Abstract: A ball-mapping system connectable to an X-ray diffraction apparatus, for collecting X-ray diffraction data at measurement points located on a ball-shaped sample is provided. The ball-mapping system includes a sample stage, including a sample-contacting surface and a guide assembly cooperating with the sample-contacting surface for guiding the sample-contacting surface along a first axis and along a second axis unparallel to the first axis. The ball-mapping system includes a sample holder for keeping the ball-shaped sample in contact with the sample stage and a motor assembly in driving engagement with the guide assembly, the motor assembly driving the sample-contacting surface in translational movement along the first axis and the second axis, the translational movement of the sample-contacting surface causing the ball-shaped sample to rotate, on the sample-contacting surface along the first axis and the second axis. A method for mapping the ball-shaped sample is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a transmission X-ray diffraction (XRD) apparatus, the transmission XRD apparatus including an X-ray source for generating a direct X-ray beam; sample holder for receiving the sample, the sample being positioned to receive the direct X-ray beam when held by the sample holder; a detector for receiving X-rays transmitted through the sample and outputting an X-ray diffraction pattern therefrom; and an optical element positioned between the X-ray source and the detector, the optical element including a Montel optic and a secondary pin-hole collimator collectively adapted to focus the direct X-ray beam on the detector, wherein a ratio between a dimension of the direct X-ray beam projected on the detector and a sample-to-detector distance is equal or smaller than 1/570. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A ball-mapping system connectable to an X-ray diffraction apparatus, for collecting X-ray diffraction data at measurement points located on a ball-shaped sample is provided. The system includes a sample stage, including a sample-contacting surface and a guide assembly cooperating with the sample-contacting surface for guiding the sample-contacting surface along a first axis and along a second axis unparallel to the first axis. The system includes a sample holder for keeping the ball-shaped sample in contact with the sample stage and a motor assembly in driving engagement with the guide assembly, the motor assembly driving the sample-contacting surface in translational movement along the first axis and the second axis, the translational movement of the sample-contacting surface causing the ball-shaped sample to rotate, on the sample-contacting surface along the first axis and the second axis. A method for mapping the ball-shaped sample is also provided.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction apparatus is provided having an x-ray diffraction head, a frame for supporting the x-ray diffraction head, and a pair of drive mechanisms of the frame configured to generate pivotal movement of the x-ray diffraction head about first and second orthogonal axes. The frame is configured such that operation of one of the drive mechanisms to rotate the x-ray diffraction head about the first axis generates rotation of both of the drive mechanisms about the first axis.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction apparatus is provided having an x-ray diffraction head, a frame for supporting the x-ray diffraction head, and a pair of drive mechanisms of the frame configured to generate pivotal movement of the x-ray diffraction head about first and second orthogonal axes. The frame is configured such that operation of one of the drive mechanisms to rotate the x-ray diffraction head about the first axis generates rotation of both of the drive mechanisms about the first axis.

Abstract: A system and method for non-destructively determining the grain orientation of a crystalline material using x-ray diffraction techniques to non-destructively analyze material and, more particularly, to a system and method for determining the grain orientation of an underlying crystalline material covered by an overlying polycrystalline material. Further, the system and method relate to the use of x-ray diffraction to non-destructively characterize parts and components to determine whether to accept or reject those components or parts for use in application.

Abstract: A system and method for non-destructively determining the grain orientation of a crystalline material using x-ray diffraction techniques to non-destructively analyze material and, more particularly, to a system and method for determining the grain orientation of an underlying crystalline material covered by an overlying polycrystalline material. Further, the system and method relate to the use of x-ray diffraction to non-destructively characterize parts and components to determine whether to accept or reject those components or parts for use in application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing an animal food product with a core and a shell at least partially covering the core, in which the core starting material includes meat and/or meat-like components, water, oil and/or fat, vitamins, minerals, salts, antioxidising agents, dyes and/or preservatives, vegetable fibres, and other ingredients. The shell starting material includes vegetable and/or animal protein, cereal, starch and/or dextrin, blood plasma, water, cereal derivative and/or sugar or sugar derivative, and vitamins, minerals, salts, antioxidising agents, dyes and/or preservatives.

Abstract: A system for displaying graphical information indicative of a plurality of material characteristics for a portion of a part under test. Energy is directed at the selected portion of the part under test. Resultant energy is detected from the selected portion of the part under test and data representative of each of a plurality of material characteristics for the portion of the part under test is obtained based, at least in part, upon the detected energy. A plurality of graphs is formed based upon the obtained data. Each of the graphs has information indicative of a separate one of the plurality of material characteristics. The plurality of graphs is displayed discrete from each other in a manner that facilitates substantially simultaneous visual comparisons between the information contained in each of the plurality of graphs.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying graphical information indicative of a plurality of material characteristics for a portion of a part under test. Energy is directed at the selected portion of the part under test. Resultant energy is detected from the selected portion of the part under test and data representative of each of a plurality of material characteristics for the portion of the part under test is obtained based, at least in part, upon the detected energy. A plurality of graphs is formed based upon the obtained data. Each of the graphs has information indicative of a separate one of the plurality of material characteristics. The plurality of graphs is displayed discrete from each other in a manner that facilitates substantially simultaneous visual comparisons between the information contained in each of the plurality of graphs.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an x-ray diffraction apparatus and method are provided in which an x-ray or goniometer head can be adjusted in different directions to allow the head to direct x-rays at a part from various positions. In this manner, measurements can be taken from a wider region of the part without requiring that the part itself be moved or that an operator move the unit, which can be relatively heavy. In one aspect, the head can be rotated about its internal axis so that it can more readily direct x-rays along curved surfaces of parts while keeping a substantially constant distance therefrom. It is preferred that the apparatus be a portable unit including adjustment mounts to allow the x-ray head to be moved in the different directions so that it can be transported for use in the field at the site at which a part is located. In this instance, the unit allows for measurements to be taken from the part while it remains in service.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided for high energy emitting devices such as employed in X-ray diffraction testing equipment. The cooling system includes a removable filter holder that carries a filter for being disposed in a cooling path formed in the X-ray head assembly with the holder including a detachable connection to the head. The removable holder allows for servicing of the filter without requiring significant disassembly operations on the X-ray head assembly. In the preferred form, the holder has a screw-type configuration and the detachable connection is a threaded connection to a cooling head portion of the X-ray head assembly.

Abstract: An open beam x-ray diffraction system and method are provided including modular x-ray heads for being detachably connected to a base unit having a common drive assembly that shifts the heads in an arcuate path during an x-ray diffraction measurement operation. The heads can be tailored to different performance criteria depending on the needs of the measurement operation that is to take place. To this end, one of the heads can be a microhead that is adapted to take measurements from otherwise difficult to access surfaces, such as on the inside of tubular parts. Enhancements to the drive assembly for improved accuracy and speed are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for displaying graphical information indicative of a plurality of material characteristics for a portion of a part under test. Energy is directed at the selected portion of the part under test. Resultant energy is detected from the selected portion of the part under test and data representative of each of a plurality of material characteristics for the portion of the part under test is obtained based, at least in part, upon the detected energy. A plurality of graphs is formed based upon the obtained data. Each of the graphs has information indicative of a separate one of the plurality of material characteristics. The plurality of graphs is displayed discrete from each other in a manner that facilitates substantially simultaneous visual comparisons between the information contained in each of the plurality of graphs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing an animal food product with a core and a shell at least partially covering the core, in which the core starting material includes meat and/or meat-like components, water, oil and/or fat, vitamins, minerals, salts, antioxidising agents, dyes and/or preservatives, vegetable fibres, and other ingredients. The shell starting material includes vegetable and/or animal protein, cereal, starch and/or dextrin, blood plasma, water, cereal derivative and/or sugar or sugar derivative, and vitamins, minerals, salts, antioxidising agents, dyes and/or preservatives.

Abstract: An open beam x-ray diffraction system and method are provided including modular x-ray heads for being detachably connected to a base unit having a common drive assembly that shifts the heads in an arcuate path during an x-ray diffraction measurement operation. The heads can be tailored to different performance criteria depending on the needs of the measurement operation that is to take place. To this end, one of the heads can be a microhead that is adapted to take measurements from otherwise difficult to access surfaces, such as on the inside of tubular parts. Enhancements to the drive assembly for improved accuracy and speed are also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an x-ray diffraction apparatus and method are provided in which an x-ray or goniometer head can be adjusted in different directions to allow the head to direct x-rays at a part from various positions. In this manner, measurements can be taken from a wider region of the part without requiring that the part itself be moved or that an operator move the unit, which can be relatively heavy. In one aspect, the head can be rotated about its internal axis so that it can more readily direct x-rays along curved surfaces of parts while keeping a substantially constant distance therefrom. It is preferred that the apparatus be a portable unit including adjustment mounts to allow the x-ray head to be moved in the different directions so that it can be transported for use in the field at the site at which a part is located. In this instance, the unit allows for measurements to be taken from the part while it remains in service.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided for high energy emitting devices such as employed in X-ray diffraction testing equipment. The cooling system includes a removable filter holder that carries a filter for being disposed in a cooling path formed in the X-ray head assembly with the holder including a detachable connection to the head. The removable holder allows for servicing of the filter without requiring significant disassembly operations on the X-ray head assembly. In the preferred form, the holder has a screw-type configuration and the detachable connection is a threaded connection to a cooling head portion of the X-ray head assembly.

Abstract: An open beam x-ray diffraction system and method are provided including modular x-ray heads for being detachably connected to a base unit having a common drive assembly that shifts the heads in an arcuate path during an x-ray diffraction measurement operation. The heads can be tailored to different performance criteria depending on the needs of the measurement operation that is to take place. To this end, one of the heads can be a microhead that is adapted to take measurements from otherwise difficult to access surfaces, such as on the inside of tubular parts. Enhancements to the drive assembly for improved accuracy and speed are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying graphical information indicative of a plurality of material characteristics for a portion of a part under test. Energy is directed at the selected portion of the part under test. Resultant energy is detected from the selected portion of the part under test and data representative of each of a plurality of material characteristics for the portion of the part under test is obtained based, at least in part, upon the detected energy. A plurality of graphs is formed based upon the obtained data. Each of the graphs has information indicative of a separate one of the plurality of material characteristics. The plurality of graphs is displayed discrete from each other in a manner that facilitates substantially simultaneous visual comparisons between the information contained in each of the plurality of graphs.