Axial trajectory sensor for electronic particle study apparatus and method

Claim 2

An axial trajectory sensor for use with a Coulter type particle analyzing apparatus in which particles passing through an aperture produce desirable particle pulses whose amplitudes are most nearly proportional to their respective sizes when passing closest to an axial trajectory through said aperture and having thereby a certain approximate duration, and in which particles passing through said aperture on trajectories displaced from the axis will produce other particle pulses whose amplitudes are not necessarily proportional to their respective sizes and whose durations tend to be greater than said certain approximate duration; said sensor acting to respond to said desirable particle pulses and not to respond to said other pulses and comprising: A. input terminal means and output terminal means having a channel for passage of electrical signals between the terminal means with switch means in said channel to control the signals which appear at the output terminal means, the input terminal means adapted to have said desirable and other particle pulses applied thereto, B. means for measuring the duration of a particle pulse applied to said input terminal means at some predetermined fraction of the amplitude thereof and deriving a duration-measuring pulse of constant amplitude and having the measured duration, C. means for converting said duration-measuring pulse into an electrical time signal pulse whose amplitude is proportional to the duration of said duration-measuring pulse, D. means for producing a voltage level representative of the amplitude of a prior electrical time signal pulse produced by a desirable particle pulse, E. means for comparing the amplitude of said electrical time signal pulse with said voltage level and providing a first type of energizing signal if the amplitude exceeds the said voltage level and a second type of energizing signal if the amplitude of said electrical time signal does not exceed said voltage level, F. means for modifying one of said voltage level and said lastmentioned electrical time signal pulse prior to comparing the same to establish a predetermined tolerance enabling the production of the second type of energizing signals even if the amplitude of said electrical time pulse exceeds said voltage level to some extent, and G. means for applying one of said types of energizing signals to said switch means in said channel to permit passage to said output terminal means of only electrical signals derived from desirable particle pulSes.

Claim 3

The sensor as claimed in claim 1 in which said measuring means generates said last-mentioned derived electrical signals, which comprise output pulses of predetermined duration but having the respective amplitudes of desirable particle pulses.

Claim 4

The sensor as claimed in claim 1 which includes means causing said last-mentioned derived electrical signals to comprise desirable pulses passing through said channel.

Claim 5

The sensor as claimed in claim 1 in which there is a timing sequence generator for producing a strobing pulse in timed relation to said electrical time signal pulse, means connecting said generator with said applying means whereby said strobing pulse will operate said switch means in the channel to pass electrical signals when said second type of energizing signal is applied to said switch means but will not operate said switch means when said first type of energizing signal is applied thereto.

Claim 6

The sensor as claimed in claim 1 in which the modifying means comprise means for adjusting the first-mentioned voltage level to a second voltage level higher than said first-mentioned voltage level by an amount to establish said predetermined tolerance, and in which said amplitude of said electrical time signal pulse is compared with the said second voltage level.

Claim 7

The sensor as claimed in claim 5 in which said means for adjusting said first-mentioned voltage level for tolerance includes an amplifier and manual adjust means therefor.

Claim 8

The sensor as claimed in claim 5 in which said means for adjusting said first-mentioned voltage level for tolerance includes an amplifier and automatic adjust means therefor responsive to the relation between all particle pulses received by said sensor and the percentage particle pulses producing derived electrical signals passing to said output terminal means.

Claim 9

The sensor as claimed in claim 7 in which means are provided to pre-set the percentage.

Claim 10

The sensor as claimed in claim 5 in which means are provided for dropping said first-mentioned and second voltage levels to the amplitude of said electrical time signal pulse after comparing same, but said dropping means being operative only if the amplitude of said electrical time signal pulse does not exceed the second voltage level, and said first voltage level producing means including a memory for substantially retaining the first voltage level after dropping; until another electrical time signal pulse arrives.

Claim 11

The sensor as claimed in claim 9 in which said first-mentioned voltage level establishing means is an integrator and said dropping means include a comparator and a timing gate connected with the reset means of said integrator.

Claim 12

The sensor as claimed in claim 5 in which said first-mentioned voltage level producing means comprise an integrator.

Claim 13

The sensor as claimed in claim 1 in which there is an analog gate in said channel between said input terminal means and the remainder of said sensor and having a control circuit for opening and closing the same, said control circuit having means for producing control signals to close said gate in response to the existence of certain signal conditions in parts of said sensor.

Claim 14

The sensor as claimed in claim 12 in which said last-mentioned means respond to the presence of a particle pulse being operated upon by said sensor to disable the channel to receive other particle pulses at said input until the operation is complete.

Claim 15

The sensor as claimed in claim 13 in which said sensor has timing signal producing means driven by said particle pulse while being operated upon for producing said control signals.

Claim 16

The sensor as claimed in claim 13 in which said last-mentioned means comprise a timing sequence generator energized by said duration measuring means for producing said timing signals until after application of said energizing signals to the switch means in said channel whereby to disable said sensor from receiving particle pulses at its input means until after appliCation of said energizing signals.

Claim 17

The sensor as claimed in claim 12 in which said last-mentioned means respond to the presence of a voltage at said input means which exceeds a predetermined threshold to close said gate until said voltage at said input means subsides below said threshold, whereby only complete particle pulses can pass through said analog gate.

Claim 18

An axial trajectory sensor for use with a Coulter type particle analyzing apparatus in which particles passing through an aperture produce desirable particle pulses whose amplitudes are most nearly proportional to their respective sizes when passing closest to an axial trajectory through said aperture and having thereby a certain approximate duration, and in which particles passing through said aperture on trajectories displaced from the axis will produce other particle pulses whose amplitudes are not necessarily proportional to their respective sizes and whose durations tend to be greater than said certain approximate duration; said sensor acting to respond to said desirable particle pulses and not to respond to said other pulses and comprising: A. input terminal means and output terminal means having a channel for passage of electrical signals between the terminal means with switch means in said channel to control the signals which appear at the output terminal means, the input terminal means adapted to have said desirable and other particle pulses applied thereto, B. means for measuring the duration of a particle pulse applied to said input terminal means at some predetermined fraction of the amplitude thereof and deriving a duration-measuring pulse of constant amplitude and having the measured duration, C. means for converting said duration-measuring pulse into an electrical time signal pulse whose amplitude is proportional to the duration of said duration-measuring pulse, D. means for establishing a voltage level representative of the amplitude equivalent to the maximum duration of desirable particle pulses, E. means comparing the amplitude of said electrical time signal with said voltage level and providing a first type of energizing signal if said amplitude exceeds said level and a second type of energizing signal if the amplitude does not exceed said level, F. gating means provided between the comparing means and the switch means, G. strobing pulse producing means connected with said switch means and coupled with said duration measuring means to produce a strobing pulse at said gating means in timed relation to a particle pulse applied to said input terminal means, H. means for applying all particle pulses through said channel to said switch means in synchronized relation with said strobing pulse, I. means for applying said energizing signals to said gating means, said gating means being constructed to pass said strobing pulse to operate said switch means to signal-passing condition only when said second type of energizing signal is applied to said gating means, whereby said switch means will be activated to pass particle pulses whose duration is less than said maximum duration.

Claim 19

An axial trajectory sensor for use with a Coulter type particle analyzing apparatus in which particles passing through an aperture produce desirable particle pulses whose amplitudes are most nearly proportional to their respective sizes when passing closest to an axial trajectory through said aperture and having thereby a certain approximate duration, and in which particles passing through said aperture on trajectories displaced from the axis will produce other particle pulses whose amplitudes are not necessarily proportional to their respective sizes and whose durations tend to be greater than said certain approximate duration; said sensor acting to respond to said desirable particle pulses and not to respond to said other pulses and comprising: A. input terminal means and output terminal means having a channel for passage of electrical signals between the terminal means with switch means in said channel to control the signals which appear at the output terminal means, the input terminal means adapted to have said desirable and other particle pulses applied thereto, B. means for measuring the duration of a particle pulse applied to said input terminal means at some predetermined fraction of the amplitude thereof and deriving a duration-measuring pulse of constant amplitude and having the measured duration, C. means for converting said duration-measuring pulse into an electrical time signal pulse whose amplitude is proportional to the duration of said duration-measuring pulse, D. means for establishing a voltage level representative of the amplitude equivalent to the maximum duration of desirable particle pulses, E. means comparing the amplitude of said electrical time signal with said voltage level and providing a first type of energizing signal if said amplitude exceeds said level and a second type of energizing signal if the amplitude does not exceed said level, F. gating means provided between the comparing means and the switch means, G. strobing pulse producing means connected with said switch means and coupled with said duration measuring means to produce a strobing pulse at said gating means in timed relation to a particle pulse applied to said input terminal means, H. means for applying all particle pulses through said channel to said switch means in synchronized relation with said strobing pulse, I. means for applying said energizing signals to said gating means, said gating means being constructed to pass said strobing pulse to operate said switch means to signal-passing condition only when said second type of energizing signal is applied to said gating means, whereby said switch means will be activated to pass particle pulses whose duration is less than said maximum duration.

Claim 20

The sensor as claimed in claim 17 in which there is a connection between said channel and said measuring means and analog signal delay means between said input terminal means and said connection whereby to delay application of said particle pulses to said measuring means.

Claim 21

The sensor as claimed in claim 17 in which said means for applying said particle pulses through said channel comprise analog signal delay means in said channel.

Claim 22

The sensor as claimed in claim 19 in which there is a connection between said channel and said measuring means and at least a portion of said analog signal delay means between said input terminal means and said connection whereby to delay application of said particle pulses to said measuring means.

Claim 23

The sensor as claimed in claim 17 in which said measuring means comprise circuitry to produce a sTretched pulse of a duration substantially greater than the duration of the particle pulse from which the same is derived and having an amplitude over a substantial portion of its duration which is said predetermined fraction of the amplitude of the particle pulse from which same is derived, and second means for comparing said last-mentioned particle pulse with said stretched pulse during a period of time when the amplitude of said stretched pulse is constant.

Claim 24

The sensor as claimed in claim 21 in which analog signal delay means are provided to delay application of said last-mentioned particle pulse to said second comparing means.

Claim 25

The sensor as claimed in claim 21 in which said means for applying said particle pulses through said channel comprise second analog signal delay means in said channel, said first analog signal delay means also being in said channel and acting upon all pulses passing through the channel.

Claim 26

An axial trajectory sensor for use with a Coulter type particle analyzing apparatus in which particles passing through an aperture produce desirable particle pulses whose amplitudes are most nearly proportional to their respective sizes when passing closest to an axial trajectory through said aperture and having thereby a certain approximate duration, and in which particles passing through said aperture on trajectories displaced from the axis will produce other particle pulses whose amplitudes are not necessarily proportional to their respective sizes and whose durations tend to be greater than said certain approximate duration; said sensor acting to respond to said desirable particle pulses and not to respond to said other pulses and comprising: A. input terminal means and output terminal means having a channel for passage of electrical signals between the terminals with switch means in said channel to control the signals which appear at the output terminal means, the input terminal means adapted to have said desirable and other particle pulses applied thereto, B. means for measuring the duration of at least a predetermined portion of a particle pulse applied to said input terminal means at some predetermined fraction of the amplitude thereof and deriving a duration-measuring pulse of constant amplitude and having the measured duration, C. means for converting said duration-measuring pulse into an electrical quantity whose value is proportional to the time duration of said duration-measuring pulse, D. means establishing an electrical effect of a standard equivalent to a maximum desired duration distinguishing between quantities produced by desirable and other pulses, E. means comparing said quantity with said standard and providing one type of energizing signal if the quantity exceeds the standard and a second type of energizing signal if the said quantity does not exceed the standard, F. means for applying one of said energizing signals to the switch means in said channel to permit passage to said output terminal means of only electrical signals derived from desirable particle pulses, and G. an analog gate in said channel between said input terminal means and the remainder of the sensor and having a control circuit for opening and closing the same, said control circuit having means for producing control signals to close said gate in response to the existence of certain signal conditions in parts of said sensor.

Claim 27

An axial trajectory sensor for use with a Coulter type particle analyzing apparatus in which particles passing through an aperture produce desirable particle pulses whose amplitudes are most nearly proportional to their respective sizes when passing closest to an axial trajectory through said aperture and having thereby a certain approximate duration, and in which particles passing through said aperture on trajectories displaced from the axis will produce other particle pulses whose amplitudes are not necessarily proportional to their respective sizes and whose durations tend to be greater than said certain approximate duration; said sensor acting to respond to said desirable particle pulses and not to respond to said other pulses and comprising: A. input terminal means and output terminal means having a channel for passage of electrical signals between the terminals with switch means in said channel to control the signals which appear at the output terminal means, the input terminal means adapted to have said desirable and other particle pulses applied thereto, B. means for measuring the duration of at least a predetermined portion of a particle pulse applied to said input terminal means at some predetermined fraction of the amplitude thereof and deriving a duration-measuring pulse of constant amplitude and having the measured duration, C. means for converting said duration-measuring pulse into an electrical quantity whose value is proportional to the time duration of said duration-measuring pulse, D. means establishing an electrical effect of a standard equivalent to a maximum desired duration distinguishing between quantities produced by desirable and other pulses, E. means comparing said quantity with said standard and providing one type of energizing signal if the quantity exceeds the standard and a second type of energizing signal if the said quantity does not exceed the standard, F. means for applying one of said energizing signals to the switch means in said channel to permit passage to said output terminal means of only electrical signals derived from desirable particle pulses, and G. an analog gate in said channel between said input terminal means and the remainder of the sensor and having a control circuit for opening and closing the same, said control circuit having means for producing control signals to close said gate in response to the existence of certain signal conditions in parts of said sensor.

Claim 28

The sensor as claimed in claim 24 in which said last-mentioned means respond to the presence of a particle pulse being operated upon by said sensor to disable the channel to receive other particle pulses at said input until the operation is completed.

Claim 29

The sensor as claimed in claim 25 in which said sensor has timing signal producing means driven by said particle pulse while being operated upon for producing said control signals.

Claim 30

The sensor as claimed in claim 25 in which said last-mentioned means comprise a timing sequence generator energized by said duration measuriNg means for producing said timing signals until after application of said energizing signals to the switch means in said channel whereby to disable said sensor from receiving particle pulses at its input means until after said application of said energizing signals.

Claim 31

The sensor as claimed in claim 25 in which said last-mentioned means also respond to the presence of a voltage at said input means which exceeds a predetermined threshold to close said gate until said voltage at said input means subsides below said threshold, whereby only complete particle pulses can pass through said analog gate.

Claim 32

The sensor as claimed in claim 24 in which said last-mentioned means respond to the presence of a voltage at said input means which exceeds a predetermined threshold to close said gate until said voltage at said input means subsides below said threshold, whereby only complete particle pulses can pass through said analog gate.

Claim 37

An axial trajectory sensor for use with a particle study apparatus in which particles pass through a detecting zone having an axis for producing particle pulses, the particles, when passing closest to an axial trajectory through the detecting zone, producing desirable particle pulses having amplitudes which are most nearly proportional to the respective sizes of the particles, and also thereby having a certain approximate duration, and in which particles passing through the detecting zone on trajectories displaced from its axis will produce other particle pulses having amplitudes which are not necessarily proportional to their respective sizes and having durations which tend to be longer than said certain approximate duration; said sensor being constructed with an input and arranged to respond to said desirable particle pulses in a first manner and to respond to said other particle pulses in a second manner and comprising: A. means for measuring the duration of at least a predetermined portion of a particle pulse applied to the input of said sensor at some predetermined fraction of the amplitude thereof and deriving a duration-measuring pulse having the measured duration; B. means for establishing an electrical standard value representative of the duration of a prior desirable particle pulse; C. means for comparing each said duration-measuring pulse with said standard value and for providing a first type of energizing signal if said standard value is not exceeded and a second type of signal if said standard value is exceeded; D. means for modifying one of said standard value and said duration-measuring pulse prior to their comparison to establish a predetermined tolerance enabling the production of the first type of energizing signal even if the duration-measuring pulse exceeds said standard value to some extent, and E. means coupled to receive said first and second types of signals for generating, respectively, the first and second manners of response.

Claim 38

An axial trajectory sensor for use with a particle study apparatus in which particles pass through a detecting zone having an axis for producing particle pulses, the particles, when passing closest to an axial trajectory through the detecting zone, producing desirable particle pulses having amplitudes which are most nearly proportional to the respective sizes of the particles, and also thereby having a certain approximate duration, and in which particles passing through the detecting zone on trajectories displaced from its axis will produce other particle pulses having amplitudes which are not necessarily proportional to their respective sizes and having durations which tend to be longer than said certain approximate duration; said sensor being constructed with an input and arranged to respond to said desirable particle pulses in a first manner and to respond to said other particle pulses in a second manner and comprising: A. means for measuring the duration of at least a predetermined portion of a particle pulse applied to the input of said sensor at some predetermined fraction of the amplitude thereof and deriving a duration-measuring pulse having the measured duration; B. means for establishing an electrical standard value representative of the duration of a prior desirable particle pulse; C. means for comparing each said duration-measuring pulse with said standard value and for providing a first type of energizing signal if said standard value is not exceeded and a second type of signal if said standard value is exceeded; D. means for modifying one of said standard value and said duration-measuring pulse prior to their comparison to establish a predetermined tolerance enabling the production of the first type of energizing signal even if the duration-measuring pulse exceeds said standard value to some extent, and E. means coupled to receive said first and second types of signals for generating, respectively, the first and second manners of response.