US3777144A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Gamma spectrometry system for sample analysis
Assignee: Safran Aerosystems SAS
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Filing: 1972-01-19
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A system for measuring the activities of gamma emitters of different energies in successive samples includes a transducer, a plurality of linear amplifiers in cascade, and several single channel analyzers. Each single channel analyzer may be connected to the output of any one of the amplifiers by a switch which may also be used to select one of the several preset windows of the corresponding analyzer.
Inventors
- 👤 E Rapkin
- 👤 E Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/36; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A spectrometer system for measuring gamma decay events of n different radioisotopes (n being a predetermined integer) having different energy spectra and contained in successive samples, comprising: scintillation detector means responsive to said decay events occurring in a sample, for producing light flashes and electrical pulses whose amplitude is in direct relation with the energy of the originating decay events, first linear amplification means providing a predetermined amplification gain for processing said electrical pulses, second amplification means for amplifying the output pulses of said first amplification means, comprising a plurality of cascaded linear amplification stages in series aiding relation, each providing a predetermined amplification gain, and at least n counting channels, each having counting means a single channel analyzer for passing only a selected amplitude range of said electrical pulses to said counting means, said analyzer having means for manual adjustment of said amplitude range, and separate operator controlled selector means for connecting the input of said analyzer to the outputs of a selected one of the first amplification means or any of the cascaded linear amplification stages making up said second amplification means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A spectrometer system for measuring gamma decay events of n different radioisotopes (n being a predetermined integer) having different energy spectra and contained in successive samples, comprising: scintillation detector means responsive to said decay events occurring in a sample, for producing light flashes and electrical pulses whose amplitude is in direct relation with the energy of the originating decay events, first linear amplification means providing a predetermined amplification gain for processing said electrical pulses, second amplification means for amplifying the output pulses of said first amplification means, comprising a plurality of cascaded linear amplification stages in series aiding relation, each providing a predetermined amplification gain, and at least n counting channels, each having counting means a single channel analyzer for passing only a selected amplitude range of said electrical pulses to said counting means, said analyzer having means for manual adjustment of said amplitude range, and separate operator controlled selector means for connecting the input of said analyzer to the outputs of a selected one of the first amplification means or any of the cascaded linear amplification stages making up said second amplification means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A spectrometer system according to claim 1, wherein said scintillation detector means comprise a plurality of photomultiplier tube and scintillation crystal assemblies whose signal outputs are brought to a common point before being directed to said first amplification means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A spectrometer system according to claim 1, wherein said scintillation detector means comprise a plurality of photomultipliers coupled to a single scintillation crystal and whose signal outputs are summed before being directed to said first amplification means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A spectrometer system according to claim 2 additionally including means for coincidence gating the pulses prior to counting them in accordance with the electrical pulses received from said plurality of photomultiplier tubes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A spectrometer system according to claim 3 additionally including means for coincidence gating the pulses prior to counting them in accordance with the electrical pulses received from said plurality of photomultiplier tubes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spectrometer system according to claim 1, having means for adjusting the photomultiplier high voltage supply.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A spectrometer system according to claim 1, wherein the stages comprising the second amplification means provide amplitude gains which are in the ratio of 2n:1, n having a value from 2 to 4.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A spectrometer system according to claim 1, wherein the stages comprising the second amplification means each provide a gain of 2n, n having a value at most equal to 2.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A spectrometer system according to claim 1, having a pulse preamplifier at the output of any or all photomultiplier tubes employed for detection of said light flashes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
169 words
A spectrometer system for measuring the gamma decay evEnts of n different radioisotopes having different energy spectra and contained in samples, comprising: detector means responsive to said gamma decay events in a sample, for producing corresponding electrical pulses whose amplitudes are in direct relation with the energies of the originating decay events, first linear amplification means providing a predetermined amplification gain for processing said electrical pulses, second amplification means for amplifying the output pulses of said first amplification means comprising a plurality of cascaded linear amplification stages in series aiding relation, each providing a predetermined amplification gain, and at least n counting channels each having counting means, a pulse height analyzer for passing only a selected amplitude range of pulses to said counting means, operator controlled means for adjusting said amplitude range, and operator controlled means for connecting the input of said analyzer to the outputs of a selected one of the first amplification means or any of the cascaded linear amplification stages making up said second amplification means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
169 words
A spectrometer system for measuring the gamma decay evEnts of n different radioisotopes having different energy spectra and contained in samples, comprising: detector means responsive to said gamma decay events in a sample, for producing corresponding electrical pulses whose amplitudes are in direct relation with the energies of the originating decay events, first linear amplification means providing a predetermined amplification gain for processing said electrical pulses, second amplification means for amplifying the output pulses of said first amplification means comprising a plurality of cascaded linear amplification stages in series aiding relation, each providing a predetermined amplification gain, and at least n counting channels each having counting means, a pulse height analyzer for passing only a selected amplitude range of pulses to said counting means, operator controlled means for adjusting said amplitude range, and operator controlled means for connecting the input of said analyzer to the outputs of a selected one of the first amplification means or any of the cascaded linear amplification stages making up said second amplification means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A spectrometer system according to claim 10, wherein each said analyzer has a plurality of means for presetting an amplitude window of said analyzer, having additional operator controlled means permitting selection of any one of said preset windows.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A spectrometer system according to claim 11, wherein said additional means are drivably connected to the output selector means for simultaneous operation thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
A spectrometer means according to claim 11, having 2p presetting means, p being a predetermined integer, providing p windows preset for encompassing substantially the complete ranges of pulse amplitudes due to p different gamma emitters, the remaining p windows being each preset for each bracketing an emission peak of a separate one of said p emitters.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A spectrometer system according to claim 13, wherein said p emitters are selected among emitters having energy spectra which render separate simultaneous counting thereof in a same sample difficult.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
A spectrometer system according to claim 13, wherein said additional means and output selector means are mechanically coupled for simultaneous operation thereof and have at least 2p +n n- 1 positions, said amplifier means in 2p + 1 of said positions while said additional means select one different of the preset windows and of an adjustable window for each of said 2p + 1 positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |