Apparatus for analyzing precious metals
DCFirst Claim
1. Apparatus for analyzing a test specimen for metal content comprising:
- a. a probe adapted for hand support incorporating;
i. walls defining a reservoir that contain an electrolyte,ii. a nonconductive fluid permeable fiber tip extending from one end of the probe and in fluid communication with the electrolyte in the reservoir,iii. an electrode extending from the reservoir at least part way into the fiber tip,b. a source of substantially constant electromotive force coupled to the electrode at one point on the electrode,c. an electrical contact means for establishing direct electrical contact with a test specimen to be analyzed connected to an opposite polarity of the source of electromotive force from the polarity of the electrode in the reservoir and fiber tip,d. a non-conductive coating material surrounding the sides of the fiber tip leaving a limited portion of the end of the fiber tip free to contact the test specimen, said coating defining a small, specific and repeatable area of actual contact between the fiber tip and the test specimen,e. electromotive force measuring and indicator means connected in a circuit between the electrode in the reservoir and the fiber tip and the test specimen, andf. means for venting the reservoir.
1 Assignment
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The nature of a metal sample, such as the purity of precious metals and metal alloys such as gold, is determined using a handheld probe having an electrode embedded in an electrolyte in a reservoir of the probe and arranged to conduct electrically with the sample through the electrolyte and a fibrous tip. The tip can resemble the point of a marker or writing instrument. The tip is in fluid communication with the reservoir containing the electrolyte, and preferably has the electrode embedded therein. An electrical connection with the electrode is made at the rear of the probe. For testing gold purity, the electrode is preferably a thin platinum wire extending through the reservoir and into the tip to just behind the tip surface. A battery is coupled to a calibration potentiometer whereby the voltage on a millivoltmeter is set to full scale when the probe is open circuited. When coupled to the sample in a circuit, the galvanic cell formed by the sample, the electrode and the electrolyte reduces the voltage sensed at the meter, as a function of the extent of galvanic action. Preferably the electrolyte is a weak acid including nitric acid and ammonium chloride salt in aqueous solution.
30 Citations
13 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for analyzing a test specimen for metal content comprising:
-
a. a probe adapted for hand support incorporating; i. walls defining a reservoir that contain an electrolyte, ii. a nonconductive fluid permeable fiber tip extending from one end of the probe and in fluid communication with the electrolyte in the reservoir, iii. an electrode extending from the reservoir at least part way into the fiber tip, b. a source of substantially constant electromotive force coupled to the electrode at one point on the electrode, c. an electrical contact means for establishing direct electrical contact with a test specimen to be analyzed connected to an opposite polarity of the source of electromotive force from the polarity of the electrode in the reservoir and fiber tip, d. a non-conductive coating material surrounding the sides of the fiber tip leaving a limited portion of the end of the fiber tip free to contact the test specimen, said coating defining a small, specific and repeatable area of actual contact between the fiber tip and the test specimen, e. electromotive force measuring and indicator means connected in a circuit between the electrode in the reservoir and the fiber tip and the test specimen, and f. means for venting the reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
Specification