# US 11,994,492 B2 · Gas analysis device and method for detecting sample gas > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,994,492 B2 - Document ID: US11994492B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/806,805 - Filed: 2022-06-14 - Published: 2022-12-22 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2021-06-17 - Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited - Applicants: Nuctech Company Limited - Inventors: Yan Wang; Qingjun Zhang; Yuanjing Li; Zhiqiang Chen; Jianmin Li; Yaohong Liu; Ge Li; Zhongyuan Hao; Nei Yang; Guangqin Li - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994492B2 ## CPC - G01N 27/623: combined with mass spectrometry - H01J 49/0031: {Step by step routines describing the use of the apparatus (H01J49/0081 takes precedence)} - H01J 49/061: {Ion deflecting means, e.g. ion gates} - H01J 49/424: {Three-dimensional ion traps, i.e. comprising end-cap and ring electrodes} - H01J 49/4265: {Controlling the number of trapped ions; preventing space charge effects} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H) ## Abstract The present disclosure provides a gas analysis device and a method for detecting sample gas. The gas analysis device includes: an ion mobility spectrometer including an ion mobility tube, an ion gate, a plurality of electrodes, a suppression grid, and a Faraday plate sequentially disposed in the ion mobility tube, wherein the Faraday plate is configured to receive sample ions discharged from the suppression grid, and the Faraday plate is provided with a through hole; a mass spectrometer; a gate valve disposed between the Faraday plate and an ion inlet of the mass spectrometer; and a controller configured to control an opening or closing of the gate valve to allow the sample ions discharged from the suppression grid to flow into the mass spectrometer through the through hole of the Faraday plate when the gate valve is opened. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A gas analysis device, comprising: an ion mobility spectrometer comprising an ion mobility tube, an ion gate, a plurality of electrodes, a suppression grid, and a Faraday plate sequentially disposed in the ion mobility tube, wherein the Faraday plate is configured to receive sample ions discharged from the suppression grid, and the Faraday plate is provided with a through hole; a mass spectrometer; a gate valve disposed between the Faraday plate and an ion inlet of the mass spectrometer; and a controller configured to control an opening or closing of the gate valve to allow the sample ions discharged from the suppression grid to flow into the mass spectrometer through the through hole of the Faraday plate when the gate valve is opened; wherein the ion mobility spectrometer further comprises: an ion source configured to generate initially charged ions; a sample input port configured to deliver sample gas into the ion mobility tube; and an isolation mesh arranged between the ion source and the ion gate to form a charge exchange region between the ion source and the isolation mesh, and an ion enrichment chamber between the isolation mesh and the ion gate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The gas analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to control voltages applied to the ion gate, the electrodes and the suppression grid and an activation of the mass spectrometer to control an operating mode of the ion mobility spectrometer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The gas analysis device according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to control the ion gate to be opened or closed alternately, and control the voltages applied to the electrodes and the suppression grid such that the sample ions move from the ion gate to the Faraday plate through the suppression grid, and control the gate valve to be closed, such that the gas analysis device operates in an ion mobility spectrum detection mode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The gas analysis device according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to control the ion gate and the suppression grid in a continuous open state and control the gate valve to be opened such that the sample ions move from the ion gate into the mass spectrometer through the through hole of the Faraday plate, such that the gas analysis device operates in a mass spectrum detection mode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The gas analysis device according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to control the ion gate to be opened or closed alternately, control the voltages applied to the electrodes and the suppression grid such that the sample ions move from the ion gate to the Faraday plate through the suppression grid, and control the gate valve to be opened or closed alternately to allow the sample ions to enter the mass spectrometer through the through hole of the Faraday plate after acquiring a signal from the Faraday plate, such that the gas analysis device operates in a first mixed detection mode comprising an ion mobility spectrum detection mode and a mass spectrum detection mode. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The gas analysis device according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to control the ion gate to be opened or closed alternately, control the voltages applied to the electrodes and the suppression grid such that the sample ions move from the ion gate to the Faraday plate through the suppression grid, and control the suppression grid to be opened or closed alternately such that the suppression grid selectively releases a part of the sample ions into the mass spectrometer through the Faraday plate while acquiring a signal from the Faraday plate, such that the gas analysis device operates in a second mixed detection mode comprising an ion mobility spectrum detection mode and a mass spectrum detection mode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The gas analysis device according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to control the ion gate to be opened or closed alternately, control the voltages applied to the electrodes and the suppression grid such that sample ions move from the ion gate to the Faraday plate through the suppression grid, and control the gate valve to be opened such that the sample ions enter the mass spectrometer through the through hole of the Faraday plate at a plurality of ion selection timings, such that the gas analysis device operates in a mass spectrometer enrichment detection mode detecting accumulated ions from a single sample. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The gas analysis device according to claim 1, further comprising a signal acquisition device for obtaining a mobility spectrogram and a mass spectrogram according to the sample ions received by the Faraday plate and the sample ions entering the mass spectrometer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The gas analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the ion mobility tube is provided with a migration gas inlet downstream of the suppression grid, and a migration gas outlet upstream of the ion gate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The gas analysis device according to claim 1, wherein each of the ion gate and the suppression grid comprises a frame, and a metal mesh attached to the frame. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The gas analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the mass spectrometer comprises: an ion convergence device configured to receive the sample ions from the Faraday plate; a vacuum chamber provided with an ion trap configured to receive the sample ions from the ion convergence device and an ion detector configured to generate a mass spectrum from the ions collected in the ion trap; and a vacuum device configured to evacuate the vacuum chamber, such that the sample ions move to the ion trap. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The gas analysis device according to claim 11, wherein the mass spectrometer further comprises: a pre-vacuum chamber disposed between the ion convergence device and the vacuum chamber; a transfer device disposed in the pre-vacuum chamber to transfer the sample ions in the ion convergence device into the ion trap; and a pre-vacuum device configured to evacuate the pre-vacuum chamber, such that the sample ions move from the ion convergence device to the transfer device; wherein the mass spectrometer further comprises a vacuum exhaust port configured to adjust an air pressure in the pre-vacuum chamber and the vacuum chamber. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method for detecting sample gas using the gas analysis device according to claim 1, comprising: inputting sample gas into the ion mobility spectrometer; controlling the gate valve to be opened or closed to allow the sample ions discharged from the suppression grid of the ion mobility spectrometer to flow into the mass spectrometer through the through hole of the Faraday plate when the gate valve is opened. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein voltages applied to the ion gate, the electrodes and the suppression grid of the ion mobility spectrometer are controlled to control an operating mode of the ion mobility spectrometer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein steps of controlling the voltages applied to the ion gate, the electrodes and the suppression grid of the ion mobility spectrometer comprises: controlling the ion gate to be opened or closed alternately; controlling the voltages applied to the electrodes and the suppression grid such that the sample ions move from the ion gate to the Faraday plate through the suppression grid; and controlling the gate valve to be closed, such that the gas analysis device operates in an ion mobility spectrum detection mode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein steps of controlling the voltages applied to the ion gate, the electrodes and the suppression grid of the ion mobility spectrometer comprises: controlling the ion gate and the suppression grid to be in a continuous open state; controlling the gate valve to be opened, such that the sample ions move from the ion gate into the mass spectrometer through the through hole of the Faraday plate, such that the gas analysis device operates in a mass spectrum detection mode. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein steps of controlling the voltages applied to the ion gate, the electrodes and the suppression grid of the ion mobility spectrometer comprises: controlling the ion gate to be opened or closed alternately; controlling the voltages applied to the electrodes and the suppression grid such that the sample ions move from the ion gate to the Faraday plate through the suppression grid; and controlling the gate valve to be opened or closed alternately to allow the sample ions to enter the mass spectrometer through the through hole of the Faraday plate after acquiring a signal from the Faraday plate, such that the gas analysis device operates in a first mixed detection mode comprising an ion mobility spectrum detection mode and a mass spectrum detection mode. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein steps of controlling the voltages applied to the ion gate, the electrodes and the suppression grid of the ion mobility spectrometer comprises: controlling the ion gate to be opened or closed alternately; controlling the voltages applied to the electrodes and the suppression grid such that the sample ions move from the ion gate to the Faraday plate through the suppression grid; and controlling the suppression grid to be opened or closed alternately to allow the suppression grid to selectively release a part of the sample ions into the mass spectrometer through the Faraday plate while acquiring a signal from the Faraday plate, such that the gas analysis device operates in a second mixed detection mode comprising an ion mobility spectrum detection mode and a mass spectrum detection mode. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein steps of controlling the voltages applied to the ion gate, the electrodes and the suppression grid of the ion mobility spectrometer comprises: controlling the ion gate to be opened or closed alternately; controlling the voltages applied to the electrodes and the suppression grid such that the sample ions move from the ion gate to the Faraday plate through the suppression grid; and controlling the gate valve to be opened such that the sample ions enter the mass spectrometer through the Faraday plate at a plurality of ion selection timings, and the gas analysis device operates in a mass spectrometer enrichment detection mode detecting accumulated ions from a single sample.