US3859528A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gamma ray apparatus with sample changer
Assignee: Beckman Coulter Inc
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Filing: 1973-03-26
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1993-03-26
Abstract
Abstract Gamma ray measuring apparatus having a multi-compartment sample holder incrementally advanced along the surface to a measuring station. The sample holder contains a plurality of sample containing vials in close mating relationship within the compartments, each compartment being provided with an aperture in the bottom thereof, the aperture being of smaller dimension than the cross-sectional dimension of the vial. A detector assembly at the measuring station has an elongated access port therein, the lower portion of the access port having a funnel-shaped entrance end with the upper portion thereof having a crystal detector in proximity thereto. An elevating rod passes through the aperture engaging the bottom surface of the vial to raise the vial guided by the compartment and the funnel-shaped entrance through the access port into the sample chamber adjacent the crystal detector for sample measurement. The elevating rod is made of a shielding material for shielding the crystal detector from rays emanating from samples within the sample holder. Provision is made for access to the well by means of a manual sample access port in alignment with the upper portion of the well. The port is plugged during operation of the apparatus in the automatic mode, and a special vial holder is provided for access to the well in a manual mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Samuel H Luitwieler
- 👤 Paul R Klein
- 👤 Dale Dario Robinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T7/00; G01T7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
In radiation source measuring apparatus, the combination comprising: a detector assembly having a vertically aligned sample chamber and an elongate access port communicating therewith and depending therefrom; sample changer means for incrementally advancing each of a plurality of sample containers in proximity to aNd beneath said access port in alignment therewith, said sample changer means including at least one sample holder having a plurality of substantially identical compartments with wall means substantially surrounding said sample container, each compartment having in the base thereof an aperture, said sample containers having a cross sectional configuration larger than said aperture for resting on said base; elevating means beneath said sample changer means and including a rod disposed in alignment with said access port, said rod being selectively operable through said sample changer means and said aperture for engaging the bottom surface of said sample container, said sample containers being guided into said access port by said wall means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
In radiation source measuring apparatus, the combination comprising: a detector assembly having a vertically aligned sample chamber and an elongate access port communicating therewith and depending therefrom; sample changer means for incrementally advancing each of a plurality of sample containers in proximity to aNd beneath said access port in alignment therewith, said sample changer means including at least one sample holder having a plurality of substantially identical compartments with wall means substantially surrounding said sample container, each compartment having in the base thereof an aperture, said sample containers having a cross sectional configuration larger than said aperture for resting on said base; elevating means beneath said sample changer means and including a rod disposed in alignment with said access port, said rod being selectively operable through said sample changer means and said aperture for engaging the bottom surface of said sample container, said sample containers being guided into said access port by said wall means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said sample container is a cylindrical vial and said wall means is a cylindrical surface of slightly greater diameter than said vial, said wall means having a height substantially the height of said vial.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein the aperture in the base of each of said compartments is a circular aperture of slightly smaller diameter than the diameter of said vial and said rod has a circular cross section of slightly smaller diameter than its said aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein said detector assembly includes a radiation detector having the sample chamber formed therein, said sample chamber having a circular cross section of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said vial.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein said radiation detector is a scintillator crystal and has a photomultiplier tube optically coupled thereto, said scintillator crystal and said photomultiplier tube being substantially surrounded by shielding material and said access port is formed in said shielding material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination according to claim 5 wherein said access port has a funnel-shaped entrance end in proximity to said sample holder for at least partially guiding said vial into said access port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination according to claim 6 further including a removable unitary sleeve lining said access port and said sample chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein said sleeve has a funnel-shaped entrance end for mating with said access port.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination according to claim 5 wherein said rod is formed of shielding material for shielding the crystal from radiation emanating from samples within said sample holder during measurement of the sample within said sample chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination according to claim 5 further including a second access port communicating with and extending upwardly from said sample chamber and a removable plug of shielding material insertable within said second access port.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 10 further including single vial holding means insertable within said second access port for positioning a vial within said sample chamber.
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) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |