Introduction of samples into a mass spectrometer

Details Introduction of samples into a mass spectrometer Introduction of samples into a mass spectrometer

1985-07-19

1987-01-06

Fields, Carolyn E.

Radiant energy

Ionic separation or analysis

With sample supply means

250289, 7386482, 7386485, 414417, H01J 4904

Patent

active

046348662

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to the introduction of samples into the inlet system of a mass spectrometer.
The usefulness of mass spectrometry in analysis has long been recognised but the technique has hitherto suffered from the severe drawback that each analysis took a considerable time because the introduction of each sample called for the vacuum chamber to be opened. Before analysis could commence, the vacuum conditions needed to be re-established and in order to reduce the quantity of air entering the system with each sample, a series of locks was employed at the inlet system. The analysis therefore needed to be performed by skilled technicians with the result that mass spectrometers were regarded as specialised laboratory equipment rather than, for example, as apparatus to be used in quality control of mass produced products, where analyses need to be performed on a frequent and regular basis.
In GB-A-2,141,230, there is described an inlet system for a pyrolysis mass spectrometer in which the above disadvantage is considerably mitigated allowing a complete analysis of a sample to be performed in only a very few minutes.
In the above Application, a sample container is offered to an aperture in the inlet system. The inlet system rapidly evacuates the container, pyrolyses the sample and establishes communication between the container and the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer to enable the sample to be analysed.
The present invention is concerned with the feeding of samples to such an inlet system in such a manner as take advantage of the inherent speed of operation of the mass spectrometer and enable the process of analysis to be further automated.
According to the present invention, there is provided a feed system for picking a sample tube off a magazine and introducing the sample tube into the inlet system of a mass spectrometer, the feed system comprising a pick-up tube adapted at its forward end to fit over a sample tube resting on the magazine and grip the sample tube, a carriage supporting the pick-up tube in a horizontal attitude, a motor for moving the carriage towards and away from the inlet system, and a ramp for raising the pick-up tube after a sample tube has been gripped to the level of the inlet system.
In a feed system for use with a magazine wherein each sample tube resting on the magazine is surrounded by a respective O-ring, the pick-up tube is preferably operative to compress the O-ring against the inlet system of the spectrometer to establish a seal between the sample tube and the inlet system.
If the magazine has a zig-zag groove for advancing the magazine with each cycle of reciprocation of the pick-up tube, the indexing movement may be achieved by coupling the carriage by means of a lost motion with a slidable bar having a pin projecting upwards for engagement in the said groove of the magazine.
In order to eject a sample tube after completion of analysis, an ejection pin may be slidably received in the forward end of the pick-up tube, and means may be provided for maintaining the ejection pin stationary during movement of the carriage away from the inlet system.
The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a section through a sample feed system for a mass spectrometer, and
FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the sample magazine used in the feed system of FIG. 1, and
FIG. 3 is a section through a sample tube containing boat, the section being taken through a plane passing through the surrounding O-ring.
In FIG. 1, there is shown at 10 part of the inlet system of the mass spectrometer. The inlet system 10 is not shown in detail but is preferably as described in GB-A-2,141,230. For the purposes of the present application, it suffices to know that the inlet system 10 has an aperture 12 with a conical mouth 14 against which a tube 16 containing a sample to be analysed is sealed, the sample resting on a metal boat within the tube 16.
After the tube 16 has been sealed against the aperture 12, the inlet

REFERENCES:
patent: 4076982 (1978-02-01), Ritter et al.
patent: 4405860 (1983-09-01), Brunnee et al.

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