US3624420A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control system for a plurality of mass spectrometers
Assignee: Gulf Research and Development Co
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Filing: 1970-01-12
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Granted: 1971-11-30
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Expires: 1990-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A computerized control system for a plurality of mass spectrometers, wherein voltage ranges corresponding to predetermined ions are selected and programmed into the computer. Instead of the usual scan, the computer drives a power supply to move from range to range, and to vary the voltage incrementally within each range to accurately define the peaks of interest. The voltage delivered at the spectrometer is fed back to the computer to serve as a check on the power supply and the overall system.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald L Krutz
- 👤 Alexander P Lezark
- 👤 Alvin B Marcus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:56
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J49/00; H01J49/02; H01J49/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of supplying power to at least two points of use in certain predetermined ranges of power and then varying the power supplied within each range in relatively small increments, comprising the steps of selecting one of said points of use for operation, determining the ranges within which power is to be supplied to said point of use, supplying power from power supply means under the control of control means within said ranges only to said selected point of use, and increasing and decreasing the power supplied to said point of use from said power supply means under the control of said control means in relatively small increments within each of said ranges.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of supplying power to at least two points of use in certain predetermined ranges of power and then varying the power supplied within each range in relatively small increments, comprising the steps of selecting one of said points of use for operation, determining the ranges within which power is to be supplied to said point of use, supplying power from power supply means under the control of control means within said ranges only to said selected point of use, and increasing and decreasing the power supplied to said point of use from said power supply means under the control of said control means in relatively small increments within each of said ranges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination of claim 1, and feeding back signals from said selected point of use to said control means indicative of a value of the power supplied at said point of use, whereby said control means corrects its control of said power supply means in accordance with the data fed back from said point of use.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said points of use comprise a plurality of mass spectrometers, and said power supply means supplies power to the deflection means within said mass spectrometers, and wherein said ranges comprise voltage ranges corresponding to the masses of certain selected ions in an unknown being analyzed, and wherein said voltage is varied in relatively small increments to accurately define an ionization peak within each of said ranges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for supplying power to at least two points of use in certain predetermined ranges of power and then varying the power supplied within each range in relatively small increments, comprising power supply means to produce the power in said increments within said ranges, control means connected to said power supply means to drive said power supply means, switching means controlled by said control means to feed power from said power supply means to any selected one of said points of use, means to feed signals back from each of said points of use to said control means via said switching means indicative of a value of the power supplied at said point of use, whereby said control means corrects its control of said power supply means in accordance with the data fed back from said point of use.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for supplying power to at least two points of use in certain predetermined ranges of power and then varying the power supplied within each range in relatively small increments, comprising power supply means to produce the power in said increments within said ranges, control means connected to said power supply means to drive said power supply means, switching means controlled by said control means to feed power from said power supply means to any selected one of said points of use, means to feed signals back from each of said points of use to said control means via said switching means indicative of a value of the power supplied at said point of use, whereby said control means corrects its control of said power supply means in accordance with the data fed back from said point of use.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 4, said at least two points of use comprising at least two mass spectrometers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 5, and a number of operator consoles equal to the number of said mass spectrometers with one console associated with each spectrometer, means interconnecting each of said consoles with both its associated spectrometer and said control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 4, said control means comprising a general purpose stored program digital computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 7, said feed back means comprising an analog-to-digital converter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
95 words
The combination of claim 4, said switching means comprising a number of relays equal to the number of said points of use, each of said relays including a coil selectively operable by a control signal from said control means, each of said relays including a first set of contacts operable by said coil to close the circuit between said power supply means and said point of use, and each of said relays including a second set of contacts operable by said coil to close a circuit between said point of use and said feedback means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3521077A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-29 | 1975-05-31 | 1975-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-29 | 1979-05-31 | 1979-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-29 | 1983-05-31 | 1983-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |