Patent US5008622A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5008622A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Superconductive imaging surface magnetometer
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1989-12-21
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Granted: 1991-04-16
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Expires: 2009-12-21
Abstract
Abstract An improved pick-up coil system for use with Superconducting Quantum Interference Device gradiometers and magnetometers involving the use of superconducting plates near conventional pick-up coil arrangements to provide imaging of nearby dipole sources and to deflect environmental magnetic noise away from the pick-up coils. This allows the practice of gradiometry and magnetometry in magnetically unshielded environments. One embodiment uses a hemispherically shaped superconducting plate with interior pick-up coils, allowing brain wave measurements to be made on human patients. another embodiment using flat superconducting plates could be used in non-destructive evaluation of materials.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Overton, Jr.
- 👤 David B. van Hulsteyn
- 👤 Edward R. Flynn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/02; G01R33/035; G01R33/0354; G01R33/0358; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/242; A61B5/245; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/842; Y10S505/843; Y10S505/845; Y10S505/846
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for detecting nearby magnetic sources by performing imaging SQUID magnetometry and gradiometry comprising: one or more first superconducting coil means connected in series opposition to one or more second superconducting coil means for sensing nearby magnetic signals and electrically cancelling distant magnetic noise; superconducting plate means interposed between and in close proximity to said one or more first and second superconducting coil means for imaging said nearby magnetic signals and deflecting said distant magnetic noise away from said first and second superconducting coil means; wherein said one or more first and second superconducting coil means are connected to a SQUID.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for detecting nearby magnetic sources by performing imaging SQUID magnetometry and gradiometry comprising: one or more first superconducting coil means connected in series opposition to one or more second superconducting coil means for sensing nearby magnetic signals and electrically cancelling distant magnetic noise; superconducting plate means interposed between and in close proximity to said one or more first and second superconducting coil means for imaging said nearby magnetic signals and deflecting said distant magnetic noise away from said first and second superconducting coil means; wherein said one or more first and second superconducting coil means are connected to a SQUID.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim wherein said one or more first and second superconducting coil means and said superconducting plate means are maintained at a temperature sufficiently low to cause said one or more first and second superconducting coil means and said superconducting plate means to be superconducting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as described in claim 2, in which said cooling means comprises tubing in thermal contact with said superconducting plate, said tubing containing a coolant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as described in claim 2, in which said cooling means comprises a bath of coolant into which said one or more first and second superconducting coil means and said superconducting plate means are immersed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim wherein said one or more first and second superconducting coil means comprise niobium wires.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said one or more first and second superconducting coil means comprise niobium-titanium wires.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said one or more first and second superconducting coil means are each deposited on a sapphire substrate, said sapphire substrates being in thermal contact with said superconducting plate means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said superconducting plate means comprises lead.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for detecting nearby magnetic sources by performing imaging SQUID magnetometry and gradiometry comprising: superconducting plate means for imaging said nearby magnetic sources and deflecting distant magnetic field lines; first and second superconducting coil means located on one side of and in near proximity to said superconducting plate means, said first and second superconducting coil means being connected together in series opposition for detection of nearby magnetic signals and cancellation of noise from distant magnetic sources; wherein said first and second superconducting coils are connected to individual SQUIDs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for detecting nearby magnetic sources by performing imaging SQUID magnetometry and gradiometry comprising: superconducting plate means for imaging said nearby magnetic sources and deflecting distant magnetic field lines; first and second superconducting coil means located on one side of and in near proximity to said superconducting plate means, said first and second superconducting coil means being connected together in series opposition for detection of nearby magnetic signals and cancellation of noise from distant magnetic sources; wherein said first and second superconducting coils are connected to individual SQUIDs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as described in claim 9, further comprising cooling means for maintaining said superconducting plate means and said first and second superconducting coil means maintained at a temperature sufficiently low to cause said first and second superconducting coil means and said superconducting plate to be superconducting.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as described in claim 9, in which said cooling means comprises tubing in thermal contact with said superconducting plate, said tubing containing a coolant.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as described in claim 9, in which said cooling means comprises a bath of coolant into which said first and second superconducting coil means and said superconducting plate means are immersed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein said first and second superconducting coil means comprise niobium wires.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein said first and second superconducting coil means comprise niobium-titanium wires.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said first and second superconducting coil means are deposited on sapphire substrates which are in thermal contact with said superconducting plate means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein said superconducting plate means comprises lead.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
129 words
Apparatus for detecting nearby magnetic sources by performing imaging SQUID magnetometry and gradiometry comprising: superconducting plate means having first and second sides for imaging said nearby magnetic sources and deflecting field lines of distant magnetic sources around said superconducting plate means; first superconducting coil means located in close proximity to said first side of said superconducting plate means for detecting nearby magnetic signals and outputting said signals to an associated SQUID; second superconducting coil means located in close proximity to said second side of said superconducting plate means and connected to said first superconducting coil in series opposition for cancelling noise from distant magnetic sources; wherein the axes of said first and second superconducting coil means are parallel to said first and second sides of said superconducting plate means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
129 words
Apparatus for detecting nearby magnetic sources by performing imaging SQUID magnetometry and gradiometry comprising: superconducting plate means having first and second sides for imaging said nearby magnetic sources and deflecting field lines of distant magnetic sources around said superconducting plate means; first superconducting coil means located in close proximity to said first side of said superconducting plate means for detecting nearby magnetic signals and outputting said signals to an associated SQUID; second superconducting coil means located in close proximity to said second side of said superconducting plate means and connected to said first superconducting coil in series opposition for cancelling noise from distant magnetic sources; wherein the axes of said first and second superconducting coil means are parallel to said first and second sides of said superconducting plate means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 17, wherein said first and second superconducting coil means and said superconducting plate means are maintained at a temperature sufficiently low to cause said first and second superconducting coil means and said superconducting plate means to be superconducting.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as described in claim 17, in which said cooling means comprises tubing in thermal contact with said superconducting plate, said tubing containing a coolant.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as described in claim 17, in which said cooling means comprises a bath of coolant into which said first and second superconducting coil means and said superconducting plate means are immersed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 17, wherein said first and second superconducting coil means comprise niobium wires.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 17, wherein said first and second superconducting coil means comprise niobium-titanium wires.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein said first and second superconducting coil means are each deposited on a sapphire substrate, said sapphire substrates being in thermal contact with said superconducting plate means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 17, wherein said superconducting plate means comprises lead.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus for detecting nearby magnetic sources by performing imaging SQUID magnetometry and gradiometry comprising: superconducting coil means connected to a SQUID for sensing nearby magnetic signals; superconducting plate means located in close proximity to said superconducting coil means for imaging said nearby magnetic signals and deflecting said distant magnetic noise away from said superconducting coil means;
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus for detecting nearby magnetic sources by performing imaging SQUID magnetometry and gradiometry comprising: superconducting coil means connected to a SQUID for sensing nearby magnetic signals; superconducting plate means located in close proximity to said superconducting coil means for imaging said nearby magnetic signals and deflecting said distant magnetic noise away from said superconducting coil means;
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 25, wherein said superconducting coil means and said superconducting plate means are maintained at a temperature sufficiently low to cause said superconducting coil means and said superconducting plate means to be superconducting.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as described in claim 26, in which said cooling means comprises tubing in thermal contact with said superconducting plate, said tubing containing a coolant.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as described in claim 26, in which said cooling means comprises a bath of coolant into which said superconducting coil means and said superconducting plate means are immersed.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 25, wherein said superconducting coil means comprises niobium wires.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 25, wherein said superconducting coil means comprises niobium-titanium wires.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 25 wherein said superconducting coil means is deposited on a sapphire substrate which is in thermal contact with said superconducting plate means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 25, wherein said superconducting plate means comprises lead.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus for detecting nearby magnetic sources by performing imaging SQUID magnetometry and gradiometry comprising: superconducting plate means generally in the shape of a hemisphere having interior and exterior surfaces for imaging said nearby magnetic sources and deflecting distant magnetic noise; a plurality of superconducting coil means spaced apart in near proximity to said interior surface of said hemisphere for detecting said nearby magnetic sources and said images of said nearby magnetic sources; wherein each of said superconducting coils is connected to an individual SQUID.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus for detecting nearby magnetic sources by performing imaging SQUID magnetometry and gradiometry comprising: superconducting plate means generally in the shape of a hemisphere having interior and exterior surfaces for imaging said nearby magnetic sources and deflecting distant magnetic noise; a plurality of superconducting coil means spaced apart in near proximity to said interior surface of said hemisphere for detecting said nearby magnetic sources and said images of said nearby magnetic sources; wherein each of said superconducting coils is connected to an individual SQUID.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as described in claim 33, further comprising cooling means for maintaining said superconducting plate means and said plurality of superconducting coil means at a temperature sufficiently low to cause said plurality of superconducting coil means and said superconducting plate to be superconducting.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as described in claim 34, in which said cooling means comprises tubing in thermal contact with said superconducting plate, said tubing containing a coolant.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as described in claim 34, in which said cooling means comprises a bath of coolant into which said plurality of superconducting coil means and said superconducting plate means are immersed.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as described in claim 35, in which said coolant comprises liquid helium.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as described in claim 35, in which said coolant comprised liquid nitrogen.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 33, wherein said plurality of superconducting coil means comprise niobium wires.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 33, wherein said plurality of superconducting coil means comprise niobium-titanium wires.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
35 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 33 wherein each of said plurality of superconducting coil means is deposited on a sapphire substrate which is in thermal contact with said superconducting plate means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 33, wherein said superconducting plate means comprises lead.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
The magnetometry and gradiometry apparatus as described in claim 33, further comprising one more superconducting cylindrical extensions attached to said superconducting plate.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of sensing nearby magnetic signals utilizing imaging SQUID magnetometry and gradiometry comprising the steps of: placing one or more superconducting coils connected as a magnetometer or gradiometer near said nearby magnetic signal of interest; deflecting noise from distant magnetic sources away from said one or more superconducting coils using a superconducting plate placed adjacent to said one or more superconducting coils; detecting said nearby magnetic signal of interest and an image of said nearby magnetic signal of interest induced on said superconducting plate; outputting said magnetic signal of interest and said image of said nearby magnetic signal of interest to one or more SQUIDS.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of sensing nearby magnetic signals utilizing imaging SQUID magnetometry and gradiometry comprising the steps of: placing one or more superconducting coils connected as a magnetometer or gradiometer near said nearby magnetic signal of interest; deflecting noise from distant magnetic sources away from said one or more superconducting coils using a superconducting plate placed adjacent to said one or more superconducting coils; detecting said nearby magnetic signal of interest and an image of said nearby magnetic signal of interest induced on said superconducting plate; outputting said magnetic signal of interest and said image of said nearby magnetic signal of interest to one or more SQUIDS.
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) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-10-15 | 1995-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-10-15 | 1999-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-15 | 2002-10-15 | 2003-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |