How to Disassemble and Assemble the CI Source

Created by Agilent Knowledge Portal over 1 year ago | Last modified by Carlos Vargas 10 days ago

This Information Applies To: Agilent CI Source

Issue:

During normal operation of the GC/MS, the CI ion source will need to be disassembled to proceed with abrasive ion source cleaning and / or routine replacement of consumable parts (filament and ceramic insulators). The ion source will then need to be assembled prior to re-installing. Correct abrasive cleaning, assembly, and installation are essential to robust and reliable operation.

Tools Needed:

Gloves, clean, lint-free (8650-0030)
Cloths, Lint Free (05980-60051)
Hex Driver 1.5mm (8710-1570)

Tweezers (8710-0007)

Figure 1. Parts Breakdown of the CI Source

Item Number	Item Description	Part Number
1	Setscrew	G1999-20022
2	Filament screw	G1999-20021
3	CI interface tip seal	G3870-20542
4	CI repeller insulator	G1999-20433
5	CI lens insulator	G3170-20540
6	CI drawout cylinder	G1999-20444
7	CI drawout plate	G1999-20446
8	CI ion source heater block assembly	G3870-60415*
9	Entrance lens	G3170-20126
10	CI ion source body	G3170-20430
11	CI ion focus lens	G1999-20443
12	CI repeller	G1999-20432
13	CI filament	G7005-60072
14	Dummy filament	G1999-60454
15/16	Curved Spring washer	3050-1374

* If replacement is required then contact Agilent for repair options

To Disassemble the CI source:

Remove the ion source and place it on a clean cloth
Use the 1.5mm Hex Driver to remove the gold plated screws and washers securing the CI filament and dummy filament to the CI ion source and remove them. ( See Figure 2 for steps 2-4)
Separate the CI repeller heater-sensor block assembly from the CI ion source body.
Remove the CI repeller and CI ceramic insulator from the heater-sensor block.

Figure 2. Remove the CI filament, dummy filament, CI repeller and CI insulator from the CI heater-sensor block.
Use the 1.5mm Hex Driver to remove the gold plated set screw from the side of the ion source body. ( See Figure 3 for steps 5 - 8)
Pull the entrance lens and ion focus lens to remove them from the ion source body.
Remove the CI drawout cylinder and the CI drawout plate from the CI ion source body
Separate the entrance lens and ion focus lens from the lens insulator.

Figure 3. Remove and disassemble the lens, drawout plate, drawout cylinder and insulators from the source body and heater source block.
Proceed with (+) How to Clean the EI/CI Source in the Agilent 5977A/B - GC/MS Articles - GC/MS Portal - Agilent Community or assembly if broken insulators or filaments were being replaced.

To Assemble the CI Source:

Insert the CI drawout plate and the CI drawout cylinder into the CI ion source body. (See Figure 4 for steps 1 - 4)
Assemble the ion focus lens, entrance lens, into the lens insulator.
Slide these assembled parts into the CI ion source body.
Install the setscrew that holds the lens insulator in place.

Figure 4. Assemble the drawout plate, drawout cylinder, lens and insulators into the source body.
Attach the ceramic disk to the repeller and place on the source body (See Figure 5 for Steps 5 - 7)
Place the heater block assembly on top of the source body.
Install the filament and the dummy filament using the two gold plated screws and spring washers

Caution: Do not overtighten the repeller nut or the ceramic repeller insulators will break when the source heats up. The nut should only be finger-tight

Figure 5. Assemble the repeller, filament, dummy filament, repeller and insulators into the source body and heater source block.