X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray fluorescence analyzers face challenges in quickly adjusting the pressure values to set vacuum conditions due to varying characteristics of pressure regulatory valves and temperature changes, which prolongs the analysis time.
Innovation Solution
The analyzer employs a control unit that exerts PID control on the pressure regulatory valve, storing the degree of opening in the disconnecting state to rapidly adjust and maintain set pressure values in the connecting state, ensuring immediate convergence to the set vacuum value even with temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If PID control is used to adjust the pressure regulatory valve, then the pressure values can be set accurately, but the adjustment time is prolonged due to varying valve characteristics and temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit stores the degree of opening of the pressure regulatory valve in the disconnecting state as preliminary information. When switching to the connecting state, this stored information is used as an initial control value, allowing the system to start from a known state and reduce the adjustment time needed to reach the set pressure value.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the actual pressure values in both chambers and compares them with the set pressure values. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the degree of opening of the pressure regulatory valve in real-time, enabling accurate pressure control while minimizing adjustment time through iterative correction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pressure regulatory valve is adjusted gradually to accommodate temperature changes, then the system remains stable, but the throughput is reduced due to longer analysis time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary pressure regulation in the disconnecting state before switching to the connecting state. By pre-adjusting the pressure regulatory valve to the appropriate degree of opening based on stored control information, the system ensures rapid and stable pressure convergence in the connecting state without requiring gradual adjustment, thereby maintaining both stability and high throughput.
3Loss of time
If the degree of opening of the pressure regulatory valve is stored in the disconnecting state, then the pressure values converge quickly in the connecting state, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically stores and retrieves the degree of opening of the pressure regulatory valve without requiring manual intervention. The system uses its own stored control information to automatically adjust the valve position, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms and minimizing overall system complexity while achieving rapid pressure convergence.
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 configuration allows for faster sample turnover and improved throughput by ensuring the pressure values converge quickly to the set vacuum value, reducing the time between sample analyses.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump connected to the inside of the sample chamber and to the inside of the analysis chamber
Implementation Method 2
a control unit configured to exert PID control on the degree of opening of the pressure regulatory valve to set an internal pressure of the sample chamber and an internal pressure of the analysis chamber at respective set pressure values
Implementation Method 3
a gate valve configured to switch between a connecting state where the inside of the sample chamber and the inside of the analysis chamber are connected together and a disconnecting state where the insides of the chambers are disconnected from each other
Implementation Method 4
an X-ray tube installed to an upper portion of the analysis chamber housing and configured to emit primary X-rays toward the sample placed in the preliminary exhaust chamber under the analysis chamber housing
Implementation Method 5
a detector having a housing with an introduction window, and the housing includes therein, for example, a semiconductor element for detecting the intensity of fluorescent X-rays
Data Source
AI summary
An analyzer capable of having a pressure value converge to a set vacuum value P in a short time is provided. An analyzer includes a sample chamber in which a sample is placed, an analysis chamber including an X-ray tube and a detector, a gate valve switching between a connecting state where the inside of the sample chamber and the inside of the analysis chamber are connected together and a disconnecting state where the insides of the chambers and are disconnected from each other, a vacuum pump and a pressure regulatory valve connected to the inside of the sample chamber and the inside of the analysis chamber, and a control unit controlling the degree of opening of the pressure regulatory valve to set the internal pressure of the sample chamber and the internal pressure of the analysis chamber at respective set pressure values in the connecting state.