Orifice Spacer Assembly for Electrical Isolation and Heat Transfer

Solution Overview

Problem

Spectrometry apparatuses face conflicting design requirements due to the need for electrical isolation, thermal regulation, and vacuum operation, which can lead to interference with ion transfer and measurement, component damage, and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A spacer element is introduced between the orifice element and a cooling element in the interface assembly, providing electrical isolation while maintaining heat transfer, using an electrically isolating body with a conductive layer to facilitate electrical connection and voltage application to the orifice element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the orifice element is electrically isolated from the cooling element, then electrical interference with ion transfer is prevented, but thermal regulation of the orifice element becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical interference with ion transferVSAvoidthermal regulation of orifice element

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

An electrically insulating body is introduced as an intermediary component between the orifice element and the cooling element. This mediator allows thermal energy to pass through while blocking electrical conduction, thus preventing electrical interference with ion transfer while maintaining effective thermal regulation of the orifice element during plasma operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling element is constructed as a composite structure with an electrically insulating material layer that has appropriate thermal conductivity. This composite design enables the cooling element to provide both electrical isolation to prevent ion interference and thermal conduction to maintain temperature control of the orifice element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If the orifice element is electrically connected to the cooling element, then thermal regulation is improved, but electrical interference with ion transfer occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal regulation of orifice elementVSAvoidelectrical interference with ion transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An electrically insulating body is introduced as an intermediary component between the orifice element and the cooling element. This mediator allows thermal energy to pass through while blocking electrical conduction, thus preventing electrical interference with ion transfer while maintaining effective thermal regulation of the orifice element during plasma operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling element is constructed as a composite structure with an electrically insulating material layer that has appropriate thermal conductivity. This composite design enables the cooling element to provide both electrical isolation to prevent ion interference and thermal conduction to maintain temperature control of the orifice element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a spacer element with electrically isolating body is introduced, then electrical isolation is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical interference preventionVSAvoidinterface assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling element is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal regulation through direct contact with the orifice element, electrical isolation through its insulating material composition, and structural support for the interface assembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate spacer components, thereby achieving electrical isolation without increasing device complexity

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 spacer element effectively isolates the orifice element, preventing electrical interference and ensuring stable ion flow and temperature regulation, thus enhancing measurement accuracy and safety.

Implementation Method 1

The spacer element comprises an electrically isolating body configured to be inserted between the orifice element and the cooling element. In this way, the spacer element electrically isolates the orifice element to prevent unwanted movement of electrical charge across components in the apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

The spacer element also comprises an electrically conductive layer provided on the electrically isolating body to face the orifice element. In this way, when the electrically isolating body is inserted between an orifice element and the cooling element, the electrically conductive layer can electrically couple with the orifice element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

The spacer element is provided between the orifice element and a cooling element, such as a cooling plate, of the interface assembly to facilitate an isolated electrical connection to the orifice element whilst maintaining sufficient heat transfer from the orifice element to the cooling element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20250210337A1Spacer for an orifice element

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 THERMO FISHER SCI BREMEN

AI summary

A spacer element is for an interface assembly comprising an orifice element defining an orifice for passing plasma from a plasma source and a cooling element for cooling the orifice element. The spacer element comprises an electrically isolating body configured to be inserted between the orifice element and the cooling element. The electrically isolating body is provided with an opening. An electrically conductive layer is provided on the electrically isolating body to face the orifice element.