Fixed connection assembly for an RF drive circuit in a mass spectrometer
AssigneeBruker Daltonics, Inc.
InventorsUrs Steiner, Lawrence B Jones
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one embodiment, a mass spectrometer includes an RF drive circuit for generating RF signals, a quadrupole mass filter, and a fixed connection assembly for delivering RF signals from the RF drive circuit to the quadrupole mass filter, the fixed connection assembly representing the entire delivery path of RF signals from the RF drive circuit to the quadrupole mass filter. By avoiding flexible components such as a freestanding wires or flexible circuit boards, the need for retuning when parts are removed or disturbed for testing or servicing is reduced, and a modular instrument in which components and connections are standardized and therefore interchangeable is realized.
Claims9
A method for delivering RF signals from an RF drive circuit to a quadrupole mass filter, the method comprising:
- electrically coupling RF signals generated by the RF drive circuit to the quadrupole mass filter using a rigid conductor path that is devoid of flexible components, is located between the RF drive circuit and the quadrupole mass filter and includes one or more spring-loaded contact pins that extend longitudinally to electrically connect the conductor path to the quadrupole mass filter.
A mass spectrometer comprising:
- an RF drive circuit for generating RF signals;
- a quadrupole mass filter;
- and
- a rigid connection assembly for delivering RF signals from the RF drive circuit to the quadrupole mass filter, the connection assembly representing the entire delivery path of RF signals from the RF drive circuit to the quadrupole mass filter and including one or more spring-loaded contact pins that extend longitudinally to electrically connect the connection assembly to the quadrupole mass filter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.