Other

Pacific Environmental Technologies, LLC

Pacific Environment Technologies, LLC

Gary Michael McMurtry

Daniel N Kokubun

James Robert DeLuze

David Copson

Disclosed is a mass selective fluid bandpass filter. This filter provides for selecting gas molecules of a specific mass from a gas sample containing molecules of two or more mass species. This provides for a low power, low cost apparatus for producingHe from terrestrial sources of helium gas by selective enrichment. This invention further discloses a portable, field deployable means ofHe/He ratio determination employing one or more of the effects consisting of: statistical linear regression plots of heat ramps, variable emission currents within a quadruple mass spectrometer, use of a quadrupole mass spectrometer in concert with ultrahigh vacuum maintained by non-evaporable getter pumps, and/or construction of vacuum housing structures from non-steel or non-stainless steel alloys, and or non metallic materials selected from a group consisting of: aluminum, titanium, ceramics, or glass. This provides a compact, sensitive field deployable unit with low power consumption.

Isotopic enrichment of helium-3 through glass

A membrane-introduction mass spectrometer (MIMS) device has a sample inlet assembly provided with a membrane held by an outer retaining ring across the entrance of a central passage, a porous metal frit backing the membrane, and a cylindrical support piece supporting the frit. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane is a 10-micron thickness layer of silicone evenly coated upon an inert polymer backing material. The porous frit is a titanium or steel sponge metal. The cylindrical support piece is made of titanium with small, drilled thru-holes to allow passage of gases and volatile organics into the mass spectrometer. The sample inlet assembly includes a high-pressure temperature probe for sensing fluid temperature to correct for temperature variations in membrane diffusion rates. The sample inlet assembly is provided as a front end to an underwater sampling probe.

High pressure membrane introduction for a mass spectrometer

An environmental sampler for a mass spectrometer is disclosed that provides for controlled introduction of small amounts of fluids or gases into the vacuum system of the mass spectrometer under severe environmental conditions. Accurate calibration checks of the environmental sampler and mass spectrometer during remote autonomous operation is possible by means of an internal standard reservoir integral with the environmental sampler.

Environmental sampler for mass spectrometer

An environmental sampler is configured to deliver a pre-determined volume of external environmental sample and internal standard sample to the mass spectrometer on each cycle of advancing and retracting movement of a sampler rod under control of a stepper motor. This allows the external environmental sample to be accurately analyzed for its trace contents against a known, standard sample in the same sample period, thereby providing a real-time calibration of the analysis results in each sample period. The samples arc taken in precise, pre-determined volumes through two sets of machined grooves formed on the surface of the sampler rod. The sets of machined grooves deliver the samples to the mass spectrometer through alignment with a vacuum channel to an outlet port which is scaled off from the external environment and an internal standard sample reservoir. The pressure of the internal standard sample reservoir is kept equalized with the external environmental pressure by an elastic diaphragm and pressure compensation port. The stepper motor and drive rod assembly are configured to allow smooth advancing and retracting movements of the sampler rod. An external plenum is mounted over the inlet port to provide a full flow from the environment over the sampling rod. A closure cap assembly allows convenient evacuation of a remote waste vacuum reservoir for the spectrometer through the forward end of the sampler. The combination of advantages and functions make the sampler extremely compact, efficient, accurate, and operable in a wide range of extreme environments and applications.

Growing community of inventors

Honolulu, HI, United States of America

Gary Michael McMurtry