US4598577A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Analysis of materials
Assignee: British Steel PLC
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Filing: 1984-08-10
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Granted: 1986-07-08
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Expires: 2004-08-10
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a method of analyzing materials, comprising the steps of subjecting a surface of the material to high energy impact by a laser to cause ablation and vaporization such as to generate a gaseous and/or gas-born sample of the material, transporting all or part of the gaseous and/or gas-born sample of the material to a remote analytical apparatus, and analyzing the gaseous and/or gas-born sample of the material at the remote analytical device so as to determine the constituent compartments of the material, together with Apparatus for carrying out this method.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond Jowitt
- 👤 Ian D. Abell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/20; G01N33/202; G01N33/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of analysing metals during production or processing thereof, comprising the steps of subjecting a surface of the metal undergoing production or processing to high energy impact by a laser to cause ablation and vapourisation such as to generate a gaseous and/or gas-borne sample comprising a complete representation of the metal, transporting all or part of the gaseous and/or gas-borne sample of the metal to a remote analytical apparatus comprising an excitation unit and a spectrometer, and analysing the gaseous and/or gas-borne sample of the metal at the remote analytical apparatus so as to determine the constituent components of the metal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of analysing metals during production or processing thereof, comprising the steps of subjecting a surface of the metal undergoing production or processing to high energy impact by a laser to cause ablation and vapourisation such as to generate a gaseous and/or gas-borne sample comprising a complete representation of the metal, transporting all or part of the gaseous and/or gas-borne sample of the metal to a remote analytical apparatus comprising an excitation unit and a spectrometer, and analysing the gaseous and/or gas-borne sample of the metal at the remote analytical apparatus so as to determine the constituent components of the metal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for the analysis of molten metal during production or processing thereof, comprising laser generating means for creating a gaseous and/or gas-borne sample from a surface of the metal undergoing the production of processing, an analytical device comprising an excitation unit and a spectrometer for determining the constituents of the metal located at a remote site, and a probe for contacting, obtaining and exposing a surface of the metal from the melt thereof, said probe including passages for the transmission of energy from the laser generating means for creating the gaseous and/or gas-borne sample from the surface, and for the transport of such sample to the remote analytical device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for the analysis of molten metal during production or processing thereof, comprising laser generating means for creating a gaseous and/or gas-borne sample from a surface of the metal undergoing the production of processing, an analytical device comprising an excitation unit and a spectrometer for determining the constituents of the metal located at a remote site, and a probe for contacting, obtaining and exposing a surface of the metal from the melt thereof, said probe including passages for the transmission of energy from the laser generating means for creating the gaseous and/or gas-borne sample from the surface, and for the transport of such sample to the remote analytical device.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of analyzing molten metal during production or processing thereof comprising the steps of contacting, obtaining and exposing a surface of the metal from the melt thereof to high energy impact by a laser to cause ablation and vapourization such as to generate a gaseous and/or gas-borne sample comprising a complete representation of the metal, transporting all or part of the gaseous and/or gas-borne sample of the metal to a remote analytical apparatus, and analyzing the gaseous and/or gas-borne sample of the metal at the remote analytical device so as to determine the constituent components of the metal.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of analyzing molten metal during production or processing thereof comprising the steps of contacting, obtaining and exposing a surface of the metal from the melt thereof to high energy impact by a laser to cause ablation and vapourization such as to generate a gaseous and/or gas-borne sample comprising a complete representation of the metal, transporting all or part of the gaseous and/or gas-borne sample of the metal to a remote analytical apparatus, and analyzing the gaseous and/or gas-borne sample of the metal at the remote analytical device so as to determine the constituent components of the metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in claim 3 wherein the laser is operated in the form of a timed series of pulses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the surface of the metal is a naturally arising surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the surface of the metal is a specially obtained or exposed or prepared surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the sample is transported to the analytical device by means of an inert gas.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-07 | 1990-01-06 | 1990-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-07 | 1994-01-06 | 1994-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-07 | 1998-01-06 | 1998-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |