# US 10,504,710 B2 · Multipole with a holding device for holding the multipole, holding device of a multipole, mass spectrometer with such a multipole, mounting unit for positioning the multipole and method for positioning a holding device relative to a multipole > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,504,710 B2 - Document ID: US10504710B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/939,960 - Filed: 2018-03-29 - Published: 2018-10-04 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2017-04-03 - Assignees: VACUTEC Hochvakuum- & Praezisionstechnik GmbH - Applicants: VACUTEC Hochvakuum- & Praezisionstechnik GmbH - Inventors: Roman Knutas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10504710B2 ## CPC - H01J 49/068: {Mounting, supporting, spacing, or insulating electrodes} - H01J 49/063: {Multipole ion guides, e.g. quadrupoles, hexapoles} - H01J 49/4255: {with particular constructional features} - H01J 49/4215: {Quadrupole mass filters (H01J49/4225 takes precedence)} - H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H) ## Abstract The invention relates to a multipole (32) with a holding device (10) for holding the multipole (32), for example a quadrupole in a mass spectrometer or on a mounting unit (40), wherein the holding device (10) is arranged on the multipole (32). For attaching the multipole (32) to a receiving device (36, 36a) for receiving the holding device (10), the holding device (10) has one or more planar supporting surfaces (13, 15). The holding device (10) is attached to surfaces (30) of the multipole (32) that are manufactured together with electrodes (26A, 26B) of the multipole (32) in one work step. Furthermore, the invention relates to a holding device (10) of such a multipole (32), a mass spectrometer with such a multipole (32), a mounting unit (40) with a receiving device (36, 36a) for positioning a holding device (10) relative to such a multipole (32) and a method for positioning a holding device (10) relative to the multipole (32). ## Claims ### Claim 1 An assembly comprising: (a) a multipole comprising multipole surfaces, two electrode half-shells and electrodes arranged on the electrode half-shells; and (b) a holding device attached to the multipole; wherein the holding device has at least one planar supporting surface for fastening the multipole to a receiving device for receiving the holding device; wherein the multipole surfaces and the electrodes are manufactured together in one work step by grinding with the same grindstone so that the multipole surfaces thus have a clear and exact geometric reference to the thus formed ground surfaces of the electrodes; and wherein the holding device is attached to the multipole surfaces. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the holding device is arranged laterally of the multipole in the region of a cylindrical surface surrounding the multipole. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The assembly according to claim 2, wherein the holding device is arranged in a central section of the surrounding cylindrical surface, this central section being symmetrical to the central transverse axis of the multipole and corresponding to a maximum of 90% of the cylindrical surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the holding device has at least one positioning means for aligning the holding device on the receiving device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The assembly according to claim 4, wherein the at least one positioning means of the holding device is formed by a hole and/or a bore in the holding device; wherein the at least one positioning means is configured to receive a fastener designed to fit the hole and/or the bore, in the radial direction of the fastener for positively connecting the holding device to the receiving device; and wherein the at least one positioning means in the holding device is arranged to correspond with an arrangement of at least one receiving element in the receiving device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The assembly according to claim 5, wherein the holding device comprises at least one slotted hole having a width equal to the diameter of a correspondingly arranged receiving hole in the receiving device and at least one bore having a diameter equal to the width of the at least one slotted hole. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the holding device is connectable via roof edge and prismatic connections with the multipole; wherein the multipole can be dismantled along its central longitudinal axis into at least two electrode shells joinable together via the roof edge and prismatic connections; wherein each roof edge and prismatic connection has a roof edge structure and either a prism structure on the electrode shells corresponding to the roof edge structure or a roof edge element on the holding device and a corresponding prismatic structure formed by the roof edge structure; or wherein the roof edge element is roof-shaped and the prism structure is channel-shaped; wherein the roof edge structures or roof edge elements are aligned with each other and the prism structures are aligned with each other parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the multipole and each roof edge structure or roof edge element is interlockable with a prismatic structure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the holding device comprises through and/or tapped holes arranged to correspond to receiving tapped holes of the receiving device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the holding device is configured to be arranged on a receiving device of a mass spectrometer, a mounting unit and/or a unit serving for maintenance of the multipole; and wherein the holding device has at least one roof edge structure and/or at least one prism structure for attachment to the multipole. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A mass spectrometer comprising: (a) the assembly according to claim 1; and (b) a receiving device for receiving the holding device; wherein said multipole is arranged in an exact geometric position relative to all axial directions of the multipole and relative to other components of the mass spectrometer in the mass spectrometer by means of the holding device of said multipole. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting unit with a receiving device for positioning the holding device relative to the multipole arranged on the receiving device, wherein the mounting unit has a bottom plate which is aligned such that the center longitudinal axis of the multipole and the effective direction of gravity are aligned perpendicular to the bottom plate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the mounting unit has a rear wall which has recesses through which connecting elements of the holding device for connecting the holding device with the multipole are visible and accessible with a tool. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method, comprising the following steps: (a) providing the assembly according to claim 1; (b) form-fitting connecting the holding device with an associated receiving device; (c) moving the multipole relative to the holding device in the longitudinal direction of the multipole until a predetermined relative position of the multipole to the holding device is achieved; and (d) fixing this relative position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the positive connection of the holding device with the receiving device is effected by means of at least two positioning means.