A portable analytical grade mass spectrometer system contained in a single enclosure (18) is disclosed for use in analyzing atmospheric, water, soil, drugs, explosives and other substances and includes a gas chromatograph (14) and a mass analyzer (21) assembly enclosed within a vacuum housing (20), a vacuum pump (22), and an onboard computer (24) such that an operator, by means of an attached keyboard (220), can input data and information, and input a sample to be analyzed, and thereby operate the miniaturized mass spectrometer system (10).

Miniaturized mass spectrometer system

A multiple sample introduction mass spectrometer apparatus (1) having atmospheric pressure ion sources (3, 4, 6, 7) interfaced to mass analyzers (21) for introducing samples through multiple electrospray (ES) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) probes (3, 4, 6, 7). The mass spectra containing internal calibration peaks can be achieved by spraying different solutions simultaneously from the multiple inlet probes (3, 4, 6, 7). The electrospray (ES) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) probes (3, 4, 6, 7) are arranged in one atmospheric pressure ionization chamber (20) and can be switched on or off during an analytical run.

Multiple sample introduction mass spectrometry

A valve for controlling fluids having a piezoelectric actuator unit which has an actuator base and an actuator head that acts on a coupling module which is connected to a valve closing member that cooperates with a valve seat; the actuator base is braced via a spherical face on a conical seat of a valve housing and has an O-ring seal on its circumference. The spherical face of the actuator base is located on the side of the O-ring seal facing away from the actuator head.

Valve for controlling fluids

The invention relates to an improvement in a breath alcohol test devices includes within the handheld unit containing a fuel cell, a miniaturized self calibrating test device thereby avoiding the need for 30, 60 and 90 day calibration testing. It also relates to various tamper or circumvention improvements that may be used alone or in combination with the self calibration improvement, including cameras to record a driver providing a breath sample and to verify the location of the driver within a vehicle.

Ignition interlock breathalyzer

The invention relates to a valve for controlling liquids. Said valve comprises a piezoactuator (2), a transmission element (3) that transmits the stroke of the piezoactuator (2), a return element (4) and a valve element (5). The transmission element is configured as a tumbler (3) and the valve element (5) is integrated into said tumbler, thereby achieving a high system rigidity at a reduced number of components.

Valve for controlling liquids

Apparatus and method are provided for calibrating a mass spectrometer. The calibration hardware includes a relatively small, relatively low pressurized tank for containing calibration gas. The calibration gas tank is preferably located inside the same housing that contains the ion source assembly and the analyzing section of the mass spectrometer. Each of the calibration gas and sample gas, whose components are to be determined, communicates with its own associated valve. These two valves control the flow of a selected one of the sample gas and the calibration gas to the ion source assembly. The calibration gas valve has an extremely low leakage rate and can be controlled to permit the passage of very low flow rates of calibration gas, which can be of benefit in checking the linearity associated with the ion source assembly pressure. For each calibration procedure, very small amounts of calibration gas are utilized, in a range around 10-5 STD cc. A related method for conditioning an electron multiplier device is also disclosed in which the gain of one or more selected channels thereof is modified so that the output signal strengths of the device are comparable in magnitude. Calibration of the mass spectrometer occurs frequently and automatically. In one emobodiment, the mass spectrometer calibration is a direct function of each mass spectrometer measurement. Consequently, improved accuracy and heightened sensitivity are achieved in the mass spectrometer, while reducing the use or loss of valuable calibration gas.

Calibration of a mass spectrometer

An actuator system is provided which includes a force transfer element and a force receiving element. A viscous material interconnects the force transfer element and the force receiving element. A workpiece, such as a valve member, is connected to the force receiving element. When a controlled force is applied to the force transfer element, the controlled force and resulting movement are rigidly coupled using the viscous material to the force receiving element so that the workpiece can be moved or otherwise operably controlled. When an uncontrolled force is received by the force transfer element, in which the movement of the force transfer element is slow relative to the deformation of the viscous material, there is no coupling of the uncontrolled force and resulting movement to the workpiece. As a result, the actuator system is able to couple rapid movements using the viscous material while relatively slow movements are not coupled. Uncontrolled forces contemplated by this invention include forces resulting from stress, aging drift, and temperature variations associated with the force transfer element and the force receiving element.

Actuator for control valves and related systems

An apparatus is provided for use in determining the components of an inputted gas mixture. The apparatus includes a single piece body or framework preferably made of a high insulating material, such as ceramic. The body includes a number of cut-outs for receiving or incorporating hardware used in generating ions, controlling their movement, and directing them to an ion collector plate. One of the cut-outs formed in the insulating body receives an ion source assembly. Another of the cutouts is a passageway with metallized material coated along the walls thereof for use in generating an electric field. A third cut-out receives and is associated with a magnet assembly used in directing ion movement towards the collector plate. The single body and cut-out construction reduces the number of individual parts, improves the assembly of such parts and reduces adjustment time associated with such parts. The magnetic assembly is formed using pairs of identical parts in a sandwich-like construction to also facilitate assembly of the apparatus. The body also includes a number of feed through holes for receiving conducting pins. The locations of the holes are precisely formed in the body and the conducting pins are used in providing electrical communication between apparatus parts and control hardware.

Ronald R. Bowman

Papers

Calibration of a mass spectrometer

Actuator for control valves and related systems

Mass spectrometer apparatus