The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 12, 2001
Filed:
Jun. 21, 1999
James R. Kahn, Ft. Collins, CO (US);
Harold R. Kaufman, LaPorte, CO (US);
Raymond S. Robinson, Fort Collins, CO (US);
Kaufman & Robinson, Inc., Ft. Collins, CO (US);
Abstract
In one embodiment of the present invention, the ion optics for use with an ion source have first and second electrically conductive grids having mutually aligned respective pluralities of apertures through which ions may be accelerated and wherein each has an integral peripheral portion. There is also a support member. There are first and second series of seats around the respective peripheral portions of the first and second grids. A plurality of first spherical insulators are distributed between seats of the first and second series, thereby establishing a predetermined distance between the grids while still enabling radial movement between their peripheral portions. There are third and fourth series of seats around the support member and the peripheral portion of the second grid, respectively, with seats of the fourth series displaced from those of the second series in the same grid. A plurality of second spherical insulators are distributed between seats of the third and fourth series, thereby establishing a predetermined distance between the support member and the second grid while still enabling motion in at least the radial direction between the support member and the peripheral portion of the second grid. A clamping force between the support member and the peripheral portion of the first grid maintains contact between the insulators and their seats.