JP2004152509A - Gaseous sample introducing device of mass spectroscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gaseous sample introducing device of a mass spectroscope capable of responding even to an automatic control by a computer while leaving such an advantage that three modes can be switched by a single valve operation. <P>SOLUTION: For the introducing device, which is configured to take a first state to communicate a gas reservoir with a sample discharging port; a second state to communicate the sample discharging port with a waste discharging port; and a third state to communicate the sample discharging port, the waste discharging port and the gas reservoir, switching between the first state and the second state is to be made by an air cylinder remotely controlled by the computer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gas sample introduction device for introducing a gas sample such as a standard sample into an ion source of a mass spectrometer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, a gas sample introduction device for introducing a gas sample such as a standard sample into an ion source of a mass spectrometer is widely used. FIG. 1 will be described as an example (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gas sample introduction device for introducing a gas sample such as a standard sample into an ion source of a mass spectrometer. The main body of the gas sample introduction device 11 is cylindrical, and one end thereof is connected to a gas reservoir 12 completely isolated from the outside air. The gas reservoir 12 is provided with a septum (rubber partition) 25 for injecting a standard sample or the like using a micro syringe 24. A relay pipe 14 communicating with a flow control valve 13 and an exhaust pipe 15 communicating with a rotary pump (not shown) are connected to the side surface of the main body of the gas sample introduction device 11 in order from the side closer to the gas reservoir 12. I have. Then, the gaseous standard sample that has passed through the flow control valve 13 is guided to the ion source 17 in a vacuum by the sample introduction tube 16.
[0004]
On the other hand, a guide cylinder 18 having a guide groove is fitted to one end of the main body of the gas sample introduction device 11 opposite to the gas reservoir 12, and two O-rings 19a are provided at the distal end of the guide cylinder 18. , 19b and a slidable shaft 21 having a notch 20 for exhaust are inserted. The shaft body 21 can be fixed at a predetermined position by a fixed pin 22 and a guide groove provided in the guide cylinder 18.
[0005]
For example, in the state of FIG. 1A, the O-ring 23 isolates the inside of the valve from the outside air, the O-ring 19a isolates the gas reservoir 12 from the relay pipe 14, and the O-ring 19b exhausts. The pipe 15 and the relay pipe 14 are isolated (fully closed mode).
[0006]
As described above, the function of the gas sample introduction device 11 is such that, depending on the setting position of the shaft 21, in addition to the fully closed mode shown in FIG. 1 (c), a sample introduction mode in which only the gas reservoir 12 and the relay pipe 14 are communicated, and a relay shown in FIG. 1 (d). A relay pipe exhaust mode in which only the pipe 14 and the exhaust pipe 15 communicate with each other through the notch 20 can be obtained.
[0007]
The actual operation operation is performed according to the following procedure. First, in the full exhaust mode (FIG. 1B), all the flow paths including the gas reservoir 12 and the relay pipe 14 are communicated with the exhaust pipe 15 and exhausted. Next, in the fully closed mode (FIG. 1A) or the relay pipe exhaust mode (FIG. 1D), a liquid standard sample is injected into the gas reservoir 12 from the septum 25 using the micro syringe 24. I do. The injected standard sample is vaporized in the gas reservoir 12 and becomes gaseous. Next, in a sample introduction mode (FIG. 1C), after being introduced into the gas reservoir 12, the vaporized standard sample is sent to the ion source 17 via the flow control valve 13.
[0008]
To temporarily stop sending the standard sample in this state, the shaft 21 is set to the relay tube exhaust mode (FIG. 1D), and only the relay tube 14 is cut through the notch 20. What is necessary is just to make it communicate with the exhaust pipe 15. Then, when the set position of the shaft body 21 is returned to the position of the sample introduction mode (FIG. 1C), the ion source 17 is again returned to the ion source 17 through the flow rate control valve 13 under the same conditions without resetting the flow rate. It becomes possible to send out a standard sample.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho 58-10140
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the problem of the gas sample introduction device of the conventional mass spectrometer is that it is excellent in that the above four modes can be switched by one valve operation, but all the four modes are manually switched. Therefore, automation by computer control was extremely difficult.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas sample of a mass spectrometer capable of performing automatic control by a computer while retaining the advantage that at least three modes can be switched with one valve operation. To provide an introduction device.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the gas sample introduction device of the mass spectrometer according to the present invention is:
A gas reservoir containing a gas sample;
A first cylinder communicating with the gas reservoir;
A shaft having a notch slidably inserted into the first cylindrical body;
A second cylindrical body which is fitted coaxially around the outside of the first cylindrical body, and has a shaft driving means integrally and concentrically formed with the shaft body inside;
An exhaust port provided on a side wall of the cylindrical body,
A sample outlet provided on a side wall of the cylinder between the exhaust port and the gas reservoir, wherein the shaft is positioned relative to the first cylinder.
A first state in which the gas reservoir communicates with the sample outlet,
A second state in which the sample outlet and the exhaust port communicate with each other via a notch;
It is configured to be able to take a third state in which the sample delivery port, the exhaust port, and the gas reservoir communicate with each other,
The switching between the first state and the second state is performed by manually fixing a pin provided on the first cylinder to a groove provided on the second cylinder. And using a driving means provided inside the second cylindrical body and configured to slide the shaft body along the axis.
The switching to the third state is performed by manually fixing a pin provided on the shaft to a groove provided in the first cylinder.
[0013]
Further, the driving means is an air cylinder.
[0014]
The air cylinder is remotely controlled by a computer.
[0015]
Further, the transition from the third state to the mode for switching between the first state and the second state is performed by connecting a pin provided on the first cylinder to the second cylinder. It is characterized in that it is carried out by fitting and fixing in a provided guide groove.
[0016]
The switching between the third state and the fourth state in which the sample outlet, the exhaust port, and the gas reservoir are shut off from each other is performed by changing a pin provided on the shaft to the first state. This is performed by manually moving along a guide groove provided in the cylindrical body.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the gas sample introduction device of the mass spectrometer according to the present invention. The present embodiment is configured to be capable of switching between at least three modes with one valve operation, and to be able to cope with automatic control by a computer. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0018]
The main body of the gas sample introduction device 11 is cylindrical, and one end thereof is connected to a gas reservoir 12 completely isolated from the outside air. The gas reservoir 12 is provided with a septum 25 for injecting a standard sample or the like using a micro syringe 24. A relay pipe 14 communicating with a flow control valve 13 and an exhaust pipe 15 communicating with a rotary pump (not shown) are connected to the side surface of the main body of the gas sample introduction device 11 in order from the side closer to the gas reservoir 12. I have. Then, the gaseous standard sample that has passed through the flow control valve 13 is guided to the ion source 17 in a vacuum by the sample introduction tube 16.
[0019]
On the other hand, a manual grip 31 having a guide groove 36 is fitted coaxially around one end of the main body of the gas sample introduction device 11 opposite to the gas reservoir 12 so as to surround the outside of the cylindrical gas sample introduction device 11. In the vicinity of the center axis of the manual grip 31, the O-rings 19a and 19b at the ends and a notch 20 for exhaust are provided, and are slidable with respect to the main body of the gas sample introduction device 11. The shaft 21 is inserted concentrically. The shaft 21 can be fixed at a predetermined position of the gas sample introduction device 11 by pins 34 fixed to the shaft 21 and guide grooves 35 and 38 provided in the main body of the gas sample introduction device 11. .
[0020]
For example, when the pin 34 is moved and fixed to a position above the guide groove 35, the positional relationship between the main body of the gas sample introduction device 11 and the shaft 21 is fixed as shown in FIG. In the state shown in FIG. 2B, the O-ring 19a, the O-ring 19b, and the O-ring 23 isolate the outside air from the inside of the valve, and the gas reservoir 12, the relay pipe 14, and the exhaust pipe 15 communicate with each other. are doing. FIG. 2B corresponds to the full exhaust mode in FIG.
[0021]
On the other hand, switching from the full exhaust mode shown in FIG. 2B to the automatic mode consisting of the sample introduction mode shown in FIG. 2C and the relay tube exhaust mode shown in FIG. This is performed by fitting and fixing a pin 33 fixedly provided on the introduction device 11 main body to a lower right position of a guide groove 36 provided on the manual grip 31. As a result, the positional relationship between the manual grip 31 and the main body of the gas sample introduction device 11 is fixed, and the shaft 21 is integrated and concentric with the shaft 21 inside the manual grip 31 without manual operation. Is freely slidable with respect to the main body of the gas sample introduction device 11 by being driven by the air cylinder 32 provided in the gas sample introduction device.
[0022]
Switching between the sample introduction mode and the relay pipe exhaust mode by the automatic control is performed by selecting one of the pipe 37a communicating with the right chamber side of the piston 32 of the air cylinder and the pipe 37b communicating with the left chamber side. Is selected by remote control by a computer.
[0023]
When air pressure is connected to the pipe 37b communicating with the left chamber side of the piston 32 by remote control by a computer, the piston 32 connected to the shaft 21 slides rightward along the axis of the shaft 21, The gas reservoir 12 and the relay pipe 14 are communicated with each other, the communication between the relay pipe 14 and the exhaust pipe 15 is cut off, and the gas sample in the gas reservoir 12 is supplied to the relay pipe 14 without operating the flow control valve 13. , The sample introduction mode is sent to the ion source 17.
[0024]
Conversely, when air pressure is connected to the pipe 37a communicating with the right chamber side of the piston 32 by remote control by a computer, the piston 32 connected to the shaft 21 moves to the left along the axis of the shaft 21. The gas sample 12 slides, the gas reservoir 12 and the relay pipe 14 are cut off, and the relay pipe 14 and the exhaust pipe 15 are communicated with each other through the notch 20. A relay pipe exhaust mode in which the exhaust is performed via the exhaust pipe 15 without operating the control valve 13 is performed. At this time, the delivery of the gas sample to the ion source 17 is stopped.
[0025]
In this way, the pneumatic connection can be switched between the pipes 37a and 37b by remote control by a computer, and the gas sample can be sent to the ion source 17 without operating the flow control valve 13. Can be turned on / off automatically.
[0026]
Although not shown, a lateral groove similar to the guide groove 35 is provided at an appropriate position in the guide groove 38 in which the pin 34 fits, and the pin 34 is fixed at that position. Needless to say, the control can be performed in the fully closed mode as in the case of a).
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the gas sample introduction device of the mass spectrometer according to the present invention,
A gas reservoir containing a gas sample, a first cylinder communicating with the gas reservoir, a shaft having a notch slidably inserted into the first cylinder, and the first cylinder A second cylindrical body which is fitted coaxially around the outside of the body, and has a shaft body driving means integrally and concentrically formed with the shaft body on the inside, and a side wall of the cylindrical body; An exhaust port provided on the side of the cylinder, and a sample outlet provided on a side wall of the cylinder between the exhaust port and the gas reservoir, wherein the shaft is positioned relative to the first cylinder. Accordingly, a first state in which the gas reservoir communicates with the sample outlet, a second state in which the sample outlet and the exhaust port communicate with each other through a cutout portion, and the sample outlet and the sample outlet It is configured to be able to take a third state in which the exhaust port communicates with the three members of the gas reservoir, and the switching between the first state and the second state includes: The pin is provided inside the second cylinder under a state in which a pin provided on the first cylinder is manually fixed in a groove provided in the second cylinder, and the shaft is connected to an axis. And the switching to the third state is provided in the groove provided in the first cylindrical body in the groove provided in the first cylindrical body. The pin is manually fixed so that the three modes can be switched by operating only one valve, and the mass spectrometry can be automatically controlled by a computer. It has become possible to provide a gas sample introduction device for the device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a gas sample introduction device of a conventional mass spectrometer.
FIG. 2 is a view showing one embodiment of a gas sample introduction device of the mass spectrometer according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 ... gas sample introduction device main body, 12 ... gas reservoir, 13 ... flow rate control valve, 14 ... relay pipe, 15 ... exhaust pipe, 16 ... sample introduction pipe, 17 ...・ Ion source, 18 ・ ・ ・ Guide cylinder, 19a ・ ・ ・ O-ring, 19b ・ ・ ・ O-ring, 20 ・ ・ ・ Cut, 21 ・ ・ ・ Shaft, 22 ・ ・ ・ Pin, 23 ・ ・ ・ O Ring, 24: Micro syringe, 25: Septum (rubber partition), 31: Manual grip, 32: Piston, 33: Pin, 34: Pin, 35: Guide Groove, 36: guide groove, 37a: pipe, 37b: pipe, 38: guide groove.

Claims (5)

A gas reservoir containing a gas sample;
A first cylinder communicating with the gas reservoir;
A shaft having a notch slidably inserted into the first cylindrical body;
A second cylindrical body which is fitted coaxially around the outside of the first cylindrical body, and has a shaft driving means integrally and concentrically formed with the shaft body inside;
An exhaust port provided on a side wall of the cylindrical body,
A sample outlet provided on a side wall of the cylinder between the exhaust port and the gas reservoir, wherein the shaft is positioned relative to the first cylinder.
A first state in which the gas reservoir communicates with the sample outlet,
A second state in which the sample outlet and the exhaust port communicate with each other via a notch;
It is configured to be able to take a third state in which the sample delivery port, the exhaust port, and the gas reservoir communicate with each other,
The switching between the first state and the second state is performed by driving means provided inside the second cylinder and configured to slide the shaft along an axis.
The gas sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer, wherein the switching to the third state is performed by moving a relative position between the first cylinder and the second cylinder. . 2. The gas sample introduction device according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit is an air cylinder. The gas sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer according to claim 2, wherein the air cylinder is remotely operated by a computer. The transition from the third state to a mode for switching between the first state and the second state is performed by connecting a pin provided on the first cylinder to the second cylinder. 4. A gas sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer according to claim 1, wherein the gas sample introduction is performed by fitting and fixing the gas sample into the guide groove. The switching between the third state and the fourth state in which the sample delivery port, the exhaust port, and the gas reservoir are shut off from each other is performed by changing a pin provided on the shaft body to the first cylinder. 5. The gas sample introduction device for a mass spectrometer according to claim 1, wherein the gas sample introduction is performed by manually moving the gas sample along a guide groove provided in a body.

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