Methods and systems for X-ray inspection of PDC tooling and parts
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of inspecting a polycrystalline diamond (“
- PCD”
) element prior to leaching, the method comprising;
providing the PCD element in a protective leaching cup, the protective leaching cup configured to expose a selected portion of the PCD element to a leaching agent;
exposing the PCD element in the protective leaching cup to X-rays emitted from an X-ray source;
detecting, with a detector, the X-rays that pass through the PCD element and the protective leaching cup; and
generating an X-ray image of the PCD element in the protective cup that illustrates one or more characteristics from the X-rays received by the detector; and
analyzing the X-ray image to determine the one or more characteristics of the protective leaching cup or the PCD element.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to methods and systems for X-ray imaging and/or inspection of a PCD element in a protective leaching cup, which may be placed in a tray. Embodiments include inspection of one or more characteristics between the protective leaching cup and the PCD element prior to and/or after leaching of the PCD element. Embodiments also include using X-ray imaging to assist with positioning the PCD element in the protective leaching cup. Embodiments further include inspection of one or more defects in the PCD element during processing and/or after usage by X-ray technique.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method of inspecting a polycrystalline diamond (“
- PCD”
) element prior to leaching, the method comprising;providing the PCD element in a protective leaching cup, the protective leaching cup configured to expose a selected portion of the PCD element to a leaching agent; exposing the PCD element in the protective leaching cup to X-rays emitted from an X-ray source; detecting, with a detector, the X-rays that pass through the PCD element and the protective leaching cup; and generating an X-ray image of the PCD element in the protective cup that illustrates one or more characteristics from the X-rays received by the detector; and analyzing the X-ray image to determine the one or more characteristics of the protective leaching cup or the PCD element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- PCD”
-
10. A method of leaching a polycrystalline diamond (“
- PCD”
) element and inspecting the leached PCD element, the method comprising;at least partially leaching the PCD element in a protective leaching cup according to a first leaching method; capturing an X-ray image of the leached PCD element in the protective leaching cup; analyzing the X-ray image to determine at least one characteristic of a first leached region of the PCD element; and at least partially leaching the leached PCD element in the protective leaching cup according to a second leaching method;
or removing the leached PCD element from the protective leaching cup after the act of analyzing the X-ray image,wherein at least one of the first leaching method or the second leaching method includes exposing at least a portion of the PCD element to a processing solution; wherein the processing solution includes at least one member selected from a group consisting of acetic acid, ammonium chloride, arsenic acid, ascorbic acid, carboxylic acid, citric acid, formic acid, hydrobromic acid, hydrofluoric acid, hydroiodic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, nitric acid, oxalic acid, phosphoric acid, propionic acid, pyruvic acid, succinic acid, and tartaric acid. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
- PCD”
-
15. A method of leaching a PCD element and inspecting a leached PCD element, the method comprising:
-
capturing a first X-ray image of a PCD element in a protective leaching cup, wherein the PCD element includes a PCD table attached to a substrate, the substrate including; a cementing constituent including at least one material selected from a group consisting of cobalt, nickel, iron, cobalt alloys, nickel alloys, and iron alloys; and a plurality of carbide grains cemented with the cementing constituent, the plurality of carbide grains including at least one carbide material selected from a group consisting of tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, niobium carbide, tantalum carbide, vanadium carbide, and chromium carbide; and at least partially leaching the PCD element to form a leach profile therein; capturing a second X-ray image of the PCD element in the leaching cup; and if the leach profile of the PCD is satisfactory at least partially based on the second X-ray image, removing the PCD element from the protective leaching cup;
or if the leach profile of the PCD element is not satisfactory at least partially based on the second X-ray image, re-leaching the PCD element or rejecting the protective leaching cup. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
Specification