X-ray Optical Systems Incorporated

Stuart Shakshober

John H Burdett

Ian Radley

Brian William Gallagher

Zewu Chen

Thomas J Bievenue

Michael D Moore

George Allen

Sony Cheriyan

Sony Cheryian

An x-ray analysis system having an x-ray engine with an x-ray source for producing an x-ray excitation beam directed toward an x-ray analysis focal area; a sample chamber for presenting a sample stream to the x-ray analysis focal area, the analysis focal area disposed within a sample analysis area defined within the chamber; an x-ray detection path for collecting secondary x-rays and directing the x-rays toward a detector; an x-ray transparent barrier on a wall of the chamber through which the x-rays pass; and a blocking structure partially blocking the sample analysis area, for creating sample stream turbulence in the sample analysis area and over the barrier. The blocking structure may be disposed asymmetrically about a central axis of the x-ray analysis focal area and/or the sample analysis area; and may be a rounded pin. A heating element may be used to heat the sample stream for improving flow.

Sample viscosity and flow control for heavy samples, and X-ray analysis applications thereof

A method and device for cooling and electrically-insulating a high-voltage, heat-generating component, for example, an x-ray tube () for analyzing fluids by means of x-ray fluorescence. The device includes an x-ray source () including an x-ray tube () having improved heat-dissipating properties due to the thermal coupling of the x-ray tube with a thermally-conductive, dielectric material (). The device may include a base assembly () mounted to the component for conducting heat away from the component while electrically isolating the component. In one aspect of the invention, the base assembly includes two copper plates () separated by a dielectric plate (). The dielectric plate minimizes or prevents the leakage of current through the base assembly (). One aspect of the disclosed invention is most amenable to the analysis of sulfur in petroleum-based fuels.

Method and device for cooling and electrically insulating a high voltage, heat-generating component such as an x-ray tube for analyzing fluid streams

An x-ray source assembly and method of operation are provided having enhanced output stability. The assembly includes an anode having a source spot upon which electrons impinge and a control system for controlling position of the anode source spot relative to an output structure. The control system can maintain the anode source spot location relative to the output structure notwithstanding a change in one or more operating conditions of the x-ray source assembly. One aspect of the disclosed invention is most amenable to the analysis of sulfur in petroleum-based fuels.

X-ray source assembly having enhanced output stability, and fluid stream analysis applications thereof

An x-ray source assembly () and method of operation are provided having enhanced output stability. The assembly includes an anode () having a source spot upon which electrons () impinge and a control system () for controlling position of the anode source spot relative to an output structure. The control system can maintain the anode source spot location relative to the output structure () notwithstanding a change in one or more operating conditions of the x-ray source assembly. One aspect of the disclosed invention is most amenable to the analysis of sulfur in petroleum-based fuels.

Method and device for cooling and electrically insulating a high-voltage, heat-generating component such as an x-ray tube for analyzing fluid streams

A measurement and processing technique enabling x-ray analysis systems to handle dynamically changing samples and other conditions resulting in both significant and insignificant measurement changes. A stream of input values related to measured compositional information of the sample is received, and a stream of output compositional values is produced. The current output value y[n] is set as a function of the received input value x[n] if the received input value x[n] differs from x[n&#x2212;1] by more than an intensity-dependent deviation limit; and alternatively the current output y[n] is set as a function of the previous output y[n&#x2212;1] and the received input value x[n] if the received input value x[n] differs from x[n&#x2212;1] by less than the intensity-dependent deviation limit. The intensity-dependent deviation limit is maintained as a function of the intensity of the measured compositional information. Types of dynamically changing samples to which the technique is applicable include fluid streams and sheet production, monitored by, e.g., XRF and XRD systems.

Apparatus and method for suppressing insignificant variations in measured sample composition data, including data measured from dynamically changing samples using x-ray analysis techniques

A technique for analyzing fluids by means of x-ray fluorescence applicable to any fluid, including liquids and gases, which emit x-ray fluorescence when exposed to x-rays. The apparatus includes an x-ray source () including an x-ray tube () having improved heat dissipating properties due to a thermally-conductive, dielectric material (). The x-ray tube also includes means for aligning () the tube with the source housing whereby the orientation of the x-ray beam produced by the source can be optimized, and stabilized over various operating conditions. The method and apparatus may also include an x-ray detector having a small-area, for example, a PIN-diode type semiconductor x-ray detector (), that can provide effective x-ray detection at room temperature. One aspect of the disclosed invention is most amenable to the analysis of sulfur in petroleum-based fuels.

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Hudson, NY, United States of America

Stuart Shakshober