Rotating Skimmer Intermittent Mass Spectrometer Inlet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable mass spectrometers are limited in sample introduction methods due to small pumping systems, restricting the range of analytes that can be efficiently examined, and existing discontinuous atmospheric pressure interfaces have mechanical integrity issues and contamination problems.

Innovation Solution

An intermittent sample inlet device with a rotating skimmer and conduit system that intermittently aligns the skimmer orifice with the entrance orifice, allowing ion samples to pass through while maintaining a vacuum, and includes an ion funnel, stationary skimmer, ion guide, mass analyzer, and vacuum pumps to facilitate efficient ion transfer from high to low pressure regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a small pumping system is used in portable mass spectrometers, then the device portability is improved, but the range of analytes that can be efficiently examined is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoidrange of analytes

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a rotating skimmer that periodically opens and closes the ion transfer pathway. The skimmer rotates to align the skimmer orifice with the entrance orifice only during specific time intervals, creating periodic ion admission. This allows the small pumping system to handle larger sample loads by processing ions in controlled bursts rather than continuous flow, thereby expanding the range of analytes that can be examined while maintaining portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary ion accumulation in the ion transfer region before the skimmer orifice aligns with the entrance orifice. Ions are generated and preliminary positioned in the transfer pathway, then rapidly admitted to the mass analyzer when the skimmer opens. This preliminary action allows efficient processing of larger sample quantities with the limited pumping capacity of portable systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If existing discontinuous atmospheric pressure interfaces are used, then sample introduction is enabled, but mechanical integrity issues and contamination problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample introductionVSAvoidmechanical integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical valve systems with a rotating skimmer mechanism. Instead of using complex pinching valves or moving shutters that suffer from mechanical wear and contamination, the system uses a rotating disk with precisely positioned orifices. The ion pathway is controlled by rotational positioning rather than mechanical opening/closing actions, eliminating the mechanical integrity issues associated with conventional discontinuous interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the ion transfer function from complex mechanical valve assemblies and implements it through a simple rotating skimmer with fixed orifices. By separating the ion admission function from mechanical valve operations, the design eliminates contamination sources associated with traditional sample introduction mechanisms while maintaining the ability to control ion flow intermittently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If a rotating skimmer with intermittent orifice alignment is implemented, then efficient ion transfer is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion transfer efficiencyVSAvoidinlet device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the rotating skimmer component: it serves as both a mechanical barrier between pressure regions and an ion optical element that defines the ion transfer pathway. The rotation mechanism integrates the timing control and spatial positioning functions, eliminating the need for separate valve mechanisms and complex synchronization systems. This merging achieves efficient ion transfer with relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 efficient ion transfer and analysis of a wider range of compounds without the limitations of small pumping systems and mechanical integrity issues, maintaining a stable vacuum and reducing contamination risks.

Implementation Method 1

transferring the sample of ions thorough the entrance orifice and the skimmer orifice

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

at least one vacuum pump (e.g., a low vacuum pump, a high vacuum pump, etc.)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS10734213B2Intermittent mass spectrometer inlet

Publication Date: 2020.08.04 SMITHS DETECTION INC(US)

AI summary

An intermittent sample inlet device and methods for use of the intermittent sample inlet device are described that include an orifice plate with an entrance orifice and a rotating skimmer with a skimmer orifice, where the rotating skimmer is disposed between the orifice plate and a vacuum chamber wall. The rotating skimmer rotates so that the skimmer orifice intermittently aligns with the entrance orifice and allows an ion sample to pass through to a mass analyzer.