Goniometer head for x-ray diffraction apparatus with improved z-motion mechanism

Claim 2

In a goniometer head for X-ray diffraction apparatus having crystal position adjustment means providing two orthogonal translational crystal motions and two orthogonal arcuate crystal motions, a Z-motion mechanism for providing crystal position adjustment along the Z axis of the head, comprising: carriage support means defining a channel oriented along the Z axis; Z-motion carriage means adapted to travel in said channel, said carriage means having a surface extending parallel to said Z axis; friction drive means for driving said carriage means, said friction drive means having an annular area engaging said surface of said carriage means extending parallel to said Z axis; means mounting said friction drive means for rotation; and adjustable carriage loading means for placing a variable compressive loading of said friction drive means against said carriage means, whereby with a predetermined loading of said carriage means by said adjustable carriage-loading means, rotation of said friction drive means causes said carriage means to translate along the Z axis.

Claim 3

The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said channel and said carriage means have operative mating surfaces comprising two intersecting planar surfaces arranged convergent away from the direction of said loading applied by said carriage-loading means against said carriage means, whereby said carriage means is self-locating and self-stabilizing in said channel.

Claim 4

The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said adjustable carriage-loading means comprises means defining an internally threaded bore, screw means in said bore, a pressure pad aligned with said bore and engaging said friction drive means, and compression spring means in said bore between said screw means and said pad, rotation of said screw means causing an adjustment of the loading applied by said pad upon said friction drive means.

Claim 5

The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said carriage surface extending parallel to said Z axis comprises a protruding rib with tapered sides, and wherein said friction drive means has an annular notch which receives said rib in driving engagement therewith, said notch having a cross section with tapered sides having a taper substantially mating with the taper on said rib.

Claim 6

The apparatus defined by claim 4 wherein said adjustable caRriage-loading means comprises means defining an internally threaded bore, screw means in said bore, a pressure pad aligned with said bore and engaging said friction drive means, and compression spring means in said bore between said screw means and said pad, rotation of said screw means causing an adjustment of the loading applied by said pad upon said friction drive means.

Claim 7

The apparatus defined by claim 5 wherein said channel and said carriage means have operative mating surfaces comprising two intersecting planar surfaces arranged convergent away from the direction of said loading applied by said carriage-loading means against said carriage means, whereby said carriage means is self-locating and self-stabilizing in said channel.

Claim 8

In a goniometer head for X-ray diffraction apparatus having crystal position adjustment means providing two orthogonal translational crystal motions and two orthogonal arcuate crystal motions, a Z-motion mechanism for providing crystal position adjustment along the Z axis of the head, comprising: carriage support means defining a channel oriented along the Z axis; Z-motion carriage means adapted to travel in said channel, said carriage having a surface extending parallel to said Z axis, said channel and said carriage means having operative mating guide surfaces comprising two intersecting planar surfaces arranged convergent away from the direction of said loading applied by said carriage-loading means against said carriage means, whereby said carriage means is self-locating and self-stabilizing in said channel; friction drive means for driving said carriage means, said friction drive means having an annular area engaging said surface of said carriage means extending parallel to said Z axis; mounting means mounting said friction drive means to rotate about an axis perpendicular to said Z axis and to float in a plane perpendicular to said Z axis, whereby said friction drive means is free to follow said carriage means as it locates its stable position in said channel; and adjustable carriage-loading means for placing a variable compressive loading of said friction drive means against said carriage means, whereby with a predetermined loading of said carriage means by said adjustable carriage-loading means, rotation of said friction drive means causes said carriage means to translate along the Z axis.

Claim 9

In a goniometer head for X-ray diffraction apparatus having crystal position adjustment means providing two orthogonal translational crystal motions and two orthogonal arcuate crystal motions, a Z-motion mechanism for providing crystal position adjustment along the Z axis of the head, comprising: carriage support means defining a channel oriented along the Z axis; Z-motion carriage means adapted to travel in said channel, said carriage having a surface extending parallel to said Z axis, said channel and said carriage means having operative mating guide surfaces comprising two intersecting planar surfaces arranged convergent away from the direction of said loading applied by said carriage-loading means against said carriage means, whereby said carriage means is self-locating and self-stabilizing in said channel; friction drive means for driving said carriage means, said friction drive means having an annular area engaging said surface of said carriage means extending parallel to said Z axis; mounting means mounting said friction drive means to rotate about an axis perpendicular to said Z axis and to float in a plane perpendicular to said Z axis, whereby said friction drive means is free to follow said carriage means as it locates its stable position in said channel; and adjustable carriage-loading means for placing a variable compressive loading of said friction drive means against said carriage means, whereby with a predetermined loading of said carriage means by said adjustable carriage-loading means, rotation of said friction drive means causes said carriage means to translate along the Z axis.

Claim 10

The apparatus defined by claim 7 wherein said mounting means comprises a housing having a bore with a cross section elongated in a direction lying in said plane, and wherein said friction drive means comprises a manually rotatable roller loosely held in said bore.

Claim 11

The apparatus defined by claim 8 wherein said carriage surface extending parallel to said Z axis comprises a protruding rib with tapered sides, and wherein said friction drive means has an annular notch which receives said rib in driving engagement therewith, said notch having a cross section with tapered sides having a taper substantially mating with the taper on said rib.

Claim 12

The apparatus defined by claim 9 wherein said adjustable carriage-loading means comprises means defining an internally threaded bore, screw means in said bore, a pressure pad aligned with said bore and engaging said friction drive means, and compression spring means in said bore between said screw means and said pad, rotation of said screw means causing an adjustment of the loading applied by said pad upon said friction drive means.

Claim 13

In a goniometer head for X-ray diffraction apparatus, a mechanism for providing crystal position adjustment along a predetermined axis of the head, comprising: carriage support means defining a channel oriented along said axis; carriage means adapted to travel in said channel, said carriage means having a surface extending parallel to said axis; drive means for driving carriage means, said drive means having a peripheral area engaging said surface of said carriage means extending parallel to said Axis; means loosely mounting said drive means for rotation; and adjustable carriage-loading means for placing a variable loading of said drive means against said carriage means, thereby with a predetermined loading of said carriage means by said adjustable carriage-loading means, rotation of said drive means causes said carriage means to translate along said axis.

Claim 14

In a goniometer head for X-ray diffraction apparatus, a mechanism for providing crystal position adjustment along a predetermined axis of the head, comprising: carriage support means defining a channel oriented along said axis; carriage means adapted to travel in said channel, said carriage means having a surface extending parallel to said axis; drive means for driving carriage means, said drive means having a peripheral area engaging said surface of said carriage means extending parallel to said Axis; means loosely mounting said drive means for rotation; and adjustable carriage-loading means for placing a variable loading of said drive means against said carriage means, thereby with a predetermined loading of said carriage means by said adjustable carriage-loading means, rotation of said drive means causes said carriage means to translate along said axis.