Patents by Inventor Richard Barrington Moulds
Richard Barrington Moulds has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20220384171Abstract: An atmospheric pressure ionisation (API) ion source is provided that comprises a heater configured to heat a spray of droplets. The ion source may comprise a target, where the spray of droplets is arranged to impact upon the target. An inductive heater may be configured to surround and heat at least a part of the target. Alternatively, a resistive heater may be configured within a target comprising an electrically conductive tube. Also, there may be provided an inductive heater configured to heat a flow of gas, wherein the heated flow of gas is arranged to heat the spray of droplets.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2020Publication date: December 1, 2022Applicant: Micromass UK LimitedInventors: Steve Bajic, Richard Barrington Moulds, David Gordon
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Patent number: 11355331Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a system control module (1715) for controlling the operation of the mass spectrometer. The system control module (1715) comprises one or more functional modules, each functional module being operable to perform a predetermined function of the mass spectrometer. The system control module (1715) and/or one or more functional modules are operable to communicate non-time information with each other using a time code of a communications protocol.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Micromass UK LimitedInventors: Peter G. Spreadbury, Paul Doorbar, Richard Barrington Moulds, Andrew Packwood, Paul McIver
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Publication number: 20210382005Abstract: A dual-mode ion detector for a mass and/or ion mobility spectrometer comprising a first conversion electrode (20) that is maintained, in use, at a negative potential and arranged for converting incident positive ions (32) into secondary electrons (34), and a second conversion electrode (22) that is maintained, in use, at a positive potential and arranged for converting incident negative ions (42) into secondary positive ions (44) and/or secondary electrons (74). The detector also comprises an electron detecting surface (26) and an entrance electrode (24) for drawing ions into the ion detector. The ion detector is switchable between a first mode for detecting positive ions and a second mode for detecting negative ions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2019Publication date: December 9, 2021Applicant: Micromass UK LimitedInventors: David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny, Richard Barrington Moulds, David J. Langridge
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Publication number: 20210313162Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a system control module (1715) for controlling the operation of the mass spectrometer. The system control module (1715) comprises one or more functional modules, each functional module being operable to perform a predetermined function of the mass spectrometer. The system control module (1715) and/or one or more functional modules are operable to communicate non-time information with each other using a time code of a communications protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2019Publication date: October 7, 2021Applicant: Micromass UK LimitedInventors: Peter G. Spreadbury, Paul Doorbar, Richard Barrington Moulds, Andrew Packwood, Paul McIver
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Patent number: 10679840Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure interface comprising a gas cone 6 having an inlet aperture, wherein the gas cone 6 has a first longitudinal axis arranged along an x-axis and an Electrospray ion source comprising a first capillary tube 2 having an outlet and having a second longitudinal axis and a second capillary tube 3 which surrounds the first capillary tube 2. The mass spectrometer further comprises a desolvation gas supply tube and a first device arranged and adapted to supply an analyte liquid via the first capillary tube 2 so that the liquid exits the outlet of the first capillary tube 2 at a flow rate >200 ?L/min.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Micromass UK LImitedInventors: Stevan Bajic, David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny, Richard Barrington Moulds, Stephen O'Brien, Ian Trivett, Kate Whyatt
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Patent number: 10438784Abstract: A voltage supply system for supplying an RF voltage to an RF resonant load comprising an ion-optical component of a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The system comprises a Direct Digital Synthesizer (“DDS”) arranged and adapted to output an RF voltage. The voltage supply system is arranged and adapted: (i) to vary the frequency of the RF voltage output by the Direct Digital Synthesizer, (ii) to determine a first resonant frequency of the RF resonant load comprising the ion-optical component, and (iii) to determine whether or not the generation of an RF voltage at the first resonant frequency by the Direct Digital Synthesizer would also result in the generation of a spur frequency close to the first resonant frequency.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Micromass UK LimitedInventors: David R. Gordon, Richard Barrington Moulds, Kenneth Russell Worthington
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Publication number: 20190244800Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure interface comprising a gas cone 6 having an inlet aperture, wherein the gas cone 6 has a first longitudinal axis arranged along an x-axis and an Electrospray ion source comprising a first capillary tube 2 having an outlet and having a second longitudinal axis and a second capillary tube 3 which surrounds the first capillary tube 2. The mass spectrometer further comprises a desolvation gas supply tube and a first device arranged and adapted to supply an analyte liquid via the first capillary tube 2 so that the liquid exits the outlet of the first capillary tube 2 at a flow rate >200 ?L/min.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2019Publication date: August 8, 2019Applicant: Micromass UK LimitedInventors: Stevan Bajic, David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny, Richard Barrington Moulds, Stephen O'Brien, Ian Trivett, Kate Whyatt
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Patent number: 10236171Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure interface comprising a gas cone having an inlet aperture, wherein the gas cone has a first longitudinal axis arranged along an x-axis and an Electrospray ion source comprising a first capillary tube having an outlet and having a second longitudinal axis and a second capillary tube which surrounds the first capillary tube. The mass spectrometer further comprises a desolvation gas supply tube and a first device arranged and adapted to supply an analyte liquid via the first capillary tube so that the liquid exits the outlet of the first capillary tube at a flow rate >200 ?L/min.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITEDInventors: Stevan Bajic, David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny, Richard Barrington Moulds, Stephen O'Brien, Ian Trivett, Kate Whyatt
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Publication number: 20190080892Abstract: A voltage supply system for supplying an RF voltage to an RF resonant load comprising an ion-optical component of a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The system comprises a Direct Digital Synthesiser (“DDS”) arranged and adapted to output an RF voltage. The voltage supply system is arranged and adapted: (i) to vary the frequency of the RF voltage output by the Direct Digital Synthesiser, (ii) to determine a first resonant frequency of the RF resonant load comprising the ion-optical component, and (iii) to determine whether or not the generation of an RF voltage at the first resonant frequency by the Direct Digital Synthesiser would also result in the generation of a spur frequency close to the first resonant frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Applicant: Micromass UK LimitedInventors: David R. Gordon, Richard Barrington Moulds, Kenneth Russell Worthington
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Patent number: 10134573Abstract: A voltage supply system for supplying an RF voltage to an RF resonant load comprising an ion-optical component of a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The system comprises a Direct Digital Synthesiser (“DDS”) arranged and adapted to output an RF voltage. The voltage supply system is arranged and adapted: (i) to vary the frequency of the RF voltage output by the Direct Digital Synthesiser, (ii) to determine a first resonant frequency of the RF resonant load comprising the ion-optical component, and (iii) to determine whether or not the generation of an RF voltage at the first resonant frequency by the Direct Digital Synthesiser would also result in the generation of a spur frequency close to the first resonant frequency.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITEDInventors: David Gordon, Richard Barrington Moulds, Kenneth Russell Worthington
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Patent number: 10090141Abstract: A method of constructing an ion guide is disclosed comprising providing an elongated spine member and a plurality of plates. Each plate comprises an aperture therethrough for receiving the spine member and at least one electrode for use in guiding ions. The apertures of the plates are arranged around the spine member and the plates are arranged along the spine member. The plates are then locked in position on the spine member such that the plates are fixed axially with respect to the spine member and so that the electrodes of the plates are arranged so as to form an array of electrodes for use in guiding ions.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITEDInventors: John Richard Garside, Martin Raymond Green, Daniel James Kenny, Jeffrey Ellis Lockett, Richard Barrington Moulds
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Patent number: 9995712Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer or separator is disclosed comprises plural groups of electrodes, each group of electrodes comprising: (i) a first electrode connected to a first independently controllable voltage supply; (ii) one or more intermediate electrodes; and (iii) a second electrode connected to a second independently controllable voltage supply, wherein the first electrode, the one or more intermediate electrodes and the second electrode are interconnected by a series of resistors or other components so as to form a resistive divider so that the potential of the one or more intermediate electrodes is determined by the voltages supplied by the first and second voltage supplies and the resistance of the resistors; a drift region; a first device arranged and adapted to pulse a packet of ions into the drift region so that the ions are caused to separate temporally and assume one or more ion distributions; and a control system arranged and adapted: (i) to cause at least some of the independently controllableType: GrantFiled: June 10, 2015Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Micromass UK LimitedInventor: Richard Barrington Moulds
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Patent number: 9786481Abstract: A mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed comprising means for detecting a blockage in an inlet orifice arranged between an ion source and a vacuum chamber. The blockage is detected as a result of a reduction in pressure within the vacuum chamber. This change in pressure is detected indirectly by monitoring the amount of power that a vacuum pump is using, the amount of current that a vacuum pump is drawing, the temperature of a vacuum pump or a region in proximity to the vacuum pump, or the flow rate of gas out of a vacuum pump.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Micromass UK LimitedInventors: David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny, Richard Barrington Moulds
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Patent number: 9779924Abstract: Apparatus for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion source, a heater for heating a gas flow to the ion source, a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the heater, and a control system. The control system is arranged and adapted to determine a flow rate of the gas flow by monitoring the power supplied to the heater and the temperature of the heater.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Micromass UK LimitedInventors: David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny, Richard Barrington Moulds
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Publication number: 20170199153Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer or separator is disclosed comprises plural groups of electrodes, each group of electrodes comprising: (i) a first electrode connected to a first independently controllable voltage supply; (ii) one or more intermediate electrodes; and (iii) a second electrode connected to a second independently controllable voltage supply, wherein the first electrode, the one or more intermediate electrodes and the second electrode are interconnected by a series of resistors or other components so as to form a resistive divider so that the potential of the one or more intermediate electrodes is determined by the voltages supplied by the first and second voltage supplies and the resistance of the resistors; a drift region; a first device arranged and adapted to pulse a packet of ions into the drift region so that the ions are caused to separate temporally and assume one or more ion distributions; and a control system arranged and adapted: (i) to cause at least some of the independently controllableType: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2015Publication date: July 13, 2017Applicant: Micromass UK LimitedInventor: Richard Barrington MOULDS
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Publication number: 20170178886Abstract: A method of constructing an ion guide is disclosed comprising providing an elongated spine member and a plurality of plates. Each plate comprises an aperture therethrough for receiving the spine member and at least one electrode for use in guiding ions. The apertures of the plates are arranged around the spine member and the plates are arranged along the spine member. The plates are then locked in position on the spine member such that the plates are fixed axially with respect to the spine member and so that the electrodes of the plates are arranged so as to form an array of electrodes for use in guiding ions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2016Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: John Richard GARSIDE, Martin Raymond GREEN, Daniel James KENNY, Jeffrey Ellis LOCKETT, Richard Barrington MOULDS
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Patent number: 9659760Abstract: A method of Electrospray ionization is disclosed comprising passing a sample liquid through a liquid chromatography column, monitoring a liquid chromatography back pressure and varying a voltage applied to an Electrospray ionization source electrode in dependence upon said monitored liquid chromatography back pressure.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Micromass UK LimitedInventors: David Gordon, Alexander Hooper, Daniel James Kenny, Richard Barrington Moulds, David Pugh, Kate Whyatt
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Patent number: 9536724Abstract: A method of constructing an ion guide is disclosed comprising providing an elongated spine member and a plurality of plates. Each plate comprises an aperture therethrough for receiving the spine member and at least one electrode for use in guiding ions. The apertures of the plates are arranged around the spine member and the plates are arranged along the spine member. The plates are then locked in position on the spine member such that the plates are fixed axially with respect to the spine member and so that the electrodes of the plates are arranged so as to form an array of electrodes for use in guiding ions.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Micromass UK LimitedInventors: John Richard Garside, Martin Raymond Green, Daniel James Kenny, Jeffrey Ellis Lockett, Richard Barrington Moulds
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Publication number: 20160293393Abstract: A voltage supply system for supplying an RF voltage to an RF resonant load comprising an ion-optical component of a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The system comprises a Direct Digital Synthesiser (“DDS”) arranged and adapted to output an RF voltage. The voltage supply system is arranged and adapted: (i) to vary the frequency of the RF voltage output by the Direct Digital Synthesiser, (ii) to determine a first resonant frequency of the RF resonant load comprising the ion-optical component, and (iii) to determine whether or not the generation of an RF voltage at the first resonant frequency by the Direct Digital Synthesiser would also result in the generation of a spur frequency close to the first resonant frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2014Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: David Gordon, Richard Barrington Moulds, Kenneth Russell Worthington
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Publication number: 20160233073Abstract: A mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed comprising means for detecting a blockage in an inlet orifice arranged between an ion source and a vacuum chamber. The blockage is detected as a result of a reduction in pressure within the vacuum chamber. This change in pressure is detected indirectly by monitoring the amount of power that a vacuum pump is using, the amount of current that a vacuum pump is drawing, the temperature of a vacuum pump or a region in proximity to the vacuum pump, or the flow rate of gas out of a vacuum pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2014Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny, Richard Barrington Moulds