Abstract: An amount and distribution of platinum dispersed on a catalyst carrier is determined by generating at least two energy components of lead x-rays by fluorescence of lead with gadolinium or cobalt and directing the x-rays onto a surface of the carrier and then determining an amount of platinum based upon relative attenuation of the two energy components of lead x-rays proportional to a relative amount of platinum thereon.

Abstract: In order to count chip cards when they are manufactured, it is chosen to present these chip cards in lots, edgewise, in the field of an X-radiation. A measurement is made of the differential image of attenuation of the X-radiation due to the passage of this X-radiation, on the one hand through the plastic card structure, which is relatively transparent to the X-radiation, and on the other hand through the metallic connection parts of the chips. In the radiological absorption image obtained, a count is made of the number of transitions of the absorption signal. It is shown that the reliability of the counting is greatly improved, as is the security of manipulation.

Abstract: A method for determining a lower-bound quantity per unit volume of a physical property associated with a body, the property being susceptible to measurement in a plurality of directions. In general, the method comprises the steps of scanning a volume of interest in a predetermined number of directions so as to derive for each direction an area having a plurality of projections thereon each representing a cumulative value of said property within the volume of interest along a respective one of the directions, and determining an estimated volume of the body as the intersection of all volume elements bounded by the derived areas. For each area the sum of all the projections are compared and correction is applied as required so as to remove any disparity between the sums so as to produce a uniform sum in each of the directions. The lower-bound quantity per unit volume of the property of the body is then calculated as the quotient of the uniform sum divided by the estimated volume.

Abstract: An on-line slurry ash monitoring system for evaluating the composition of coal slurries in coal preparation plants. A coal slurry is introduced into a sample reservoir where it is removed and passed through a closed loop slurry transport system which causes the sample to be directed through a sensor and recirculated back to the reservoir. In order to enhance sensor accuracy, a sample is exposed to vacuum pressure conditions which removes gas bubbles and dissolved gases from the sample. The sensor is preferably a radiation absorption type in which characteristic absorptions of coal particles, ash and iron are evaluated by associated electronics to provide an output of slurry composition.

Abstract: A scanning spectral-analysis micro-probe subsystem, for a surface imaging system, utilizes a micro-probe to detect the precise position of a point on a sample object surface having surface dimensions changing responsive to surface absorption of incident radiation from a modulated radiation source. The modulated incident radiation causes the sample region dimensions, in the vicinity of the micro-probe, to be modulated, so that the micro-probe detects this dimensional modulation, with a detected modulation strength directly proportional to the incident radiation absorption.

Abstract: An earthen core analyzer includes a test cell which contains an earthen core. A tomographic system is used for testing the earthen core and provides signals corresponding to the tests. While the earthen core is being tested, a fluid is provided to the earthen core as part of the testing. The signals from the tomographic system are used to determine a porosity of the earthen core.

Abstract: A method of determining the invasion of drilling mud filtrate into a core sample from a borehole in a subterranean rock formation, comprising using a drilling mud which forms a filter cake during coring of the borehole thereby to limit invasion of drilling mud solids into the subterranean rock to an extent less than invasion of the base fluid in which the mud solids otherwise are normally suspended, dissolving a dopant in the base fluid of the drilling mud to form a solution having an X-ray attenuation characteristic different from the X-ray attenuation characteristic of the connate fluids in the subterranean formation, obtaining a core sample from the borehole using the doped drilling mud with the dopant remaining in solution in the base fluid under subterranean conditions at the core sample depth, scanning the core sample with a computed tomography scanner to determine the attenuation characteristics at a plurality of points in a cross-section in the core sample, and determining from the attenuation charact

Abstract: A method of analyzing a body (log) containing elements (e.g. knots) having different densities than the remainder of the body by passing electromagnetic energy from at least one source for substantially symmetrical bodies (pruned logs) or at least two sources through the body and sensing the amount of energy passing through the body from each source by sensors mounted opposite each source. Each sensor is formed by an array of discrete detectors positioned in side by side relationship opposite their respective sources. The amount of radiation passing through the body is detected as the body passes between the source(s) and its (their) respective detector(s) and a longitudinal plan is generated based on the radiation detected from each of the sensors over at least a preselected length of the body.

Abstract: An on-line method for consistency (percent solids by weight) testing of slurries. An aqueous slurry is deaerated and subjected to a nuclear density (gamma radiation) gauge which is oriented to irradiate the slurry along the axis of a pipe section. Pipe elbows at the ends of the test pipe section permit simple attachment of the nuclear density gauge so that the axially-aligned radiation can be used with various pipe lengths. The electrical output of the gauge is read to immediately furnish a real time reading of consistency.

Abstract: Device to permanently link a metal joining piece and a composite material tube, to a tube subjected to static pressure up to 150 MPa. The assembly consists of a metal part constituting a sealing (8) and joining (7) piece with a collar (2), onto which the composite material (1) is attached. A tubular anti-abrasion and anti-corrosion (6) sleeve, flush-mounted in the metal joining piece and protected by a ring (9) at its end ensures total isolation of the composite/metal joint from corrosive fluids which may be flowing through the tube. In particular, the application of the device to oil industry sensors.

Abstract: A method of inspecting tube welds in tubular membrane panel walls whereby a radiation source if placed intermediate adjacent tube welds with radiographic film positioned along the far wall of each adjacent tube thereby covering the far wall critical area of each tube weld. Simultaneously each radiographic film is exposed to an intermediate radiation source thereby creating an actual size image of each tube weld with both images totaling or equaling at least one full weld being radiographed per exposure.

Abstract: A thin, flexible, hollow fiber capable of transmitting ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation enters the fiber through entrance pupil (10) and travels through the hollow interior of fiber body (20) by reflecting and scattering off the inner wall of the fiber, frequently at grazing incidence angles. Fiber body (20) is covered at one end by thin film cap (30) which is thin enough to be at least semitransparent to ionizing radiation, but which is also strong enough to allow air to be withdrawn from fiber body (20) at the opposite uncapped end. Small obstructions (32) at the exit end of the fiber can be used to spread the beam of ionizing radiation to a desirable width. A flexible fiber capable of transmitting ionizing radiation has important applications in medicine for the radiation therapy of tumors. Applications also exist in communications and other fields.

Abstract: An x-ray sedimentation particle size analyzer in which data is taken only at particular positions along the sedimentation cell, and each such position is individually calibrated. Presentation of the data in the form of a particle size distribution curve can be accomplished very accurately using interpolation techniques. The sedimentation cell design is free of the effects of undesirable density gradients, capable of detecting and removing bubbles, capable of attaining a highly uniform dispersion of sample prior to sedimentation, and including a safety interlock device for blocking x-ray projection when the cell is being accessed.

Abstract: The invention is a method of radiographic inspection of a wooden specimen 11 for internal defects which includes the steps of introducing a radiopaque penetrant into any internal defects in said specimen 11 through surface openings therein; passing a beam of radiation through a portion of the specimen to be inspected; and making a radiographic film image of the radiation passing through said specimen, the radiopaque penetrant in said specimen absorbing a portion of said radiation passing therethrough, thereby enhancing the resulting image of said internal defects in said specimen 11.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus for measuring a physical property of a substance using radiation has a source of radiation for irradiating the substance, a radiation detector which is disposed on the opposite side of the substance from the radiation source, a mask for allowing radiaton to enter the radiation detector only along n prescribed pathways, and a signal processing and calculating device for calculating the physical property of the substance based on the radiation which is incident upon the radiation detector. The mask has n different mask patterns each comprising a plurality of pattern elements which allow the passage of radiation and which can be positioned between the substance and the radiation detector in alignment with the radiation pathways.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for determining the moisture content of a substance irradiated by a fast neutron and gamma ray source wherein a fast neutron moderator is positioned in the path of the fast neutrons and gamm rays transmitted through the substance. A unitary thick Li glass or LiI glass detector is positioned behind or surrounded by the fast neutron moderator and detects both slow neutrons and gamma rays. Simplified counting circuitry utilizing a single channel analyser determines the intensities of the detected slow neutrons and gamma rays enabling the moisture content of the substance.

Abstract: An improved X-ray baggage inspection device having an input port with a baffle pivotally suspended from an upper edge to substantially occlude an upper selected region of the input port, leaving an open space adjacent to a baggage conveyor having a configuration suited for the passage of briefcase type baggage horizontally disposed upon the conveyor, but which will pivot inward in response to all types of baggage having a height exceeding a preselected distance between the conveyor and the lower edge of the baffle.

Abstract: By applying infra-red radiation as well as beta-radiation measurement techniques combined with a characteristic x-radiation measurement technique using a mono-energetic and stable x-ray source, it is possible to carry out a very accurate selective filler measurement on a moving paper web containing two fillers, provided that at least one of the two fillers has a distinct absorption band in the infra-red radiation range. The web is irradiated by the individual measurement rays, and the detected measurement signals resulting from the irradiations of the web are processed in a micro-computer.

Abstract: A lithotripsy work station has a patient support table which is adjustable in three dimensions by a position control unit. The support table has an opening therein through which a shock wave generator can be coupled to a patient on the support table for disintegrating calculi in the body of the patient. An x-ray system is provided for identifying the position of the calculi within the patient, and a video chain is connected to the output of the x-ray system for providing a visual display of the calculi within the patient. A unit is connected to the table control unit which identifies the current position of the support table, and an arithmetic unit calculates the limits of the area or range within which the shock wave generator can be effectively coupled to the patient, given a particular table position.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for inspecting the contents, such as food, of a package, particularly a light-opaque package, for degradation or the degree of degradation by means of ultra-soft X-rays. The inspection apparatus generally comprises a shaking unit for shaking the package and a main inspecting unit disposed downstream and independently of the shaking unit. The assessment of degradation of the degree of degradation can be made according to the state of dispersion, after shaking, of the package head space in the X-ray image information. The method and apparatus eliminate losses arising from destructive inspection.

Abstract: A core sample of a porous media of identified porosity at atmospheric conditions is saturated with a fluid having an identified X-ray attenuation coefficient. The fluid saturated sample is scanned with X-rays. Confining stress is applied to the sample and the sample is again scanned with X-rays. Porosity of the sample at confining stress is then determined from the porosity at zero confining stress, the X-ray attenuation coefficient of the saturating fluid, and X-ray attenuation coefficients determined from the scanning of the sample at both atmospheric conditions and at confining stress. Pore volume compressibility is determined from the changes in porosity and X-ray attenuation coefficients from atmospheric to confining stress conditions.

Abstract: Particle size analysis is carried out in a cuvette traversed by a plurality of vertically spaced light curtains which, because of the spacing, allows precision mesurements to be obtained without problems arising from the scanning of a sedimentation cell.

Abstract: A lithotriptor station has a shockwave generator connected to a drive circuit and an x-ray system for generating an image of the calculi to be disintegrated. An output of the x-ray system is applied to a detection circuit which forms an electrical signal corresponding to the degree of calculus disintegration in the x-ray image. The electrical signal is supplied through a computer to the drive circuit for the shockwave generator for controlling the number of shockwaves administered.

Abstract: A core sample invaded by drilling mud is scanned with X-rays and computed tomographic images are produced. The images are calibrated to a density scale based on the barite content of the drilling mud. The mud solid volume in the pores of the core sample are determined from the density contrast created in the computed tomographic images by the presence of barite in the core sample. This mud solid volume is used to provide a corrected porosity measurement on the core sample.

Abstract: A fluorescent screen having a sensitivity variation in which a plurality of gradations (continuous density variation) whose end edges are shifted by a predetermined distance is formed on a support of phosphor and a phosphor layer is provided thereon, and a method of manufacturing such screen.

Abstract: Nondestructive analysis of a porous, inhomogeneous, generally cylindrical object, such as a soot boule (12), comprised of n known components, where n is an integer, is achieved by scanning the boule with a beam (18) comprised of photons, each having a distinct energy within one n-1 energy groups. The intensity of the photons within each of the n-1 energy groups leaving the boule is detected by a detector (22) and is measured by a pulse height/scaler analyzer (30) at each of a plurality of separate heights t.sub.i of the beam (18) as measured from the center of the boule. A computer (31) determines each of n-1 attenuation coefficients .mu..sub.1 (r), .mu..sub.2 (r), . . . .mu..sub.n (r), representing the attenuation of the intensity of the photons in each of the n-1 energy groups, respectively, at each height t.sub.i of the beam in accordance with the output data furnished by the scaler/analyzer. From the n-1 attenuation coefficients, the computer (31) determines the density .rho.

Abstract: A scanning device for examining an object with gamma rays with shielding for protection from radiation and protection of the mechanism from heat by a cooling jacket formed by spaced plates around the object. The shielding is formed by a pair of shutter-halves forming a lead shutter with mechanism to move the shutter-halves toward and away from each other and one of the shutter-halves mounted on a rotating drum which also carries three gamma ray sources. Gamma ray detectors are mounted in a circle concentric and outside the circle of the sources.

Abstract: An x-ray fan beam is caused to impinge upon an object, such as airport luggage or jars of food, as the object moves translationally through the fan beam; after passage through the object, the x-rays are made to impinge upon an x-ray transmissive detector housing containing a gaseous detecting medium, a power electrode and a plurality of signal electrodes. The power electrode and the signal electrode are maintained at different voltage levels so that electrons and/or ions generated by the interaction of the gaseous detecting medium and the x-rays, drift toward the electrodes thereby producing an electrical current which can be sensed, analyzed, and used, for example, to generate an image or to indicate the presence of foreign matter.

Abstract: A method for detecting solidification in a mixed phase low pressure fluidized bed olefin polymerization reactor having volume comprising:A. disposing a radiation source and a radiation detector such that radiation from said radiation source will pass through a radiation path through at least a portion of the volume of said container to reach said radiation detector,B. detecting solidification in said radiation path by noting a decrease in the amount of radiation reaching said radiation detector.