Rigid Aerosol Transport Conduit for Compositional Analysis

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aerosol transport conduits experience fractionation and agglomeration due to non-linear paths and permeability, leading to inaccurate compositional analysis and reduced transport efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A substantially rigid aerosol transport conduit with a straight path and a metallic material that is impermeable to atmospheric gases, reducing fractionation and agglomeration, and maintaining constant transport velocity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional aerosol transport conduits are bent to enable multiple samples to be produced from different locations, then the aerosol producing apparatus can produce multiple samples from different locations of a target material, but the aerosol experiences fractionation as it is transported due to non-linear transport paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to produce multiple samples from different locationsVSAvoidcompositional analysis accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The transport conduit is divided into multiple straight segments that can be independently positioned and oriented. Each segment can be adjusted to point at different locations of the target material, allowing multiple samples to be produced from different locations while maintaining straight transport paths to prevent fractionation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single fixed transport path to a multi-dimensional arrangement where multiple straight conduit segments can be positioned in three-dimensional space. This allows the aerosol producing apparatus to access different locations of the target material while maintaining straight transport paths for each sample.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional aerosol transport conduits are bent to enable multiple samples to be produced from different locations, then the aerosol producing apparatus can produce multiple samples from different locations of a target material, but the transport velocity varies along the length of the transport path causing agglomeration of particles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to produce multiple samples from different locationsVSAvoidtransport efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport conduit is divided into multiple straight segments that can be independently positioned and oriented. Each segment can be adjusted to point at different locations of the target material, allowing multiple samples to be produced from different locations while maintaining straight transport paths to prevent fractionation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single fixed transport path to a multi-dimensional arrangement where multiple straight conduit segments can be positioned in three-dimensional space. This allows the aerosol producing apparatus to access different locations of the target material while maintaining straight transport paths for each sample.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If flexible aerosol transport conduits are used to enable movement between opposite ends, then the aerosol producing apparatus can produce multiple samples from different locations, but the aerosol transport time within the conduit is increased causing agglomeration of particles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to produce multiple samples from different locationsVSAvoidaerosol transport time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transport conduit is divided into multiple straight segments that can be independently positioned and oriented. Each segment can be adjusted to point at different locations of the target material, allowing multiple samples to be produced from different locations while maintaining straight transport paths to prevent fractionation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single fixed transport path to a multi-dimensional arrangement where multiple straight conduit segments can be positioned in three-dimensional space. This allows the aerosol producing apparatus to access different locations of the target material while maintaining straight transport paths for each sample.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If flexible aerosol transport conduits are used to enable movement between opposite ends, then the aerosol producing apparatus can produce multiple samples from different locations, but atmospheric gases become entrained with the aerosol causing problems with compositional analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to produce multiple samples from different locationsVSAvoidatmospheric gas entrainment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transport conduit is constructed from metallic material that is impermeable to atmospheric gases, creating an inert environment that prevents atmospheric gas entrainment. This ensures that the aerosol composition remains unchanged during transport, maintaining accuracy of compositional analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses composite construction combining rigid metallic impermeable material for the conduit body with flexible positioning capabilities. This composite approach provides both the gas-tight seal needed to prevent atmospheric gas entrainment and the flexibility needed to produce multiple samples from different locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution prevents fractionation and agglomeration, ensuring accurate compositional analysis and improved transport efficiency by maintaining a straight transport path and using a non-permeable material.

Implementation Method 1

a metallic material that is impermeable to atmospheric gases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

fractionation occurs when particles of different elements, isotopes, size and/or geometry within the aerosol become centrifugally separated as the direction along the aerosol transport path changes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentEP2795340B1Apparatus for transporting an aerosol

Publication Date: 2020.02.26 ELEMENTAL SCI LASERS LLC

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5

AI summary

An apparatus can include ablation chamber body having a transmission window and defining an accommodation region configured to accommodate a target that is movable relative to the transmission window. An aerosol transmission conduit is configured to transport an aerosol produced within the accommodation region to a sample receiving region of an analysis system along a substantially straight transport path.