Sample preparation system for separating wear particles by size and magnetic characteristics
US5588535A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 12, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 31, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N1/4077
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for preparing samples of wear particles employs a series of movable particle traps or screens within a passage to separate particles by size and magnetic characteristics. Movable magnets are placed adjacent to an inlet tube upstream from the particle traps to separate magnetic particles from non-magnetic particles. One embodiment includes a coarse particle trap and a medium particle trap. A controller initially positions the magnets adjacent to the tube and positions both particle traps to block the passage so that only fine non-magnetic wear particles are collected in the first sample. The medium non-magnetic wear particles are then rinsed from the medium particle trap to provide a second sample. Next, the coarse non-magnetic wear particles are rinsed from the coarse particle trap to provide the third sample. The controller once again positions both particle traps to block the passage, removes the magnets, and rinses the magnetic wear particles onto the particle traps so that only fine magnetic wear particles are passed to provide a fourth sample. The medium particle trap is then rinsed to produce a fifth sample containing medium magnetic particles, and the coarse particl…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.