Pressure-stabilized dual inlet gas mass spectrometry
Inventors
Birner, Benjamin • Keeling, Ralph • Severinghaus, Jeffrey
Assignees
University of California • University of California San Diego UCSD
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Publication Number
US-12651736-B2
Publication Date
2026-06-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
A mass spectrometer system for a mass spectrometer is provided. The mass spectrometer system includes a bellows system including a bellows configured to contain a gas and have an internal pressure within the bellows, and a housing configured to surround the bellows. The mass spectrometer system also includes a control system coupled to the bellows system. The control system includes a controller configured to continuously maintain the internal pressure of the bellows at a constant pressure within the bellows and cause, based on the continuous maintaining, delivery of the gas at the constant pressure from the bellows to the mass spectrometer. Related methods and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to a mass spectrometer system that uses a bellows system to contain a gas and to deliver the gas to the mass spectrometer. The bellows has an internal pressure, and a housing surrounds the bellows. A control system is coupled to the bellows system and continuously maintains the internal pressure of the bellows at a constant pressure.
Based on the continuously maintaining, the control system causes delivery of the gas at the constant pressure from the bellows to the mass spectrometer. The disclosed architecture further provides for delivery at a constant gas flow rate by delivering the bellows-contained gas to the mass spectrometer while the internal pressure is continuously maintained at the constant pressure.
The disclosure further describes a pressure-stabilized dual-inlet approach using first and second bellows systems to maintain first and second internal pressures at respective constant pressures, including a constraint that the second constant pressure is the same as the first constant pressure. By delivering gases at equal constant pressures and alternating gas exposure, observable isotope beam intensity is monitored to enable isotope mole-fraction difference determination.
Claims Coverage
The provided excerpt identifies two independent claims. Together, they cover a bellows-based mass spectrometer system with continuous constant-pressure delivery and a corresponding control system for continuously maintaining bellows internal pressure while delivering a constant gas flow rate.
Bellows system with controller continuously maintaining internal pressure and delivering at constant pressure
A mass spectrometer system comprising a bellows configured to contain a gas with an internal pressure, a housing configured to surround the bellows, and a control system coupled to the bellows system, wherein the controller continuously maintains the internal pressure of the bellows at a constant pressure and causes, based on the continuously maintaining, delivery of the gas at the constant pressure from the bellows to the mass spectrometer.
Control system continuously maintaining bellows internal pressure at constant pressure and delivering constant gas flow rate
A control system for a mass spectrometer comprising at least one data processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed, result in operations continuously maintaining an internal pressure of a bellows at a constant pressure and causing, based on the continuously maintaining, delivery of the gas at the constant pressure and a constant gas flow rate from the bellows to the mass spectrometer.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is the continuous maintenance of bellows internal pressure at a constant pressure and the delivery of that gas to the mass spectrometer, including delivery at a constant gas flow rate in the control-system claim.
Stated Advantages
Enables accurate isotope mole-fraction difference determination by monitoring beam intensity during alternation between gases.
Documented Applications
Isotope mole-fraction difference determination using observable isotope beam intensity while alternating between the gas and a second gas in a dual-inlet mass spectrometer configuration.
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