US3947124A
Expired / Lapsed
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Analytical spectroelectrochemistry
Assignee: National Research Development Corp UK
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Filing: 1974-10-18
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Granted: 1976-03-30
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Expires: 1994-10-18
Abstract
Abstract In a method of analytical spectrometry, material to be analysed is introduced in solution between a pair of charged electrodes so as to produce a light-absorbing atomic or molecular species by electrolysis at an electrode surface. A beam of light of an appropriate wavelength is directed through the solution into the vicinity of the relevant surface and light emerging from this vicinity is detected. Specific forms of apparatus are described for practising the method, using either absorption or fluorescence techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Summers West
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/28; G01N27/30; G01N27/305; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of analysing material by spectrometry, comprising the steps of: providing in electrical contact with a pair of charged electrodes an electrolytic medium containing said material in solution to produce a lightabsorbing species in solution by electrolysis at a surface of one of said electrodes, directing through said medium over said surface in a rectilinear path a beam of light having a wavelength for causing said beam to interact with said lightabsorbing species along said path; and detecting the intensity of light emerging from said path.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of analysing material by spectrometry, comprising the steps of: providing in electrical contact with a pair of charged electrodes an electrolytic medium containing said material in solution to produce a lightabsorbing species in solution by electrolysis at a surface of one of said electrodes, directing through said medium over said surface in a rectilinear path a beam of light having a wavelength for causing said beam to interact with said lightabsorbing species along said path; and detecting the intensity of light emerging from said path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, in which said solution contains an inert electrolyte.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said providing step includes charging said electrodes with a voltage having a magnitude in the range of about 1 to 2 volts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 including the step of providing said beam of light as a single collimated light beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said light beam directing step includes grazing said surface of said one electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said material to be analysed is metallic, and said method includes the steps of making said metallic material at least part of the one of said electrodes which is the anode and anodically stripping material therefrom into said solution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said providing step includes dissolving said material which is to be analysed and then adding the dissolved material to a quantity of an electrolyte solution to form said electrolytic medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said providing step includes disposing said pair of electrodes in said solution with at least the said surface of said one electrode being rectilinear and said light beam is directed in its said rectilinear path substantially parallel to the interface of said solution and said one rectilinear electrode surface for grazing the latter along the rectilinear distance thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said material which is to be analysed is metallic and said one electrode is caused to be a cathode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said emerging light detecting occurs at a point in line with said rectilinear path after said light beam has passed through said medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 including producing fluorescence in said medium by said beam of light, and wherein said light detecting step includes detecting light emerging from said medium perpendicularly of said path.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for use in analysing material by spectrometry, comprising: electrolytic cell means including a pair of electrodes for producing electrolysis; means for directing a beam of light with a given wavelength through said cell in a rectilinear path at grazing incidence to a surface of at least one of said electrodes to cause interaction between said beam and the light-absorbing species developed during said electrolysis when said material is in an electrolytic medium; and means for detecting the intensity of light emerging from said path.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for use in analysing material by spectrometry, comprising: electrolytic cell means including a pair of electrodes for producing electrolysis; means for directing a beam of light with a given wavelength through said cell in a rectilinear path at grazing incidence to a surface of at least one of said electrodes to cause interaction between said beam and the light-absorbing species developed during said electrolysis when said material is in an electrolytic medium; and means for detecting the intensity of light emerging from said path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising means for maintaining between said electrodes a voltage having a magnitude in the range of about 1 to 2 volts.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said detecting means is disposed at a right angle to said path, and further including means for causing said light beam to produce fluorescence in said cell for detection by said detecting means at right angles to said path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 14 wherein said fluorescence causing means includes an xenon arc lamp.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as in claim 14 wherein the said one electrode is a flat platinum plate, and the other of said electrodes is a platinum wire linearly extending parallel to said flat plate and perpendicularly to said rectilinear light beam path.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said pair of electrodes are substantially parallel with a spacing in the order of 5 millimeters, and said light beam is collimated in the order of 0.5 millimeters in diameter with its axis being not further than 1 millimeter from said one electrode surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 17 wherein said parallel electrodes are both made of platinum.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said detecting means is disposed outside of said cell at a position to receive light emerging perpendicularly from said path.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said beam of light is a single collimated light beam.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said one electrode is parallel to said light beam.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the material to be analysed is at least part of one of said electrodes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 including an electrolyte solution in said cell means with the said material, which is to be analysed, dissolved in said solution.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said detecting means is disposed outside of said cell to receive light emerging therefrom in line with said path.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 including means for removing electrolyte solution from the cell.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 including means for deaerating electrolyte solution in said cell.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
99 words
Apparatus for use in analysing material by spectrometry, comprising: electrolytic cell means containing a pair of electrodes adapted to be charged for providing in electrical contact with said electrodes an electrolytic medium containing said material in solution to produce a light-absorbing species in solution by electrolysis at a surface of one of said electrodes, means for directing through said medium over said surface in a rectilinear path a beam of light having a wavelength for causing said beam to interact with said light-absorbing species along said path, and means for detecting the intensity of light emerging from said path.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
99 words
Apparatus for use in analysing material by spectrometry, comprising: electrolytic cell means containing a pair of electrodes adapted to be charged for providing in electrical contact with said electrodes an electrolytic medium containing said material in solution to produce a light-absorbing species in solution by electrolysis at a surface of one of said electrodes, means for directing through said medium over said surface in a rectilinear path a beam of light having a wavelength for causing said beam to interact with said light-absorbing species along said path, and means for detecting the intensity of light emerging from said path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-30 | 1979-09-29 | 1980-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-30 | 1983-09-29 | 1984-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-30 | 1987-09-29 | 1988-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |