Patent ID: 7382856

Claim:
An x-ray source assembly including an x-ray source and an x-ray focusing device, in combination with an apparatus for analyzing a fluid using x-rays, wherein the x-ray source comprises: an x-ray tube for generating x-rays; a housing having at least one perforation for emitting x-rays generated by the x-ray tube; an adjustable mounting means for mounting the x-ray tube to the housing; wherein the x-ray focusing device is mounted adjacent to the at least one perforation in the housing whereby the x-ray focusing device receives at least some x-rays from the x-ray tube; and wherein the adjustable mounting means allows locational adjustment of the x-ray tube in the housing to optimize transmission of x-rays through the x-ray focusing device; wherein the apparatus for analyzing a fluid using x-rays comprises: means for exposing the fluid to x-rays to cause at least one component of the fluid to x-ray fluoresce; and means for analyzing the x-ray fluorescence from the fluid to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid.