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US4374326A
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Method for determining the proportion of at least one material in a moving mixture of materials
Assignee: Coal Industry Patents Ltd
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Filing: 1980-08-15
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Granted: 1983-02-15
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Expires: 2000-08-15
Abstract
Abstract The proportion of a radioactive material in a moving mass of material is determined with a sensor which derives an output signal proportional to the mass of radioactive material. The output signal is calibrated against known reference values to give a quantitative value of mass. Problems associated with inhomogeneity of material distribution are overcome by averaging the sensed radiation over a time period. Background radiation can be sensed to determine sufficiency of material or it can be shielded from the sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 John S. Wykes
- 👤 Ian Adsley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/17; G01T1/178
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of determining the proportion of at least one material in a moving inhomogeneous mixture of coal, and stone or shale materials comprising moving an inhomogeneous mixture of materials past a radiation sensor, shielding the radiation sensor, sensing over a period of time an intensity of radiation emitted by at least one of the materials in the moving mixture, deriving electrical signals indicative of the sensed intensity, compensating for variations in the derived signals due to the inhomogeneity of the mixture by averaging the derived signals and further deriving a signal indicative of averaged intensity of radiation, comparing the further derived averaged radiation intensity signal with at least one preselected reference value of signal corresponding to a known proportion, and determining the proportion of said at least one material in the mixture of materials.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of determining the proportion of at least one material in a moving inhomogeneous mixture of coal, and stone or shale materials comprising moving an inhomogeneous mixture of materials past a radiation sensor, shielding the radiation sensor, sensing over a period of time an intensity of radiation emitted by at least one of the materials in the moving mixture, deriving electrical signals indicative of the sensed intensity, compensating for variations in the derived signals due to the inhomogeneity of the mixture by averaging the derived signals and further deriving a signal indicative of averaged intensity of radiation, comparing the further derived averaged radiation intensity signal with at least one preselected reference value of signal corresponding to a known proportion, and determining the proportion of said at least one material in the mixture of materials.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein background radiation is sensed in order to determine whether there is sufficient materials being moved.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the shielding step comprises shielding the radiation sensor from background radiation with the moving mixture of materials.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the shielding step comprises shielding the radiation sensor and the moving mixture of materials near the sensor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2717693A
Cited
GB762432A
Cited
US3007052A
Cited
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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) | 1986-02-14 | 1986-08-16 | 1987-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-14 | 1990-08-16 | 1991-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-14 | 1994-08-16 | 1995-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |