US3662882A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for quality control of explosive primers by characteristic x-ray emission
Assignee: MOLECULON Inc 230 ALBANY STREET CAMBRIDE MASSACHUSETTS 02139 A DE CORP
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Filing: 1969-06-25
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1989-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for indirectly measuring the weight or composition of an explosive primer by utilizing the characteristic X-ray emissions from a radiation excitable constituent of the primer. The explosive primer is exposed to an external source of ionizing radiation which induces characteristic X-ray emissions of the selected primer constituent. The quantity of the emitted characteristic X-rays is determined by an ionizing radiation energy-resolving detection system. Since the quantity of the emitted characteristic X-rays is a function of the amount of the excitable constituent present in the primer, determination of the quantity of the X-rays emitted provides an indirect measurement of the weight of the primer.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur S Obermayer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G9/00; G01G9/005; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/22; G01N23/223; G01N2223/00; G01N2223/07; G01N2223/076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for ascertaining the amount of a particular constituent in an explosive primer comprising the steps of: a. inducing a cHaracteristic X-ray emission from said primer constituent; and, b. determining the quantity of the characteristic X-rays emitted by said constituent, said quantity being a function of the amount of the constituent present in the primer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for ascertaining the amount of a particular constituent in an explosive primer comprising the steps of: a. inducing a cHaracteristic X-ray emission from said primer constituent; and, b. determining the quantity of the characteristic X-rays emitted by said constituent, said quantity being a function of the amount of the constituent present in the primer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said characteristic X-rays are induced by exposing the primer to ionizing radiation from an external source of radiation, said radiation having an energy above the energy of the X-ray absorption edge of said primer constituent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said radiation energy is above the K-edge of said constituent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said radiation energy is above the L-edge of said constituent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said external radiation comprises electrons.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said external radiation comprises X-rays.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said external radiation comprises gamma rays.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the quantity of the characteristic X-rays is determined by: a. exposing a detector of ionizing radiation to the characteristic X-rays emitted by said primer constituent; b. resolving the energy distribution in the radiation spectrum detected by said detector; and, c. producing an electrical signal representative of the quantity of radiation within the resolved energy range of the characteristic X-ray emission of the primer constituent.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for indirectly determining the weight and composition of an explosive primer having a radiation excitable constituent, said apparatus comprising: means for inducing a characteristic X-ray emission from said radiation excitable primer constituent; means responsive to said characteristic X-rays for producing an electrical signal representative of the quantity of the characteristic X-rays emitted by said primer constituent, said quantity being a function of the amount of the constituent present in the primer and an indirect measure of the weight and composition of said primer.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for indirectly determining the weight and composition of an explosive primer having a radiation excitable constituent, said apparatus comprising: means for inducing a characteristic X-ray emission from said radiation excitable primer constituent; means responsive to said characteristic X-rays for producing an electrical signal representative of the quantity of the characteristic X-rays emitted by said primer constituent, said quantity being a function of the amount of the constituent present in the primer and an indirect measure of the weight and composition of said primer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
153 words
A quality control apparatus for accepting or rejecting, on the basis of weight, an explosive primer having a radiation excitable constituent, said apparatus comprising: a. means for inducing a characteristic X-ray emission from said radiation excitable primer constituent; b. means responsive to said characteristic X-rays for producing an electrical signal representative of the quantity of the characteristic X-rays emitted by said primer constituent, said quantity being a function of the amount of the constituent present in the primer and, thereby an indirect measure of the weight of said primer; c. means responsive to said electrical signal for producing a reject control signal whenever the electric signal represents a quantity of the characteristic X-rays that is outside of a predetermined quantity range which defines the amounts of the constituent that correspond to the acceptable range of primer weights; and, d. means responsive to said reject control signal for rejecting the under and overweight primers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
153 words
A quality control apparatus for accepting or rejecting, on the basis of weight, an explosive primer having a radiation excitable constituent, said apparatus comprising: a. means for inducing a characteristic X-ray emission from said radiation excitable primer constituent; b. means responsive to said characteristic X-rays for producing an electrical signal representative of the quantity of the characteristic X-rays emitted by said primer constituent, said quantity being a function of the amount of the constituent present in the primer and, thereby an indirect measure of the weight of said primer; c. means responsive to said electrical signal for producing a reject control signal whenever the electric signal represents a quantity of the characteristic X-rays that is outside of a predetermined quantity range which defines the amounts of the constituent that correspond to the acceptable range of primer weights; and, d. means responsive to said reject control signal for rejecting the under and overweight primers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |