Patent Application
20250003894
The present disclosure is directed to X-ray tomography sample changing hardware.
Current X-ray tomography equipment such as a Nikon brand micro X-ray computed tomography system is configured to scan a large number (greater than 100) uniformly shaped small samples. The current X-ray tomography equipment is intended for sample changing high throughput of physically small uniformly shaped geometry parts, with little flexibility or modularity and cannot accommodate vertical stacking of samples.
During second shift and third shift working hours technicians are less available. Thus, automated X-ray tomography with reduced staff availability is typical for the second and third shift working hours. The current X-ray tomography equipment faces challenges when being used to scan larger parts spanning a wide variety of physical shapes. Sample changing capacity is limited. These parts tend to have a lower sample count (10-100). The X-ray tomography equipment can sit idle during the second and third shift hours, leaving valuable resources under-utilized.
What is needed is an X-ray tomography hardware that allows for greater breadth and flexibility in part geometry for use in off-hours unattended overnight and weekend utilization of currently existing tomography equipment.
In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided an X-ray tomography sample changing hardware comprising: a support bracket configured to attach to an X-ray tomography support; a mounting arm attached to the support bracket, the mounting arm having a beam, at least one slot formed in the beam, the at least one slot including a mouth configured to receive a sample stage; the sample stage including a body having an axis with an upper portion and a lower portion axially opposite the upper portion; the lower portion configured to mate with a receiver on a sample manipulator for an X-ray tomography machine; and multiple chambers formed in the body and aligned axially between the upper portion and the lower portion, each of the multiple chambers including a mounting feature configured to support a part within each of the multiple chambers.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the body of the sample stage includes walls formed in the body; the walls supporting shelves defining each of the multiple chambers.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the at least one slot is arrayed along the beam of the mounting arm in a spaced apart fashion configured to allow for space between the sample stages supported on the mounting arm.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the multiple sample chambers are oriented axially and configured for vertical stacking of each part in the sample stage.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the lower portion of the sample stage includes dual flanges extending radially from a shaft formed in the body proximate the lower portion, the shaft including a diameter sized to be insertable into/removeable from the mouth of the slot, the dual flanges being sized larger than the mouth of the slot configured to nest in a concave surface of the slot.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the lower portion includes a coupling configured to mate with the receiver of the sample manipulator.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the mounting feature is selected from the group consisting of slots, grooves, notches, hollows, pins, hooks, latches, and the like.
In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided an X-ray tomography sample changing hardware comprising: an X-ray scanner proximate a scanner support; a sample manipulator in operative communication with the X-ray scanner; the sample manipulator including a receiver mounted on a turntable secured to a sled mounted on a table; a support bracket configured to attach to the scanner support; mounting arm attached to the support bracket, the mounting arm having a beam, at least one slot formed in the beam, the at least one slot including a mouth configured to receive a sample stage; the sample stage including a body having an axis with an upper portion and a lower portion axially opposite the upper portion; the lower portion configured to mate with the receiver on the sample manipulator; and multiple chambers formed in the body and aligned axially between the upper portion and the lower portion, each of the multiple chambers including a mounting feature configured to support a part within each of the multiple chambers.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the mounting feature is selected from the group consisting of slots, grooves, notches, hollows, pins, hooks, latches, and the like.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the lower portion includes a coupling configured to mate with the receiver of the sample manipulator.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the lower portion of the sample stage includes at least one flange extending radially from a shaft formed in the body proximate the lower portion, the shaft including a diameter sized to be insertable into/removeable from the mouth of the slot, the at least one flange being sized larger than the mouth of the slot configured to nest in a concave surface of the slot.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the body of the sample stage includes a wall formed in the body; the wall supporting shelves defining each of the multiple chambers.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the multiple sample chambers are oriented axially and configured for vertical stacking of each part in the sample stage.
In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a process for supporting a part in an X-ray tomography sample changing hardware comprising attaching a support bracket an X-ray tomography scanner support; attaching a mounting arm to the support bracket, the mounting arm having a beam, at least one slot formed in the beam, the at least one slot including a mouth configured to receive a sample stage; the sample stage including a body having an axis with an upper portion and a lower portion axially opposite the upper portion; mating the lower portion with a receiver on a sample manipulator for an X-ray tomography machine; forming multiple chambers in the body; and aligning the multiple chambers axially between the upper portion and the lower portion.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the process further comprising supporting a part within at least one of the multiple chambers employing a mounting feature.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the body of the sample stage includes walls formed in the body; and defining each of the multiple chambers by employing shelves formed between the walls.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the process further comprising orienting the multiple sample chambers axially; and configuring the multiple chambers for vertical stacking of each part in the sample stage.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the process further comprising forming the mounting feature to accept a variety of part geometries, wherein the mounting feature is selected from the group consisting of slots, grooves, notches, hollows, pins, hooks, latches, and the like.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the process further comprising extending at least one flange radially from a shaft formed in the body proximate the lower portion, the shaft including a diameter sized to be insertable into/removeable from the mouth of the slot, the at least one flange being sized larger than the mouth of the slot configured to nest in a concave surface of the slot.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments may additionally and/or alternatively include that the process further comprising forming a coupling in the lower portion; the coupling configured to mate with the receiver of the sample manipulator.
Other details of the X-ray tomography sample changing hardware are set forth in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals depict like elements.
Referring now to
The sample manipulator 14 includes a receiver 16 mounted on a turntable 18. The turntable 18 is mounted on a sled 20 that can translate the turntable 18 laterally in multiple directions. The sled 20 is mounted on a table 22 that can travel vertically relative to the scanner 12.
A scanner support 24 provides structural stability to a support bracket 26. The support bracket 26 attaches to a mounting arm 28. The mounting arm 28 includes slots 30 configured to accept sample stages 32. The slots 30 can be C-shaped slots 30.
The sample manipulator 14 is configured to locate the receiver 16 into a position beneath each of the sample stages 32 located on the mounting arm 28 in the C-shaped slots 30. The sample manipulator 14 can retrieve the sample stage 32 and transport the sample stage 32 to a location in front of the X-ray scanner 12. The sample manipulator 14 can rotate the sample stage 32 about the turntable 18 allowing for complete scanning on all sides o of the sample stage 32. The sample manipulator 14 can then return the sample stage 32 back to the empty C-shaped slot 30 on the mounting arm 28. The sample manipulator 14 can repeat the process for each of the sample stages 32 mounted to the mounting arm 28.
Referring also to
Referring to
Referring also to
The sample chambers 62 are oriented axially (vertically) and allow for vertical stacking of the parts 64 in the sample stage 32. The vertical stacking configuration allows for maximizing the space available above the mounting arm 28. The axis A (
The lower portion 54 of the sample stage 32 includes dual flanges 68 extending radially from a shaft 70. The shaft 70 is oriented axially and is cylindrical in shape. The dual flanges 68 are similarly circular shaped and extend radially from the shaft 70. The shaft 70 and dual flanges 68 form a shape that matches the C-shaped slot 30. The shaft 70 has a diameter sized to be insertable into/removeable from the mouth 48 of the C-shaped slot 30. The dual flanges 68 are sized larger than the mouth 48 of the C-shaped slot 30 and configured to nest in the concave surface 50 of the C-shaped slot 30. The dual flanges 68 provide support and stability to the sample stage 32 when mounted within the C-shaped slot 30.
The lower portion 54 includes a coupling 72 configured to mate with the receiver 16 of the sample manipulator 14. The coupling 72 shown is a frustoconical shaped coupling 72 that can match the concave shaped (cup, bowl) receiver 16. In other embodiments, the coupling 72 can be concave shaped and the sample manipulator 14 can have a receiver 16 with a matching tapered frustoconical shape. The tapered shape of the coupling 72 is configured to more easily mate with the receiver 16 of the sample manipulator 14.
The exemplary embodiment shown in
In an exemplary embodiment as shown in
A technical advantage of the disclosed X-ray tomography sample changing hardware disclosed includes the capacity to image a wide breadth of part geometry for use with an X-ray tomography machine.
Another technical advantage of the disclosed X-ray tomography sample changing hardware disclosed includes increased flexibility for imaging multiple types of parts.
Another technical advantage of the disclosed X-ray tomography sample changing hardware disclosed includes optimizing X-ray tomography machines during overnight and weekend working hours.
Another technical advantage of the disclosed X-ray tomography sample changing hardware disclosed includes a sample stage adapted to accept a large variety of physical geometries.
Another technical advantage of the disclosed X-ray tomography sample changing hardware disclosed includes the capacity to vertically stack samples.
There has been provided a X-ray tomography sample changing hardware. While the X-ray tomography sample changing hardware has been described in the context of specific embodiments thereof, other unforeseen alternatives, modifications, and variations may become apparent to those skilled in the art having read the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace those alternatives, modifications, and variations which fall within the broad scope of the appended claims.
