Multiple-level X-ray analysis for determining fat percentage

Claim 1

An apparatus for determining the quantitative relationship of components in an item composed primarily of two components varying from each other in molecular makeup, the apparatus being capable of analyzing items variable in surface roughness, weight, density, thickness, and overall geometrical configuration comprising: means for generating a first incident beam of polychromatic X-ray radiation at a first preselected tube excitation potential and for directing it toward an item composed primarily of two components, means for generating a second incident beam of polychromatic X-ray radiation at a second preselected tube excitation potential and for directing it toward said item; means for generating a third incident beam of polychromatic X-ray radiation at a third preselected tube excitation potential and for directing it toward said item to combine with the first and second beams to provide inputs useful in substantially eliminating, while determining the quantitative relationship of the components, effects of inaccuracies that are introduced by surface roughness of items; means for monitoring, detecting and measuring intensity values of each of the beams after they pass through said item; means for determining calibration values at each of said preselected tube excitation potentials; and a means for processing said intensity values measured for the item together with the calibration values for automatically and accurately calculating the percentage of one of said components of the item irrespective of surface roughness of the item and the polychromatic nature of said three generating means.

Claim 2

An apparatus for determining the quantitative relationship of components in an item composed primarily of two components varying from each other in molecular makeup, the apparatus being capable of analyzing items variable in surface roughness, weight, density, thickness, and overall geometrical configuration comprising: means for generating a first incident beam of polychromatic X-ray radiation at a first preselected tube excitation potential and for directing it toward an item composed primarily of two components, means for generating a second incident beam of polychromatic X-ray radiation at a second preselected tube excitation potential and for directing it toward said item; means for generating a third incident beam of polychromatic X-ray radiation at a third preselected tube excitation potential and for directing it toward said item to combine with the first and second beams to provide inputs useful in substantially eliminating, while determining the quantitative relationship of the components, effects of inaccuracies that are introduced by surface roughness of items; means for monitoring, detecting and measuring intensity values of each of the beams after they pass through said item; means for determining calibration values at each of said preselected tube excitation potentials; and a means for processing said intensity values measured for the item together with the calibration values for automatically and accurately calculating the percentage of one of said components of the item irrespective of surface roughness of the item and the polychromatic nature of said three generating means.

Claim 10

A method for determining the quantitative relationship of components in an item composed primarily of two components varying from each other in molecular makeup the method being capable of analyzing items variable in surface roughness, weight, density, thickness, and overall geometrical configuration comprising: selecting a primarily 2-component item; transmitting an incident beam of polychromatic X-ray radiation at a first preselected energy level through the item to develop an attenuated first beam; transmitting a second incident beam of polychromatic X-ray radiation at a second preselected energy level through the item to develop an attenuated second beam; transmitting a third incident beam of polychromatic X-ray radiation at a third preselected energy level through the item to develop an attenuated third beam; measuring the intensity of each of the beams attenuated by said item; calibrating said measured intensity of the incident beams and attenuated beams by using calibration constants of a set of calibration standards; and quantifying the relationship of the components in the item, said quantifying step including combining said three transmitting steps, said measuring step and said calibrating step to substantially eliminate effects of inaccuracies that are introduced by surface roughness of times and by polychromatic nature of said three beams.

Claim 11

A method for determining the quantitative relationship of components in an item composed primarily of two components varying from each other in molecular makeup the method being capable of analyzing items variable in surface roughness, weight, density, thickness, and overall geometrical configuration comprising: selecting a primarily 2-component item; transmitting an incident beam of polychromatic X-ray radiation at a first preselected energy level through the item to develop an attenuated first beam; transmitting a second incident beam of polychromatic X-ray radiation at a second preselected energy level through the item to develop an attenuated second beam; transmitting a third incident beam of polychromatic X-ray radiation at a third preselected energy level through the item to develop an attenuated third beam; measuring the intensity of each of the beams attenuated by said item; calibrating said measured intensity of the incident beams and attenuated beams by using calibration constants of a set of calibration standards; and quantifying the relationship of the components in the item, said quantifying step including combining said three transmitting steps, said measuring step and said calibrating step to substantially eliminate effects of inaccuracies that are introduced by surface roughness of times and by polychromatic nature of said three beams.