US3681683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gyromagnetic resonance spectrometer utilizing an improved sample spinning and ejecting structure
Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1970-09-14
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1990-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A gyromagnetic resonance spectrometer employing a turbine affixed to a sample holder and responsive to a flow of air for spinning the sample under investigation in the magnetic field, the turbine floating on a column of air within a fixed stator or housing structure, is described. Air bearings are provided for the rotating sample holder within the stator or housing. Means is provided for blocking the egress of the air from the air bearings to eject the sample holder from the magnetic field.
Inventors
- 👤 Ulrich Huber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/28; G01R33/30; G01R33/307
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
In a gyromagnetic resonance spectrometer apparatus, probe means for holding a sample of matter in a unidirectional polarizing magnetic field, means for exciting and detecting gyromagnetic resonance of the sample in the polarizing magnetic field, a fluid driven sample spinner apparatus for rotating the sample witHin the magnetic field including a rotor in said probe means for holding said sample and a stator having a vertical axis mounted in said probe means and said stator being configured to carry said rotor and for maintaining said sample along said vertical axis, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING, said stator having a cavity in its top, said cavity having jets in the lower portion thereof, means for directing fluid through said jets into said cavity, said rotor comprising a member fitting at least partially within said cavity in said stator said cavity being configured relative to said rotor such that the bearing surface between said cavity and a rotor is evenly distributed about said axis, said bearing surface being a minimum area having an annular shape, substantially less than the related cross section area of said rotor, said rotor member floating on a cushion of said fluid contained beneath said rotor and within said cavity, said rotor member floating upon said cushion near the top of said cavity so as to allow said fluid to evenly egress from the cavity out around the rotor member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
In a gyromagnetic resonance spectrometer apparatus, probe means for holding a sample of matter in a unidirectional polarizing magnetic field, means for exciting and detecting gyromagnetic resonance of the sample in the polarizing magnetic field, a fluid driven sample spinner apparatus for rotating the sample witHin the magnetic field including a rotor in said probe means for holding said sample and a stator having a vertical axis mounted in said probe means and said stator being configured to carry said rotor and for maintaining said sample along said vertical axis, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING, said stator having a cavity in its top, said cavity having jets in the lower portion thereof, means for directing fluid through said jets into said cavity, said rotor comprising a member fitting at least partially within said cavity in said stator said cavity being configured relative to said rotor such that the bearing surface between said cavity and a rotor is evenly distributed about said axis, said bearing surface being a minimum area having an annular shape, substantially less than the related cross section area of said rotor, said rotor member floating on a cushion of said fluid contained beneath said rotor and within said cavity, said rotor member floating upon said cushion near the top of said cavity so as to allow said fluid to evenly egress from the cavity out around the rotor member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stator cavity is substantially cylindrical shaped and wherein said rotor member is substantially spherical shaped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said spherically shaped rotor member has a plurality of buckets formed in the undersurface thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said spherically shaped rotor member has plurality of vanes formed in the undersurface thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stator cavity is substantially cylindrical shaped and wherein said rotor member is substantially cylindrical shaped.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as claimed in 5 wherein said cylindrically shaped rotor member has a plurality of vanes formed in the undersurface thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stator comprises a housing having said stator cavity in the upper portion thereof and a pair of spaced-apart bearings in the lower portion thereof, and wherein said rotor includes a vial for holding said sample, said vial extending through the spaced-part bearings in said stator, said stator being provided with jets for directing said fluid over said spaced-part bearings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said stator cavity is substantially cylindrical shaped and wherein said rotor member is substantially spherical shaped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said spherically shaped rotor member has a plurality of buckets formed in the undersurface thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said spherically shaped rotor member has a plurality of vanes formed in the undersurface thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein stator cavity is substantially cylindrical shaped and wherein said rotor member is substantially cylindrical shaped.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
148 words
Spin apparatus for a gyromagnetic spectrometer sample holder comprising, rotor means, said rotor means having a bore therethrough for receiving said sample holder; a stator assembly having an uppermost, middle and lower section, each section having an aligned bore for passing said sample holder therethrough; a cylindrical sleeve disposed about said stator assembly so as to form an enclosed volume therebetween; means for directing a fluid under pressure into said enclosed volume; said stator assembly being centrally disposed within and fixedly coupled to said sleeve at said uppermost and lower section, said uppermost section including rotor cavity means in the top of said uppermost section for receiving said rotor, said rotor cavity means being configured relative to said rotor means such that a minimum contact bearing surface during operation is provided, said bearing surface being annularly shaped and being substantially less than the cross-sectional area of said rotor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
148 words
Spin apparatus for a gyromagnetic spectrometer sample holder comprising, rotor means, said rotor means having a bore therethrough for receiving said sample holder; a stator assembly having an uppermost, middle and lower section, each section having an aligned bore for passing said sample holder therethrough; a cylindrical sleeve disposed about said stator assembly so as to form an enclosed volume therebetween; means for directing a fluid under pressure into said enclosed volume; said stator assembly being centrally disposed within and fixedly coupled to said sleeve at said uppermost and lower section, said uppermost section including rotor cavity means in the top of said uppermost section for receiving said rotor, said rotor cavity means being configured relative to said rotor means such that a minimum contact bearing surface during operation is provided, said bearing surface being annularly shaped and being substantially less than the cross-sectional area of said rotor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The spin apparatus of claim 12 wherein said stator assembly is fixedly coupled to said uppermOst and lower section of said sleeve with a pair of elastomeric O-rings.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said rotor cavity means is substantially cylindrically shaped and wherein said rotor means comprises a modified cylindrically shaped member, said modified member having a plurality of cavities in the bottom face of said modified cylinder, said cavities extending through to a predetermined level at the sides of said modified cylinder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said rotor cavity means is cylindrical and said rotor is spherical.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said spherically shaped rotor has a plurality of indentations to increase turbine torque and reduce inertia.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the middle section of said stator includes a pair of spaced apart bearings and an aperture therethrough between said pair of bearings, said aperature for directing said fluid over said spaced apart bearings to provide lateral stability to said spinning sample holder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3172035A
Cited
US3512078A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |