Patent ID: 7084627

Claim:
A magnetic resonance method for determining the mass of non-continuous and discrete samples in a production line, each non-continuous and discrete sample having a net magnetisation capability, comprising the steps of: applying a first magnetic field in a first direction in an interrogation zone for creating a net magnetisation within a first sample having unknown mass located within the interrogation zone; applying an alternating magnetic field in a second direction in the interrogation zone in order to temporarily change the net magnetisation of the first sample located within the interrogation zone; monitoring energy emitted by the first sample as the net magnetisation of the sample returns to its original state and generating an output signal having a characteristic, which is proportional to the energy emitted; said step of applying an alternating magnetic field including the step of triggering the application of the alternating magnetic field when the first sample is located at a selected position within the interrogation zone where the output signal characteristic is at its maximum; comparing the output signal characteristic with corresponding data obtained from at least one similar non-continuous and discrete second sample of known mass; and determining the unknown mass of the first sample.