US4724394A - Gas detection by ion mobility segregation - Google Patents

Gas detection by ion mobility segregation Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US4724394A
US4724394A US06/786,666 US78666685A US4724394A US 4724394 A US4724394 A US 4724394A US 78666685 A US78666685 A US 78666685A US 4724394 A US4724394 A US 4724394A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
electric field
ions
gas
mobility
electrode ring
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US06/786,666
Inventor
Scott R. Langer
William D. Bowers
Michael F. Steele
Raymond L. Chuan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Brunswick Corp
Original Assignee
Brunswick Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Brunswick Corp filed Critical Brunswick Corp
Priority to US06/786,666 priority Critical patent/US4724394A/en
Assigned to BRUNSWICK CORPORATION, ONE BRUNSWICK PLAZA, SKOKIE, IL. 60077, A CORP. OF DE. reassignment BRUNSWICK CORPORATION, ONE BRUNSWICK PLAZA, SKOKIE, IL. 60077, A CORP. OF DE. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: BOWERS, WILLIAM D., CHUAN, RAYMOND L., LANGER, SCOTT R., STEELE, MICHAEL F.
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4724394A publication Critical patent/US4724394A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
    • G01N27/62—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating the ionisation of gases, e.g. aerosols; by investigating electric discharges, e.g. emission of cathode
    • G01N27/622—Ion mobility spectrometry

Definitions

  • the field of the present invention is gas detection and particularly gas detection determined by ion mobility range segregation.
  • ion identification is achieved by selective ion gating followed by statistical analysis of the time required for the ions to reach a collector. Since different ions have different mobilities in the presence of an electric field, the collection time can be used for ion identification.
  • ions are contained in a constant flow stream, and travel through a complex geometric labyrinth in which they are separated by radial diffusion and subsequent neutralization before reaching the collector. The larger product ions which are able to reach the collector before neutralization are detected.
  • the present invention is directed to an advancement in commercial gas detection techniques wherein ion segregation based on discrete ion mobility ranges reduces system complexity to a constant flow stream through controlled electric fields.
  • this technique is based on the phenomenon that electric fields can be used to influence the motion of mobile ions which have been formed by any standard ionization process.
  • the electric fields are formed by applying a voltage potential to electrodes spaced along a flow stream.
  • the forces acting on the ions in said flow stream are then of two origins: flow forces and field forces.
  • Proper operation of the device is dependent upon controlling flows and fields so that the interaction of flow and field forces yields the desired ion motion.
  • the flow forces are primarily directed axially along the tube and are constant in the direction of the flow.
  • the field forces are complex and their effect on the ions vary in magnitude and direction as the ions travel through the field.
  • the positive pole of the field will attract a negatively-charged ion and repel a positively-charged ion and the opposite is true for the negative pole of the field.
  • the interaction of these forces on the ions is evidenced by a measurement of the current generated by ion/electrode charge transfer as the ions collide with the electrodes. Positive ion collision generates a positive current, while negative ion collision generates a negative current.
  • the entrained ion charges are collected by the appropriately charged pole of the electric field, wherein the induced current is measured.
  • the present invention provides segregation of the ion stream into discrete ranges of ionic mobility wherein said discrete mobility range charge transfers can be measured at a specific field electrode. Normally, measurement of only one particular polarity and mobility range is made at one time. However, several collection stages can be used in a series arrangement to collect ions in either polarity in mobility ranges from high to low. The device would then behave as a series of bandpass filters with each stage collecting charge transfers for a particular range of mobilities.
  • FIG. l is a schematic view of a device of the invention, configured to detect a gas forming primarily positively-charged ions of a specific mobility species.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a device similar to FIG. 1 configured to detect a gas forming primarily negatively-charged ions of a specific mobility species.
  • FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate the intensity versus mobility of clean air and of clean air with a gas sample (G).
  • FIG. 1 Apparatus is shown in FIG. 1, which may be used to determine the presence of a contaminant gas by segregating ions into mobility ranges where the contaminant gas forms positively-charged ions by chemical reaction with ionized atmospheric air produced reactant ions.
  • the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 performs the same function for a contaminant gas forming negatively-charged ions.
  • the apparatus or device for gas detection by ion mobility segregation shown in FIG. 1 includes a flow tube 10.
  • the flow tube 10 has a first open end or inlet 11 and a second end or outlet 12 connected to a blower 13.
  • the blower 13 pulls an atmospheric air sample through the flow tube 10 at a fixed average flow stream velocity.
  • a pump could just as well be used to push an air sample through the flow tube 10.
  • a radiation source 14 Adjacent the inlet 11 a radiation source 14 ionizes gases within the atmospheric air stream.
  • the gases in the air stream are ionized (electrically charged) to produce reactant ions, primarily (H 2 O) n H + and (H 2 O) m O 2 - .
  • the values of n and m depend on the amount or concentration of water vapor in the atmosphere air stream. Accordingly, the humidity can be controlled to establish different mobility ranges.
  • Atmospheric air is a mixture of known gases and may also contain other contaminating gases which can react with the reactant ions to form stable product ions. These stable product ions of the contaminant gas are the ions of interest for identification and detection.
  • a field E 1 or first electric field 15 and a field E 2 or second electric field 16 are formed along the flow tube 10. These fields 15 and 16 are formed generally axially but may be of any other complex geometry or direction.
  • the first electric field 15 is formed between a first position 17 spaced from a second position 18 to segregate and collect ions from the gas stream within the flow tube 10 which have a first mobility range.
  • the second electric field 16 is positioned downstream of the first electric field 15 and is formed between a third position 19 spaced from a fourth position 20 to segregate and collect ions from the gas mixture which have a second mobility range.
  • the second position 18 of the first electric field 15 and the third position 19 of the second electric field 16 are spaced from each other.
  • the second position 18 may also be about the same position as the third position 19 or may be the same position.
  • the first electric field 15 includes a first electrode 21 positioned along or annularly about the flow tube 10 at the first position 17 and a second electrode 22 also positioned along or annularly about the flow tube 10 at the second position 18 and spaced from the first electrode 21.
  • the second electric field 16 includes a third electrode 23 positioned along or annularly about the flow tube 10 at the third position 19 and a fourth electrode 24 positioned along or annularly about the flow tube 10 at the fourth position 20.
  • the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are separated by some distance along the flow tube 10 as shown in FIG. 1.
  • electrode 22 and electrode 23 may be combined into a single electrode. Additionally, in the case where the space is large between electrodes 22 and 23 as compared to the space between the electrode sets 21 and 22, and 23 and 24, the direction of field E 2 for the electric field 16 is unimportant.
  • a first power supply 25 provides a voltage (V A ) to the first electrode 21 and a second power supply 26 provides a voltage (V B ) to the second electrode 22.
  • V A voltage
  • V B voltage
  • This provides a field E 1 or first electric field 15 along the flow tube 10 having a differential voltage ⁇ V AB between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22.
  • a third power supply 27 also provides a voltage (V B ') to the third electrode 23.
  • the fourth electrode 24 is maintained at or about ground potential.
  • the field E 2 or second electric field 16 has a voltage ⁇ V B'C between the third electrode 23 and fourth electrode 24.
  • V B the voltage (V B ) is greater than the voltage (V A ), the voltage (V B' ) is greater than the voltage (V C ), and the voltage difference ⁇ V B'C is greater than the voltage difference ⁇ V AB .
  • the first electric field 15 and the second electric field 16 are generated by applying specific voltage potentials to the four electrodes 21 through 24. It is the polarity and strength of these electric fields which perform the segregation or separation and collection of the reactant and product ions contained in the flow tube.
  • the first electric field 15 separates and collects those ions having higher mobility than the product ions of gas of interest G.
  • the positive ions (charges) are collected on electrode 21 and the negative ions (charges) are collected on electrode 22 for these ions having a mobility greater than the mobility range of the gas G of interest.
  • the ions of the gas G of interest continue to travel down the tube and are separated and collected in the second electric field 16.
  • the negative product ions (charges) are collected on electrode 23 and the positive product ions (charges) are collected on electrode 24.
  • the collection of positive product ion charges on electrode 24 induces a current which is measured by an ampmeter 33 which is connected to electrode 24.
  • An increase in current i C indicates the presence of a gas G of interest.
  • the strength of electric field 16 can be set to collect only those ions of a specific product ion mobility range. It then follows that many sets of electric fields can be used in series with each successive electric field collecting a family of ions of lower mobility range than those separated and collected in the preceding electric field (stage). Any electrode in this arrangement can be attached to an ampmeter to detect a presence of ions of the specific mobility range being collected at any electrode.
  • FIGS. 3a and 3b show the change in mobility when a contaminant gas G (in this case, dimethyl methyl phosphonate or DMMP) is added to clean air.
  • FIG. 3a shows the intensity vs. mobility for the reactant ions produced from clean air.
  • FIG. 3b shows the intensity vs. mobility of ions produced when DMMP is added. Note the formation of product ions DMMP (H 2 O) r H + and (DMMP) 2 (H 2 O) s H+ where none was indicated with clean air. Also note the reduction in intensity of the reactant ions.
  • the first electric field 15 would be used to collect all the reactant ions. This would allow the product ions to be collected by the electrodes forming the second electric field 16 where an increase in current (i) would indicate the presence of the contaminant gas DMMP.
  • the diameter of the flow tube 10 is about one-quarter inch
  • the spacing between the first and second electrode rings 21 and 22 is about one-quarter inch
  • the spacing between the third and fourth electrode rings 23 and 24 is about one-quarter inch.
  • the voltage V A is 200 volts
  • the voltage V B equals the voltage V B ' and is 500 volts
  • the voltage V C at electrode 24 is about ground. This provides a ⁇ V AB of 300 volts and a ⁇ V B ' C of 500 volts.
  • the flow stream velocity is about 1.2 meters per second with a flow volume of 1.3 liters per minute.
  • the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 includes identical or substantially equivalent components as that of FIG. 1. Identical components are identified by the same reference numbers and equivalent components are identified by reference numbers having the subscript (a).
  • the field E 4 is functionally equivalent to the field E 1 except reversed to collect negatively-charged reactant ions and the field E 4 is functionally equivalent to the field E 2 except reversed to collect negatively charged product ions.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Other Investigation Or Analysis Of Materials By Electrical Means (AREA)

Abstract

A device for gas detection through ion mobility segregation by mobility ranges includes a flow tube through which a sample of atmospheric air with possible contaminant gases flow. Ions formed of gases in the air and the possible contaminant gases are segregated by ion mobility range in either a first, second or subsequent electric field positioned along the flow tube. The ions are collected on an anode or cathode of each electric field. The ions of the gases striking an anode or cathode by charge transfer induce a detection current, the measure of which indicates the presence of gases of interest. A method for detecting a gas by ion mobility segregation is also described.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of the present invention is gas detection and particularly gas detection determined by ion mobility range segregation.
Historically, gas detection utilizing ion molecule reactions and subsequent detection of the resulting analyte ions by their differing ion mobilities have been accomplished by two different detection methods. In each method, the reactant ions, formed by a variety of techniques, undergo ion molecule reactions with the sample molecules whereby stable positive or negative product ions are produced. These detection methods for the product ions are:
(1) Plasma chromatography. Here, ion identification is achieved by selective ion gating followed by statistical analysis of the time required for the ions to reach a collector. Since different ions have different mobilities in the presence of an electric field, the collection time can be used for ion identification.
(2) Detection by diffusion. Here, ions are contained in a constant flow stream, and travel through a complex geometric labyrinth in which they are separated by radial diffusion and subsequent neutralization before reaching the collector. The larger product ions which are able to reach the collector before neutralization are detected.
These prior methods are limited in practicability in that their functional use requires complex geometries for each type of ion requiring detection or complex time base data collection techniques and analysis for mobility identification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an advancement in commercial gas detection techniques wherein ion segregation based on discrete ion mobility ranges reduces system complexity to a constant flow stream through controlled electric fields.
Theoretically, this technique is based on the phenomenon that electric fields can be used to influence the motion of mobile ions which have been formed by any standard ionization process. In the case of this invention, the electric fields are formed by applying a voltage potential to electrodes spaced along a flow stream. The forces acting on the ions in said flow stream are then of two origins: flow forces and field forces. Proper operation of the device is dependent upon controlling flows and fields so that the interaction of flow and field forces yields the desired ion motion. The flow forces are primarily directed axially along the tube and are constant in the direction of the flow. The field forces are complex and their effect on the ions vary in magnitude and direction as the ions travel through the field. The positive pole of the field will attract a negatively-charged ion and repel a positively-charged ion and the opposite is true for the negative pole of the field. The interaction of these forces on the ions is evidenced by a measurement of the current generated by ion/electrode charge transfer as the ions collide with the electrodes. Positive ion collision generates a positive current, while negative ion collision generates a negative current. Thus, the entrained ion charges are collected by the appropriately charged pole of the electric field, wherein the induced current is measured.
The present invention provides segregation of the ion stream into discrete ranges of ionic mobility wherein said discrete mobility range charge transfers can be measured at a specific field electrode. Normally, measurement of only one particular polarity and mobility range is made at one time. However, several collection stages can be used in a series arrangement to collect ions in either polarity in mobility ranges from high to low. The device would then behave as a series of bandpass filters with each stage collecting charge transfers for a particular range of mobilities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. l is a schematic view of a device of the invention, configured to detect a gas forming primarily positively-charged ions of a specific mobility species.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a device similar to FIG. 1 configured to detect a gas forming primarily negatively-charged ions of a specific mobility species.
FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate the intensity versus mobility of clean air and of clean air with a gas sample (G).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Apparatus is shown in FIG. 1, which may be used to determine the presence of a contaminant gas by segregating ions into mobility ranges where the contaminant gas forms positively-charged ions by chemical reaction with ionized atmospheric air produced reactant ions. The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 performs the same function for a contaminant gas forming negatively-charged ions.
The apparatus or device for gas detection by ion mobility segregation shown in FIG. 1 includes a flow tube 10. The flow tube 10 has a first open end or inlet 11 and a second end or outlet 12 connected to a blower 13. The blower 13 pulls an atmospheric air sample through the flow tube 10 at a fixed average flow stream velocity. A pump could just as well be used to push an air sample through the flow tube 10.
Adjacent the inlet 11 a radiation source 14 ionizes gases within the atmospheric air stream. The gases in the air stream are ionized (electrically charged) to produce reactant ions, primarily (H2 O)n H+ and (H2 O)m O2 -. The values of n and m depend on the amount or concentration of water vapor in the atmosphere air stream. Accordingly, the humidity can be controlled to establish different mobility ranges. Atmospheric air is a mixture of known gases and may also contain other contaminating gases which can react with the reactant ions to form stable product ions. These stable product ions of the contaminant gas are the ions of interest for identification and detection.
Referring to FIG. 1, a field E1 or first electric field 15 and a field E2 or second electric field 16 are formed along the flow tube 10. These fields 15 and 16 are formed generally axially but may be of any other complex geometry or direction. The first electric field 15 is formed between a first position 17 spaced from a second position 18 to segregate and collect ions from the gas stream within the flow tube 10 which have a first mobility range.
The second electric field 16 is positioned downstream of the first electric field 15 and is formed between a third position 19 spaced from a fourth position 20 to segregate and collect ions from the gas mixture which have a second mobility range. In FIG. 1, the second position 18 of the first electric field 15 and the third position 19 of the second electric field 16 are spaced from each other. The second position 18 may also be about the same position as the third position 19 or may be the same position.
In the preferred embodiment, the first electric field 15 includes a first electrode 21 positioned along or annularly about the flow tube 10 at the first position 17 and a second electrode 22 also positioned along or annularly about the flow tube 10 at the second position 18 and spaced from the first electrode 21. The second electric field 16 includes a third electrode 23 positioned along or annularly about the flow tube 10 at the third position 19 and a fourth electrode 24 positioned along or annularly about the flow tube 10 at the fourth position 20. In the preferred embodiment, the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 23 are separated by some distance along the flow tube 10 as shown in FIG. 1. However, electrode 22 and electrode 23 may be combined into a single electrode. Additionally, in the case where the space is large between electrodes 22 and 23 as compared to the space between the electrode sets 21 and 22, and 23 and 24, the direction of field E2 for the electric field 16 is unimportant.
A first power supply 25 provides a voltage (VA) to the first electrode 21 and a second power supply 26 provides a voltage (VB) to the second electrode 22. This provides a field E1 or first electric field 15 along the flow tube 10 having a differential voltage ΔVAB between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22. A third power supply 27 also provides a voltage (VB ') to the third electrode 23. The fourth electrode 24 is maintained at or about ground potential. The field E2 or second electric field 16, has a voltage ΔVB'C between the third electrode 23 and fourth electrode 24. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 the voltage (VB) is greater than the voltage (VA), the voltage (VB') is greater than the voltage (VC), and the voltage difference ΔVB'C is greater than the voltage difference ΔVAB. The system may also be configured such that VB =VB' or further that power supplies 26 and 27 are the same power supply.
To detect the presence of a contaminant gas G of interest which forms primarily positive product ions from a gas phase ion molecule reaction with the reactant ions present in ionized atmospheric air, the device of FIG. 1 is used. The first electric field 15 and the second electric field 16 are generated by applying specific voltage potentials to the four electrodes 21 through 24. It is the polarity and strength of these electric fields which perform the segregation or separation and collection of the reactant and product ions contained in the flow tube. The first electric field 15 separates and collects those ions having higher mobility than the product ions of gas of interest G. The positive ions (charges) are collected on electrode 21 and the negative ions (charges) are collected on electrode 22 for these ions having a mobility greater than the mobility range of the gas G of interest. The ions of the gas G of interest continue to travel down the tube and are separated and collected in the second electric field 16. The product ions which have a mobility range less than the mobility range of the reactant ions collected in the first stage of the apparatus controlled by the electric field 15, pass through the first stage and flow down the flow tube 11 entering the second stage electric field 16. In the second stage electric field 16 the negative product ions (charges) are collected on electrode 23 and the positive product ions (charges) are collected on electrode 24. The collection of positive product ion charges on electrode 24 induces a current which is measured by an ampmeter 33 which is connected to electrode 24. An increase in current iC indicates the presence of a gas G of interest. In the same manner in which the strength of electric field 15 is set to separate and collect those ions within the reactant ion mobility range the strength of electric field 16 can be set to collect only those ions of a specific product ion mobility range. It then follows that many sets of electric fields can be used in series with each successive electric field collecting a family of ions of lower mobility range than those separated and collected in the preceding electric field (stage). Any electrode in this arrangement can be attached to an ampmeter to detect a presence of ions of the specific mobility range being collected at any electrode.
FIGS. 3a and 3b show the change in mobility when a contaminant gas G (in this case, dimethyl methyl phosphonate or DMMP) is added to clean air. FIG. 3a shows the intensity vs. mobility for the reactant ions produced from clean air. FIG. 3b shows the intensity vs. mobility of ions produced when DMMP is added. Note the formation of product ions DMMP (H2 O)r H+ and (DMMP)2 (H2 O)s H+ where none was indicated with clean air. Also note the reduction in intensity of the reactant ions. The first electric field 15 would be used to collect all the reactant ions. This would allow the product ions to be collected by the electrodes forming the second electric field 16 where an increase in current (i) would indicate the presence of the contaminant gas DMMP.
In the device shown in FIG. 1, the diameter of the flow tube 10 is about one-quarter inch, the spacing between the first and second electrode rings 21 and 22 is about one-quarter inch and the spacing between the third and fourth electrode rings 23 and 24 is about one-quarter inch. The voltage VA is 200 volts, the voltage VB equals the voltage VB ' and is 500 volts and the voltage VC at electrode 24 is about ground. This provides a ΔVAB of 300 volts and a ΔVB 'C of 500 volts. The flow stream velocity is about 1.2 meters per second with a flow volume of 1.3 liters per minute.
The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 includes identical or substantially equivalent components as that of FIG. 1. Identical components are identified by the same reference numbers and equivalent components are identified by reference numbers having the subscript (a). The field E4 is functionally equivalent to the field E1 except reversed to collect negatively-charged reactant ions and the field E4 is functionally equivalent to the field E2 except reversed to collect negatively charged product ions.
Thus, a device and method is described for segregating or separating and collecting ions of either polarity within specific ranges of ion mobility to determine the presence of a gas G of interest. While embodiments and applications of this invention have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The invention therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

Claims (28)

What is claimed is:
1. A device for gas detection by ion mobility segregaton comprising
a flow tube having a closed cross-section providing a flow path for a stream of a gas mixture containing ions formed from gases therein, and
an electric field positioned along said flow tube generally parallel to said flow path and formed between two spaced positions, one of said two spaced positions being a cathode and the other of said spaced positions being an anode, said electric field having a field strength to separate and collect iions of a specific mobility range on one of said anode and cathode.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said electric field comprises
a first electric field formed along said flow tube between a first and second spaced position to segregate ions from said gas which have a first mobility range, and
a second electric field downstream of said first electric field formed along said flow tube between a third and fourth spaced position to segregate ions from said gas which have a second mobility range which has lower mobility than said first mobility range.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein said second position of said first electric field and said third position of said second electric field are the same position.
4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a second electrode disposed at said second position as a cathode of said first electric field and a third electrode disposed at said third position as an anode of said second electric field.
5. The device of claim 3 further comprising a second electrode disposed at said second position as an anode of said first electric field and a third electrode disposed at said third position as an anode of said second electric field.
6. The device of claim 2 wherein said first mobility range includes reactant ions from gases within atmospheric air.
7. The device of claim 2 wherein said second mobility range includes product ions of a gas G of interest having a known ion mobility range.
8. The device of claim 2 wherein said first electric field segregates a gas having said first mobility range and said second electric field segregates a gas having said second mobility range.
9. The device of claim 2 further including a detection unit to advise of the segregation of ions of at least one of said mobility ranges.
10. The device of claim 2 further comprising a radiation source disposed adjacent to said flow tube and upstream of said first electric field.
11. A device for ion mobility segregation comprising a first electric field having a first cathode spaced from a first anode along a gas stream flow path to separate and collect ions from said gas stream which have a first mobility range,
a second electric field positioned downstream from said first electric field having a second cathode spaced from a second anode along said gas stream flow path to separate and collect ions from said gas stream which have a second mobility range, and
a detection unit to indicate a segregation of ions in said second electric field.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein said first electric field comprises a first electrode ring positioned annularly about said gas flow path and a second electrode ring positioned annularly about said gas flow path and spaced from said first electrode ring and said second electric field comprises a third electrode ring positioned annularly about said gas flow path and a fourth electrode ring positioned annularly about said gas flow path and spaced from said third electrode ring, said first electric field being generally axial between said first electrode ring and said second electrode ring and said second electric field being generally axial between said third electrode ring and said fourth electrode ring.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein said second electrode ring and said third electrode ring are a single combined electrode ring.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein said combined electrode ring is at a positive voltage.
15. The device of claim 13 wherein said combined electrode ring is at a negative voltage.
16. The device of claim 12 wherein said first electric field separates and collects at least one of the positive ions and negative ions within the reactant ion or said first mobility range on the first or second electrode ring.
17. The device of claim 12 wherein said second electric field separates and collects at least one of the positive ions and negative ions within the product ion or said second mobility range on the third or fourth electrode ring.
18. The device of claim 12 wherein said first electric field separates and collects at least one of the positive ions and negative ions within the reactant ion or said first mobility range and the said second electric field separates and collects at least one of the positive ions and/or negative ions within the product ion or said second mobility range.
19. A method of collecting ions within ion mobility ranges comprising
flowing a stream of a gas mixture having ions representative of gases therein through an electric field positioned along said stream, said electric field having a specified field intensity,
collecting a first group of ions at one end of said electric field and,
measuring the first group of ions collected in said electric field to detect the representative gas.
20. A method for collecting ions by ion mobility range comprising
forming ions of gases in a flow stream of a gas mixture, and
collecting a group of ions having a known range of mobility at one end of an electric field extending axially along said flow stream.
21. The method defined in claim 20 further comprising measuring an electric current from said collected ions to indicate the presence of a gas of interest in said gas mixture.
22. The method defined in claim 21 wherein said collected ions are positive ions collected on a cathode of said electric field.
23. The method defined in claim 21 wherein said collected ions are negative ions collected on an anode of said electric field.
24. A method for detecting a gas by ion mobility segregation comprising
forming ions of gases in a flow stream of a gas mixture,
establishing a first and second electric field in series along said flow stream,
collecting in said first electric field a first group of ions having a first mobility range, and
collecting in said second electric field a second group of ions having a second mobility range of a gas G of interest.
25. The method defined in claim 24 further comprising the step of irradiating the flow stream to form ions within said flow stream prior to or within the region of said first electric field.
26. The method defined in claim 24 further comprising measuring an electric current from said collected ions to indicate the presence of a gas G of interest in said gas mixture.
27. The method defined in claim 24 further comprising establishing more than two said electric fields along said flow stream wherein a discrete specific mobility range can be separated and collected within each electric field.
28. The method defined in claim 27 further comprising measuring electric currents at each of said electric fields from said collected ions to indicate the presence of gases of interest within said specific mobility ranges.
US06/786,666 1985-10-11 1985-10-11 Gas detection by ion mobility segregation Expired - Fee Related US4724394A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/786,666 US4724394A (en) 1985-10-11 1985-10-11 Gas detection by ion mobility segregation

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/786,666 US4724394A (en) 1985-10-11 1985-10-11 Gas detection by ion mobility segregation

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4724394A true US4724394A (en) 1988-02-09

Family

ID=25139264

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/786,666 Expired - Fee Related US4724394A (en) 1985-10-11 1985-10-11 Gas detection by ion mobility segregation

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US4724394A (en)

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4866278A (en) * 1984-06-05 1989-09-12 Hewlett-Packard Co. Gas chromatography
US5047723A (en) * 1986-06-03 1991-09-10 Pertti Puumalainen Method for detection of foreign matter contents in gases
US5114677A (en) * 1989-04-03 1992-05-19 Brunswick Corporation Gas detection apparatus and related method
WO1992015874A1 (en) * 1991-02-28 1992-09-17 Valco Instruments Company, Inc. High voltage spark excitation and ionization detector system
US5281915A (en) * 1991-04-22 1994-01-25 Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. Sensor for detecting a high molecular weight substance using ionization effects
US5394090A (en) * 1991-02-28 1995-02-28 Wentworth; Wayne E. Improved system for detecting compounds in a gaseous sample using induced photoionizations and electron capture detection
US5394092A (en) * 1991-02-28 1995-02-28 Valco Instruments Co., Inc. System for identifying and quantifying selected constituents of gas samples using selective photoionization
US5394091A (en) * 1991-02-28 1995-02-28 Wentworth; Wayne E. System for detecting compounds in a gaseous sample by measuring photoionization and electron capture induced by spark excitation of helium
US5455417A (en) * 1994-05-05 1995-10-03 Sacristan; Emilio Ion mobility method and device for gas analysis
US5528150A (en) * 1991-02-28 1996-06-18 Stearns; Stanley D. Gas sampling apparatus including a sealed chamber cooperative with a separate detector chamber
US5532599A (en) * 1991-02-28 1996-07-02 Stearns; Stanley D. High voltage spark excitation and ionization system including disc detector
US5541519A (en) * 1991-02-28 1996-07-30 Stearns; Stanley D. Photoionization detector incorporating a dopant and carrier gas flow
US5594346A (en) * 1991-02-28 1997-01-14 Valco Instruments Co., Inc. Apparatus and methods for identifying and quantifying compounds using a plurality of pulsed rare gas photoionization detectors
US5644220A (en) * 1994-02-11 1997-07-01 Balzers Aktiengesellschaft Process and apparatus for measuring charge quantity flowing in a vacuum
US5767683A (en) * 1996-07-26 1998-06-16 Stearns; Stanley D. System for detecting compounds in a gaseous sample using photoionization, electron capture detection, and a constant current feedback control circuit which responds to compound concentration
WO1999051978A1 (en) * 1998-04-07 1999-10-14 Daimlerchrysler Ag Ion mobility spectrometer
US20060284077A1 (en) * 2005-05-23 2006-12-21 Tsi Incorporated Instruments for measuring nanoparticle exposure
US7268347B1 (en) * 2002-01-25 2007-09-11 Blanchard William C Ion detecting apparatus and methods
US20080304752A1 (en) * 2007-03-07 2008-12-11 Joseph Matteoni Systems and methods for detection of an airborne contaminant
US10571419B2 (en) 2017-05-24 2020-02-25 Rosemount Aerospace Inc. Contacting type flow through conductivity cell
US10598623B2 (en) * 2017-05-24 2020-03-24 Rosemount Aerospace Inc. Four-wire conductivity cell circuit
US11317050B2 (en) 2005-03-11 2022-04-26 Hand Held Products, Inc. Image reader comprising CMOS based image sensor array
US11604933B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2023-03-14 Hand Held Products, Inc. Apparatus having hybrid monochrome and color image sensor array

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4114088A (en) * 1977-02-28 1978-09-12 Cecil Alfred Laws Atmospheric ion density measurement
US4456883A (en) * 1982-10-04 1984-06-26 Ambac Industries, Incorporated Method and apparatus for indicating an operating characteristic of an internal combustion engine

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4114088A (en) * 1977-02-28 1978-09-12 Cecil Alfred Laws Atmospheric ion density measurement
US4456883A (en) * 1982-10-04 1984-06-26 Ambac Industries, Incorporated Method and apparatus for indicating an operating characteristic of an internal combustion engine

Cited By (42)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4866278A (en) * 1984-06-05 1989-09-12 Hewlett-Packard Co. Gas chromatography
US5047723A (en) * 1986-06-03 1991-09-10 Pertti Puumalainen Method for detection of foreign matter contents in gases
US5114677A (en) * 1989-04-03 1992-05-19 Brunswick Corporation Gas detection apparatus and related method
US5394091A (en) * 1991-02-28 1995-02-28 Wentworth; Wayne E. System for detecting compounds in a gaseous sample by measuring photoionization and electron capture induced by spark excitation of helium
US5528150A (en) * 1991-02-28 1996-06-18 Stearns; Stanley D. Gas sampling apparatus including a sealed chamber cooperative with a separate detector chamber
WO1992015874A1 (en) * 1991-02-28 1992-09-17 Valco Instruments Company, Inc. High voltage spark excitation and ionization detector system
US5394090A (en) * 1991-02-28 1995-02-28 Wentworth; Wayne E. Improved system for detecting compounds in a gaseous sample using induced photoionizations and electron capture detection
US5394092A (en) * 1991-02-28 1995-02-28 Valco Instruments Co., Inc. System for identifying and quantifying selected constituents of gas samples using selective photoionization
US5594346A (en) * 1991-02-28 1997-01-14 Valco Instruments Co., Inc. Apparatus and methods for identifying and quantifying compounds using a plurality of pulsed rare gas photoionization detectors
US5541519A (en) * 1991-02-28 1996-07-30 Stearns; Stanley D. Photoionization detector incorporating a dopant and carrier gas flow
US5153519A (en) * 1991-02-28 1992-10-06 Wentworth Wayne E High voltage spark excitation and ionization detector system
US5532599A (en) * 1991-02-28 1996-07-02 Stearns; Stanley D. High voltage spark excitation and ionization system including disc detector
US5281915A (en) * 1991-04-22 1994-01-25 Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. Sensor for detecting a high molecular weight substance using ionization effects
DE19502439B4 (en) * 1994-02-11 2007-08-16 Oc Oerlikon Balzers Ag Method and measuring arrangement for measuring the amount of electrical charge flowing through a vacuum volume range in a given direction per unit time and their use for mass spectrometers
US5644220A (en) * 1994-02-11 1997-07-01 Balzers Aktiengesellschaft Process and apparatus for measuring charge quantity flowing in a vacuum
US5455417A (en) * 1994-05-05 1995-10-03 Sacristan; Emilio Ion mobility method and device for gas analysis
US5767683A (en) * 1996-07-26 1998-06-16 Stearns; Stanley D. System for detecting compounds in a gaseous sample using photoionization, electron capture detection, and a constant current feedback control circuit which responds to compound concentration
WO1999051978A1 (en) * 1998-04-07 1999-10-14 Daimlerchrysler Ag Ion mobility spectrometer
US6433334B1 (en) 1998-04-07 2002-08-13 Eads Deutschland Gmbh Ion mobility spectrometer
US7268347B1 (en) * 2002-01-25 2007-09-11 Blanchard William C Ion detecting apparatus and methods
US11323650B2 (en) 2005-03-11 2022-05-03 Hand Held Products, Inc. Image reader comprising CMOS based image sensor array
US12185006B2 (en) 2005-03-11 2024-12-31 Hand Held Products, Inc. Image reader comprising CMOS based image sensor array
US12075176B2 (en) 2005-03-11 2024-08-27 Hand Held Products, Inc. Image reader comprising CMOS based image sensor array
US11968464B2 (en) 2005-03-11 2024-04-23 Hand Held Products, Inc. Image reader comprising CMOS based image sensor array
US11863897B2 (en) 2005-03-11 2024-01-02 Hand Held Products, Inc. Image reader comprising CMOS based image sensor array
US11317050B2 (en) 2005-03-11 2022-04-26 Hand Held Products, Inc. Image reader comprising CMOS based image sensor array
US11323649B2 (en) 2005-03-11 2022-05-03 Hand Held Products, Inc. Image reader comprising CMOS based image sensor array
US7812306B2 (en) * 2005-05-23 2010-10-12 Tsi, Incorporated Instruments for measuring nanoparticle exposure
US20060284077A1 (en) * 2005-05-23 2006-12-21 Tsi Incorporated Instruments for measuring nanoparticle exposure
US12001913B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2024-06-04 Hand Held Products, Inc. Apparatus having hybrid monochrome and color image sensor array
US11604933B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2023-03-14 Hand Held Products, Inc. Apparatus having hybrid monochrome and color image sensor array
US11625550B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2023-04-11 Hand Held Products, Inc. Apparatus having hybrid monochrome and color image sensor array
US12001914B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2024-06-04 Hand Held Products, Inc. Apparatus having hybrid monochrome and color image sensor array
US12020111B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2024-06-25 Hand Held Products, Inc. Apparatus having hybrid monochrome and color image sensor array
US12026580B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2024-07-02 Hand Held Products, Inc. Apparatus having hybrid monochrome and color image sensor array
US12073283B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2024-08-27 Hand Held Products, Inc. Apparatus having hybrid monochrome and color image sensor array
US12236312B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2025-02-25 Hand Held Products, Inc. Apparatus having hybrid monochrome and color image sensor array
US8254696B2 (en) * 2007-03-07 2012-08-28 Drs Sustainment Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for detection of an airborne contaminant
WO2008118624A3 (en) * 2007-03-07 2009-12-30 Drs Sustainment Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for detection of an airborne contaminant
US20080304752A1 (en) * 2007-03-07 2008-12-11 Joseph Matteoni Systems and methods for detection of an airborne contaminant
US10598623B2 (en) * 2017-05-24 2020-03-24 Rosemount Aerospace Inc. Four-wire conductivity cell circuit
US10571419B2 (en) 2017-05-24 2020-02-25 Rosemount Aerospace Inc. Contacting type flow through conductivity cell

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4724394A (en) Gas detection by ion mobility segregation
JP5015395B2 (en) Ultra-compact asymmetric field ion mobility filter and detection system
JP3688010B2 (en) Ion mobility spectrometer
US4445038A (en) Apparatus for simultaneous detection of positive and negative ions in ion mobility spectrometry
Hill Jr et al. Ion mobility spectrometry
US6831271B1 (en) Method for separation and enrichment of isotopes in gaseous phase
CN101918827B (en) Method and device for detection and identification of gases
EP0004124A1 (en) Apparatus and method for trace vapour detection
JP5738997B2 (en) Method and apparatus for gas detection and identification using an ion mobility spectrometer
EP1102985A1 (en) Method for separation and enrichment of isotopes in gaseous phase
JP2000504111A (en) Corona discharge ion source for analytical instruments
US20050199799A1 (en) Mass spectrometric apparatus and ion source
GB2423414A (en) Ion mobility spectrometer with parallel-running drift gas and ion carrier gas flow
GB2198579A (en) Ion drift detector
WO2013152344A1 (en) Selective ionization using high frequency filtering of reactive ions
US8008617B1 (en) Ion transfer device
US20100132561A1 (en) Electrostatic charging and collection
EP2067028A1 (en) Faims apparatus comprising source of dry gas
US8748812B2 (en) Detectors and ion sources
RU2503083C1 (en) Differential ion mobility spectrometer
US20180266990A1 (en) Ion selecting device for identification of ions in gaseous media
US7372020B2 (en) Ion counter
US11315777B2 (en) Method and apparatus for concentrating ionised molecules
RU2265832C1 (en) Device for detecting trace contaminant in gases
RU2289810C2 (en) Corona discharge ionization source for devices detecting microscopic impurities of matter in gases

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: BRUNSWICK CORPORATION, ONE BRUNSWICK PLAZA, SKOKIE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:LANGER, SCOTT R.;BOWERS, WILLIAM D.;STEELE, MICHAEL F.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:004468/0344

Effective date: 19851003

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20000209

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

OSZAR »