US3778627A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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High intensity, pulsed thermal neutron source
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1973-04-17
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1993-04-17
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a high intensity, pulsed thermal neutron source comprising a neutron-producing source which emits pulses of fast neutrons, a moderator block adjacent to the fast neutron source, a reflector block which encases the fast neutron source and the moderator block and has a thermal neutron exit port extending therethrough from the moderator block, and a neutron energy-dependent decoupling reflector liner covering the interior surfaces of the thermal neutron exit port and surrounding all surfaces of the moderator block except the surface viewed by the thermal neutron exit port.
Inventors
- 👤 J Carpenter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:16
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05H; H05H3/00; H05H3/06; G; G21; G21G; G21G4/00; G21G4/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A high-intensity, pulsed thermal neutron source comprising a neutron-producing source which emits pulses of fast neutrons; a moderator block adjacent to the fast neutron source; a reflector block encasing said fast neutron source and said moderator block, said reflector block having a thermal neutron exit port extending therethrough from said moderator block; and a neutron-energydependent decoupling reflector liner covering the interior surfaces of said port and all surfaces of said moderator block except the moderator surface viewed by said thermal neutron exit port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A high-intensity, pulsed thermal neutron source comprising a neutron-producing source which emits pulses of fast neutrons; a moderator block adjacent to the fast neutron source; a reflector block encasing said fast neutron source and said moderator block, said reflector block having a thermal neutron exit port extending therethrough from said moderator block; and a neutron-energydependent decoupling reflector liner covering the interior surfaces of said port and all surfaces of said moderator block except the moderator surface viewed by said thermal neutron exit port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The thermal neutron source according to claim 1 wherein said neutron-energy-dependent decoupling reflector liner comprises a material which will capture and absorb neutrons having energies below the decoupling energy and transmit neutrons having energies at or above said decoupling energy, said decoupling energy being related to that energy to which said reflector block will slow down said fast neutrons in a time less than the response time of said moderator block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The thermal neutron source according to claim 2 wherein said decoupling energy is that energy to which said reflector block will slow down said fast neutrons in 15 Mu sec.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The thermal neutron source according to claim 1 wherein said reflector block comprises a material having a high density of deuterons.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The thermal neutron source according to claim 1 wherein said reflector block comprises a material selected from the group consisting of beryllium, heavy water and heavy metal deuterides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The thermal neutron source according to claim 1 wherein said moderator block comprises a material having a high density of protons.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The thermal neutron source according to claim 6 wherein said moderator block is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, water, non-gaseous methane, non-gaseous ammonia, liquid hydrogen and heavy metal hydrides.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The thermal neutron source according to claim 1 wherein said neutron-energy-dependent decoupling reflector liner comprises a material having a high capture cross section for absorption of low-energy neutrons.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The thermal neutron source according to claim 8 wherein said neutron-energy-dependent decoupling reflector liner is selected from the group consisting of cadmium and gadolinium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
103 words
A pulsed thermal neutron source capable of emitting high-intensity thermal neutron pulses of about 30 Mu SEC pulse width comprising a neutron-producing source which emits pulses of fast neutrons; a polyethylene moderator block adjacent to the fast neutron source; a beryllium reflector block encasing said fast neutron source and said polyethylene moderator block, said beryllium reflector block having a thermal neutron exit port extending therethrough from said polyethylene moderator block; and a cadmium neutron-energy-dependent decoupling reflector liner covering the interior surfaces of said port and all surfaces of said polyethylene moderator block except the moderator surface viewed by said thermal neutron exit port.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
103 words
A pulsed thermal neutron source capable of emitting high-intensity thermal neutron pulses of about 30 Mu SEC pulse width comprising a neutron-producing source which emits pulses of fast neutrons; a polyethylene moderator block adjacent to the fast neutron source; a beryllium reflector block encasing said fast neutron source and said polyethylene moderator block, said beryllium reflector block having a thermal neutron exit port extending therethrough from said polyethylene moderator block; and a cadmium neutron-energy-dependent decoupling reflector liner covering the interior surfaces of said port and all surfaces of said polyethylene moderator block except the moderator surface viewed by said thermal neutron exit port.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The thermal neutron source according to claim 10 wherein said fast neutron source comprises a spallation target material capable of emitting pulses of fast neutrons upon interaction with energetic pulsed proton beams, and wherein said beryllium reflector block has a proton beam entry port extending therethrough from said spallation target material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The thermal neutron source according to claim 11 wherein said spallation target material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of U238 and lead-bismuth eutectic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The thermal neutron source according to claim 12 wherein said fast neutron source comprises U238 impinged upon by 0.5 GeV pulsed proton beams.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
60 words
The thermal neutron source according to claim 10 wherein said fast neutron source, said moderator block, said neutron-energy-dependent decoupling reflector liner and said thermal neutron exit port are arranged so that the path of said thermal neutron pulses emerging from said moderator block is essentially at right angles to a line intersecting said fast neutron source and said moderator block.
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) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |