# US 9,519,133 B2 · Variable modulation of radiation and components > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,519,133 B2 - Document ID: US9519133B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/420,178 - Filed: 2012-08-07 - Published: 2015-07-09 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2012-08-07 - Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Applicants: David L. Perkins; Christopher Michael Jones; Michael T. Pelletier; Li Gao; Robert Atkinson; William Soltmann - Inventors: David L. Perkins; Christopher Michael Jones; Michael T. Pelletier; Li Gao; Robert Atkinson; William Soltmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9519133B2 ## CPC - G02B 26/04: by periodically varying the intensity of light, e.g. using choppers (shutters, diaphragms for cameras G03B9/00; devices for eliminating or reducing the effect of flicker in projection systems G03B21/40) - E21B 47/00: Survey of boreholes or wells (monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid E21B21/08) - G01J 1/0228: {Control of working procedures; Failure detection; Spectral bandwidth calculation} - G01J 1/0295: {Constructional arrangements for removing other types of optical noise or for performing calibration} - G01J 1/0444: {using means for replacing an element by another, e.g. for replacing a filter or grating} - G01J 1/0492: {using at least two different filters} - G01J 1/20: intensity of the measured or reference value being varied to equalise their effects at the detectors, e.g. by varying incidence angle - G01J 1/22: using a variable element in the light-path, e.g. filter, polarising means (G01J1/34 takes precedence) - G01J 1/28: using variation of intensity or distance of source (G01J1/34 takes precedence) - G01J 1/42: using electric radiation detectors (optical or mechanical part G01J1/04; by comparison with a reference light or electric value G01J1/10) - G01J 1/46: using a capacitor - G01J 3/0235: {using means for replacing an element by another, for replacing a filter or a grating} - G01J 3/027: {Control of working procedures of a spectrometer; Failure detection; Bandwidth calculation} - G01J 3/0297: {Constructional arrangements for removing other types of optical noise or for performing calibration} - G01V 8/10: Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers (by reflection from the object G01S17/00) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N) - G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02) ## Abstract Various embodiments include systems and methods to provide selectable variable gain to signals in measurements using incident radiation. The selectable variable gain may be used to normalize signals modulated in measurements using incident radiation. The selectable variable gain may be attained using a number of different techniques or various combinations of these techniques. These techniques may include modulating a modulator having modulating elements in which at least one modulating element acts on incident radiation differently from another modulating element of the modulator, modulating the use of electronic components in electronic circuitry of a detector, modulating a source of radiation or combinations thereof. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a modulator having a plurality of modulating elements, one of the modulating elements having a structure that modulates radiation received at the modulator differently from another one of the modulating elements; a detector arranged to detect a processed signal of the radiation received at the modulator; and a controller to control the modulator such that, in each period of operation of the modulator on the received radiation, selectable variable gain is provided for the processed signal in the detector corresponding to the modulating elements. ### Claim 2 An apparatus comprising: a source of radiation; a modulator arranged to receive the radiation, the modulator has a plurality of modulating elements, one of the modulating elements having a structure that modulates the radiation differently from another one of the modulating elements; and a detector arranged to detect the radiation received at the modulator and modulated by the modulator such that one or more of the source, the modulator, and the detector are structured to be operably modulated to provide selectable variable gain for modulated radiation received in the detector corresponding to the modulating elements of the modulator such that the selectable variable gain is provided and such that the received modulated radiation has a normalized amplitude in the detector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the modulator is operable to be modulated such that dwell time of each modulating element can be separately controlled. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the detector has electronic components selectable within a period of the modulator. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the detector has capacitive elements, resistive elements, or capacitive elements and resistive elements that can be changed during the period of the modulator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the detector has gain elements that can be changed during the period of the modulator. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the source of radiation has a array of optical sources arranged such that selection of one or more of the optical sources can be changed during a period of the modulator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the source of radiation has an optical source arranged such that intensity of output from the optical source can be changed during a period of the modulator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus includes a variable optical iris that is arranged between the source and the modulator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is operable to control the variable optical iris to adjust the optical diameter of light between the source and the detector. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus includes a variable optical iris that is arranged between the modulator and the detector. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the modulator includes a main optical modulator and a second modulator, the main optical modulator operatively timed in conjunction with the second modulator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second modulator includes a neutral density filters. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second modulator is arranged as a single element that has a graduated optical density. ### Claim 15 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus includes a housing in which the source of radiation, the modulator, and the detector are disposed, the housing structured for operation downhole in a well. ### Claim 16 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus includes a housing in which the source of radiation, the modulator, and the detector are disposed, the housing structured for operation in a measurement analysis unrelated to a drilling operation associated with a well.