Validation and calibration apparatus and method for nuclear density gauges

Claim 1

A field block for use with a nuclear density gauge comprising an absorption element, wherein said absorption element is capable of simulating at least one known density when subjected to analysis using the nuclear density gauge, said field block further comprising an enclosure, said absorption element being positioned inside said enclosure, and wherein said enclosure comprises a material having a density sufficient to substantially block radiation generated by the nuclear density gauge from exiting said enclosure.

Claim 19

A method of constructing a field block for use with a nuclear density gauge comprising: a. providing an absorption element; b. taking a reading using the absorption element with a calibrated nuclear density gauge to determine if the field block simulates a desired density; c. if necessary, altering the composition or configuration of the absorption element and retaking the reading with the nuclear test gauge until the gauge gives a density reading substantially the same as the desired density.

Claim 20

A method of constructing a field block for use with a nuclear density gauge comprising: a. providing an absorption element; b. taking a reading using the absorption element with a calibrated nuclear density gauge to determine if the field block simulates a desired density; c. if necessary, altering the composition or configuration of the absorption element and retaking the reading with the nuclear test gauge until the gauge gives a density reading substantially the same as the desired density.

Claim 22

A method of validating the calibration of a nuclear density gauge, which is capable of determining densities at incremental depths, comprising: a. providing a block with known densities per incremental depth; b. providing a nuclear density gauge; c. taking counts and density readings of the block using the nuclear gauge; d. validating the calibration of the gauge by comparing the nuclear density gauge readings with the known densities per incremental depth.

Claim 23

A method of validating the calibration of a nuclear density gauge, which is capable of determining densities at incremental depths, comprising: a. providing a block with known densities per incremental depth; b. providing a nuclear density gauge; c. taking counts and density readings of the block using the nuclear gauge; d. validating the calibration of the gauge by comparing the nuclear density gauge readings with the known densities per incremental depth.

Claim 25

A method of validating a nuclear density gauge at multiple desired densities, where the gauge has an existing calibration and related constants, comprising: a. selecting a plurality of desired densities; b. providing a nuclear density gauge with the ability to take readings incrementally at a plurality of source rod depths; c. providing a block with a known density; d. obtaining counts on the block with a known density; e. calculating counts at each selected desired density at each incremental depth, using the gauge's existing calibration constants; f. correcting all counts for decay; g. correcting all counts for electronic and mechanical changes in the gauge; h. calculate densities for all corrected counts at all incremental depths; i. validate gauge by comparing calculated densities with selected desired densities.

Claim 26

A method of validating a nuclear density gauge at multiple desired densities, where the gauge has an existing calibration and related constants, comprising: a. selecting a plurality of desired densities; b. providing a nuclear density gauge with the ability to take readings incrementally at a plurality of source rod depths; c. providing a block with a known density; d. obtaining counts on the block with a known density; e. calculating counts at each selected desired density at each incremental depth, using the gauge's existing calibration constants; f. correcting all counts for decay; g. correcting all counts for electronic and mechanical changes in the gauge; h. calculate densities for all corrected counts at all incremental depths; i. validate gauge by comparing calculated densities with selected desired densities.

Claim 29

A method of re-calibrating a nuclear density gauge comprising a. selecting a plurality of desired densities; b. providing a nuclear density gauge with the ability to take readings incrementally at a plurality of source rod depths; c. providing a block with a known density; d. obtaining counts on the block with a known density; e. calculating counts at each selected desired density at each incremental depth, using the gauge's existing calibration constants; f. correcting all counts for decay; g. correcting all counts for electronic and mechanical changes in the gauge; h. calculate count ratio by dividing calculated counts by a daily standard count taken on reference block provided with gauge; i. re-calibrating the gauge by determining constants A, B and C at each depth according to following equation at each depth using a curve-fitting method CR=A e.sup.(-BD) -C where CR is a ratio of the count on the block of known density and the daily standard count; A, B and C are gauge parameters for each depth; and D is the material density.

Claim 30

A method of re-calibrating a nuclear density gauge comprising a. selecting a plurality of desired densities; b. providing a nuclear density gauge with the ability to take readings incrementally at a plurality of source rod depths; c. providing a block with a known density; d. obtaining counts on the block with a known density; e. calculating counts at each selected desired density at each incremental depth, using the gauge's existing calibration constants; f. correcting all counts for decay; g. correcting all counts for electronic and mechanical changes in the gauge; h. calculate count ratio by dividing calculated counts by a daily standard count taken on reference block provided with gauge; i. re-calibrating the gauge by determining constants A, B and C at each depth according to following equation at each depth using a curve-fitting method CR=A e.sup.(-BD) -C where CR is a ratio of the count on the block of known density and the daily standard count; A, B and C are gauge parameters for each depth; and D is the material density.

Claim 33

A method of validating a nuclear density gauge at multiple desired densities, where the gauge has an existing calibration and related constants, comprising: a. selecting a plurality of desired densities; b. providing a nuclear density gauge; c. providing a block with a known density; d. obtaining counts on the block with a known density; e. calculating counts at each selected desired density, using the gauge's existing calibration constants; f. correcting all counts for decay; g. correcting all counts for electronic and mechanical changes in the gauge; h. calculate densities for all corrected counts; i. validate gauge by comparing calculated densities with selected desired densities.

Claim 34

A method of validating a nuclear density gauge at multiple desired densities, where the gauge has an existing calibration and related constants, comprising: a. selecting a plurality of desired densities; b. providing a nuclear density gauge; c. providing a block with a known density; d. obtaining counts on the block with a known density; e. calculating counts at each selected desired density, using the gauge's existing calibration constants; f. correcting all counts for decay; g. correcting all counts for electronic and mechanical changes in the gauge; h. calculate densities for all corrected counts; i. validate gauge by comparing calculated densities with selected desired densities.

Claim 35

A method of re-calibrating a nuclear density gauge comprising a. selecting a plurality of desired densities; b. providing a nuclear density gauge; c. providing a block with a known density; d. obtaining counts on the block with a known density; e. calculating counts at each selected desired density, using the gauge's existing calibration constants; f. correcting all counts for decay; g. correcting all counts for electronic and mechanical changes in the gauge; h. calculate count ratio by dividing calculated counts by a daily standard count taken on reference block provided with gauge; i. re-calibrating the gauge by determining constants A, B and C according to the following equation at each depth using a curve-fitting method CR=A e.sup.(-BD) -C where CR is a ratio of the count on the block of known density and the daily standard count; A, B and Care gauge calibration constants, and D is the material density.

Claim 36

A method of re-calibrating a nuclear density gauge comprising a. selecting a plurality of desired densities; b. providing a nuclear density gauge; c. providing a block with a known density; d. obtaining counts on the block with a known density; e. calculating counts at each selected desired density, using the gauge's existing calibration constants; f. correcting all counts for decay; g. correcting all counts for electronic and mechanical changes in the gauge; h. calculate count ratio by dividing calculated counts by a daily standard count taken on reference block provided with gauge; i. re-calibrating the gauge by determining constants A, B and C according to the following equation at each depth using a curve-fitting method CR=A e.sup.(-BD) -C where CR is a ratio of the count on the block of known density and the daily standard count; A, B and Care gauge calibration constants, and D is the material density.

Claim 56

A method of determining the measurements of a nuclear gauge material measurement device at a field-use site, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a nuclear gauge having a radiation source capable of emitting radiation and a radiation detector to a nuclear verification device; b. transmitting radiation from the radiation source into a path defined by the positions of the radiation source, the nuclear gauge verification device, and the radiation detector; c. positioning a material specimen absorption element configured to simulate a known material density in the radiation path; d. measuring the radiation emissions generated from said transmitting step received at the radiation detector to establish a nuclear gauge material density reading value; e. comparing the reading value with a corresponding known material density value associated with the material specimen absorption element, thereby determining the nuclear gauge measurement accuracy; and further comprising the step of translating one or more of the radiation source and the material specimen absorption element in the radiation path from a first position to a second position by one or more of rotating and translating said absorption element in at least one direction from a first reading position to a second reading position relative to the nuclear gauge radiation source.

Claim 57

A method of determining the measurements of a nuclear gauge material measurement device at a field-use site, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a nuclear gauge having a radiation source capable of emitting radiation and a radiation detector to a nuclear verification device; b. transmitting radiation from the radiation source into a path defined by the positions of the radiation source, the nuclear gauge verification device, and the radiation detector; c. positioning a material specimen absorption element configured to simulate a known material density in the radiation path; d. measuring the radiation emissions generated from said transmitting step received at the radiation detector to establish a nuclear gauge material density reading value; e. comparing the reading value with a corresponding known material density value associated with the material specimen absorption element, thereby determining the nuclear gauge measurement accuracy; and further comprising the step of translating one or more of the radiation source and the material specimen absorption element in the radiation path from a first position to a second position by one or more of rotating and translating said absorption element in at least one direction from a first reading position to a second reading position relative to the nuclear gauge radiation source.

Claim 58

A method of determining the measurements of a nuclear gauge material measurement device at a field-use site, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a nuclear gauge having a radiation source capable of emitting radiation and a radiation detector to a nuclear gauge verification device; b. transmitting radiation from the radiation source into a radiation path defined by the positions of the radiation source, the nuclear gauge verification device, and the radiation detector; c. positioning a material specimen absorption element configured to simulate a known material density in the radiation path; d. measuring the radiation emissions generated from said transmitting step received at the radiation detector to establish a nuclear gauge material density reading value; and e. comparing the reading value with a corresponding known material density value associated with the material specimen absorption element, thereby determining the nuclear gauge measurement accuracy, wherein said method steps (b), (c), (d) and (e) are repeated at multiple longitudinal depths within the verification device to verify measurement accuracy of the nuclear gauge at corresponding selected radiation depths.

Claim 59

A method of determining the measurements of a nuclear gauge material measurement device at a field-use site, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a nuclear gauge having a radiation source capable of emitting radiation and a radiation detector to a nuclear gauge verification device; b. transmitting radiation from the radiation source into a radiation path defined by the positions of the radiation source, the nuclear gauge verification device, and the radiation detector; c. positioning a material specimen absorption element configured to simulate a known material density in the radiation path; d. measuring the radiation emissions generated from said transmitting step received at the radiation detector to establish a nuclear gauge material density reading value; and e. comparing the reading value with a corresponding known material density value associated with the material specimen absorption element, thereby determining the nuclear gauge measurement accuracy, wherein said method steps (b), (c), (d) and (e) are repeated at multiple longitudinal depths within the verification device to verify measurement accuracy of the nuclear gauge at corresponding selected radiation depths.

Claim 60

A method of determining the measurements of a nuclear gauge material measurement device at a field-use site, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a nuclear gauge having a radiation source capable of emitting radiation and a radiation detector to a nuclear gauge verification device; b. transmitting radiation from the radiation source into a radiation path defined by the positions of the radiation source, the nuclear gauge verification device, and the radiation detector; c. positioning a material specimen absorption element configured to simulate a known material density in the radiation path; d. measuring the radiation emissions generated from said transmitting step received at the radiation detector to establish a nuclear gauge material density reading value; and e. comparing the reading value with a corresponding known material density value associated with the material specimen absorption element, thereby determining the nuclear gauge measurement accuracy, wherein said positioning step further includes the step of positioning a material specimen absorption element in the radiation path to simulate a second material density different from the first material density.

Claim 61

A method of determining the measurements of a nuclear gauge material measurement device at a field-use site, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a nuclear gauge having a radiation source capable of emitting radiation and a radiation detector to a nuclear gauge verification device; b. transmitting radiation from the radiation source into a radiation path defined by the positions of the radiation source, the nuclear gauge verification device, and the radiation detector; c. positioning a material specimen absorption element configured to simulate a known material density in the radiation path; d. measuring the radiation emissions generated from said transmitting step received at the radiation detector to establish a nuclear gauge material density reading value; and e. comparing the reading value with a corresponding known material density value associated with the material specimen absorption element, thereby determining the nuclear gauge measurement accuracy, wherein said positioning step further includes the step of positioning a material specimen absorption element in the radiation path to simulate a second material density different from the first material density.

Claim 62

A method of determining the measurements of a nuclear gauge material measurement device at a field-use site, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a nuclear gauge having a radiation source capable of emitting radiation and a radiation detector to a nuclear gauge verification device; b. transmitting radiation from the radiation source into a radiation path defined by the positions of the radiation source, the nuclear gauge verification device, and the radiation detector; c. positioning a material specimen absorption element configured to simulate a known material density in the radiation path: d. measuring the radiation emissions generated from said transmitting step received at the radiation detector to establish a nuclear gauge material density reading value; and e. comparing the reading value with a corresponding known material density value associated with the material specimen absorption element, thereby determining the nuclear gauge measurement accuracy, wherein said absorption element is sized and configured to represent two different material densities.

Claim 63

A method of determining the measurements of a nuclear gauge material measurement device at a field-use site, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a nuclear gauge having a radiation source capable of emitting radiation and a radiation detector to a nuclear gauge verification device; b. transmitting radiation from the radiation source into a radiation path defined by the positions of the radiation source, the nuclear gauge verification device, and the radiation detector; c. positioning a material specimen absorption element configured to simulate a known material density in the radiation path: d. measuring the radiation emissions generated from said transmitting step received at the radiation detector to establish a nuclear gauge material density reading value; and e. comparing the reading value with a corresponding known material density value associated with the material specimen absorption element, thereby determining the nuclear gauge measurement accuracy, wherein said absorption element is sized and configured to represent two different material densities.

Claim 64

A method of determining the measurements of a nuclear gauge material measurement device at a field-use site, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a nuclear gauge having a radiation source capable of emitting radiation and a radiation detector to a nuclear gauge verification device; b. transmitting radiation from the radiation source into a radiation path defined by the positions of the radiation source, the nuclear gauge verification device, and the radiation detector; c. positioning a material specimen absorption element configured to simulate a known material density in the radiation path; d. measuring the radiation emissions generated from said transmitting step received at the radiation detector to establish a nuclear gauge material density reading value; and e. comparing the reading value with a corresponding known material density value associated with the material specimen absorption element thereby, determining the nuclear gauge measurement accuracy, and further comprising the step of re-calibrating the nuclear gauge based upon the measured material density value, wherein said re-calibrating step includes the step of determining at least one correction factor associated with one or more of mechanical geometry changes, electronic changes, and nuclear decay.

Claim 65

A method of determining the measurements of a nuclear gauge material measurement device at a field-use site, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a nuclear gauge having a radiation source capable of emitting radiation and a radiation detector to a nuclear gauge verification device; b. transmitting radiation from the radiation source into a radiation path defined by the positions of the radiation source, the nuclear gauge verification device, and the radiation detector; c. positioning a material specimen absorption element configured to simulate a known material density in the radiation path; d. measuring the radiation emissions generated from said transmitting step received at the radiation detector to establish a nuclear gauge material density reading value; and e. comparing the reading value with a corresponding known material density value associated with the material specimen absorption element thereby, determining the nuclear gauge measurement accuracy, and further comprising the step of re-calibrating the nuclear gauge based upon the measured material density value, wherein said re-calibrating step includes the step of determining at least one correction factor associated with one or more of mechanical geometry changes, electronic changes, and nuclear decay.

Claim 66

A method of determining the measurements of a nuclear gauge material measurement device at a field-use site, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a nuclear gauge having a radiation source capable of emitting radiation and a radiation detector to a nuclear gauge verification device; b. transmitting radiation from the radiation source into a radiation path defined by the positions of the radiation source, the nuclear gauge verification device, and the radiation detector; c. positioning a material specimen absorption element configured to simulate a known material density in the radiation path; d. measuring the radiation emissions generated from said transmitting step received at the radiation detector to establish a nuclear gauge material density reading value; and e. comparing the reading value with a corresponding known material density value associated with the material specimen absorption element, thereby determining the nuclear gauge measurement accuracy, wherein said engaging step includes positioning the nuclear gauge radiation source and detector on a planar surface of the verification device to verify measurements taken in the backscatter mode.

Claim 67

A method of determining the measurements of a nuclear gauge material measurement device at a field-use site, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a nuclear gauge having a radiation source capable of emitting radiation and a radiation detector to a nuclear gauge verification device; b. transmitting radiation from the radiation source into a radiation path defined by the positions of the radiation source, the nuclear gauge verification device, and the radiation detector; c. positioning a material specimen absorption element configured to simulate a known material density in the radiation path; d. measuring the radiation emissions generated from said transmitting step received at the radiation detector to establish a nuclear gauge material density reading value; and e. comparing the reading value with a corresponding known material density value associated with the material specimen absorption element, thereby determining the nuclear gauge measurement accuracy, wherein said engaging step includes positioning the nuclear gauge radiation source and detector on a planar surface of the verification device to verify measurements taken in the backscatter mode.

Claim 68

A method of determining the measurements of a nuclear gauge material measurement device at a field-use site, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a nuclear gauge having a radiation source capable of emitting radiation and a radiation detector to a nuclear gauge verification device; b. transmitting radiation from the radiation source into a radiation path defined by the positions of the radiation source the nuclear gauge verification device, and the radiation detector; c. positioning a material specimen absorption element configured to simulate a known material density in the radiation path; d. measuring the radiation emissions generated from said transmitting step received at the radiation detector to establish a nuclear gauge material density reading value; and e. comparing the reading value with a corresponding known material density value associated with the material specimen absorption element, thereby determining the nuclear gauge measurement accuracy, and further comprising the step of re-calibrating the nuclear gauge including establishing three new gauge counts.

Claim 69

A method of determining the measurements of a nuclear gauge material measurement device at a field-use site, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a nuclear gauge having a radiation source capable of emitting radiation and a radiation detector to a nuclear gauge verification device; b. transmitting radiation from the radiation source into a radiation path defined by the positions of the radiation source the nuclear gauge verification device, and the radiation detector; c. positioning a material specimen absorption element configured to simulate a known material density in the radiation path; d. measuring the radiation emissions generated from said transmitting step received at the radiation detector to establish a nuclear gauge material density reading value; and e. comparing the reading value with a corresponding known material density value associated with the material specimen absorption element, thereby determining the nuclear gauge measurement accuracy, and further comprising the step of re-calibrating the nuclear gauge including establishing three new gauge counts.

Claim 70

A method of representing a solid standard reference block for use in a portable field-usable nuclear gauge measurement verification and/or calibration device, comprising the step of: simulating a standard reference block by sizing and configuring a material specimen absorption element to represent a known material density and absorption value associated with the standard reference block material when operationally engaged with a nuclear gauge, wherein said simulating step includes one or more of configuring, positioning, and translating said absorption element in a measurement device to represent a plurality of different standard reference block materials when engaged with a nuclear gauge having a radiation source and detector.

Claim 71

A method of representing a solid standard reference block for use in a portable field-usable nuclear gauge measurement verification and/or calibration device, comprising the step of: simulating a standard reference block by sizing and configuring a material specimen absorption element to represent a known material density and absorption value associated with the standard reference block material when operationally engaged with a nuclear gauge, wherein said simulating step includes one or more of configuring, positioning, and translating said absorption element in a measurement device to represent a plurality of different standard reference block materials when engaged with a nuclear gauge having a radiation source and detector.

Claim 72

A method of representing a solid standard reference block for use in a portable field-usable nuclear gauge measurement verification and/or calibration device, comprising the step of: simulating a standard reference block by sizing and configuring a material specimen absorption element to represent a known material density and absorption value associated with the standard reference block material when operationally engaged with a nuclear gauge, wherein said simulating step includes one or more of configuring, positioning, and translating said absorption element in a measurement device to represent a plurality of different standard reference block materials when engaged with a nuclear gauge having a radiation source and detector, and wherein said source can be manipulated into different source depths in the field useable device, and wherein said representation of a plurality of different standard reference block materials includes representing at least three different material densities at a single source depth.

Claim 73

A method of representing a solid standard reference block for use in a portable field-usable nuclear gauge measurement verification and/or calibration device, comprising the step of: simulating a standard reference block by sizing and configuring a material specimen absorption element to represent a known material density and absorption value associated with the standard reference block material when operationally engaged with a nuclear gauge, wherein said simulating step includes one or more of configuring, positioning, and translating said absorption element in a measurement device to represent a plurality of different standard reference block materials when engaged with a nuclear gauge having a radiation source and detector, and wherein said source can be manipulated into different source depths in the field useable device, and wherein said representation of a plurality of different standard reference block materials includes representing at least three different material densities at a single source depth.

Claim 74

A method of representing a solid standard reference block for use in a portable field-usable nuclear gauge measurement verification and/or calibration device, comprising the step of: simulating a standard reference block by sizing and configuring a material specimen absorption element to represent a known material density and absorption value associated with the standard reference block material when operationally engaged with a nuclear gauge, wherein said simulating step includes one or more of configuring, positioning, and translating said absorption element in a measurement device to represent a plurality of different standard reference block materials when engaged with a nuclear gauge having a radiation source and detector, and, wherein said source can be manipulated into different source depths in the field useable device, and wherein said simulating step includes simulating a plurality of different standard reference block material densities at a plurality of source depths.

Claim 75

A method of representing a solid standard reference block for use in a portable field-usable nuclear gauge measurement verification and/or calibration device, comprising the step of: simulating a standard reference block by sizing and configuring a material specimen absorption element to represent a known material density and absorption value associated with the standard reference block material when operationally engaged with a nuclear gauge, wherein said simulating step includes one or more of configuring, positioning, and translating said absorption element in a measurement device to represent a plurality of different standard reference block materials when engaged with a nuclear gauge having a radiation source and detector, and, wherein said source can be manipulated into different source depths in the field useable device, and wherein said simulating step includes simulating a plurality of different standard reference block material densities at a plurality of source depths.