Abstract: An analysis system 10 can include an analysis tool 20, such as an XRF analyzer, a LIBS spectrometer, an XRD analyzer, or Raman spectroscopy equipment which can communicate wirelessly with other devices. The system 10 can also include remote-processor software configured to be loaded onto a handheld electronic device 23 and/or remote-computer software configured to be loaded onto a remote-computer 28. The analysis tool 20 can include a microphone 18 and/or an output device 31 to allow a user 19 to communicate conveniently with the analysis tool 20.

Abstract: An XRF analyzer can include an x-ray source and an x-ray detector; an x-ray source heat-sink adjacent a side of the x-ray source; and an x-ray detector heat-sink adjacent a side of the x-ray detector. In one embodiment, the x-ray source heat-sink can be separated from the x-ray detector heat sink by a material having a thermal conductivity of less than 20 W/(m*K). In another embodiment, the x-ray source heat-sink can be separated from the x-ray detector heat sink by at least 3 millimeters of a thermally insulating material. In one embodiment, the x-ray source heat-sink can be separated from the x-ray detector heat sink by a segment of the engine component casing. Separation of the heat sinks can help avoid heat from the x-ray source adversely affecting resolution of the x-ray detector.

Abstract: An XRF analyzer can include an x-ray source and an x-ray detector; an x-ray source heat-sink adjacent a side of the x-ray source; and an x-ray detector heat-sink adjacent a side of the x-ray detector. In one embodiment, the x-ray source heat-sink can be separated from the x-ray detector heat sink by a material having a thermal conductivity of less than 20 W/(m*K). In another embodiment, the x-ray source heat-sink can be separated from the x-ray detector heat sink by at least 3 millimeters of a thermally insulating material. In one embodiment, the x-ray source heat-sink can be separated from the x-ray detector heat sink by a segment of the engine component casing. Separation of the heat sinks can help avoid heat from the x-ray source adversely affecting resolution of the x-ray detector.

Abstract: A portable XRF analyzer includes a hand shield and a handle. In one embodiment, the XRF analyzer further comprises a power component spaced-apart from an engine component. The handle and the hand shield extend in parallel between the engine component and the power component, attaching the engine component to the power component. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer further comprises two housing portions, each integrally formed in a single, monolithic body formed together at the same time. The two housing portions are joined together to form an XRF analyzer housing. In another embodiment, the hand shield is shorter than the handle.

Abstract: An analysis system 10 can include an analysis tool 20, such as an XRF analyzer, a LIBS spectrometer, an XRD analyzer, or Raman spectroscopy equipment which can communicate wirelessly with other devices. The system 10 can also include remote-processor software configured to be loaded onto a handheld electronic device 23 and/or remote-computer software configured to be loaded onto a remote-computer 28. The analysis tool 20 can include a microphone 18 and/or an output device 31 to allow a user 19 to communicate conveniently with the analysis tool 20.

Abstract: The invention includes various electronic devices for avoiding or minimizing XRF analyzer user fatigue. In one embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a finger tap switch for activating the XRF analysis. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a hand sensor and a finger tap switch, activation of both required to activate the XRF analysis. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a microphone capable of receiving a verbal command from a user and a finger tap switch, both receipt of the verbal command and activation of the finger tap switch required to activate the XRF analysis. Additional benefits of some embodiments include improving XRF analysis safety and avoiding XRF analyzer theft.

Abstract: An x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis system 10 can include an XRF analyzer 20 which can communicate wirelessly with other devices. The system 10 can also include remote-processor software configured to be loaded onto a handheld electronic device 23 and/or remote-computer software configured to be loaded onto a remote-computer 28. The XRF analyzer 20 can include a microphone 18 and/or an output device 31 to allow a user 19 to communicate conveniently with the XRF analyzer 20.

Abstract: A portable XRF analyzer includes a hand shield and a handle. In one embodiment, the XRF analyzer further comprises a power component spaced-apart from an engine component. The handle and the hand shield extend in parallel between the engine component and the power component, attaching the engine component to the power component. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer further comprises two housing portions, each integrally formed in a single, monolithic body formed together at the same time. The two housing portions are joined together to form an XRF analyzer housing. In another embodiment, the hand shield is shorter than the handle.

Abstract: A portable XRF analyzer includes a hand shield to substantially block x-rays from impinging on a hand of a user. The portable XRF analyzer includes a heat sink over an x-ray source and a heat sink over an x-ray detector. The heat sinks are separated from each other by a thermally insulative material.

Abstract: The invention includes various electronic devices for avoiding or minimizing XRF analyzer user fatigue. In one embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a finger tap switch for activating the XRF analysis. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a hand sensor and a finger tap switch, activation of both required to activate the XRF analysis. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a microphone capable of receiving a verbal command from a user and a finger tap switch, both receipt of the verbal command and activation of the finger tap switch required to activate the XRF analysis. Additional benefits of some embodiments include improving XRF analysis safety and avoiding XRF analyzer theft.

Abstract: An x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis system 10 can include an XRF analyzer 20 which can communicate wirelessly with other devices. The system 10 can also include remote-processor software configured to be loaded onto a handheld electronic device 23 and/or remote-computer software configured to be loaded onto a remote-computer 28. The XRF analyzer 20 can include a microphone 18 and/or an output device 31 to allow a user 19 to communicate conveniently with the XRF analyzer 20.

Abstract: The invention includes various electronic devices for avoiding or minimizing XRF analyzer user fatigue. In one embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a finger sensor for activating an XRF analysis. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a finger tap switch for activating the XRF analysis. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a microphone for activating the XRF analysis by receipt of a verbal command. Additional benefits of some embodiments include improving XRF analysis safety and avoiding XRF analyzer theft.

Abstract: An XRF analyzer can include a rotatable filter structure to separately position at least two different x-ray source modification regions between an x-ray source and a focal point and at least two different x-ray detector modification regions between an x-ray detector and the focal point. An XRF analyzer can include a rotatable source filter wheel between an x-ray source and a focal point and a rotatable detector filter wheel between an x-ray detector and the focal point. The source filter wheel can include multiple x-ray source modification regions. The detector filter wheel can include multiple x-ray detector modification regions. A gear wheel can mesh with a gear on the source filter wheel and with a gear on the detector filter wheel and can cause the source filter wheel and the detector filter wheel to rotate together.

Abstract: An x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis system 10 can include an XRF analyzer 20 which can communicate wirelessly with other devices. The system 10 can also include remote-processor software configured to be loaded onto a handheld electronic device 23 and/or remote-computer software configured to be loaded onto a remote-computer 28. The XRF analyzer 20 can include a microphone 18 and/or an output device 31 to allow a user 19 to communicate conveniently with the XRF analyzer 20.

Abstract: An XRF analyzer can include a rotatable filter structure to separately position at least two different x-ray source modification regions between an x-ray source and a focal point and at least two different x-ray detector modification regions between an x-ray detector and the focal point. An XRF analyzer can include a rotatable source filter wheel between an x-ray source and a focal point and a rotatable detector filter wheel between an x-ray detector and the focal point. The source filter wheel can include multiple x-ray source modification regions. The detector filter wheel can include multiple x-ray detector modification regions. A gear wheel can mesh with a gear on the source filter wheel and with a gear on the detector filter wheel and can cause the source filter wheel and the detector filter wheel to rotate together.

Abstract: The invention includes various electronic devices for avoiding or minimizing XRF analyzer user fatigue. In one embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a finger sensor for activating an XRF analysis. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a finger tap switch for activating the XRF analysis. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a microphone for activating the XRF analysis by receipt of a verbal command. Additional benefits of some embodiments include improving XRF analysis safety and avoiding XRF analyzer theft.

Abstract: An x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis system 10 can include an XRF analyzer 20 which can communicate wirelessly with other devices. The system 10 can also include remote-processor software configured to be loaded onto a handheld electronic device 23 and/or remote-computer software configured to be loaded onto a remote-computer 28. The XRF analyzer 20 can include a microphone 18 and/or an output device 31 to allow a user 19 to communicate conveniently with the XRF analyzer 20.

Abstract: A portable XRF analyzer can include a hand shield to substantially block x-rays from impinging on a hand of a user. The portable XRF analyzer can include a heat sink over an x-ray source and a heat sink over an x-ray detector. The heat sinks can be separated from each other by a thermally insulative material.