US4857736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waxy buildup measurement
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1987-04-15
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Granted: 1989-08-15
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Expires: 2007-04-15
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides an accurate measurement of the waxy buildup in pipeline by injecting an X-ray opaque material into the pipeline, then X-raying the line at three or more points in order to get an average wax thickness.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Long
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/02; G01N23/06; G01N23/12; G01N23/083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for determining the amount of radiation transparent material deposited inside a container of a fluid bearing the radiation transparent material, comprising: disposing a radiation-opaque material inside the container; providing a radiation source outside the container; positioning a radiation receptor film on the opposite of the container from the radiation source; and measuring the distance on the film between a shadow cast by a wall of the container and a shadow cast by the radiation-opaque material to determine the thickness of radiation transparent material deposited on the container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for determining the amount of radiation transparent material deposited inside a container of a fluid bearing the radiation transparent material, comprising: disposing a radiation-opaque material inside the container; providing a radiation source outside the container; positioning a radiation receptor film on the opposite of the container from the radiation source; and measuring the distance on the film between a shadow cast by a wall of the container and a shadow cast by the radiation-opaque material to determine the thickness of radiation transparent material deposited on the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 including emitting X-rays from the radiation source through the container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the radiation receptor is X-ray film which is exposed to the X-rays from the radiation source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the container is a pipeline and the pipeline is radiated in at least three different locations to determine an average thickness of radiation transparent material deposited inside the pipeline.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus for determining the amount of radiation transparent material deposited inside a container of a fluid bearing the radiation transparent material, comprising: means for disposing a radiation-opaque material inside the container; means for providing a radiation source outside the container; means for positioning a radiation receptor film on the opposite side of the container from the radiation source; and means for measuring the distance on the film between a shadow cast by a wall of the container and a shadow cast by the radiation-opaque material to determine the thickness of radiation transparent material deposited on the container.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus for determining the amount of radiation transparent material deposited inside a container of a fluid bearing the radiation transparent material, comprising: means for disposing a radiation-opaque material inside the container; means for providing a radiation source outside the container; means for positioning a radiation receptor film on the opposite side of the container from the radiation source; and means for measuring the distance on the film between a shadow cast by a wall of the container and a shadow cast by the radiation-opaque material to determine the thickness of radiation transparent material deposited on the container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the radiation source is a means for emitting X-rays and the radiation receptor is X-ray film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the container is a pipeline.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the radiation source is a means for emitting gamma rays.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein radiation-opaque material is barium solution.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for determining the amount of radiation transparent material deposited inside a container of a fluid bearing the radiation transparent material, comprising: disposing a radiation-opaque material inside the container; providing a radiation source outside the container; positioning a radiation receptor on the opposite side of the container from the radiation source; and measuring the distance on the receptor between a shadow cast by a wall of the container and a shadow cast by the radiation-opaque material to determine the thickness of radiation transparent material deposited on the container.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for determining the amount of radiation transparent material deposited inside a container of a fluid bearing the radiation transparent material, comprising: disposing a radiation-opaque material inside the container; providing a radiation source outside the container; positioning a radiation receptor on the opposite side of the container from the radiation source; and measuring the distance on the receptor between a shadow cast by a wall of the container and a shadow cast by the radiation-opaque material to determine the thickness of radiation transparent material deposited on the container.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for determining the amount of radiation transparent material deposited inside a container of a fluid bearing the radiation transparent material, comprising: means for disposing a radiation-opaque material inside the container; means for providing a radiation source outside the container; means for positioning a radiation receptor on the opposite side of the container from the radiation source; and means for measuring the distance on the receptor between a shadow cast by a wall of the container and a shadow cast by the radiation-opaque material to determine the thickness of radiation transparent material deposited on the container.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for determining the amount of radiation transparent material deposited inside a container of a fluid bearing the radiation transparent material, comprising: means for disposing a radiation-opaque material inside the container; means for providing a radiation source outside the container; means for positioning a radiation receptor on the opposite side of the container from the radiation source; and means for measuring the distance on the receptor between a shadow cast by a wall of the container and a shadow cast by the radiation-opaque material to determine the thickness of radiation transparent material deposited on the container.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-08-14 | 1993-02-13 | 1993-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-14 | 1997-02-13 | 1997-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-14 | 2001-02-13 | 2001-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |