High-energy x-ray source and detector for wellbore inspection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019025456-A1
Application number	US-201816043047-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 23, 2018
Priority date	Jul 24, 2017
Publication date	Jan 24, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus for wellbore inspection comprise an electron accelerator to generate X-rays, a rotating collimator assembly configured to produce a cone of X-rays, and at least one detector assembly configured to collect backscattered X-rays. A position assembly can be provided to move the electron accelerator, rotating collimator assembly, and detector through a wellbore. A computer system is configured to receive data from the detector and generate an image of the wellbore.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A wellbore inspection system comprising:
an electron accelerator to generate X-rays; a rotating collimator assembly configured to produce a cone of X-rays; and at least one detector assembly configured to collect backscattered X-rays.

2 . The wellbore inspection system of claim 1 wherein said electron accelerator further comprises:
an RF accelerating cavity; and
an electron gun.

3 . The wellbore inspection system of claim 1 wherein said rotating collimator assembly further comprises:
a rotating magnet;
an X-ray target; and
a beam collimator.

4 . The wellbore inspection system of claim 3 wherein said beam collimator further comprises a pencil beam collimator.

5 . The wellbore inspection system of claim 1 wherein said at least one detector assembly further comprises:
a plurality of longitudinally arranged X-ray detectors configured between a plurality of collimation channels.

6 . The wellbore inspection system of claim 1 further comprising:
an assembly configured to move said electron accelerator, said rotating collimator assembly, and said at least one detector through a wellbore.

7 . The wellbore inspection system of claim 1 further comprising:
a computer system configured to receive data from said detector and generate an image of a wellbore.

8 . A wellbore inspection apparatus comprising:
an electron accelerator to generate X-rays; a rotating collimator assembly configured to produce a cone of X-rays; and at least one detector assembly configured to collect backscattered X-rays.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said electron accelerator further comprises:
an RF accelerating cavity; and
an electron gun.

10 . The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said rotating collimator assembly further comprises:
a rotating magnet;
an X-ray target; and
a beam collimator.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said beam collimator further comprises a pencil beam collimator.

12 . The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said at least one detector assembly further comprises:
a plurality of longitudinally arranged X-ray detectors configured between a plurality of collimation channels.

13 . The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:
an assembly configured to move said electron accelerator, said rotating collimator assembly, and said at least one detector through a wellbore.

14 . The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:
a computer system configured to receive data from said detector and generate an image of a wellbore.

15 . A wellbore inspection method comprising:
generating an electron beam with an electron accelerator; producing a cone of X-rays from said electron beam with a rotating collimator assembly; and collecting backscattered X-rays with at least one detector assembly.

16 . The wellbore inspection method of claim 15 wherein said electron accelerator further comprises:
an RF accelerating cavity; and
an electron gun.

17 . The wellbore inspection method of claim 1 further comprising:
rotating a magnet by which said electron beam passes;
directing said electron beam on an X-ray target; and
collimating resulting X-rays with a beam collimator.

18 . The wellbore inspection method of claim 15 wherein said at least one detector assembly further comprises:
a plurality of longitudinally arranged X-ray detectors configured between a plurality of collimation channels.

19 . The wellbore inspection method of claim 15 further comprising:
positioning said electron accelerator, said rotating collimator assembly, and said at least one detector in a wellbore with a positioning assembly.

20 . The wellbore inspection method of claim 1 further comprising:
analyzing said collected backscattered X-rays with a computer system;
creating an image of a wellbore according to said analysis with said computer system; and
identifying defects in said wellbore with a computer system.

Assignees

• Fermi Res Alliance Llc
• Fermi Res Alliance Llc

Inventors

• Kroc Thomas K
• Kephart Robert

Classifications

• G01V5/12 Primary

  using gamma or X-ray sources {(gamma sources using isotopes G21G4/00; X-ray tubes H01J35/00)} · CPC title

• G01N23/046

  using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT] · CPC title

• G02B27/30

  Collimators · CPC title

• G01N23/203

  Measuring back scattering · CPC title

• G01V5/0025

  Physics · mapped topic