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US3868509A
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Method of stabilizing single channel analyzers
Assignee: United States Department of the Interior
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Filing: 1973-12-05
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Granted: 1975-02-25
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Expires: 1993-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and the apparatus to practice the method in which the drift of single channel analyzers is reduced. Essentially, this invention employs a time-sharing or multiplexing technique to insure that the outputs from two single channel analyzers (SCAS) maintain the same count ratio regardless of variations in the threshold voltage source or voltage changes. the multiplexing technique is accomplished when a flip flop, actuated by a clock, changes state to switch the output from the individual SCAS before these outputs are sent to a ratio counting scalar. In the particular system embodiment disclosed that illustrates this invention, the sulfur content of coal is determined by subjectiong the coal to radiation from a neturon producing source. A photomultiplier and detector system equates the transmitted gamma radiation to an analog voltage signal and sends the same signal, after amplification, to a SCA system that contains our invention. Therein, at least two single channel analyzers scan the analog signal over different parts of a spectral region. The two outputs may then be sent to a digital multiplexer so that the outputs may then be sent to a digital multiplexer so that the output from the multplexer contains counts falling within two distinct segments of the region. By dividing the counts from the multiplexer by each other, the precentage of sulfur within the coal sample under observation may be determined.
Inventors
- 👤 George E Fasching
- 👤 George H Patton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/36; G01T1/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for stabilizing the analog output signals from two single channel analyzers that are to be fed to a comparator comprising the steps of: detecting an analog signal representative of some physical phenomenon; amplifying said representative signal and transmitting the result to a multiplexer system; splitting said amplified signal in the multiplexer system into two analog signals and sending each signal to one of two separate single channel analyzers that output fixed pulses and normally operate between different specific output ranges; switching and gating the outputs from said single channel analyzers so that each analyzer alternately operates at one of two outputs with the same specific range output signals always appearing at the same gate output; and comparing the outputs from the gating circuitry after switching and gating takes place to obtain the desired results.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for stabilizing the analog output signals from two single channel analyzers that are to be fed to a comparator comprising the steps of: detecting an analog signal representative of some physical phenomenon; amplifying said representative signal and transmitting the result to a multiplexer system; splitting said amplified signal in the multiplexer system into two analog signals and sending each signal to one of two separate single channel analyzers that output fixed pulses and normally operate between different specific output ranges; switching and gating the outputs from said single channel analyzers so that each analyzer alternately operates at one of two outputs with the same specific range output signals always appearing at the same gate output; and comparing the outputs from the gating circuitry after switching and gating takes place to obtain the desired results.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said detection step detects radiate energy from a radioactive source that is transmitted through a material under investigation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said switching step is accomplished by actuating a flip flop and gating means by a clock pulse.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
A stable output multiplexed single channel analyzer system comprising: means for receiving an analog signal representative of a physical phenomenon; two single channel analyzers operable within different specific ranges to receive said analog signal and to output fixed pulse signals when operative; a multiplexer system to time share by switching and gating the output signals from said analyzers such that the output signals from the analyzers are continuously switched and the same range always appears at the same gate output; and a comparator to compare the multiplexed signals outputted from the multiplexer system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
A stable output multiplexed single channel analyzer system comprising: means for receiving an analog signal representative of a physical phenomenon; two single channel analyzers operable within different specific ranges to receive said analog signal and to output fixed pulse signals when operative; a multiplexer system to time share by switching and gating the output signals from said analyzers such that the output signals from the analyzers are continuously switched and the same range always appears at the same gate output; and a comparator to compare the multiplexed signals outputted from the multiplexer system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said multiplexer system comprises: a clock to generate a pulse; a flip flop connected to said clock; and a plurality of gating elements operatively associated with said single channel analyzer and said flip flop to alternately switch the output pulses from the single channel analyzers.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
151 words
A system for accurately determining the sulfur content of coal comprising: a radioactive ray source to transmit neutrons through coal; a gamma ray detector to detect the created gamma rays transmitted and convert these detected rays into electrical representations; circuitry to amplify the electrical representations; two substantially identical single channel analyzers normally operable within different specific ranges to receive said electrical representations; a multiplexer system connected to the outputs of said two substantially identical single channel analyzers to analyze the electrical representations from said analyzers between certain specific ranges, said system including switching and gating means to continuously switch the analyzed signals from the analyzers and to gate these switched signals so that the signals from the same specific ranges always appear at the same gate output; and comparator and scalar circuitry to compare the switched and gated outputs with each other and to output a scaled answer of their ratio.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
151 words
A system for accurately determining the sulfur content of coal comprising: a radioactive ray source to transmit neutrons through coal; a gamma ray detector to detect the created gamma rays transmitted and convert these detected rays into electrical representations; circuitry to amplify the electrical representations; two substantially identical single channel analyzers normally operable within different specific ranges to receive said electrical representations; a multiplexer system connected to the outputs of said two substantially identical single channel analyzers to analyze the electrical representations from said analyzers between certain specific ranges, said system including switching and gating means to continuously switch the analyzed signals from the analyzers and to gate these switched signals so that the signals from the same specific ranges always appear at the same gate output; and comparator and scalar circuitry to compare the switched and gated outputs with each other and to output a scaled answer of their ratio.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said multiplexer system switching means has a plurality of gating members actuated by drivers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said drivers are switched by a clock pulse actuated flip flop.
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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) | 1978-02-24 | 1978-08-26 | 1979-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-24 | 1982-08-26 | 1983-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-24 | 1986-08-26 | 1987-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |