Patent · US Active

Miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer

US9583327B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
2References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 12, 2013
Grant dateFeb 28, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 25, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J49/025
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) was developed for a NASA/ASTID program beginning 2008. The primary targeted application for this technology is the detection of non-volatile (refractory) and biological materials on landed planetary missions. Both atmospheric and airless bodies are potential candidate destinations for the purpose of characterizing mineralogy, and searching for evidence of existing or extant biological activity.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.