EP0020085A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device and method for spinning a sample for NMR probes
Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1980-05-20
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2000-05-20
Abstract
Abstract An air bearing sample spinner for use in an NMR probe has a first air bearing established between frustoconical mating surfaces (34, 36) of rotor (30) and stator (35) to provide levitation and rotation. A cylindrical portion (33) projects from the rotor (30) into a similar coaxial cylindrical portion of the stator (35) where a journal bearing is provided by radial jets (41) for centering of the rotor (30) in the stator housing (35).
Inventors
- 👤 Howard David Wilson Hill
- 👤 Ulrich Huber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/28; G01R33/30; G01R33/307; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/842; Y10S505/843; Y10S505/844
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
An NMR spectrometer for analysis of a sample comprising polarizing magnetic field means for impressing precessive motion upon sample quantum systems, RF probe means for excitation of resonance in said precessive motion in combination with an RF source means and said probe means for detection of said resonance in combination with RF detection means and sample spinner means for rotating said sample in said magnetic field, I an air bearing supported turbine for spinning a sample at high rotational frequencies in a volume region of controlled magnetic field, said turbine comprising a rotor (30) and a stator (35) for housing said rotor, said rotor comprising a portion of a frusto-conical shaped member (34) located intermediate a first cylindrical portion. (32) of first diameter and a second cylindrical portion (33) of smaller diameter than said first diameter, a stator for housing said rotor, said stator having a tapered portion (36) for receiving said frusto- conical rotor portion and a cylindrical portion for receiving said second cylndrical portion, characterized in that said air bearing supported turbine is supported by a first set of jets (39) in said tapered portion of said stator for levitating said rotor, a second set of jets (41) in said cylindrical portion of said stator for maintaining alignment of said rotor axis with the axis of said cylindrical portion of said stator, and said rotor further comprises means (34') for deriving rotational motion from at least one of said set of jets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
An NMR spectrometer for analysis of a sample comprising polarizing magnetic field means for impressing precessive motion upon sample quantum systems, RF probe means for excitation of resonance in said precessive motion in combination with an RF source means and said probe means for detection of said resonance in combination with RF detection means and sample spinner means for rotating said sample in said magnetic field, I an air bearing supported turbine for spinning a sample at high rotational frequencies in a volume region of controlled magnetic field, said turbine comprising a rotor (30) and a stator (35) for housing said rotor, said rotor comprising a portion of a frusto-conical shaped member (34) located intermediate a first cylindrical portion. (32) of first diameter and a second cylindrical portion (33) of smaller diameter than said first diameter, a stator for housing said rotor, said stator having a tapered portion (36) for receiving said frusto- conical rotor portion and a cylindrical portion for receiving said second cylndrical portion, characterized in that said air bearing supported turbine is supported by a first set of jets (39) in said tapered portion of said stator for levitating said rotor, a second set of jets (41) in said cylindrical portion of said stator for maintaining alignment of said rotor axis with the axis of said cylindrical portion of said stator, and said rotor further comprises means (34') for deriving rotational motion from at least one of said set of jets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The spectrometer of claim 1 wherein the taper of said tapered portion of said rotor defines a first cone semi-angle with said stator axis and said frusto-conical surfaces form a second cone semi-angle with said rotor axis, said first semi-angle more acute than said second semi-angle, whereby the air stream exiting at the periphery of said rotor is restricted in flow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a method for spinning a rotor about an axis inclined with respect to the vertical, the step of radially impinging a portion of said rotor with a first pressurized gaseous stream, radially impinging a portion of said rotor with at least a second gaseous stream to oppose the force of said first gaseous stream whereby the orientation of said rotor axis is maintained in a desired direction, axially impinging said rotor with another gaseous stream to levitate said rotor along said axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a method for spinning a rotor about an axis inclined with respect to the vertical, the step of radially impinging a portion of said rotor with a first pressurized gaseous stream, radially impinging a portion of said rotor with at least a second gaseous stream to oppose the force of said first gaseous stream whereby the orientation of said rotor axis is maintained in a desired direction, axially impinging said rotor with another gaseous stream to levitate said rotor along said axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.