Rotating Multi-Pin Corona Discharge Assembly for Ion Mobility Spectrometers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ion mobility spectrometers face instability and short service life due to simultaneous high voltage loading on multiple corona pins, leading to unstable corona discharge and rapid corrosion, while single-pin structures have limited ionization area and sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A turntable-controlled multi-pin corona discharge assembly where only one pin discharges at a time, with electric field intensity adjusted to meet the corona threshold, and the rest pins are shielded to prevent discharge, using a focusing electrode to enhance ion pass rate and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple corona pins are used to increase ionization area, then sensitivity is improved, but corona discharge stability deteriorates due to electric field interference between pins
Solution Approach 1:
The ionization function is segmented across multiple corona pins arranged on a rotating turntable, where each pin sequentially provides ionization service. This allows the system to maintain a large effective ionization area over time while ensuring that only one pin is active at any moment, eliminating electric field interference between simultaneous discharges.
Solution Approach 2:
The corona discharge is implemented as a periodic action through rotation of the turntable, bringing different pins into the discharge position at different time intervals. This periodic activation ensures that ionization continues over time with multiple pins while maintaining stability by ensuring only one pin discharges at any given moment.
2Quantity of substance
If high voltage is applied to multiple pins simultaneously, then ion generation quantity is improved, but service life deteriorates due to rapid corrosion from oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The total ion generation requirement is segmented across multiple pins that share the workload over time. Each pin operates at full capacity during its active period but experiences minimal corrosion, while the rotation ensures that no single pin is overused. This distributes the cumulative corrosion burden across all pins, extending overall system service life.
Solution Approach 2:
Each corona pin undergoes periodic activation and rest cycles through turntable rotation. During its active period, a pin generates ions at full capacity; during rest periods, it is shielded and not subjected to oxidative corrosion. This periodic duty cycle allows high ion generation rates when needed while significantly reducing cumulative corrosion compared to continuous operation of multiple pins.
3Reliability
If a single corona pin is used to maintain discharge stability, then corona discharge stability is improved, but ionization area is limited reducing sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The ionization function is segmented across multiple corona pins arranged on a rotating turntable, where each pin sequentially provides ionization service. This allows the system to maintain a large effective ionization area over time while ensuring that only one pin is active at any moment, eliminating electric field interference between simultaneous discharges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static single-pin configuration to a dynamic multi-pin rotating configuration. The rotation of the turntable dynamically positions different pins into the discharge location, effectively increasing the ionization area over time while maintaining the stability benefits of single-pin operation at any instant.
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
This design prolongs the service life of the ionization assembly, improves ion pass rate, and enhances the stability and sensitivity of the ion mobility spectrometer by ensuring only one pin discharges at a time, reducing ion dissipation and allowing for accurate electrode positioning for mass manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
Corona discharge refers to a phenomenon of gas molecule separation induced by a local strong electric field in a non-uniform electric field in the space
Implementation Method 2
when sample molecules with higher protons or electron affinity pass by the ionization area, the sample molecules capture the charges of the reactant ions to be ionized
Implementation Method 3
A non-uniform electrostatic field is formed in the space between a flat or cylindrical electrode and the pinpoint
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a corona discharge assembly, including: an ionization discharge chamber, wherein the ionization discharge chamber includes a metal corona cylinder, and the metal corona cylinder is provided with an inlet of a gas to be analyzed and an annular piece-shaped port which forms a non-uniform electric field with corona pins and is provided with a circular hole at the middle; a rotating shaft is installed on the cylinder wall of the metal corona cylinder in an insulating manner, the rotating shaft is vertical to the axial line of the metal corona cylinder, and a turntable provided with multiple corona pins at the outer edge is installed at the end part of the rotating shaft the axial line of the metal corona cylinder passes in parallel through the rotation plane of the turntable. The present invention further discloses an ion mobility spectrometer using the above-mentioned corona discharge assembly.