US3909133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Analysis of metals
Assignee: Dunford Hadfields Ltd
•
Filing: 1973-08-22
•
Granted: 1975-09-30
•
Expires: 1993-08-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for analysing metals, which apparatus comprises a device for producing radiation by the excitation of the metal, and an optical fibre guide means for transmitting the radiation from the metal to an analytical instrument.
Inventors
- 👤 John Douglas Hobson
- 👤 Teddie Ward Lomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/66; G01N21/69
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for analysing metals, comprising sample positioning means for positioning the metal to be analysed in a predetermined location, radiation means for producing radiation by excitation of the metals to be analysed, analytical instrument means for analysing said radiation, optical fibre guide means for transmitting the radiation from the metal to said analytical instrument means, and movable mounting means movable toward and away from said predetermined location of the metal being analysed, said radiation means and the end of said optical fibre guide means being mounted to said movable mounting means for simultaneous movement together therewith to position the last two mentioned means into a position adjacent said predetermined location of the metal being analysed and in predetermined relationship to each other and to the metal being analysed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for analysing metals, comprising sample positioning means for positioning the metal to be analysed in a predetermined location, radiation means for producing radiation by excitation of the metals to be analysed, analytical instrument means for analysing said radiation, optical fibre guide means for transmitting the radiation from the metal to said analytical instrument means, and movable mounting means movable toward and away from said predetermined location of the metal being analysed, said radiation means and the end of said optical fibre guide means being mounted to said movable mounting means for simultaneous movement together therewith to position the last two mentioned means into a position adjacent said predetermined location of the metal being analysed and in predetermined relationship to each other and to the metal being analysed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiation means comprises a high repetition frequency source of excitation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiation is ultra-violet radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiation is visible radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiation is infrared radiation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiation means comprises an electric discharge which excites the metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiation means comprises an electrode positioned to produce an arc between said electrode and the metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiation means excites said metal with a plasma.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said optical fibre guide means comprises a bundle of fibres of a material which channels the radiation along themselves by total internal reflection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said optical fibre guide means is flexible.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiation means is positioned adjacent the inlet of said optical fibre guide means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including lens means for collecting and directing said radiation to said optical fibre guide means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said movable mounting means mounts said radiation means, said lens means and the end of said optical fibre guide means adjacent the metal for movement together to bring the last three mentioned means into a position against the metal to be analysed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means for maintaining said analytical instrument means under controlled environmental conditions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including signal means for producing a sensible signal when the metal analysed does not meet a predetermined standard.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including recording means for recording analytical information and information identifying the metal being analysed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including collimating lens means which converts radiation from the optical fibre guide means into a parallel beam.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including enclosure means enclosing the portion of the metal which is being analysed, and inlet means for introducing an inert gas into said enclosure means to flush said enclosure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said inert gas is argon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analytical instrument means is a spectrometer.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of analysing solid ferrous, copper and aluminum metals and alloys thereof, comprising, positioning the metal to be analysed in a predetermined location, mounting radiation producing means and an optical fibre guide in predetermined relationship to each other, simultaneously moving said mounted radiation producing means and optical fibre guide together toward and away from said predetermined location of the metal being analysed, exciting the metal being analysed by said radiation producing means to produce radiation emanating from the metal when said raDiation producing means is moved toward and is adjacent said predetermined location of the metal being analysed, transmitting said radiation through said optical fibre guide to a location remote from the metal being analysed, and analysing the transmitted radiation at said remote location.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of analysing solid ferrous, copper and aluminum metals and alloys thereof, comprising, positioning the metal to be analysed in a predetermined location, mounting radiation producing means and an optical fibre guide in predetermined relationship to each other, simultaneously moving said mounted radiation producing means and optical fibre guide together toward and away from said predetermined location of the metal being analysed, exciting the metal being analysed by said radiation producing means to produce radiation emanating from the metal when said raDiation producing means is moved toward and is adjacent said predetermined location of the metal being analysed, transmitting said radiation through said optical fibre guide to a location remote from the metal being analysed, and analysing the transmitted radiation at said remote location.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said enclosure means comprises said movable mounting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2464402A
Cited
US2709367A
Cited
US3367229A
Cited
US3327126A
Cited
US3413481A
Cited
US3527954A
Cited
US3672774A
Cited
US3645628A
Cited
US3692415A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |