US5289130A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
NMR sample rotor cooling technique
Assignee: Doty Scientific Inc
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Filing: 1992-07-31
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Granted: 1994-02-22
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Expires: 2012-07-31
Abstract
Abstract The frictional heating of an NMR sample spinner supported on a cylindrical gas bearing inside a cylindrical bearing stator is negated by recirculating the turbine exhaust gas over the rotor surface inside the RF coil. The technique is more effective with microturbines of relatively high insentropic efficiency. Plugs extend axially into the sample container from each end so that the sample is confined to the central region beyond the gas bearing region so the thermal gradients are minimized and RF homogeneity is improved.
Inventors
- 👤 F. David Doty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 00:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/28; G01R33/30; G01R33/307
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An NMR sample spinner comprising: a sample container having a first end and a second end supported on a gas bearing inside a bearing stator; a radio frequency coil surrounding a central portion of said sample container; said bearing stator including a plurality of bearing orifices in communication with radial bearing regions near both ends of said sample container; a first microturbine co-axially attached to said sample container at the first end thereof to effect spinning of said sample container; a housing for distributing pressurized gas to said bearing orifices and said microturbine; means for causing the exhaust gas from said microturbine to circulate over the central surface of said sample container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
An NMR sample spinner comprising: a sample container having a first end and a second end supported on a gas bearing inside a bearing stator; a radio frequency coil surrounding a central portion of said sample container; said bearing stator including a plurality of bearing orifices in communication with radial bearing regions near both ends of said sample container; a first microturbine co-axially attached to said sample container at the first end thereof to effect spinning of said sample container; a housing for distributing pressurized gas to said bearing orifices and said microturbine; means for causing the exhaust gas from said microturbine to circulate over the central surface of said sample container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The NMR sample spinner of claim 1 further comprising hollow plugs extending axially inward into the end of said sample container beyond the location of said bearing region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The NMR sample spinner of claim 1 in which said microturbine operates with insentopic efficiency greater than 10%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The NMR sample spinner of claim 1 in which said microturbine is of the radial in-flow type.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The NMR sample spinner of claim 1 in which said sample container is cylindrical, said gas bearing is cylindrical, and said bearing stator is cylindrical.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The NMR sample spinner of claim 1 in which said microturbine is removably attached to said sample container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The NMR sample spinner of claim 1 in which said sample container further comprises a second microturbine co-axially attached to said sample container at the second end thereof.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of operating a sample spinner having a sample container supported on a gas bearing and having a microturbine, the sample container containing a sample, said method comprising the steps of: providing gas to the gas bearing; providing gas to the microturbine and collecting the exhaust therefrom; and cooling the sample with the microturbine exhaust.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of operating a sample spinner having a sample container supported on a gas bearing and having a microturbine, the sample container containing a sample, said method comprising the steps of: providing gas to the gas bearing; providing gas to the microturbine and collecting the exhaust therefrom; and cooling the sample with the microturbine exhaust.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of operating a sample spinner having a sample container supported on a gas bearing and having microturbines at ends thereof, the sample container containing a sample, said method comprising the steps of: providing gas to the gas bearing; providing gas to the microturbines and collecting the exhaust therefrom; and cooling the sample with the microturbine exhaust.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of operating a sample spinner having a sample container supported on a gas bearing and having microturbines at ends thereof, the sample container containing a sample, said method comprising the steps of: providing gas to the gas bearing; providing gas to the microturbines and collecting the exhaust therefrom; and cooling the sample with the microturbine exhaust.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
99 words
A sample spinner comprising: a sample container having a first end and a second end supported on a gas bearing inside a bearing stator; said bearing stator including a plurality of bearing orifices in communication with radial bearing regions near both ends of said sample container; a first microturbine co-axially attached to said sample container at the first end thereof to effect spinning of said sample container; a housing for distributing pressurized gas to said bearing orifices and said microturbine; means for causing the exhaust gas from said microturbine to circulate over the central surface of said sample container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
99 words
A sample spinner comprising: a sample container having a first end and a second end supported on a gas bearing inside a bearing stator; said bearing stator including a plurality of bearing orifices in communication with radial bearing regions near both ends of said sample container; a first microturbine co-axially attached to said sample container at the first end thereof to effect spinning of said sample container; a housing for distributing pressurized gas to said bearing orifices and said microturbine; means for causing the exhaust gas from said microturbine to circulate over the central surface of said sample container.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sample spinner of claim 10 further comprising hollow plugs extending axially inward into the end of said sample container beyond the location of said bearing region.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sample spinner of claim 10 in which said microturbine operates with insentropic efficiency greater than 10%.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sample spinner of claim 10 in which said microturbine is of the radial in-flow type.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sample spinner of claim 10 in which said sample container is cylindrical, said gas bearing is cylindrical, and said bearing stator is cylindrical.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sample spinner of claim 10 in which said microturbine is removably attached to said sample container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sample spinner of claim 10 in which said sample container further comprises a second microturbine coaxially attached to said sample container at the second end thereof.
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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) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-08-23 | 1998-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-21 | 2001-08-23 | 2002-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-21 | 2005-08-23 | 2006-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |