Patent ID: 9214323
Filing Date: 2015-12-15
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A sample plate handling system for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, the sample plate handling system comprising: a) a sample plate for supporting samples for analysis; b) a first sample plate receiver positioned in a first chamber; c) a first and second sample plate receiver positioned in a second chamber; d) a first gate valve positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber, the first gate valve isolating the first and second chambers when closed and allowing transfer of sample plates between the first sample plate receiver in the first chamber and one of the first and second sample plate receivers in the second chamber when the first gate valve is open; e) a first linear extender that pushes a sample plate from the first sample plate receiver in the first chamber to the first sample plate receiver positioned in the second chamber, and then retracts a second sample plate from the second sample plate receiver positioned in the second chamber and transports the second sample plate to the first sample plate receiver in the first chamber; f) a first sample plate receiver positioned in a third chamber; g) a second gate valve positioned between the third chamber and the second chamber, the second gate valve isolating the third chamber from the second chamber when closed and allowing transfer of sample plates between the first sample plate receiver in the third chamber and one of the first and second sample plate receivers in the second chamber when the second gate valve is open; and h) a second linear extender that pushes a sample plate from the first sample plate receiver in the third chamber to the first sample plate receiver positioned in the second chamber, and then retracts the second sample plate from the second plate receiver positioned in the second chamber and transports it into the third chamber.