Method and apparatus for selecting and handling particulate specimens using a vaccum probe

Claim 2

A particulate specimen holder for use with microscopes and the like, comprising: hollow probe means having an operative end for engaging a specimen, at least a portion of said probe means having a cylindrical outer surface; flexible tube means for connecting the opposed end of said probe means to a source of vacuum to establish a vacuum at said operative end of said probe means; and support means for supporting said probe means for translation along a longitudinal axis of said probe means and for rotation about said axis, said probe means being removable from said support means to pick up a particulate specimen by vacuum forces and being adapted when retained by said support means for manual translation and rotation to allow inspection and positioning of said specimen.

Claim 3

The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said support means includes automatic positioning means including a pair of convergent surfaces for receiving and supporting said probe means, said support means further including spring means for holding said probe means against said convergent surfaces by the restorative forces in said spring means.

Claim 4

The apparatus defined by claim 2 wherein said support means includes a block having a V-groove formed in the upper surface thereof, the sides of which constitute said convergent surfaces.

Claim 5

The apparatus defined by claim 3 wherein said spring means comprises a leaf spring cantilever-supported to extend over said convergent surfaces.

Claim 6

The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said probe means is ferromagnetic and wherein said support means includes magnetomotive means for producing magnetic flux and magnetically conductive means for completing a magnetic circuit through said magnetomotive means and said probe for effecting said retention of said probe means by said support means.

Claim 7

A particulate specimen holder for use with microscopes and the like, comprising: hollow probe means having an operative end for engaging a specimen, at least a portion of said probe means having a cylindrical outer surface; flexible tube means for connecting the opposed end of said probe means to a source of vacuum to establish a vacuum at said operative end of said probe means; and support means for supporting said probe means for translation along a longitudinal axis of said probe means and for rotation about said axis, said support means including: automatic positioning means defining convergent surfaces for receiving and supporting said portion of said probe means having said cylindrical outer surface, and means for establishing a magnetic circuit through said portion of said probe means and said positioning means whereby said probe means is attracted to said support means by magnetic forces, said probe means being removable from said support means to pick up a particulate specimen by vacuum forces and being adapted when retained by said support means for manual translation and rotation to allow inspection and positioning of said specimen.

Claim 8

A particulate specimen holder for use with microscopes and the like, comprising: hollow probe means having an operative end for engaging a specimen, at least a portion of said probe means having a cylindrical outer surface; flexible tube means for connecting the opposed end of said probe means to a source of vacuum to establish a vacuum at said operative end of said probe means; and support means for supporting said probe means for translation along a longitudinal axis of said probe means and for rotation about said axis, said support means including: automatic positioning means defining convergent surfaces for receiving and supporting said portion of said probe means having said cylindrical outer surface, and means for establishing a magnetic circuit through said portion of said probe means and said positioning means whereby said probe means is attracted to said support means by magnetic forces, said probe means being removable from said support means to pick up a particulate specimen by vacuum forces and being adapted when retained by said support means for manual translation and rotation to allow inspection and positioning of said specimen.

Claim 9

The apparatus defined by claim 6 wherein said support means comprises a block having a V-groove formed in the upper surface thereof for receiving said probe means, said block including magnetic means.

Claim 10

The apparatus defined by claim 7 wherein said probe means comprises a ferromagnetic barrel for reception in said V-groove and connected thereto a hollow needle which defines said operative end of said probe means.

Claim 11

The apparatus defined by claim 6 wherein said probe means includes an axially adjustable collar for defining limitation of axial movement in one direction of said probe means in said support means.

Claim 12

A particulate specimen holder for use with microscopes and the like, comprising: hollow probe means having an operative end for engaging a specimen, at least a portion of said probe means having a cylindrical outer surface; flexible tube means for connecting the opposed end of said probe means to a source of vacuum to establish a vacuum at said operative end of said probe means; and support means for supporting said probe means for translation along a longitudinal axis of said probe means and for rotation about said axis, said support means including automatic positioning means defining convergent surfaces for receiving and supporting said portion of said probe means having said cylindrical outer surface, said support means including spring means cantilever-supported to extend over said convergent surfaces and positioned to hold said probe means against said convergent surfaces by the restorative forces in said spring means, said probe means being removable from said support means to pick up a particulate specimen by vacuum forces and being adapted when retained by said support means for manual translation and rotation to allow inspection and positioning of said specimen.

Claim 13

A particulate specimen holder for use with microscopes and the like, comprising: hollow probe means having an operative end for engaging a specimen, at least a portion of said probe means having a cylindrical outer surface; flexible tube means for connecting the opposed end of said probe means to a source of vacuum to establish a vacuum at said operative end of said probe means; and support means for supporting said probe means for translation along a longitudinal axis of said probe means and for rotation about said axis, said support means including automatic positioning means defining convergent surfaces for receiving and supporting said portion of said probe means having said cylindrical outer surface, said support means including spring means cantilever-supported to extend over said convergent surfaces and positioned to hold said probe means against said convergent surfaces by the restorative forces in said spring means, said probe means being removable from said support means to pick up a particulate specimen by vacuum forces and being adapted when retained by said support means for manual translation and rotation to allow inspection and positioning of said specimen.

Claim 14

Apparatus for use in microscopic inspection and in mounting for x-ray diffraction analysis of crystals and other particulate specimens, comprising: a rigid frame adapted to be mounted on a microscope stage; means for mounting a goniometer head on said frame; and a particulate specimen holder, comprising: hollow probe means having an operative end for engaging a specimen, at least a portion of said probe means having a cylindrical outer surface, flexible tube means for connecting the opposed end of said probe means to a source of vacuum to establish a vacuum at said operative end of said probe means, and support means for supporting said probe means on said frame such that a longitudinal axis of said probe means intersects a longitudinal axis of a goniometer head mounted on said frame, said support means mounting said probe means for translation along said longitudinal axis of said probe means and for rotation about said axis thereof, said support means including automatic positioning means defining convergent surfaces for receiving and supporting said portion of said probe means having said cylindrical outer surface, said support means including means for establishing a magnetic circuit through said portion of said probe means and said positioning means, whereby said probe means is attracted to said support means by magnetic forces, said probe means being removable from said support means to pick up a particulate specimen by vacuum forces and being adapted when retained by said support means to allow manual rotation of the specimen and translation thereof to position the specimen at the intersection of said axes for mounting on the tip of a fiber held by the goniometer head.

Claim 15

Apparatus for use in microscopic inspection and in mounting for x-ray diffraction analysis of crystals and other particulate specimens, comprising: a rigid frame adapted to be mounted on a microscope stage; means for mounting a goniometer head on said frame; and a particulate specimen holder, comprising: hollow probe means having an operative end for engaging a specimen, at least a portion of said probe means having a cylindrical outer surface, flexible tube means for connecting the opposed end of said probe means to a source of vacuum to establish a vacuum at said operative end of said probe means, and support means for supporting said probe means on said frame such that a longitudinal axis of said probe means intersects a longitudinal axis of a goniometer head mounted on said frame, said support means mounting said probe means for translation along said longitudinal axis of said probe means and for rotation about said axis thereof, said support means including automatic positioning means defining convergent surfaces for receiving and supporting said portion of said probe means having said cylindrical outer surface, said support means including means for establishing a magnetic circuit through said portion of said probe means and said positioning means, whereby said probe means is attracted to said support means by magnetic forces, said probe means being removable from said support means to pick up a particulate specimen by vacuum forces and being adapted when retained by said support means to allow manual rotation of the specimen and translation thereof to position the specimen at the intersection of said axes for mounting on the tip of a fiber held by the goniometer head.

Claim 16

The apparatus defined by claim 11 wherein frame includes pivoted mounting means for carrying said support means, said pivoted mounting means having an effective pivot axis which intersects said intersection of said axes.

Claim 17

The apparatus defined by claim 12 wherein said support means comprises a block having a V-groove formed in the upper surface thereof for receiving said probe means, said block including magnetic material.

Claim 18

The apparatus defined by claim 13 wherein said probe means comprises a ferromagnetic barrel for reception in said V-groove and connected thereto a hollow needle which defines said operative end of said probe means.

Claim 19

The apparatus defined by claim 14 wherein said probe means includes an axially adjustable collar for defining limitation of axial movement in one direction of said probe means in said support means.