to be performed with the probe head remaining mounted in the magnet, thereby maintaining RF shielding and temperature control while achieving operational accessibility.
4Ease of operation
If a lifting system with external transport conduit is used, then MAS rotor can be supplied and removed, but instrumental expense is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding tube is given multiple functions: it serves as both the RF shielding enclosure and the housing for the transport conduit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external transport infrastructure, reducing instrumental expense while maintaining automated rotor supply and removal capabilities.
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
Facilitates fast and automated rotor changes without compromising RF shielding or temperature control, simplifying the construction and operation of NMR spectrometers by maintaining the probe head within the magnet during sample changes.
Implementation Method 1
an MAS rotor can be supplied by gas pressure through the transport conduit into the MAS stator
Implementation Method 2
an MAS rotor can also be removed from the MAS stator in an upward direction out of the probe head
Implementation Method 3
The MAS rotor is disposed in an MAS stator and the MAS rotor is rotationally driven by gas pressure via the wing elements
Data Source
AI summary
A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) magic angle spinning (MAS) probe head (1; 61) for measuring a measuring substance in an MAS rotor (21a-21c), comprises a bottom box (3) and a tube (2) mounted to the bottom box (3) and projecting from the bottom box, wherein, in the area of the end (5) of the tube (2) facing away from the bottom box (3), an MAS stator (7; 62) is disposed within the tube (2) for receiving an MAS rotor (21a-21c), and with a pneumatic sample changing system for supplying and discharging an MAS rotor (21a-21c) to/from the MAS stator (7; 62). A transport conduit (10) is provided for pneumatically transferring an MAS rotor (21a-21c) within the transport conduit (10), wherein the transport conduit (10) extends in the inside of the tube (2) from the bottom box (3) to the MAS stator (7; 62). The probe head realizes fast change between different MAS rotors and facilitates RF shielding and keeping of defined extreme temperature conditions.