Patent · US Active

High voltage x-ray generator and related oil well formation analysis apparatus and method

US7564948B2 · kind B2 · utility

39Cited by
9References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 15, 2006
Grant dateJul 21, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 26, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J2235/163
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus and method for determining the density and other properties of a formation surrounding a borehole using a high voltage x-ray generator. One embodiment comprises a stable compact x-ray generator capable of providing radiation with energy of 260 keV and higher while operating at temperatures equal to or greater than 125° C. In another embodiment, radiation is passed from an x-ray generator into the formation; reflected radiation is detected by a short spaced radiation detector and a long spaced radiation detector. The output of these detectors is then used to determine the density of the formation. In one embodiment, a reference radiation detector monitors a filtered radiation signal. The output of this detector is used to control at least one of the acceleration voltage and beam current of the x-ray generator.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.