US3576992A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Time-of-flight mass spectrometer having both linear and curved drift regions whose energy dispersions with time are mutually compensatory
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1968-09-13
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Granted: 1971-05-04
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Expires: 1988-09-13
Abstract
Abstract A mass spectrometer is disclosed which is based on the linear time-of-flight principle. Initial ion energies are compensated for by combining a curved drift region with a linear drift region so that ions of the same mass but differing energies reach the collector at the same time.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles J Moorman
- 👤 John Q Parmater
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:33
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J49/00; H01J49/26; H01J49/34; H01J49/40; H01J49/02; H01J49/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A time-of-flight mass spectrometer comprising, an ion source, means for accelerating the ions from said source in a specified direction, an ion collector, an ion path between said source and said collector, said ion path comprising, a curved ion drift region including means providing a uniform electrostatic field deflection therein, wherein the time of flight of an ion through said curved drift region is proportional to the square root of the kinetic energy of the ion, a linear ion drift region wherein the time of flight of an ion through said linear drift region is inversely proportional to the square root of the kinetic energy of the ion whereby changes in time of flight caused by variations in ion kinetic energy cancel one another and thereby providing equal times of flight for ions of equal mass and differing energy between said source and collector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
39 words
A mass spectrometer as set forth in claim 2 further comprising, electrostatic plates providing said uniform electrostatic field, and means at the exit end of said curved drift region for limiting the acceptable ion energy spread of transmitted ions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A mass spectrometer as set forth in claim 2 in which said curved ion drift region precedes said linear ion drift region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A mass spectrometer as set forth in claim 2 in which said linear ion drift region precedes said curved ion drift region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A mass spectrometer as set forth in claim 2 in which said linear ion drift region is divided whereby one part precedes and the other part follows said curved ion drift region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
179 words
A mass spectrometer as set forth in claim 2 in which said curved ion drift region is divided whereby one part precedes and the other part follows 8 In an energy focusing time of flight mass spectrometer of the type having an ion source, an ion accelerating means, an ion collector, and ion path between said ion source and said ion collector, the improvement in energY focusing means wherein said ion path comprises: a curved ion drift region; ion-deflecting means providing a uniform ion deflection in said curved ion drift region wherein ions of equal mass and different energies are made to follow different paths therein whereby variations in ion angular velocity depend on ion energy to provide an ion time dispersion; and a linear ion region providing an ion time dispersion opposite the time dispersion created by said curved ion drift region whereby ions of equal mass and differing energies leaving said ion source at the same time will travel different paths and have equal times of travel and thereby reach said ion collector at the same time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
A mass spectrometer as set forth in claim 8 in which said ion deflecting means comprise, electrostatic plates providing a uniform electrostatic deflection field in said curved drift region wherein said ions assume different radii whereby ions of high energy have an angular velocity about the center of curvature of said curved drift region less than that of ions of lower energy and thereby ions of lower energies leave said curved drift region before ions of higher energy that enter said curved drift region with said ions of low energy, and means at the exit end of said curved ion drift region for limiting the acceptable ion energy spread of transmitted ions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2839687A
Cited
US2957985A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-03 | 1974-11-02 | 1975-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-03 | 1978-11-02 | 1979-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-03 | 1982-11-02 | 1983-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |