Abstract: The present invention relates to improving the ability of a hyphenated instrument to analyze a sample benefiting from having the first instrument's analysis of the same sample. A fast switching mechanism can be used as the interface between an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) and a mass spectrometer (MS) such that the obtained IMS spectrum is converted into a timing diagram that controls the vacuum inlet's size dynamically during analysis of a neutral and/or charged chemical and/or biological species such that a smaller pumping system can be used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a parallel IMS and MS measurement method where a sample flow is split and delivered to an IMS and a MS in parallel. A parallel acquisition MS/IMS method is used to supplement LC-MS and or MS data by using a synchronized MS/IMS acquisition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improving the ability of a hyphenated instrument to analyze a sample benefiting from having the first instrument's analysis of the same sample. A fast switching machenism can be used as the interface between an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) and a mass spectrometer (MS) such that the obtained IMS spectrum is converted into a timing diagram that controls the vacuum inlet's size dynamically during analysis of a neutral and/or charged chemical and/or biological species such that a smaller pumping system can be used.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometry method wherein ions are separated along a drift axis while providing a drift gas flow in a direction that is substantially neither in the direction of the drift axis nor opposite to the drift axis. Ion mobility spectrometer operation methods use a cross-directional gas flow in a drift tube and/or a segmented drift tube for pre-separation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a parallel IMS and MS measurement method where a sample flow is split and delivered to an IMS and a MS in parallel. A parallel acquisition MS/IMS method is used to supplement LC-MS and or MS data by using a synchronized MS/IMS acquisition.

Abstract: The present invention uses an AC voltage instead of DC voltage on an ion gate to filter/selectively pass ions. The ions that pass through the AC ion gate can be further separated in a spectrometric instrument. An ion mobility spectrometer using the AC ion gate can achieve better gating performance. For a time of flight ion mobility spectrometer with an AC ion gate, a narrow pulse of selected ions can be passed into a drift tube where they are separated based on their low field ion mobility. Moreover, when the AC voltage at the AC ion gate has a waveform as used for differential ion mobility spectrometry, the time of flight ion mobility spectrometer is converted into a two dimensional separation spectrometer, where ions are first separated based on their high field ion mobility and then further separated based on their low field ion mobility.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer wherein ions are separated along a drift axis while providing a drift gas flow in a direction that is substantially neither in the direction of the drift axis nor opposite to the drift axis. An ion mobility spectrometer and operation methods use a cross-directional gas flow in a drift tube and/or a segmented drift tube for pre-separation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a parallel IMS and MS measurement method where a sample flow is split and delivered to an IMS and a MS in parallel. A parallel acquisition MS/IMS method is used to supplement LC-MS and or MS data by using a synchronized MS/IMS acquisition.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer wherein ions are separated along a drift axis while providing a drift gas flow in a direction that is substantially neither in the direction of the drift axis nor opposite to the drift axis. An ion mobility spectrometer and operation methods use a cross-directional gas flow in a drift tube and/or a segmented drift tube for pre-separation.

Abstract: The IMS apparatus and methods described in this invention involve setting the ion detector at the highest potential of the drift tube and setting the ionization source at ground or near ground potential. The methods allow significantly simple sample introduction without the limitation of the high potential (voltage) concern of the front end sample delivery. The invention also describes bringing samples directly into the ion mobility drift tube. The invention further describes using single syringe for sample introduction via an electrospray ionization method.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus to keep the electrospray ionization at a lower temperature than the heated chamber where the desolvation process occurs. The means to cool the electrosprayer is by actively removing heat from the apparatus through heat transfer methods. This apparatus and method can be used with any ionization apparatus at high temperatures preventing the ionization source from reaching a high temperature that may hinter the normal operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improving the ability of a hyphenated instrument to analyze a sample benefiting from having the first instrument's analysis of the same sample. A fast switching mechanism can be used as the interface between an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) and a mass spectrometer (MS) such that the obtained IMS spectrum is converted into a timing diagram that controls the vacuum inlet's size dynamically during analysis of a neutral and/or charged chemical and/or biological species such that a smaller pumping system can be used.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for transmitting beams of charged particles, and in particular to such systems and methods that employ defecting at least one set of grid elements into the same plane to form an ion gate. In addition, an operation method of closing a gate involving alternating voltages on the adjacent gate wires is described.

Abstract: The present invention describes directly using particles collected with an electrostatic precipitator for the detection of explosives and other compounds of interest. The method and apparatus of analyzing particles involves directly measuring particles on the collection electrodes or thermally desorbing them into an ion mobility spectrometer and/or other analytical instruments. One aspect of the present invention is a particulate charging method. Another aspect of the present invention provides a means of high charging of the particulates while minimizing their collection in the charging stage. The present invention also provides a means for efficiently collecting the particulates in a second stage for sampling in a compact electrode.

Abstract: The metal panel shear cutter of the instant invention is designed for metal panels which include support ribs. The panel cutter utilizes an anvil type cutting blade positioned at each side of the cutting base. Each cutting blade is pivotally connected to a cutting base in the vertical plane. The cutting base also includes recesses in the top surface of the base for receiving the ribs of the panels when the panels are placed on the shear cutter with the ribs face down, to allow for a smooth and clean cut of the panel. The cutting blades and a small portion of the base are also pivotally connected to the cutting base in the horizontal plane so they may be pivoted to the desired cutting angle while the metal panel remains fixed with respect to the base. This pivotal portion of the base includes additional recesses in the top surface thereof for supporting the ribs of the panel. These recesses in the pivotal portion of the base are substantially the same size as the ribs of the panel to permit a clean cut.

Abstract: A metal panel shear cutter is designed for metal panels which include support ribs. The metal panel cutter utilizes an anvil type cutting blade positioned at each side of a cutting base. Each cutting blade is pivotally connected to a cutting base in the vertical plane. The cutting base also includes supports for the ribs of the panels to allow for a smooth and clean cut of the panel. The cutting blades and a small portion of the cutting base are pivotally connected to the cutting base in the horizontal plane so they may be pivoted to the desired cutting angle while the metal panel remains fixed with respect to the base. This pivotal portion of the base includes additional supports for the ribs of the panel. These supports are adjustable to accommodate the various angles at which the panels are to be cut.

Abstract: A metal panel shear cutter is designed for metal panels which include support ribs. The metal panel cutter utilizes an anvil type cutting blade positioned at each side of a cutting base. Each cutting blade is pivotally connected to a cutting base in the vertical plane. The cutting base also includes supports for the ribs of the panels to allow for a smooth and clean cut of the panel. The cutting blades and a small portion of the cutting base are pivotally connected to the cutting base in the horizontal plane so they may be pivoted to the desired cutting angle while the metal panel remains fixed with respect to the base. This pivotal portion of the base includes additional supports for the ribs of the panel. These supports are adjustable to accommodate the various angles at which the panels are to be cut.