Gemstone Sorting via Luminescence Tracking on Moving Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sorting gemstones, particularly diamonds, are inefficient and time-consuming, especially for small melee diamonds, as they require individual orientation and testing, and often fail to conclusively distinguish between natural and synthetic diamonds, necessitating further complex testing that may not be economically viable for small stones.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a continuously moveable surface that transports gemstones to measurement locations, where they are separated and identified using luminescence markers such as wavelength and decay time to determine if they contain diamond material and whether it is natural or synthetic, allowing for accurate sorting and reduction in further testing requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual orientation and testing of each gemstone is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary orientation of gemstones using oscillating walls before measurement, ensuring all stones are in the correct table-down position automatically. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual orientation of each stone, maintaining measurement precision while significantly improving throughput speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical orientation and individual handling with an automated optical measurement system using UV fluorescence detection. The system uses a moving surface to transport multiple stones simultaneously through the measurement zone, substituting mechanical individual handling with a continuous flow measurement process that maintains accuracy while increasing productivity.
2Reliability
If complex testing methods such as photoluminescence or Raman spectroscopy are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from complex Raman spectroscopy or photoluminescence to UV-induced fluorescence detection. By using UV light to excite fluorescent markers in diamonds, the system achieves reliable natural vs. synthetic differentiation through a simpler optical detection method that is less expensive and easier to implement while maintaining high identification reliability.
3Measurement precision
If multiple measurement devices are used to conclusively identify diamonds, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges orientation, transport, and UV fluorescence measurement functions into a single integrated apparatus. The oscillating walls orient stones while the moving surface transports them through the UV measurement zone in a continuous process, combining multiple functions that would traditionally require separate devices and sequential operations into one simultaneous process, thereby reducing total testing time while maintaining accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus enables efficient sorting of gemstones by correlating measurement data with the gemstones' positions on the moveable surface, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with testing, and accurately identifying natural and synthetic diamonds with a high degree of precision, thereby minimizing the need for further testing.
Implementation Method 1
measuring one or more properties of a gemstone at the one or more measurement locations; Specific markers in the luminescence properties of the gemstone may be used to identify properties of the stone
Implementation Method 2
measuring the way in which light is absorbed by or emitted from a diamond
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed an apparatus and method for sorting gemstones from a batch of gemstones. The apparatus comprises one or more measurement locations, each comprising at least one measurement device configured to measure one or more properties of a gemstone. A continuously moveable surface supports the gemstones thereon and transports the gemstones to the one or more measurement locations. A separation device separates the gemstones from one another as they are transported on the moveable surface to the one or more measurement locations. A location trigger at a sensor location comprises a sensor for identifying when the gemstone passes through the sensor location. A controller receives a signal from the location trigger, records the position of the moveable surface when the signal is received, and tracks the subsequent location of the gemstone by monitoring the movement of the moveable surface such that a measurement of the one or more properties of each gemstone can be correlated with a location of the respective gemstone on the moveable surface. Specific markers in the luminescence properties of the gemstone may be used to identify properties of the stone.