# US 4,694,165 A · Bulk material analyzer calibration block

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- Number: US 4,694,165 A
- Document ID: US4694165A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/782,272
- Filed: 1985-09-30
- Granted: 1987-09-15
- Earliest claimed: 1985-09-30
- Assignees: Gamma-Metrics
- Inventors: Raymond J. Proctor; Thomas L. Atwell; Clinton L. Lingren; James F. Miller
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4694165A

## CPC

- G01N 23/222: using neutron activation analysis [NAA]
- G01D 18/00: Testing or calibrating apparatus or arrangements provided for in groups G01D1/00 - G01D15/00
- G01N 2223/0745: neutron-gamma activation analysis
- G01N 2223/3037: standards (constitution)
- G01N 2223/617: ash in coal
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- G01D: MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A calibration block is used for calibrating a bulk material analyzer that has an activation region in which bulk material is received for analysis and a chute for passing the bulk material through the activation region. The block is dimensioned to be of almost the same cross-sectional size as the interior of the chute and extends both above and below the activation region when inserted in the chute. The calibration block is manufactured by (a) providing a mixture of known materials of known proportions that do not chemically react with each other, including a bonding agent; (b) homogenizing the mixture to make a thick paste in which the known materials are bound without segregation of known materials that have different densities; (c) molding the homogeneous mixture into the shape of a block having predetermined dimensions; and (d) solidifying the molded mixture to provide the calibration block. Alternative processes for manufacturing the calibration block utilize compaction and sintering techniques instead of a bonding agent. The measurement system of the bulk material analyzer is calibrated in accordance with measurements made while the calibration block is in the chute. One embodiment of the calibration block includes a plurality of uniformly distributed holes extending through the block for receiving insertions of a known quantity of a unique known material.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A calibration block for use in calibrating a bulk material analyzer, comprising
a block of a solidified homogeneous mixture of known materials in known proportions, wherein the materials do not react chemically with one another.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A calibration block according to claim 1 for use in a bulk material analyzer having an activation region in which bulk material is received for analysis and means for passing the bulk material through the activation region,
wherein the block is dimensioned to be of almost the same lateral cross-sectional size as the bulk material passage through the activation region.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A calibration block according to claim 2 that is longer than the dimension of the activation region through which the bulk material passes.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A calibration block according to claim 1, wherein the known materials include a bonding agent that binds the other known materials and prevents segregation of known materials that have different densities.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A calibration block according to claim 4, wherein the known materials include microspheres.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A calibration block according to claim 1, wherein the known materials include microspheres.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A calibration block according to claim 1, wherein the known materials include phenolic microspheres.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A calibration block according to claim 1 containing a plurality of holes for receiving inserts of known materials.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

A calibration block according to claim 8 having a known quantity of a unique known material inserted in one or more of said holes.