Patent ID: 11959896
Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITED
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G  H | IPC G  H

Claim 18:
19. A method of assembling a gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GCMS) arrangement comprising:
providing a transfer line comprising:
a transfer probe having a probe bore to receive a gas chromatography (GC) column;
a sealing cap movably mounted for linear translation at a first end of the transfer probe; and
a bias element arranged to bias the sealing cap away from the first end of the transfer probe,

providing a source block for an ion source, the source block comprising an engagement surface provided with a transfer port;
arranging the source block such that the transfer port is parallel to the transfer line;
translating the source block in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the transfer line until the sealing cap of the transfer line engages with the engagement surface of the source block, causing the sealing cap to be displaced linearly inwardly on the transfer probe; and
translating the source block further in the direction until the probe bore of the transfer probe is substantially co-axial with the transfer port of the source block.