Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation logging tool, comprising a tool housing; a compact generator that produces radiation; a power supply coupled to the compact generator; and control circuitry. Embodiments of the compact generator comprise a generator vacuum tube comprising a source generating charged particles, and a target onto which the charged particles are directed; and a high voltage supply comprising a high voltage multiplier ladder located laterally adjacent to the generator vacuum tube. The high voltage supply applies a high voltage between the source and the target to accelerate the charged particles to a predetermined energy level. The compact generator also includes an electrical coupling between an output of the high voltage supply and the target of the generator vacuum tube to accommodate the collocated positions of the generator vacuum tube and the high voltage power supply.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation logging tool, comprising a tool housing; a compact generator that produces radiation; a power supply coupled to the compact generator; and control circuitry. Embodiments of the compact generator comprise a generator vacuum tube comprising a source generating charged particles, and a target onto which the charged particles are directed; and a high voltage supply comprising a high voltage multiplier ladder located laterally adjacent to the generator vacuum tube. The high voltage supply applies a high voltage between the source and the target to accelerate the charged particles to a predetermined energy level. The compact generator also includes an electrical coupling between an output of the high voltage supply and the target of the generator vacuum tube to accommodate the collocated positions of the generator vacuum tube and the high voltage power supply.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation logging tool, comprising a tool housing; a compact generator that produces radiation; a power supply coupled to the compact generator; and control circuitry. Embodiments of the compact generator comprise a generator vacuum tube comprising a source generating charged particles, and a target onto which the charged particles are directed; and a high voltage supply comprising a high voltage multiplier ladder located laterally adjacent to the generator vacuum tube. The high voltage supply applies a high voltage between the source and the target to accelerate the charged particles to a predetermined energy level. The compact generator also includes an electrical coupling between an output of the high voltage supply and the target of the generator vacuum tube to accommodate the collocated positions of the generator vacuum tube and the high voltage power supply.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation logging tool, comprising a tool housing; a compact generator that produces radiation; a power supply coupled to the compact generator; and control circuitry. Embodiments of the compact generator comprise a generator vacuum tube comprising a source generating charged particles, and a target onto which the charged particles are directed; and a high voltage supply comprising a high voltage multiplier ladder located laterally adjacent to the generator vacuum tube. The high voltage supply applies a high voltage between the source and the target to accelerate the charged particles to a predetermined energy level. The compact generator also includes an electrical coupling between an output of the high voltage supply and the target of the generator vacuum tube to accommodate the collocated positions of the generator vacuum tube and the high voltage power supply.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation logging tool, comprising a tool housing; a compact generator that produces radiation; a power supply coupled to the compact generator; and control circuitry. Embodiments of the compact generator comprise a generator vacuum tube comprising a source generating charged particles, and a target onto which the charged particles are directed; and a high voltage supply comprising a high voltage multiplier ladder located laterally adjacent to the generator vacuum tube. The high voltage supply applies a high voltage between the source and the target to accelerate the charged particles to a predetermined energy level. The compact generator also includes an electrical coupling between an output of the high voltage supply and the target of the generator vacuum tube to accommodate the collocated positions of the generator vacuum tube and the high voltage power supply.

Abstract: Various embodiments for shortening the overall length of a pulsed neutron generator having a high voltage power supply are disclosed, including but not limited to, providing the plurality of stages of a high voltage power supply wrapped circumferentially or helically about a radiation generator tube. Various techniques for reducing voltage differentials and mitigating the risk of arcing in these embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation logging tool, comprising a tool housing; a compact generator that produces radiation; a power supply coupled to the compact generator; and control circuitry. Embodiments of the compact generator comprise a generator vacuum tube comprising a source generating charged particles, and a target onto which the charged particles are directed; and a high voltage supply comprising a high voltage multiplier ladder located laterally adjacent to the generator vacuum tube. The high voltage supply applies a high voltage between the source and the target to accelerate the charged particles to a predetermined energy level. The compact generator also includes an electrical coupling between an output of the high voltage supply and the target of the generator vacuum tube to accommodate the collocated positions of the generator vacuum tube and the high voltage power supply.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation logging tool, comprising a tool housing; a compact generator that produces radiation; a power supply coupled to the compact generator; and control circuitry. Embodiments of the compact generator comprise a generator vacuum tube comprising a source generating charged particles, and a target onto which the charged particles are directed; and a high voltage supply comprising a high voltage multiplier ladder located laterally adjacent to the generator vacuum tube. The high voltage supply applies a high voltage between the source and the target to accelerate the charged particles to a predetermined energy level. The compact generator also includes an electrical coupling between an output of the high voltage supply and the target of the generator vacuum tube to accommodate the collocated positions of the generator vacuum tube and the high voltage power supply.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a neutron generator including an ion source that generates ions; a target that outputs neutrons when the ions impact the target; one or more power supplies that supply electrical power to the ion source and the target; and a control system. The control system determines one or more rules that describe relationships between operational parameters, useful life, reliability, neutron output, environment, and constraints of the neutron generators; determines one or more operational parameter setpoints based at least in part on the one or more rules; and instructs the one or more power supplies to adjust electrical power supplied to the ion source, the target, or both based at least in part on the one or more operational parameter setpoints.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a neutron generator including an ion source that generates ions; a target that outputs neutrons when the ions impact the target; one or more power supplies that supply electrical power to the ion source and the target; and a control system. The control system determines one or more rules that describe relationships between operational parameters, useful life, reliability, neutron output, environment, and constraints of the neutron generators; determines one or more operational parameter setpoints based at least in part on the one or more rules; and instructs the one or more power supplies to adjust electrical power supplied to the ion source, the target, or both based at least in part on the one or more operational parameter setpoints.

Abstract: A neutron generator includes a sealed envelope providing a low pressure environment for a gas of hydrogen isotope(s). One end of the envelope defines an ion source chamber. A target electrode is disposed at the other end of the envelope. An extraction electrode is spaced apart from the target electrode by an accelerating gap. The extraction electrode bounds the ion source chamber. An RF antenna is disposed external to the sealed envelope in the vicinity of the ion source chamber. The RF antenna is used to transmit time-varying electromagnetic fields within the ion source chamber for producing plasma therein. The extraction electrode operates at a positive high voltage potential and the target electrode operates at or near ground potential in order to provide an electric field gradient that accelerates ions of the plasma towards the target electrode to induce collisions of ions with target material, thereby causing fusion reactions that generate and emit neutrons from the target material.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices with improved electrode configuration for downhole nuclear radiation generators are provided. For example, one embodiment of a nuclear radiation generator capable of downhole operation may include a charged particle source, a target material, and an acceleration column between the charged particle source and the target material. The acceleration column may include several electrodes shaped such that substantially no electrode material from the electrodes is sputtered onto an insulator surface of the acceleration column during normal downhole operation.

Abstract: A neutron generator includes a sealed envelope providing a low pressure environment for a gas of hydrogen isotope(s). One end of the envelope defines an ion source chamber. A target electrode is disposed at the other end of the envelope. An extraction electrode is spaced apart from the target electrode by an accelerating gap. The extraction electrode bounds the ion source chamber. An RF antenna is disposed external to the sealed envelope in the vicinity of the ion source chamber. The RF antenna is used to transmit time-varying electromagnetic fields within the ion source chamber for producing plasma therein. The extraction electrode operates at a positive high voltage potential and the target electrode operates at or near ground potential in order to provide an electric field gradient that accelerates ions of the plasma towards the target electrode to induce collisions of ions with target material, thereby causing fusion reactions that generate and emit neutrons from the target material.

Abstract: A method for operating a pulsed neutron generator includes adjusting a target current of the neutron generator to a preselected value. A parameter related to a neutron output of the neutron generator is measured. A target voltage of the neutron generator is adjusted to maintain the measured parameter within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A pulsed neutron generator includes a sealed tube. a gas reservoir is disposed in the sealed tube and includes an electrically heatable filament disposed within a porous, sintered getter. The getter includes dispersed particles of a thermally reversible hydride-adsorptive material therein. The dispersed particles have deuterium and/or tritium adsorbed on them. A gas ionizer disposed in the sealed tube. A target is disposed in the sealed tube. The target includes adsorbed deuterium and/or tritium therein.

Abstract: Various embodiments for shortening the overall length of a pulsed neutron generator having a high voltage power supply are disclosed, including but not limited to, providing the plurality of stages of a high voltage power supply wrapped circumferentially or helically about a radiation generator tube. Various techniques for reducing voltage differentials and mitigating the risk of arcing in these embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation logging tool, comprising a tool housing; a compact generator that produces radiation; a power supply coupled to the compact generator; and control circuitry. Embodiments of the compact generator comprise a generator vacuum tube comprising a source generating charged particles, and a target onto which the charged particles are directed; and a high voltage supply comprising a high voltage multiplier ladder located laterally adjacent to the generator vacuum tube. The high voltage supply applies a high voltage between the source and the target to accelerate the charged particles to a predetermined energy level. The compact generator also includes an electrical coupling between an output of the high voltage supply and the target of the generator vacuum tube to accommodate the collocated positions of the generator vacuum tube and the high voltage power supply.

Abstract: A multi-directional dispenser cathode has a cathode body that supports a plurality of electron emitters which spanning open portions of the cathode body. Each electron emitter has an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface wherein the inward facing surfaces and an interior wall of the body define an interior volume that contains a heater. To selectively accelerate emitted electrons, an electrically distinct biasing electrode is in spaced relationship to the outward facing surface of each electron emitter and coupled to a biasing power supply effective to provide an intermittent positive voltage potential to the biasing electrode. The distinct biasing electrodes are provided with a positive voltage potential at different times thereby causing an intermittent burst of electrons. Among the applications for intermittent bursts of accelerated electrons are to generate radiation from a particle accelerator.

Abstract: An electron acceleration portion of a Betatron having a vacuum chamber with an interior wall spaced from an exterior wall with a main electron orbit located approximate to the exterior wall and the interior wall. An electron injector has an anode structured and arranged adjacent a wall selected from the group consisting of the interior wall and the exterior wall that is shaped so as to not impede the main electron orbit. There is at least one electron deflection plate disposed approximate an anode end of the anode and the main electron orbit. There can be two electron deflection plates spaced apart that form a gap of a width effective to receive emitted electrons from the electron injector. Such that, there is a voltage potential between the two electron deflection plates that is effective to deflect emitted electrons towards the main electron orbit.

Abstract: A logging-while-drilling (LWD) tool includes a bottomhole assembly (BHA); an electronic device carried on the BHA; and a bunched wire contact providing an electrical connection between the electronic device and a electrical power source at the BHA. The bunched wire contact includes a plurality of wires each of which has sufficient capacity to provide the requisite electrical current for operation of the electronic device.