Nuclear magnetic resonance device

• US 7,285,956 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2004
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Riken, Tokkyokiki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Riken, Tokkyokiki Corporation
• Inventors: Yokoyama, Shigeyuki, Maeda, Hideaki, Tsuchiya, Masaki, Yasuda, Masashi, Itojima, Fumiaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Shrivastav; Brij
• Application Number:
  US10/547,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20060202694A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,315 Days
• Field of Search: 324300-322, 188/378, 188/379, 188/380, 188/267, 335296-320, 335/216
• US Class Current: 324/318
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/28 Details of apparatus provided for in groups G01R33/44 - G01R33/64

Abstract

A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus includes a nuclear magnetic resonance device for elucidating atomic configuration and molecular structure of a substance based on a decay signal of induced electromotive force caused by resonance precession of nuclear magnetic moment induced by irradiation of electro-magnetic pulses in an RF region when the substance is exposed to a strong magnetic field, and a vibration isolation mechanism for suppressing vibrations. The vibration isolation mechanism has, as an actuator, an air spring connected to a pressurized air source via an electro-pneumatic converter and acting to exert a force for vibration isolation on the nuclear magnetic resonance device. The vibration isolation mechanism is capable of active vibration isolation, and disposed away from the nuclear magnetic resonance device by such a distance that the electro-pneumatic converter never incurs any malfunctions or operating failures under influence of a magnetic field generated by the nuclear magnetic resonance device.

Claims

1. A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus comprising:

nuclear magnetic resonance means for elucidating atomic configuration and molecular structure of a substance based on a decay signal of induced electromotive force caused by resonance precession of nuclear magnetic moment induced by irradiation of electro-magnetic pulses in an RF region when the substance is exposed to a strong magnetic field; and

a vibration isolation mechanism for suppressing vibration of this nuclear magnetic resonance means, wherein the vibration isolation mechanism has an air spring as an actuator, the air spring being connected to a pressurized air source via an electro-pneumatic converter and acting to exert a force for vibration isolation on the nuclear magnetic resonance means, and the vibration isolation mechanism is formed so as to be capable of active vibration isolation, and disposed away from the nuclear magnetic resonance means by such a distance that the electro-pneumatic converter never incurs any malfunctions or operating failures under influence of a magnetic field generated by the nuclear magnetic resonance means, and wherein a control means in the vibration isolation mechanism performs such a control that controlling pressure generated by the electro-pneumatic converter is lowered at around a fluid resonance frequency so as to suppress occurrence of fluid resonance between the air spring and the electro-pneumatic converter.

2. The nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air spring and piping system are formed of nonmagnetic material.

3. The nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the vibration isolation mechanism includes a piezoelectric acceleration sensor as a vibration detection means.

4. The nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the vibration isolation mechanism includes a servo acceleration sensor as a vibration detection means, and this servo acceleration sensor includes a means for decaying a magnetic field leaking outside from the nuclear magnetic resonance means and is disposed at such a position that the leakage magnetic field is decayed.

5. The nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibration isolation mechanism includes a piezoelectric acceleration sensor as a vibration detection means.

6. The nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibration isolation mechanism includes a servo acceleration sensor as a vibration detection means, and this servo acceleration sensor includes a means for decaying a magnetic field leaking outside from the nuclear magnetic resonance means and is disposed at such a position that the leakage magnetic field is decayed.

7. A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus comprising:

a nuclear magnetic resonance means for elucidating atomic configuration and molecular structure of a substance based on a decay signal of induced electromotive force caused by resonance precession of nuclear magnetic moment induced by irradiation of electro-magnetic pulses in an RF region when the substance is exposed to a strong magnetic field; and

a vibration isolation mechanism for suppressing vibration of this nuclear magnetic resonance means, wherein the vibration isolation mechanism has an air spring as an actuator, the air spring being connected to a pressurized air source via an electro-pneumatic converter and acting to exert a force for vibration isolation on the nuclear magnetic resonance means, and the vibration isolation mechanism is formed so as to be capable of active vibration isolation, and the electro-pneumatic converter is accompanied by a means for decaying a magnetic field leaking outside from the nuclear magnetic resonance means and is disposed at such a position that the leakage magnetic field is decayed, and wherein a control means in the vibration isolation mechanism performs such a control that controlling pressure generated by the electro-pneumatic converter is lowered at around a fluid resonance frequency so as to suppress occurrence of fluid resonance between the air spring and the electro-pneumatic converter.

8. The nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the air spring and piping system are formed of nonmagnetic material.

9. The nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the vibration isolation mechanism includes a piezoelectric acceleration sensor as a vibration detection means.

10. The nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the vibration isolation mechanism includes a servo acceleration sensor as a vibration detection means, and this servo acceleration sensor includes a means for decaying a magnetic field leaking outside from the nuclear magnetic resonance means and is disposed at such a position that the leakage magnetic field is decayed.

11. A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus comprising:

a nuclear magnetic resonance means for elucidating atomic configuration and molecular structure of a substance based on a decay signal of induced electromotive force caused by resonance precession of nuclear magnetic moment induced by irradiation of electro-magnetic pulses in an RF region when the substance is exposed to a strong magnetic field; and

a vibration isolation mechanism for suppressing vibration of this nuclear magnetic resonance means, wherein the vibration isolation mechanism has an air spring as an actuator, the air spring being connected to a pressurized air source via an electro-pneumatic converter and acting to exert a force for vibration isolation on the nuclear magnetic resonance means, and the vibration isolation mechanism is formed so as to be capable of active vibration isolation, and the electro-pneumatic converter is disposed so as to generate a driving magnetic field perpendicular to a direction of a leakage flux from the nuclear magnetic resonance means.

12. The nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the air spring and piping system are formed of nonmagnetic material.

13. The nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein a control means in the vibration isolation mechanism performs such a control that controlling pressure generated by the electro-pneumatic converter is lowered at around a fluid resonance frequency so as to suppress occurrence of fluid resonance between the air spring and the electro-pneumatic converter.

14. The nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the vibration isolation mechanism includes a piezoelectric acceleration sensor as a vibration detection means.

15. The nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the vibration isolation mechanism includes a servo acceleration sensor as a vibration detection means, and this servo acceleration sensor includes a means for decaying a magnetic field leaking outside from the nuclear magnetic resonance means and is disposed at such a position that the leakage magnetic field is decayed.