US4010369A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for rapid particle size analysis by hydrosizing and nuclear sensing
Assignee: United States Department of the Interior
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Filing: 1974-01-29
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Granted: 1977-03-01
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Expires: 1994-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus to practice the method for rapidly determining the size and mass distribution of a sample of randomly sized particles of a known total mass. A series of substantially identical hydrocyclones are connected by conduits to each other and to a temperature controlled water feed. By restricting the cross-sectional areas of these conduits to progressively smaller values, the slurry containing the sample particles is caused to increase its velocity as it moves from hydrocyclone to hydrocyclone. As described by the Stokesian theory which relates particle diameter and settling velocity, the largest sized particles are suspended in the closed apex of the first hydrocyclone with smaller sized particles, in given size ranges, being suspended in the next succeeding hydrocyclone's apexes. In this manner, the particles are separated into discrete fractional sizes with a residual slurry of the very smallest particles being discharged. Before the discrete fractions of particles are suspended in their hydrocyclone apexes, a combined photon source, like a gamma ray source, and detector are calibrated with the water temperature kept constant. When the suspension of particles takes place, an attenuation of the radiation from the source is observed at the detector. This attenuation can be related to the mass or weight of the discrete fractions of suspended particles. Electronic circuitry is used to indicate what this fractional mass or weight is as it relates to the total weight of the sample.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles B. Daellenbach
- 👤 Warren M. Mahan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/06; G01N15/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A system for determining the particle size and mass distribution of a sample of randomly sized particles from a known total mass comprising: a series of interconnected liquid cyclones for separating the randomly sized particles into a series of discrete fractions according to their size, said particles being fed into said cyclones in a liquid slurry at a controlled velocity; said interconnections comprising a series of conduits that are progressively smaller in cross-sectional area between any two liquid cyclones when measured perpendicular to the liquid flow; means for detecting the particle mass of each of said discrete size fractions; and means for indicating the detected mass of said fractions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A system for determining the particle size and mass distribution of a sample of randomly sized particles from a known total mass comprising: a series of interconnected liquid cyclones for separating the randomly sized particles into a series of discrete fractions according to their size, said particles being fed into said cyclones in a liquid slurry at a controlled velocity; said interconnections comprising a series of conduits that are progressively smaller in cross-sectional area between any two liquid cyclones when measured perpendicular to the liquid flow; means for detecting the particle mass of each of said discrete size fractions; and means for indicating the detected mass of said fractions.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
146 words
A system for determining the particle size and mass distribution of a sample of randomly sized particles from a known total mass comprising: a series of interconnected liquid cyclones for separating the randomly sized particles into a series of discrete fractions according to their size; said particles being fed into said cyclones in a liquid slurry at a controlled velocity; each of said liquid cyclones being substantially identical containers in shape and size with the largest sized particles being retained in the first container into which the liquid flows; said interconnections between adjacent connected liquid cyclones comprising a conduit whose cross-sectional area is greater at the output of one liquid cyclone than it is at the input to the next connected liquid cyclone; means for detecting the particle mass of each of said discrete size fractions; and means for indicating the detected mass of said fractions.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
146 words
A system for determining the particle size and mass distribution of a sample of randomly sized particles from a known total mass comprising: a series of interconnected liquid cyclones for separating the randomly sized particles into a series of discrete fractions according to their size; said particles being fed into said cyclones in a liquid slurry at a controlled velocity; each of said liquid cyclones being substantially identical containers in shape and size with the largest sized particles being retained in the first container into which the liquid flows; said interconnections between adjacent connected liquid cyclones comprising a conduit whose cross-sectional area is greater at the output of one liquid cyclone than it is at the input to the next connected liquid cyclone; means for detecting the particle mass of each of said discrete size fractions; and means for indicating the detected mass of said fractions.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
135 words
A system for determining the particle size and mass distribution of a sample of randomly sized particles from a known total mass comprising: a series of interconnected liquid cyclones for separating the randomly sized particles into a series of discrete fractions according to their size; said particles being fed into said cyclones in a liquid slurry at a controlled velocity; said interconnections between liquid cyclones having means for increasing the velocity of the slurry as it flows from one cyclone to the next to provide for the retention of the largest particles at the first cyclone into which the slurry flows and the retention of progressively smaller particles at each succeeding cyclone; means for detecting the particle mass of each of said discrete sized fractions; and means for indicating the detected mass of said fractions.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
135 words
A system for determining the particle size and mass distribution of a sample of randomly sized particles from a known total mass comprising: a series of interconnected liquid cyclones for separating the randomly sized particles into a series of discrete fractions according to their size; said particles being fed into said cyclones in a liquid slurry at a controlled velocity; said interconnections between liquid cyclones having means for increasing the velocity of the slurry as it flows from one cyclone to the next to provide for the retention of the largest particles at the first cyclone into which the slurry flows and the retention of progressively smaller particles at each succeeding cyclone; means for detecting the particle mass of each of said discrete sized fractions; and means for indicating the detected mass of said fractions.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for determining the particle size and mass distribution of a sample of randomly sized particles from a known total mass comprising: means for separating these randomly sized particles into a series of discrete fractions according to their size, said separating means comprising a series of interconnected liquid cyclones into which said randomly sized particles are fed in a liquid slurry at a controlled velocity, wherein the interconnections between liquid cyclones comprises a series of conduits with the conduits being progressively smaller in cross-sectional area between any two liquid cyclones when measured perpendicular to the liquid flow; means for detecting the particle mass of each of said discrete size fractions; and means for indicating the detected mass of said fractions.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for determining the particle size and mass distribution of a sample of randomly sized particles from a known total mass comprising: means for separating these randomly sized particles into a series of discrete fractions according to their size, said separating means comprising a series of interconnected liquid cyclones into which said randomly sized particles are fed in a liquid slurry at a controlled velocity, wherein the interconnections between liquid cyclones comprises a series of conduits with the conduits being progressively smaller in cross-sectional area between any two liquid cyclones when measured perpendicular to the liquid flow; means for detecting the particle mass of each of said discrete size fractions; and means for indicating the detected mass of said fractions.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for determining the particle size and mass distribution of a sample of randomly sized particles from a known total mass comprising: means for separating the randomly sized particles into a series of discrete fractions according to their size, said separating means comprising a series of interconnected liquid cyclones into which said randomly sized particles are fed in a liquid slurry at a controlled velocity; wherein each of said liquid cyclones are containers substantially identical to each other in shape and size with the largest sized particles being retained in the first container into which the liquid flows, and the interconnections between each adjacent connected liquid cyclone comprises a conduit whose cross-sectional area is greater at the input to the next connected liquid cyclone; means for detecting the particle mass of each of said discrete size fractions; and means for indicating the detected mass of said fractions.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for determining the particle size and mass distribution of a sample of randomly sized particles from a known total mass comprising: means for separating the randomly sized particles into a series of discrete fractions according to their size, said separating means comprising a series of interconnected liquid cyclones into which said randomly sized particles are fed in a liquid slurry at a controlled velocity; wherein each of said liquid cyclones are containers substantially identical to each other in shape and size with the largest sized particles being retained in the first container into which the liquid flows, and the interconnections between each adjacent connected liquid cyclone comprises a conduit whose cross-sectional area is greater at the input to the next connected liquid cyclone; means for detecting the particle mass of each of said discrete size fractions; and means for indicating the detected mass of said fractions.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for determining the particle size and mass distribution of a sample of randomly sized particles from a known total mass comprising: means for separating the randomly sized particles into a series of discrete fractions according to their size, said separating means comprising a series of interconnected liquid cyclones into which randomly sized particles are fed in a liquid slurry at a controlled velocity, wherein the interconnections between liquid cyclones have means for increasing the velocity of the slurry as it flows from one cyclone to the next to provide for the retention of the largest particles at the first cyclone into which the slurry flows and the retention of progressively smaller particles at each succeeding cyclone; means for detecting the particle mass of each of said discrete size fractions; and means for indicating the detected mass of said fractions.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for determining the particle size and mass distribution of a sample of randomly sized particles from a known total mass comprising: means for separating the randomly sized particles into a series of discrete fractions according to their size, said separating means comprising a series of interconnected liquid cyclones into which randomly sized particles are fed in a liquid slurry at a controlled velocity, wherein the interconnections between liquid cyclones have means for increasing the velocity of the slurry as it flows from one cyclone to the next to provide for the retention of the largest particles at the first cyclone into which the slurry flows and the retention of progressively smaller particles at each succeeding cyclone; means for detecting the particle mass of each of said discrete size fractions; and means for indicating the detected mass of said fractions.
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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) | 1980-02-29 | 1980-08-30 | 1981-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-29 | 1984-08-30 | 1985-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-29 | 1988-08-30 | 1989-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |