Particle Analysis Device with Cyclonic Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for analyzing particles, particularly in the context of explosive detection, face challenges such as inability to identify particle components, require long-duration operation maintenance, and suffer from low throughput and high error rates, especially in mass transport systems, due to issues like clogged filters and attenuated vapor signals.
Innovation Solution
An analyzer that uses a cyclonic effect to collect and condense particles, followed by heating and ionization for mass spectrometry analysis, allowing for real-time identification of particle components with reduced maintenance and improved throughput by separating particle intake from vapor analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cyclone is used to collect suspending dust particles, then the number of dust particles can be measured, but the components of the dust cannot be identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a cyclone collector with a mass spectrometer into an integrated analysis system. The cyclone collects particles while the mass spectrometer simultaneously analyzes their compositional characteristics, merging particle collection functionality with compositional analysis capability to resolve the contradiction between measuring particle numbers and identifying components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a tape filter as an intermediary medium between the cyclone and the analysis system. Particles are first collected on the tape filter, then the tape is moved to allow mass spectrometer analysis of particle components, enabling both particle collection and compositional identification through a multi-stage process.
2Quantity of substance
If a tape filter is used to collect suspending particles, then particle weight can be measured, but component identification is not possible and long-duration operation requires long tape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tape filter collection system with mass spectrometer analysis capability. While the tape filter collects particles for weight measurement, the integrated mass spectrometer simultaneously provides compositional analysis, eliminating the information loss about particle components and enabling both quantitative and qualitative analysis.
3Temperature
If inertial impactor sampling with heating is used, then particle evaporation can be achieved, but continuous mass-analysis requires two impactors alternating, increasing space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single inertial impactor perform multiple functions: particle collection, heating/evaporation, and direct coupling to mass spectrometer analysis. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple alternating impactors, reducing the overall device volume while maintaining continuous analysis capability.
4Ease of operation
If valves are used in the analysis system, then particle sampling can be controlled, but particles are adsorbed to valve interiors requiring cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes valves from the particle sampling and transport system. By designing a valveless system using direct coupling between the inertial impactor and mass spectrometer, particle adsorption issues are eliminated, reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining sampling control through alternative mechanical or pressure-based mechanisms.
5Productivity
If large intake pump is used to suck explosive particles, then sampling efficiency is improved, but vapor signals are attenuated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sampling system into two distinct pathways: a large intake pathway for efficient particle collection and a separate, smaller pathway for vapor signal transmission to the mass spectrometer. This segmentation allows the large pump to operate at high efficiency for particle sampling while the dedicated vapor pathway maintains signal integrity for precise detection.
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
Enables continuous, real-time analysis of particles with reduced maintenance frequency and lower error rates, enhancing the capability for prompt inspection of dangerous substances like explosives and drugs in high-throughput settings.
Implementation Method 1
a sampling region configured to condense and sample the sucked sample
Implementation Method 2
Particles are collected by a cyclonic effect
Implementation Method 3
followed by heating and ionization for mass spectrometry analysis
Implementation Method 4
heating the sampling region to let the particles evaporate
Implementation Method 5
an ion source configured to introduce the sample from the sampling region for ionization
Implementation Method 6
ionized by negative corona discharge
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a technique of analyzing particles in real time while collecting and condensing the particles continuously. Gas and/or particles as a detection target substance that are attached to an authentication target 2 are removed by air flow from a blowing region 5. The removed sample is sucked and is condensed and sampled at a sampling region 10, and ions of the sample are generated at an ion source 21 and are then subjected to mass analysis at a mass analysis region 23. Determination of the obtained mass spectrum is made as to the presence or not of a mass spectrum derived from the detection target substance, and a monitor 27 displays a result thereof. Thereby, the detection target substance attached to the authentication target 2 can be detected continuously in real time, promptly and with a less error rate.