US3721825A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for analysis of liquid residues using nuclear reactions
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-12-03
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1990-12-03
Abstract
Abstract Herein described is the method and apparatus for irradiating a liquid residue sample with alpha particles and detecting the protons liberated from the nuclei of sample constituents. Pulse height energy analysis of detected protons provides characteristic signatures indicative of certain elements contained in the sample. The energy of the alpha particle source and the thickness of the sample are selected to reduce interfering signatures. A tape transport mechanism incorporated into one preferred embodiment allows the retention of samples for subsequent additional testing and provides a permanent record. Means are provided for automatically performing the analysis, for controlling processing systems in response thereto and/or for telemetering the analysis data to a remotely located processing or record center.
Inventors
- 👤 J Rasmussen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/22; G01T; G01T7/00; G01T7/02; G01N2223/00; G01N2223/07; G01N2223/074; G01N2223/10; G01N2223/104; G01N2223/1045; G01N2223/20; G01N2223/202; G01N2223/30; G01N2223/303; G01N2223/60; G01N2223/643
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A device for analyzing the relative quantity of selected elements in thE residue of a sample, said device comprising: a source of alpha particles; means for positioning said residue for irradiation by said alpha particles; detector means disposed to intercept protons liberated by said alpha particles from the nuclei of said elements for producing electrical pulses the amplitude of which is a function of the energy of said detected protons; and analyzer means coupled to said detector means for counting the number of said electrical pulses within selected amplitude ranges.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A device for analyzing the relative quantity of selected elements in thE residue of a sample, said device comprising: a source of alpha particles; means for positioning said residue for irradiation by said alpha particles; detector means disposed to intercept protons liberated by said alpha particles from the nuclei of said elements for producing electrical pulses the amplitude of which is a function of the energy of said detected protons; and analyzer means coupled to said detector means for counting the number of said electrical pulses within selected amplitude ranges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said selected elements are lighter than calcium and said analyzer means includes a pulse height analyzer coupled to said detector means for counting and storing the number of said electrical pulses within said selected amplitude ranges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said analyzer means includes a pulse height analyzer coupled to said detector means for counting and storing the number of said electrical pulses within selected amplitude ranges and for providing an output signal indicative thereof; and further comprising means for storing characteristic proton signature signals of said selected elements; and means for determining the relative quantity of said selected elements by analyzing the output signal of said pulse height analyzer against said stored signature signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said means for storing characteristic proton signature signals comprises a signature spectrum generator; and said means for determining the relative quantity of said selected elements comprises a display device, and a summing circuit having input circuits coupled to said spectrum generator and to said pulse height analyzer and having an output circuit coupled to said display device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said analyzer means includes a pulse height analyzer coupled to said detector means for counting and storing the number of said electrical pulses within selected amplitude ranges and for providing an output signal indicative thereof; and further comprising a computer coupled to said pulse height analyzer for determining the relative quantity of said selected elements by analyzing the output signal from said pulse height analyzer relative to characteristic proton signatures of said selected elements stored within said computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means for positioning comprises a tape transport assembly including a feeder reel, a takeup reel, a tape disposed between said feeder reel and said takeup reel adapted for receiving said residue, and means coupled to said takeup reel for progressively feeding segments of said tape to a position juxtaposed to said source of alpha particles; whereby said tape and said residue deposited thereon are stored on said takeup reel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device of claim 6 further comprising a variable alpha particle energy absorber wheel disposed between said source of alpha particles and said tape for degrading the energy of the alpha radiation itself before it strikes the sample to be analyzed, and means for selectably positioning different segments of said absorber wheel between said source and said tape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 6 further comprising means for stamping a date-time code on said tape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising a container encompassing and supporting said source, said means for positioning, and said detector; and means for purging atmospheric gasses from said container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said source includes any radioactive isotope for radiating approximately 6 MEV energy alpha particles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said detector comprises a silicon barrier detector having an annular opening centrally formed therein with said alpha particle source disposed within said opening.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
122 words
A system for monitoring the quantity of certain elements in a liquid, said device comprising: means for periodically drawing samples of said liquid; means coupled to Said means for drawing samples, for forming residues from said liquid samples; a source of alpha particles; means for positioning said residue for irradiation by said alpha particles; detector means disposed to intercept protons liberated by said alpha particles from the nuclei of said certain elements of said residue for providing electrical signal pulses, the amplitude of which are representative of the energy of said detected protons; and analyzer means coupled to said detector for counting and storing the number of signal pulses within selected energy ranges and for providing an analyzer output signal indicative thereof.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
122 words
A system for monitoring the quantity of certain elements in a liquid, said device comprising: means for periodically drawing samples of said liquid; means coupled to Said means for drawing samples, for forming residues from said liquid samples; a source of alpha particles; means for positioning said residue for irradiation by said alpha particles; detector means disposed to intercept protons liberated by said alpha particles from the nuclei of said certain elements of said residue for providing electrical signal pulses, the amplitude of which are representative of the energy of said detected protons; and analyzer means coupled to said detector for counting and storing the number of signal pulses within selected energy ranges and for providing an analyzer output signal indicative thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 12 further comprising means coupled to said analyzer means for transmitting said analyzer output signal; remotely located means for receiving said transmitted signal; and means for processing said received signal to derive data therefrom as to the quantity of said certain selected elements in said liquid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said means for processing includes a computer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
83 words
The system of claim 12 further comprising: computer means coupled to said analyzer means for processing said analyzer output signal to derive data as to the quantity of said certain selected elements in said liquid; means for storing an electrical model of the desired relative quantity of said certain elements in said liquid; means for comparing said derived data to said model; and means for indicating an alarm condition when said derived data deviates from said model by more than a preselected amount.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
95 words
The system of claim 12 further comprising: means coupled to said analyzer means for processing said analyzer output signal to derive data as to the relative quantity of said certain elements in said liquid; means for storing a model of the desired relative quantity of said certain elements; means for comparing said derived data to said model for providing a control signal as a function of the difference therebetween; and means responsive to said control signal for varying the relative quantity of said certain elements in said liquid to more closely conform to said model.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
111 words
A device for quantitatively analyzing selected elements of liquid samples applied thereto, said device comprising: a source of alpha particles; a tape transport assembly including a tape, a feeder reel and a takeup reel; liquid feeder means for applying said liquid samples to said tape and for forming residue therefrom; means coupled to said tape transport assembly for positioning said tape section containing said residue juxtaposed to said source of alpha particles; and a detector disposed to intercept protons liberated by said alpha particles from the nuclei of elements of said sample for producing an output signal the amplitude of which is a function of the energy of said detected protons.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
111 words
A device for quantitatively analyzing selected elements of liquid samples applied thereto, said device comprising: a source of alpha particles; a tape transport assembly including a tape, a feeder reel and a takeup reel; liquid feeder means for applying said liquid samples to said tape and for forming residue therefrom; means coupled to said tape transport assembly for positioning said tape section containing said residue juxtaposed to said source of alpha particles; and a detector disposed to intercept protons liberated by said alpha particles from the nuclei of elements of said sample for producing an output signal the amplitude of which is a function of the energy of said detected protons.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said liquid feeder means includes means for drop-depositing said liquid samples on said tape, and a heater located adjacent to said tape.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said tape is composed of a metallic material; and said liquid feeder means includes means for heating a portion of said tape, and means for atomizing said liquid on the heated portion of said tape.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said liquid feeder means includes means for depositing said liquid on said tape to form a residue of a thickness less than ten per cent of the penetration range of the alpha particles radiated from said source.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for quantitatively analyzing selected elements in a liquid comprising the steps of: forming a residue from said liquid; irradiating said residue with alpha particles; detecting protons liberated from selected light elements of said residue and providing electrical pulses representative of the energy level of said detected protons; and analyzing said electrical pulses against predetermined Electrical signatures of selected elements, whereby the relative quantity of said selected elements contained in said liquid is determined.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for quantitatively analyzing selected elements in a liquid comprising the steps of: forming a residue from said liquid; irradiating said residue with alpha particles; detecting protons liberated from selected light elements of said residue and providing electrical pulses representative of the energy level of said detected protons; and analyzing said electrical pulses against predetermined Electrical signatures of selected elements, whereby the relative quantity of said selected elements contained in said liquid is determined.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said step of forming said residue includes depositing said liquid onto a tape and heating said tape.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said step of forming said residue comprises atomizing said liquid onto a heated tape.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said step of forming said residue comprises applying said liquid to a tape and said method further comprises the step of transporting the tape section containing said residue to a position juxtaposed to a source of alpha particles.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of selectively varying the energy level of said irradiating alpha particles.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising the steps of date-time coding said tape, and of storing said tape.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of adding to said liquid a predetermined quantity of a selected element not normally contained in significant amounts therein.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for monitoring the quality of a body of liquid comprising the steps of: periodically sampling said liquid; forming a residue from each said sample; irradiating said residue with alpha particles; and detecting protons liberated from the nuclei of selected light elements of said residue and providing electrical signals representative of the energy level of said detected protons and indicative of the relative quantity of said selected light elements within said liquid.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for monitoring the quality of a body of liquid comprising the steps of: periodically sampling said liquid; forming a residue from each said sample; irradiating said residue with alpha particles; and detecting protons liberated from the nuclei of selected light elements of said residue and providing electrical signals representative of the energy level of said detected protons and indicative of the relative quantity of said selected light elements within said liquid.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of comparing said electrical signals against a stored group of characteristic signatures representative of the desired quality of said selected light elements in said liquid.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of providing an alarm signal when the quantity of said selected light elements in said liquid, as indicated by said comparison, deviates by more than a preselected amount from said group of stored characteristic signatures.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 28 further comprising the steps of transmitting said electrical signals to a remote location and of receiving and analyzing said electrical signals at said remote location.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 29 further comprising the steps of providing a control signal as a function of the results of said comparison, and of controlling the relative quantity of said selected light elements in response to said control signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |