Test stand for XRF instrument enabling multi-way operation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9683952-B2
Application number	US-201414563596-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 8, 2014
Priority date	Jan 24, 2014
Publication date	Jun 20, 2017
Grant date	Jun 20, 2017

Abstract

Disclosed is a test stand that supports and stabilizes a handheld XRF analyzer, and holds a body of sample to be tested. The test stand allows both horizontal and vertical analysis positions of the analyzer. The preferred embodiment of the test stand comprises a shielded X-ray chamber in which samples are tested and which affixes to the XRF analyzer's window via a spring loaded handle, a stabilizing base to which the analyzer's handle is situated, and a stanchion for horizontal mounting of the XRF analyzer. In the horizontal orientation, the chamber contains an adjustable platform and soil sample retainer to facilitate the positioning of the sample to be tested. The stanchion can be stored under the base.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A supporting stand configured for supporting a handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, the analyzer having a housing including more than one housing parts, each with a predetermined external geometric configuration, a viewing screen, and an analyzer opening with an analyzer window through which the X-ray is made to pass through, and wherein the window is coupled with a test chamber encasing test material being radiated by the X-ray during the operation of the analyzer,
the stand comprising,
a stand base configured to have a bottom sitting on top of a substantially horizontal planar test platform, and, a side opposite to the bottom and shaped with receptors configured to match the external geometric configuration of the more than one housing parts, and to hold the analyzer at more than one testing positions, and
wherein one of the more than one housing parts is a first housing part having a first external shape and one of the receptors is a first receptor which is correspondingly shaped to mate with the first external shape, thereby holding the analyzer in an optional horizontal testing position, wherein the chamber is attached to the analyzer in a way such that the analyzer window and the chamber opening are coupled to allow the X-ray pass through substantially horizontally, and,
wherein one of the more than one housing parts is a second housing part having a second external shape, and one of the receptors is a second receptor which is opposite to the analyzer opening and wherein the second receptor is correspondingly shaped to mate with the second external shape, thereby holding the analyzer in an optional vertical testing position, and the test chamber is removably attached to the analyzer in a way such that the test chamber is sitting on top of the analyzer opening and the analyzer window and the chamber opening are coupled to allow the X-ray pass through.

2. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the chamber further comprising a chamber X-ray opening through which the X-ray is passed, a chamber cover with a chamber handle for opening and closing the chamber for the purpose of loading the test material, wherein the test chamber is made of material that can significant block the X-rays from being transmitted out of the chamber.

3. The stand of claim 1 further comprising a stanchion that works with the base and configured to support the analyzer and the chamber for at least one of the more than one testing positions.

4. The supporting stand of claim 1 , wherein the first receptor and the first housing part are matched with a snap fit configuration contributing to maintain the analyzer in the horizontal testing position.

5. The supporting stand of claim 4 , during the operation in the horizontal testing position, wherein the test chamber is affixed to the stanchion in a removable manner, and,
wherein the stanchion is in an erected position firmly yet removably standing on the base, contributing to maintain the analyzer in the horizontal testing position.

6. The supporting stand of claim 4 , wherein the chamber and the stanchion are affixed via mating slot and ribs.

7. The supporting stand of claim 4 , wherein the chamber and the analyzer are attached via one or more pairs of mating locking pins and pin-holes, wherein the locking pins are detached from the pin-holes via a lock handle, and attached via compression spring means.

8. The supporting stand of claim 4 , wherein the chamber further comprising a loose test material container and container holding piece holding the test material in an erected manner, forming the test material facing the X-rays emitted by the analyzer, wherein the container holding piece is attached to the test chamber in a removable manner.

9. The supporting stand of claim 4 , when the stanchion is not used, wherein the stanchion and the base are corresponding configured to allow the stanchion to be stored onto the base in a snap fit attachment.

10. The supporting stand of claim 1 , wherein the first housing part is an analyzer handle.

11. The supporting stand of claim 1 , wherein the second receptor and the second housing part with predetermined external geometric feature are matched with a snap fit configuration contributing to maintain the analyzer in the vertical testing position.

12. The supporting stand of claim 11 , during the operation in the vertical testing position, wherein the test chamber is removably attached to the analyzer in a way such that the test chamber is sitting on top of the analyzer opening and the analyzer window and the chamber opening are coupled to allow the X-ray pass through.

13. The supporting stand of claim 12 , wherein the chamber and the analyzer are attached via one or more pairs of mating locking pins and pin-holes, wherein the locking pins are detached from the pin-holes via a lock handle, and attached via compression spring means.

14. The supporting stand of claim 11 , wherein the test chamber further comprising a test material loading platform for holding the test material, the loading platform is configured to be adjustable up and down by an adjusting means so that the test material is properly positioned to be radiated by the X-ray.

15. The supporting stand of claim 14 , wherein the adjusting means is enabled by a screw bolt.

Assignees

• Shields Ted Michael
• Drummy Michael
• Joyce David
• Susa Matthew Thomas
• Olympus Scient Solutions Americas Inc

Inventors

• Shields Ted Michael
• Drummy Michael
• Joyce David
• Susa Matthew Thomas

Classifications

• G01N2223/303

  calibrating, standardising · CPC title

• G01N23/223 Primary

  by irradiating the sample with X-rays or gamma-rays and by measuring X-ray fluorescence · CPC title