Systems and methods for analyzing core using X-Ray fluorescence

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11110844-B2
Application number	US-201916563000-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 6, 2019
Priority date	Sep 9, 2016
Publication date	Sep 7, 2021
Grant date	Sep 7, 2021

Abstract

A core analysis system having a trailer and an analysis assembly secured to the trailer. The analysis assembly includes an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) detection subassembly defining a sample analysis area. The analysis assembly further includes a conveyor subassembly configured to selectively deliver one or more core samples to the sample analysis area of the XRF detection subassembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
an analysis assembly, wherein the analysis assembly comprises:
an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) detection subassembly defining a sample analysis area, wherein the XRF detection subassembly comprises;
an X-ray source configured to deliver radiation to a core or rock sample positioned within the sample analysis area; and
an XRF sensor configured to detect X-ray fluorescence in response to the radiation delivered to the core or rock sample by the X-ray source;

a first actuator coupled to the XRF detection subassembly and configured to effect vertical movement of the X-ray source and the XRF sensor to modify vertical spacing of the X-ray source and the XRF sensor from the core or rock sample; and
a processor communicatively coupled to the XRF detection subassembly and the first actuator, wherein for each delivery of radiation to a core or rock sample positioned within the sample analysis area, the processor is configured to receive at least one output from the XRF sensor, wherein the at least one output is indicative of the measured XRF of the core or rock sample positioned within the sample analysis area;

a conveyor configured to receive, from a sample loading location, a sample container containing the core or rock sample; and
a second actuator configured to couple to the sample container and effect movement of the sample container from the conveyor to the sample analysis area of the XRF detection subassembly to position the core or rock sample within the sample analysis area.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the conveyor is configured to selectively advance the sample container from the sample loading location toward the XRF detection subassembly, wherein the XRF detection subassembly is positioned between the sample loading location and a sample unloading location, wherein the second actuator is further configured to effect movement of the sample container from the sample analysis area of the XRF detection subassembly to the conveyor, and wherein the conveyor is configured to selectively advance the sample container toward the sample unloading location.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the conveyor is configured to selectively advance the sample container relative to a first axis between the sample loading location and the sample unloading location, and wherein the XRF detection subassembly is positioned between the sample loading location and the sample unloading location relative to the first axis.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the sample analysis area of the XRF detection subassembly is spaced from the first axis relative to a second axis, wherein the second actuator is configured to selectively advance the sample container relative to the second axis to deliver the core or rock sample to the sample analysis area of the XRF detection subassembly.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein, within a plane containing the first and second axes, the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the conveyor comprises input and output sections comprising roller conveyors, wherein the input section defines the sample loading location, wherein the output section defines the sample unloading location.

7. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a wetting assembly positioned between the sample analysis area and the sample unloading location.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is communicatively coupled to the wetting assembly, and wherein the processor is configured to selectively activate the wetting assembly.

9. The system of claim 8 , further comprising an imaging assembly positioned between the wetting assembly and the sample unloading location.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the processor is communicatively coupled to the imaging assembly, and wherein the processor is configured to selectively activate the imaging assembly.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the XRF detection subassembly comprises a first imaging assembly, wherein the first imaging assembly is configured to produce an image of the core or rock sample received within the sample analysis area.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to selectively activate the first imaging assembly to produce an image of the core or rock sample within the sample analysis area.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the analysis assembly further comprises a first wireless transmitter-receiver communicatively coupled to the processor.

14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising:
a database; and
a second wireless transmitter-receiver communicatively coupled to the database, wherein the second wireless transmitter-receiver is configured to receive information from the first wireless transmitter-receiver and to transmit information from the database to the first wireless transmitter-receiver.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the database is selectively remotely accessible.

16. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface, wherein the processor is communicatively coupled to the user interface and configured to receive one or more inputs from the user interface.

17. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the sample container.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the sample container is a core tray.

19. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a housing that is configured to receive at least a portion of the X-ray source and at least a portion of the XRF sensor, wherein the housing defines an aperture that is configured to allow therethrough (a) X-rays from the X-ray source and (b) reflected X-rays from the core or rock sample.

20. The system claim 19 , wherein the housing defines a portion that surrounds the aperture, wherein the first actuator is configured to effect movement of the housing to thereby effect vertical movement of the X-ray source and the XRF sensor, wherein the processor is configured to cause the portion of the housing that surrounds the aperture to contact the core or rock sample.

21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the first actuator to effect vertical movement of the housing away from the sample to discontinue contact between the portion of the housing that surrounds the aperture and the core or rock sample, and
wherein the system is configured to cause the second actuator to effect movement of the sample container from the sample analysis area of the XRF detection subassembly once the housing is moved away from the sample.

22. The system of claim 1 , wherein the XRF sensor comprises a silicon drift detector.

23. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first actuator is a linear actuator that is movable along an axis that is fixedly oriented parallel to a vertical axis.

24. A method comprising:
using an analysis assembly, wherein the analysis assembly comprises:
an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) detection subassembly defining a sample analysis area, wherein the XRF detection subassembly comprises:
an X-ray source; and
an XRF sensor;

a first actuator coupled to the XRF detection subassembly and configured to effect vertical movement of the X-ray source and the XRF sensor; and
a processor communicatively coupled to the XRF detection subassembly and the first actuator;

using a conveyor to receive, from a sample loading, location, a sample container containing a core or rock sample;
using a second actuator to couple to the sample container and effect movement of the sample

Assignees

• Bly Ip Inc

Inventors

• Kanck Peter
• Zawadzki Ry

Classifications

• G01N2223/643

  object on conveyor · CPC title

• G01N2223/321

  manipulator for positioning a part · CPC title

• G01N2223/076

  X-ray fluorescence · CPC title

• B60P1/52

  using rollers in the load-transporting element · CPC title

• B60P3/14 Primary

  the object being a workshop for servicing, for maintenance, or for carrying workmen during work (lifting devices for movable platforms or cabins for workmen B66F11/04) · CPC title