Sample rotation device

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of neutron scattering, and discloses a sample rotating device. The sample rotating device is used for rotating a cuvette containing a liquid to be detected during a neutron experiment on the liquid. The sample rotating device comprises a supporting seat, a sample fixing assembly and a driving assembly. The sample fixing assembly comprises a rotating cylinder, and a worm wheel is arranged on the outer side of the rotating cylinder. The driving assembly comprises a driving motor and a worm. The driving motor is in transmission connection with the worm wheel through the worm. The worm is rotatably arranged on the supporting seat. The driving motor drives the worm to rotate. The worm drives the worm wheel to rotate and further drives the rotating cylinder to rotate. The rotating cylinder is fixedly installed with the cuvette. When the rotating cylinder rotates, the cuvette can rotate with the center of the disc surface of the cuvette as the axis. The liquid sample in the cuvette can be prevented from precipitating or being non-uniform in density during long-time measurement, so that the solute in the liquid sample can be kept in a uniformly dispersed state, and the effectiveness of small-angle neutron scattering experimental data can be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of neutron scattering technology, and more particularly to a sample rotation device. Background Technology

[0002] Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is a technique that uses neutron scattering to study the static structure and microscopic dynamic properties of matter. Neutrons possess advantages such as being uncharged, having strong penetrating power, being able to identify isotopes, being more sensitive to light elements than X-rays, and having a magnetic moment. Therefore, SNS plays an irreplaceable role in multidisciplinary fields as a unique characterization method for studying the structure and dynamic properties of matter at the atomic and molecular scale.

[0003] Small-angle neutron scattering experiments have long measurement times, generally exceeding one hour. When conducting neutron scattering experiments on suspensions or unstable liquids that are prone to sedimentation, gravity can cause precipitation or density inhomogeneity in the liquid sample. Neutron scattering experiments conducted under these conditions cannot obtain stable and meaningful data, often leading to experimental failure and wasting the neutron analyzer.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a sample rotation device to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a sample rotation device that can stably rotate a liquid sample around a neutron beam as the axis. This ensures a high degree of consistency in the position of the liquid sample receiving neutron irradiation, avoids precipitation of the liquid sample, ensures uniform density of the liquid sample during the experiment, and guarantees the effectiveness of the neutron experiment.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] The sample rotation device includes:

[0008] Support base;

[0009] A sample fixing assembly is rotatably mounted on the support base. The sample fixing assembly includes a rotating cylinder with a worm gear on its outer periphery. The rotating cylinder is used to fix the cuvette, and the rotating cylinder rotates coaxially with the body of the cuvette.

[0010] The drive assembly includes a drive motor and a worm gear. The worm gear is rotatably mounted on the support base. The drive motor is connected to the worm wheel via the worm gear. The drive motor drives the worm gear to rotate, thereby causing the rotating cylinder to rotate relative to the support base.

[0011] As an optional technical solution, the sample fixing assembly further includes a limiting ring, which is rotatably disposed on the rotating cylinder and is provided with a locking block. The support base is provided with a vertical plate, which has a locking groove, and the locking block engages with the locking groove.

[0012] As an optional technical solution, the sample fixing assembly includes two limiting rings, which are respectively disposed on both sides of the worm gear. The support base is provided with two upright plates, each of which is provided with a slot. The locking blocks on the two fixing rings are engaged with the two slots in a one-to-one correspondence. The worm gear is located between the two upright plates.

[0013] As an optional technical solution, the upright plate has a receiving groove, which is located between the two slots and is connected to both slots. The receiving groove is used to receive the rotating cylinder.

[0014] As an optional technical solution, the sample fixing component is provided in multiple ways.

[0015] As an optional technical solution, the rotating cylinder has a receiving cavity, and the rotating cylinder has a limiting groove. The limiting groove communicates with the receiving cavity. The receiving cavity is used to receive the body of the cuvette, and the limiting groove is used to receive the neck of the cuvette. The sample fixing assembly also includes a fixing ring, which is detachably connected to the rotating cylinder and is used to fix the cuvette in the receiving cavity.

[0016] As an optional technical solution, the fixed ring and the rotating cylinder are connected by a thread.

[0017] As an optional technical solution, the drive motor and the worm gear are connected by a coupling.

[0018] As an optional technical solution, bearings are provided at both ends of the worm gear, and the bearings are rotatably mounted on the support seat.

[0019] As an optional technical solution, the sample rotation device also includes a base, and both the support base and the drive motor are disposed on the base.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0021] This invention discloses a sample rotation device for rotating a cuvette containing the liquid to be tested during a neutron experiment on a liquid. The sample rotation device includes a support base, a sample fixing assembly, and a driving assembly. The sample fixing assembly includes a rotating cylinder with a worm gear disposed on its outer side. The driving assembly includes a drive motor and a worm. The drive motor is connected to the worm gear via the worm. The worm is rotatably mounted on the support base. The drive motor drives the worm to rotate, which in turn drives the worm gear to rotate, thereby driving the rotating cylinder to rotate. The cuvette is fixedly mounted on the rotating cylinder. When the rotating cylinder rotates, it can drive the cuvette to rotate around the center of the cuvette's disc surface as an axis. This not only ensures that the cuvette receives neutron irradiation at a consistent position but also avoids precipitation or density inconsistencies in the liquid sample in the cuvette during long-term measurements, ensuring the validity of small-angle neutron scattering experimental data. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the sample rotation device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of the sample rotation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of the sample rotation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of part A in the image;

[0026] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the sample fixing assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] In the picture:

[0028] 1. Cuvette; 101. Body; 102. Neck;

[0029] 10. Support base; 11. Vertical plate; 111. Slot; 112. Receiving groove;

[0030] 20. Sample fixing assembly; 21. Rotating cylinder; 211. Worm gear; 212. Receiving cavity; 213. Limiting groove; 22. Limiting ring; 221. Locking block; 23. Fixing ring;

[0031] 31. Drive motor; 32. Worm gear; 33. Coupling; 34. Bearing;

[0032] 40. Base;

[0033] 50. Front fender;

[0034] 60. Rear bumper. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0036] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0037] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0038] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0039] When conducting neutron experiments on liquids such as emulsions or suspensions, cuvettes suitable for liquids are required. These cuvettes are usually disc-shaped with a long neck to facilitate pouring liquids into the cuvette body. During the experiment, it is easy for the liquid in the cuvette to precipitate or have uneven density, resulting in poor experimental results and experimental failure.

[0040] Accordingly, this embodiment provides a sample rotation device.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, the sample rotation device provided in this embodiment includes a support base 10, a sample fixing assembly 20, and a drive assembly. The sample fixing assembly 20 is rotatably mounted on the support base 10. The sample fixing assembly 20 includes a rotating cylinder 21, and a worm gear 211 is provided on the outer periphery of the rotating cylinder 21. The rotating cylinder 21 is used to fix the cuvette 1, and the rotating cylinder 21 rotates coaxially with the body 101 of the cuvette 1. The drive assembly includes a drive motor 31 and a worm gear 32. The worm gear 32 is rotatably mounted on the support base 10. The drive motor 31 is connected to the worm gear 211 through the worm gear 32. The drive motor 31 drives the rotating cylinder 21 to rotate relative to the support base 10 by driving the worm gear 32 to rotate. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the drive motor 31 rotates, it drives the worm gear 32 to rotate, which in turn drives the worm wheel 211 to rotate. The worm wheel 211 is connected to the rotating cylinder 21, thereby driving the rotating cylinder 21 to rotate. The cuvette 1 is fixed to the rotating cylinder 21, allowing the cuvette 1 to rotate. This arrangement prevents precipitation or uneven density in the liquid in the cuvette 1, ensuring the accuracy of the neutron experiment results. Furthermore, the body 101 of the cuvette 1 rotates coaxially with the rotating cylinder 21, ensuring that the area of ​​the body 101 receiving neutron irradiation is relatively fixed. This facilitates the control of variables during the neutron scattering experiment and improves the validity of the experimental data. The support base 10 is used to support the sample fixing assembly 20, ensuring the normal rotation of the rotating cylinder 21. In this embodiment, a worm gear connection is used, which allows the sample fixing assembly 20 to be easily removed from the support base 10, facilitating the disassembly and assembly of the cuvette 1, saving liquid replacement time, and improving detection efficiency.

[0042] Optionally, in this embodiment, one of the worm gear 211 and the worm 32 is made of brass, and the other of the worm gear 211 and the worm 32 is made of aluminum alloy, which can reduce friction and adhesion.

[0043] Furthermore, the sample fixing assembly 20 also includes a limiting ring 22, which is rotatably mounted on the rotating cylinder 21 and has a locking block 221. The support base 10 has a vertical plate 11 with a slot 111, and the locking block 221 engages with the slot 111. Specifically, in this embodiment, a limiting ring 22 is rotatably mounted on the outer side of the rotating cylinder 21, and a locking block 221 is mounted on the limiting ring 22. The support base 10 has a vertical plate 11 with a slot 111, and the locking block 221 engages with the slot 111. This arrangement ensures that the rotating cylinder 21 has strong stability during rotation, preventing the rotating cylinder 21 from being lifted by the worm gear 32 during rotation, which would lead to inaccurate experimental results. It also facilitates the removal and placement of the sample fixing assembly 20 from the support base 10, improving sample changing efficiency and reducing operational difficulty. Optionally, in this embodiment, locking blocks 221 are provided on both sides of the limiting ring 22, and two locking slots 111 are provided on the same upright plate 11, which can be engaged with the locking blocks 221 on both sides of the limiting ring 22 respectively, thereby improving the stability of the rotating cylinder 21.

[0044] Furthermore, the sample fixing assembly 20 includes two limiting rings 22, which are respectively disposed on both sides of the worm gear 211. The support base 10 is provided with two upright plates 11, each with a slot 111. The locking blocks 221 on the two limiting rings 22 are correspondingly engaged with the two slots 111. The worm gear 32 is located between the two upright plates 11. Specifically, in this embodiment, the distance between the two limiting rings 22 is equal to the distance between the slots 111 on the two upright plates 11. The locking blocks 221 on the two limiting rings 22 can be respectively engaged with the two slots 111, and the worm gear 32 is disposed between the two upright plates 11. This structure ensures that the rotating cylinder 21 can be supported on both sides of the worm gear 32, making the rotating cylinder 21 more stable during rotation and ensuring the stability of the cuvette 1 during the neutron experiment.

[0045] Furthermore, the upright plate 11 has a receiving groove 112, which communicates with the slot 111. The receiving groove 112 is used to receive the rotating cylinder 21. Specifically, in this embodiment, the rotating cylinder 21 is cylindrical, and the receiving groove 112 is semi-circular. This not only limits the rotation of the cylinder 21 but also ensures sufficient support for it, thus ensuring the stability of the cuvette 1 during rotation. The communication between the receiving groove 112 and the slot 111 facilitates the engagement of the locking block 221 of the fixing ring 23 with the slot 111 on the upright plate 11, simplifying the structure. Optionally, in this embodiment, the upright plate 11 has two slots 111, and the receiving groove 112 is located between the two slots 111 on the same upright plate 11. This arrangement further enhances the stability of the cuvette 1 and ensures the validity of the neutron experiment results.

[0046] Furthermore, multiple sample fixing components 20 are provided. Specifically, in this embodiment, eight sample fixing components 20 are provided, enabling simultaneous neutron experiments on eight different liquids. Correspondingly, the upright plate 11 has eight receiving slots 112, and each of the eight receiving slots 112 has a retaining groove 111 on both sides. This arrangement can improve the detection efficiency of the liquids. In other embodiments, the number of sample fixing components 20 may be different, which will not be elaborated here.

[0047] Furthermore, the rotating cylinder 21 has a receiving cavity 212, and the rotating cylinder 21 has a limiting groove 213, which communicates with the receiving cavity 212. The receiving cavity 212 is used to receive the body 101 of the cuvette 1, and the limiting groove 213 is used to receive the neck 102 of the cuvette 1. The sample fixing assembly 20 also includes a fixing ring 23, which is detachably connected to the rotating cylinder 21 and is used to fix the cuvette 1 in the receiving cavity 212. Specifically, in this embodiment, the rotating cylinder 21 is hollow, and the receiving cavity 212 has no obstructions on both sides. The cuvette 1 is placed in the receiving cavity 212, and neutrons are introduced from one side of the receiving cavity 212. The rotating cylinder 21 is made of 6-series aluminum alloy, which has a very high neutron transmittance, effectively avoiding the generation of additional scattering signals and ensuring the effect of the neutron scattering experiment. The two limiting rings 22 are graphite copper sleeves, which can reduce the friction between the rotating cylinder 21 and the limiting rings 22 during rotation and improve the service life. The disc-shaped body 101 of cuvette 1 is housed in the receiving cavity 212, and the neck 102 is located in the limiting groove 213. When the rotating cylinder 21 rotates, cuvette 1 will rotate with the rotating cylinder 21, avoiding precipitation or uneven density of the liquid in cuvette 1 and ensuring the validity of the neutron experiment results. The fixing ring 23 can fix cuvette 1 and prevent cuvette 1 from shaking during the rotation of the rotating cylinder 21. The fixing ring 23 is hollow, which can minimize the obstruction to neutrons.

[0048] Furthermore, the fixing ring 23 and the rotating cylinder 21 are threadedly connected. Specifically, in this embodiment, the outer side of the fixing ring 23 is machined with external threads, and the inside of the receiving cavity 212 is machined with internal threads. The threaded connection between the fixing ring 23 and the rotating cylinder 21 facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the cuvette 1, improving the overall efficiency of the experiment. Optionally, the receiving cavity 212 has a step inside, the diameter of which is slightly larger than the diameter of the cuvette 1. This ensures the fixation of the cuvette 1 and facilitates its installation. The fixing ring 23 can press the cuvette 1 tightly to ensure its stability. The step design also minimizes the contact between the body 101 of the cuvette 1 and other materials, exposing the body of the cuvette 1 to the neutron irradiation range as much as possible. This avoids the signal scattered by neutrons and other materials being captured and mixed with the sample signal, thus preventing interference with the experimental data.

[0049] Furthermore, the drive motor 31 and the worm gear 32 are connected by a coupling 33. Specifically, in this embodiment, the coupling 33 enables the worm gear 32 to rotate more stably, ensuring the stability of the cuvette 1.

[0050] Furthermore, bearings 34 are provided at both ends of the worm gear 32, and the bearings 34 are rotatably mounted on the support base 10. Specifically, in this embodiment, the bearings 34 are used to rotatably mount the worm gear 32 on the support base 10, which can further ensure the stability of the rotation of the worm gear 32 and prevent the cuvette 1 from shaking during the neutron experiment.

[0051] Furthermore, the sample rotation device also includes a base 40, on which both the support base 10 and the drive motor 31 are mounted. Specifically, the base 40 facilitates the overall movement of the sample rotation device, improving its portability, and the mounting of the drive motor 31 on the base 40 reduces vibration during operation, ensuring the overall stability of the sample rotation device. Optionally, the base 40 in this embodiment is made of aluminum alloy.

[0052] Optionally, the sample rotation device in this embodiment further includes a front baffle 50 and a rear baffle 60. Both the front baffle 50 and the rear baffle 60 are boron-aluminum alloy plates, which are materials that absorb neutrons. Both the front baffle 50 and the rear baffle 60 have through holes in the optical path in which the liquid sample receives neutron irradiation. The front baffle 50 and the rear baffle 60 are used to absorb stray neutrons from non-sample locations and reduce background scattering.

[0053] Optionally, in this embodiment, the drive motor 31 is connected to a controller, which can control the rotation speed of the drive motor 31, and thus control the rotation speed of the cuvette 1. Different rotation speeds can be selected according to the different liquids in the cuvette 1, so that the liquids in the cuvette 1 do not produce precipitation or uneven density, and ensure the accuracy of the experimental results.

[0054] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will be able to make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. Sample rotation device for rotating a cuvette (1) containing a liquid to be tested during a neutron experiment on the liquid, characterized in that, The sample rotating device comprises: a support base (10); a sample fixing assembly (20) rotatably arranged on the support base (10), the sample fixing assembly (20) comprising a rotating cylinder (21) with a worm wheel (211) arranged on the outer periphery of the rotating cylinder (21), the rotating cylinder (21) being used for fixing a cuvette (1), and the rotating cylinder (21) being coaxially rotatable with the body (101) of the cuvette (1); a driving assembly comprising a driving motor (31) and a worm (32), the worm (32) being rotatably arranged on the support base (10), the driving motor (31) being in driving connection with the worm wheel (211) through the worm (32), the driving motor (31) driving the worm (32) to rotate and further driving the rotating cylinder (21) to rotate relative to the support base (10); the sample fixing assembly (20) further comprising a limiting ring (22) rotatably arranged on the rotating cylinder (21), and the limiting ring (22) being provided with a clamping block (221), the support base (10) being provided with a vertical plate (11) having a clamping groove (111), the clamping block (221) being in clamping connection with the clamping groove (111); the rotating cylinder (21) having an accommodating cavity (212), the rotating cylinder (21) being provided with a limiting groove (213) in communication with the accommodating cavity (212), the accommodating cavity (212) being used for accommodating the body (101) of the cuvette (1), and the limiting groove (213) being used for accommodating the neck (102) of the cuvette (1), the sample fixing assembly (20) further comprising a fixing ring (23) detachably connected with the rotating cylinder (21), the fixing ring (23) being used for fixing the cuvette (1) in the accommodating cavity (212).

2. The sample rotation device of claim 1, wherein, The sample fixing assembly (20) comprises two limiting rings (22) arranged on the two sides of the worm wheel (211), and the support base (10) is provided with two vertical plates (11) each having the clamping groove (111), the clamping blocks (221) on the two limiting rings (22) being in clamping connection with the two clamping grooves (111) in one-to-one correspondence, and the worm (32) being located between the two vertical plates (11).

3. A sample rotation device according to claim 2, wherein, The vertical plate (11) has an accommodating groove (112) located between the two clamping grooves (111) and in communication with the two clamping grooves (111), and the accommodating groove (112) being used for accommodating the rotating cylinder (21).

4. The sample rotation device of claim 1, wherein, The sample fixing assembly (20) is provided with a plurality of 5. The sample rotation device of claim 1, wherein, The fixing ring (23) is in threaded connection with the rotating cylinder (21).

6. The sample rotation device of claim 1, wherein, The driving motor (31) and the worm (32) are connected through a shaft coupling (33).

7. The sample rotation device of claim 1, wherein, The worm (32) is provided with bearings (34) at both ends, which are rotationally arranged on the support base (10).

8. A sample rotation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein The sample rotating device further comprises a base (40), and the support base (10) and the driving motor (31) are arranged on the base (40).

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