Patent ID: 6353656
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: G01N,G01S

Abstract:
An x-ray residual stress analysis apparatus for residual stress analysis of a polycrystalline sample comprising:a radioisotopic source for emitting monoenergetic x rays, said radioisotopic source selected from the group of spontaneously emissive radioisotopes emitting photons having energies between about 5 keV and about 100 keV; a source assembly for housing said radioisotopic source; a collimator configured to operate in conjunction with said source assembly for aligning said monoenergetic x rays into a beam and for directing said beam at a polycrystalline sample which diffracts said beam into a plurality of diffracted beams; at least one position sensitive detector responsive to said monoenergetic x rays for detecting at least one of said diffracted beams, said at least one position sensitive detector generating an output, said output containing position information about where said diffracted beam struck said at least one position sensitive detector; a storage device in electrical communication with said at least one position sensitive detector for storing either of said output or said result; an analysis device in electrical communication with said storage device and said at least one position sensitive detector for analyzing said output as a result, said analysis device selectively energizing power consuming components including at least said storage device; an interface device in electrical communication with said analysis device and said position sensitive detector for relaying commands from an operator to said analysis device, controlling said position detector, and displaying either of said output or said result, said interface device being selectively energized by said analysis device; and at least one power source in electrical communication with said at least one position sensitive detector, said analysis device, said storage device, and said interface device.