Gas analyzer and membranes therefor
AssigneeInficon GmbH
InventorShawn M. Briglin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gas analyzer and a method for performing mass spectrometry analysis includes a membrane configured to receive an input flow of carrier gas. The membrane defines a variable thickness region between first and second positions along an input face of the membrane and separates the analyte sample into an output flow of analyte molecules. A mass spectrometer is disposed downstream of the membrane and includes an input orifice for receiving the output flow. The mass spectrometer is configured to perform a response profile analysis of the analyte molecules in the sample analyte.
Claims24
A gas analyzer for analyzing an analyte sample, comprising:
- a membrane configured to receive an input flow of carrier gas containing the analytes and defining a variable thickness region between first and second positions along an input face of the membrane, the variable thickness region of the membrane being permeable to the analytes and configured to produce a concentrated output flow of analyte molecules;
- a housing including a surface for supporting the membrane and defining an opening configured to receive an output flow of analyte molecules from the membrane;
- and
- a mass spectrometer receiving the output flow and configured to perform an analysis to detect the analyte molecules in the analyte sample.
A method for membrane inlet, mass spectroscopy analysis of a sample analyte having one or e analytes flowing in a carrier gas, the method comprising the steps of:
- directing the sample analyte to an input face of a membrane defining first and second positions, the membrane defining a variable thickness region between the first and second positions along the input the of the membrane, the variable thickness region of the membrane being permeable to the sample analyte and separating the sample analyte into an output flow of analyte molecules;
- and,
- directing the output flow of analyte molecules through an aperture of a housing and into a mass spectrometer, and
- producing an analysis to detect he analyte molecules in the sample analyte by mass spectrometry.
A membrane for a gas analyzer for analyzing an analyte sample comprising one or more analytes flowing in a carrier gas, the membrane configured for positioning between an output nozzle and a support surface of the gas analyzer, the output nozzle depositing the analyte sample at a first position of the membrane, the membrane comprising a variable thickness region between the first position and a second position, the variable thickness region defining a first thickness dimension at the first position and a second thickness dimension at the second position, wherein the first thickness dimension is less than the second thickness dimension, and wherein the variable thickness region is permeable to the one or more analytes in the analyte sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.