US4136951A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Separation and analysis of particle coatings
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-11-05
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Granted: 1979-01-30
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Expires: 1996-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A method of separating chemical coatings from particles is disclosed which may be used in the aerial prospecting for minerals or the determination of the chemical constituents of a dried liquid coating. The coating is volatized and ionized by passing the particle and its coating into a plasma. Separation is achieved by passing the particle through and beyond the plasma. The coating constituents may be spectroscopically analyzed by passing the coating constituents directly into a second plasma and viewing the light emitted therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis J. C. Macourt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/71; G01N21/73; G01N21/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of determining the nature of a chemical coating on particles, said method comprising the steps of: 1. Entrapping the coated particles in a flow of chemically inert carrier gas, 2. Plasmatising said carrier gas to volatilize and ionise said coating, 3. Separating the particles from the volatilized and ionised coating constituents, and 4. Analysing said volatilized and ionized coating constituents.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of determining the nature of a chemical coating on particles, said method comprising the steps of: 1. Entrapping the coated particles in a flow of chemically inert carrier gas, 2. Plasmatising said carrier gas to volatilize and ionise said coating, 3. Separating the particles from the volatilized and ionised coating constituents, and 4. Analysing said volatilized and ionized coating constituents.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said particles are separated from said volatilized and ionised constituents by retaining said constituents in a plasma and removing said particles from said plasma.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said carrier gas included entrapped particles is introduced into said plasma in a first direction and said plasma moves said volatilized and ionised coating constituents in a second direction divergent from said first direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said particles are entrapped in said carrier gas by projecting the particles into a counter-flowing stream of said gas and subsequently reversing the direction of flow of said gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carrier gas is nitrogen or a noble gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of prospecting for minerals comprising collecting particles from positions adjacent the locality to be prospected and subjecting the particles to the method claimed in claim 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said particles are collected from the air by aircraft flying above said locality to be prospected.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of spectroscopically determining the chemical nature of any coating on particles, said method comprising steps of; 1. Entraining the coated particles in a flow of inert carrier gas, 2. Passing the carrier gas into a first plasma to volatilize and ionise the constituents of said coating, 3. Separating the particles from the volatilized and ionised coating constituents, 4. Including said volatilized and ionised coating constituents in a second plasma, and 5. Spectroscopically analysing the light emitted from said second plasma.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of spectroscopically determining the chemical nature of any coating on particles, said method comprising steps of; 1. Entraining the coated particles in a flow of inert carrier gas, 2. Passing the carrier gas into a first plasma to volatilize and ionise the constituents of said coating, 3. Separating the particles from the volatilized and ionised coating constituents, 4. Including said volatilized and ionised coating constituents in a second plasma, and 5. Spectroscopically analysing the light emitted from said second plasma.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method claimed in claim 8 wherein said first plasma moves said volatilized and ionised coating constituents in a direction divergent from the direction of introduction of said carrier gas into said first plasma to separate said particles from said first plasma.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the direction of motion of said volatilized and ionised coating constituents in said first plasma removes them from said first plasma and carries them into said second plasma.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said second plasma is optically shielded from said first plasma.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of prospecting for minerals comprising collecting particles from positions adjacent the locality to be prospected and subjecting the particles to the method claimed in claim 8.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus for separating a chemical coating from particles, said apparatus comprising a primary plasma vessel, first and second tubular electrodes passing through the wall of said vessel and having their longitudinal axes mis-aligned, and a secondary plasma vessel communicating with said first plasma vessel via said second electrode and having a third tubular electrode passing through the wall thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus for separating a chemical coating from particles, said apparatus comprising a primary plasma vessel, first and second tubular electrodes passing through the wall of said vessel and having their longitudinal axes mis-aligned, and a secondary plasma vessel communicating with said first plasma vessel via said second electrode and having a third tubular electrode passing through the wall thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 including means to form plasma between said first and second electrodes and between said second and third electrodes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 including means to introduce carrier gas into said primary plasma vessel via said first electrode and extract gas from said secondary plasma vessel via said third electrode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said primary plasma vessel includes a particle receptacle disposed opposite to said first electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said secondary plasma vessel is made from transparent material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said secondary plasma vessel is optically shielded from the light emitted from any plasma in said primary plasma vessel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3759617A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-29 | 1982-07-31 | 1983-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-29 | 1986-07-31 | 1987-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-29 | 1990-07-31 | 1991-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |