Load lock chamber assemblies for sample analysis systems and related mass spectrometer systems and methods

A mass spectrometry system, comprising:

• a vacuum chamber with a first wall having an aperture;
• an X-Y stage in the vacuum chamber;
• and
• a load lock chamber assembly comprising a housing with a load lock chamber, the load lock chamber comprising a longitudinally extending through channel having opposing first and second end portions, wherein the load lock chamber is attached to the first wall of the vacuum chamber with the first end portion inside or adjacent the first wall of the vacuum chamber,
• wherein the load lock chamber assembly further comprises:
• a door sealably and releasably coupled to the second end portion of the load lock chamber;
• and
• a seal assembly cartridge comprising a port forming part of the first end portion of the load lock chamber, wherein the seal assembly cartridge has a first nominal position whereby the seal assembly cartridge can float side to side and up and down relative to the housing of the load lock chamber assembly, and wherein the seal assembly cartridge has a second operative position that can be offset from the nominal first position in response to engagement of a vacuum seal interface of the X-Y stage to thereby provide a self-centering alignment with the X-Y stage seal interface.

A load lock assembly for a sample analysis system, comprising:

• a load lock chamber having longitudinally opposing first and second end portions and a through channel;
• a door coupled to the second end portion;
• and
• a seal assembly coupled to the first end portion,
• wherein the seal assembly comprises:
• a rigid seal housing member coupled to a housing of the load lock chamber, wherein the rigid seal housing member comprises a port forming part of the through channel at the first end portion of the load lock chamber;
• and
• a flexure member coupled to the housing of the load lock chamber and to the rigid seal housing member, wherein the flexure member comprises an outer perimeter that extends above and below the rigid seal housing member, and wherein the flexure member comprises an aperture that is aligned with the port of the rigid seal housing member.

A mass spectrometry system, comprising:

• a vacuum chamber with a first wall having an aperture;
• an X-Y stage in the vacuum chamber;
• and
• a load lock chamber assembly comprising a load lock chamber with a longitudinally extending through channel having opposing first and second end portions, the load lock chamber attached to the first wall of the vacuum chamber with the first end portion inside or adjacent the first wall of the vacuum chamber, wherein the load lock chamber assembly further comprises:
• a door coupled to the second end portion of the load lock chamber;
• a rigid seal housing member comprising a port forming part of the first end portion of the load lock chamber;
• and
• a flexure member coupled to a housing of the load lock chamber and to the rigid seal housing member, wherein the flexure member comprises an outer perimeter that extends above and below the rigid seal housing member, and wherein the flexure member comprises an aperture that is aligned with the port of the rigid seal housing member.

A method of aligning an X-Y stage with a load lock chamber of a sample analysis instrument during set-up or installation:

• inserting a slide holder of the X-Y stage into the load lock chamber from an acquisition vacuum chamber;
• moving a seal assembly cartridge from a nominal position side to side and/or up or down to a self-centered second position to align with the seal interface of the slide holder in response to the inserting;
• and then
• securing the seal assembly cartridge to a fixed position on the housing of the load lock chamber to provide an operative aligned position with the X-Y stage.