Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090161829 | MONOCHROMATIC X-RAY MICRO BEAM FOR TRACE ELEMENT MAPPING - An x-ray system or method for exciting a sample under x-ray analysis, using a curved monochromating optic for directing a monochromatic x-ray beam from an x-ray source towards a first focal area. A second optic is positioned within, and receives, the monochromatic x-ray beam, and directs a focused x-ray beam towards a second focal area on the sample. A detector is positioned near the sample to collect radiation from the sample as a result of the focused x-ray beam. The curved monochromating optic produces a beam spot size at the first focal area larger than a beam spot size produced by the second optic at the second focal area, therefore, a beam spot size on the sample is thereby reduced using the second optic. Doubly-curved monochromating optics, and polycapillary optics, are disclosed as possible implementations of the optics. | 06-25-2009 |
20090213988 | SAMPLE MODULE WITH SAMPLE STREAM SPACED FROM WINDOW, FOR X-RAY ANALYSIS SYSTEM - An x-ray analysis system with an x-ray source for producing an x-ray excitation beam directed toward an x-ray analysis focal area; and a sample chamber for presenting a fluid sample to the x-ray analysis focal area. The x-ray excitation beam is generated by an x-ray engine and passes through an x-ray transparent barrier on a wall of the chamber, to define an analysis focal area within space defined by the chamber. The fluid sample is presented as a stream suspended in the space and streaming through the focal area, using a laminar air flow and/or pressure to define the stream. The chamber's barrier is therefore separated from both the focal area and the sample, resulting in lower corruption of the barrier. | 08-27-2009 |
20100046702 | SMALL SPOT AND HIGH ENERGY RESOLUTION XRF SYSTEM FOR VALENCE STATE DETERMINATION - An x-ray fluorescence technique for determining a valence state of a sample. An x-ray excitation path is provided for exciting a sample with x-rays; and an x-ray detection path is provided for detecting fluorescence emitted from the sample, and focusing the emitted fluorescence to a focal spot. The detection path may include a monochromating detection optic for focusing the fluorescence; and also may include a detector on which the focal spot is focused. The precise positions of the focal spot are sensed, from which valence states of the sample can be determined; and/or the detection optic can be rocked across certain angles of incidence, to change the Bragg conditions, thereby sensing different valence states within the sample. | 02-25-2010 |
20110170666 | XRF SYSTEM HAVING MULTIPLE EXCITATION ENERGY BANDS IN HIGHLY ALIGNED PACKAGE - An x-ray analysis apparatus for illuminating a sample spot with an x-ray beam. An x-ray tube is provided having a source spot from which a diverging x-ray beam is produced having a characteristic first energy, and bremsstrahlung energy; a first x-ray optic receives the diverging x-ray beam and directs the beam toward the sample spot, while monochromating the beam; and a second x-ray optic receives the diverging x-ray beam and directs the beam toward the sample spot, while monochromating the beam to a second energy. The first x-ray optic may monochromate characteristic energy from the source spot, and the second x-ray optic may monochromate bremsstrahlung energy from the source spot. The x-ray optics may be curved diffracting optics, for receiving the diverging x-ray beam from the x-ray tube and focusing the beam at the sample spot. Detection is also provided to detect and measure various toxins in, e.g., manufactured products including toys and electronics. | 07-14-2011 |
20110194671 | SAMPLE MODULE WITH SAMPLE STREAM SUPPORTED AND SPACED FROM WINDOW, FOR X-RAY ANALYSIS SYSTEM - An x-ray analysis system with an x-ray source for producing an x-ray excitation beam directed toward an x-ray analysis focal area; and a sample chamber for presenting a fluid sample to the x-ray analysis focal area. The x-ray excitation beam is generated by an x-ray engine and passes through an x-ray transparent barrier on a wall of the chamber, to define an analysis focal area within space defined by the chamber. The fluid sample is presented as a stream supported in the space and streaming through the focal area, using a support structure to guide the sample stream. The chamber's barrier is therefore separated from both the focal area and the sample, resulting in lower corruption of the barrier. | 08-11-2011 |
20120321045 | COMPOSITIONS, METHODS OF USE AND SYSTEMS FOR ANALYSIS OF SILICON LEVELS IN PETROLEUM MATERIALS - This invention relates in general to the determination of silicon levels in fuel mixtures, such as petroleum products. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions for use as standards in an x-ray analyzer for the measurement of silicon in various fuel mixtures, and to methods of using these compositions. | 12-20-2012 |
20140105363 | XRF SYSTEM HAVING MULTIPLE EXCITATION ENERGY BANDS IN HIGHLY ALIGNED PACKAGE - An x-ray analysis apparatus for illuminating a sample spot with an x-ray beam. An x-ray tube is provided having a source spot from which a diverging x-ray beam is produced having a characteristic first energy, and bremsstrahlung energy; a first x-ray optic receives the diverging x-ray beam and directs the beam toward the sample spot, while monochromating the beam; and a second x-ray optic receives the diverging x-ray beam and directs the beam toward the sample spot, while monochromating the beam to a second energy. The first x-ray optic may monochromate characteristic energy from the source spot, and the second x-ray optic may monochromate bremsstrahlung energy from the source spot. The x-ray optics may be curved diffracting optics, for receiving the diverging x-ray beam from the x-ray tube and focusing the beam at the sample spot. Detection is also provided to detect and measure various toxins in, e.g., manufactured products including toys and electronics. | 04-17-2014 |
20140198898 | ONLINE MONITORING OF CONTAMINANTS IN CRUDE AND HEAVY FUELS, AND REFINERY APPLICATIONS THEREOF - A technique, including associated method and system, for on-line measurement of a trace element in a crude or heavy fuel stream for a refinery, including in one embodiment: providing at least one x-ray fluorescence (“XRF”) analyzer at a point for the refinery; analyzing the petroleum stream for chlorine using the analyzer; and providing results from the analyzer to refinery operators, to improve refinery operations. The analyzer may be a monochromatic wavelength XRF analyzer, wherein the analyzer focuses energy to/from the stream using an x-ray engine having at least one focusing, monochromating x-ray optic. The analyzer may be an MWDXRF or ME-EDXRF analyzer; and the trace element may be one or more of the following elements: S, Cl, P, K, Ca, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Hg, As, Pb, and Se; and in one embodiment the stream is crude, and the trace element is chlorine. | 07-17-2014 |
20140270063 | NON-HOMOGENEOUS SAMPLE HANDLING APPARATUS AND X-RAY ANALYZER APPLICATIONS THEREOF - A sample handling apparatus/technique/method are provided for a material analyzer, including: a sample cell insert for carrying sample to and from a sample focal area of the analyzer; a removable sample carrying device for providing sample to the cell insert; and an actuator to flow sample from the carrying device to the sample cell insert. The removable sample carrying device may be a syringe, and the actuator pushes a plunger of the syringe to expel the sample to the sample cell insert. The sample cell insert may be mounted onto a sample cell, the sample cell being insertable into the analyzer for sample analysis. The sample handling apparatus may be used in combination with an optic-enabled x-ray analyzer, the x-ray analyzer including an x-ray engine with an x-ray excitation path and an x-ray detection path, wherein the x-ray excitation and/or the x-ray detection path define the sample focal area. | 09-18-2014 |
20140294157 | SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND HIGHLY ALIGNED MONOCHROMATING X-RAY OPTICS FOR X-RAY ANALYSIS ENGINES AND ANALYZERS - A support structure having multiple highly aligned curved x-ray optics, the support structure having multiple internal partially or fully concentric surfaces upon which said optics are mounted, thereby aligning said optics along a central optical axis thereof and therefore to a source, sample, and/or detector in combination with which the support structure is useable. The surfaces may be nested around the central optical axis; and the support structure may divided longitudinally into sections around the central optical axis by walls. At least one of the x-ray optics comprises a curved diffracting optic, for receiving a diverging x-ray beam and focusing the beam to a focal area, in one embodiment a focusing monochromating optic. In an improved embodiment, an optic comprises a single layer, plastically deformed, LiF optic. | 10-02-2014 |
20150043713 | X-RAY ANALYZER HAVING MULTIPLE EXCITATION ENERGY BANDS PRODUCED USING MULTI-MATERIAL X-RAY TUBE ANODES AND MONOCHROMATING OPTICS - An x-ray tube includes a target on which electrons impinge to form a diverging x-ray beam. The target has a surface formed from first and second target materials, each tailored to emit a respective x-ray energy profile. A first x-ray optic may be provided for directing the beam toward the sample spot, the first x-ray optic monochromating the diverging x-ray beam to a first energy from the energy emitted by the first target material; and a second x-ray optic may be provided, for directing the beam toward the sample spot, the second x-ray optic monochromating the diverging x-ray beam to a second energy from the energy emitted by the second target material. Fluorescence from the sample spot induced by the first and second monochromated energies is used to measure the concentration of at least one element in the sample, or separately measure elements in a coating and underlying substrate. | 02-12-2015 |