Patent ID: 6147754
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: E21B,G01N

Abstract:
A cone penetrometer comprising:a decoupling mirror having an aperture to pass an excitation signal and a reflective surface for deflecting a response signal emitted by a sample surface;an optical fiber operably coupled to said decoupling mirror for conducting said excitation signal and said response signal;a probe enclosure operably coupled to a distal end of said optical fiber;a collimating lens operably coupled to said optical fiber and said probe enclosure for collimating said excitation signal exiting said optical fiber and for directing said response signal into said optical fiber;an internally reflecting prism operably coupled to said collimating lens and said probe enclosure for deflecting said excitation signal and said response signal between said collimating lens and said sample surface;a focusing lens operably coupled to said prism and said probe enclosure having a focal length for reducing spot size of said excitation signal and for collimating said response signal; anda substantially transparent window operably coupled to said focusing lens and said probe enclosure for maintaining a distance between said focusing lens and said sample surface substantially equal to said focal length of said focusing lens.