US3649829A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laminar flow cell
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
•
Filing: 1970-10-06
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Granted: 1972-03-14
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Expires: 1990-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A sample fluid, containing, for example, radioactive material, is made to flow as an integral core within a column of inert fluid through the sensitive zone of a monitor such as a radiation detector. The inert fluid acts as a sheath to prevent contamination of stationary surfaces within the sensitive zone. Sample fluid is injected into the flow of inert fluid with a minimum of turbulence and mixing.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry W Randolph
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T7/00; G01T7/02; F; F16; F16L; F16L58/00; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/01; G01N21/03; G01N21/05; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/1095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
Method of monitoring a flowing sample fluid with a monitoring instrument having a zone of sensitivity comprising: a. entraining said sample fluid as an integral core, flowing parallel, within a flowing column of inert fluid, b. maintaining said fluids in laminar flow, and c. passing said fluids in parallel laminar flow through said zone of sensitivity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
Method of monitoring a flowing sample fluid with a monitoring instrument having a zone of sensitivity comprising: a. entraining said sample fluid as an integral core, flowing parallel, within a flowing column of inert fluid, b. maintaining said fluids in laminar flow, and c. passing said fluids in parallel laminar flow through said zone of sensitivity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fluids in laminar flow are maintained at Reynolds numbers of about 100 to 1,000.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
an elongated section coupled to said converging section at said reduced diameter and disposed within said zone of sensitivity, b. an inner conduit disposed within said outer conduit and outside said zoNe of sensivity, said inner conduit terminating with a converging section within said converging section of said outer conduit; and c. means for introducing in laminar flow an inert fluid into said outer conduit and a sample fluid into said inner conduit, and means for maintaining said sample fluid as an integral core at a laminar flow rate within said inert fluid through said elongated outer conduit section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
an elongated section coupled to said converging section at said reduced diameter and disposed within said zone of sensitivity, b. an inner conduit disposed within said outer conduit and outside said zoNe of sensivity, said inner conduit terminating with a converging section within said converging section of said outer conduit; and c. means for introducing in laminar flow an inert fluid into said outer conduit and a sample fluid into said inner conduit, and means for maintaining said sample fluid as an integral core at a laminar flow rate within said inert fluid through said elongated outer conduit section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fluids are liquids.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said integral core of sample fluid is injected through a converging conduit section into coaxial alignment with said flowing column of inert fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A laminar flow cell for use in combination with a monitoring instrument that includes a zone of sensitivity comprising: a. an outer conduit having
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A laminar flow cell for use in combination with a monitoring instrument that includes a zone of sensitivity comprising: a. an outer conduit having
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The laminar flow cell of claim 5 wherein a flow control valve is connected at the end of said elongated conduit section opposite said converging conduit section for controlling the flow rates of said sample and inert fluids.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The laminar flow cell of claim 5 wherein said outer conduit length is more than about 20 times its maximum inside diameter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The laminar flow cell of claim 5 wherein said converging sections in said outer and said inner conduits have a length of about one to three times the maximum inside diameter of the respective conduit and a reduction to about one-half the maximum inside diameter of the respective conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The laminar flow cell of claim 5 wherein said introducing means includes a pressure regulator and flow meter for maintaining laminar flow rates in both said sample and inert fluid flow.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The laminar flow cell of claim 5 wherein said monitoring instrument comprises a radiation detector for monitoring a radioactive sample fluid within a sheath of radio-inert fluid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3238367A
Cited
US3444722A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-14 | 1975-09-13 | 1976-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-14 | 1979-09-13 | 1980-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-14 | 1983-09-13 | 1984-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |