US3829697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Incrementally-adjustable regulator for nuclear pulse generator
Assignee: Bulova Watch Co Inc
•
Filing: 1972-05-18
•
Granted: 1974-08-13
•
Expires: 1992-05-18
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear pulse generator constituted by a source of radioactive material and a solid-state detector for sensing particles emitted by the source to produce corresponding output pulses. In order to regulate the count rate of pulses yielded by the generator, a section of the active detector surface is divided into a series of physically and electrically separated segments, each of which is connected to a common output terminal through a respective switch. By selective electrical connection of the detection segments, one can dictate whether or not the segments are counting. The ratio of the segment areas to each other is a binary number. The area of the smallest segment in the binary series to the total detection area is the desired resolution of the system, whereas the ratio of the sum of the segment areas to the total detection area corresponds to the range of regulation.
Inventors
- 👤 D Koehler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:25
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F5/00; G04F5/16; G21; G21H; G21H1/00; G21H1/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
An adjustable nuclear pulse generator comprising: a. A source of radioactive material, b. a solid-state detector having an active surface exposed to said source, said surface being positioned relative to said source whereby it is substantially uniformly irradiated thereby, a section of said surface being divided into a series of segments which are physically and electrically separated from each other and from the main detection area of said surface, said segments having different areas, and c. means including respective switches connected to each segment to connect said segments to an output terminal, said main detection area being permanently connected to said output terminal, whereby by selective electrical connection of the segments one can dictate whether or not the segments are counting, the total counting rate of the generator being determined by the contribution of the main detection area and the contributions of those segments which are connected to the output terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
An adjustable nuclear pulse generator comprising: a. A source of radioactive material, b. a solid-state detector having an active surface exposed to said source, said surface being positioned relative to said source whereby it is substantially uniformly irradiated thereby, a section of said surface being divided into a series of segments which are physically and electrically separated from each other and from the main detection area of said surface, said segments having different areas, and c. means including respective switches connected to each segment to connect said segments to an output terminal, said main detection area being permanently connected to said output terminal, whereby by selective electrical connection of the segments one can dictate whether or not the segments are counting, the total counting rate of the generator being determined by the contribution of the main detection area and the contributions of those segments which are connected to the output terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ratio of the segment areas to each other is a binary number.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A generator as set forth in claim 2, wherein the ratio of the area of the smallest segment in the binary series to the total detection area composed of all the segments together with said main detection area is the desired resolution of the pulse regulation system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A generator as set forth in claim 3, wherein the ratio of the sum of said segment areas to the total detection area represents the range of adjustment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A generator as set forth in claim 2, wherein the active surface of the detector has a rectangular form that is divided to produce a binary series of segments each of which is rectangular in form and nests within an indentation in the main detection area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said switches are constituted by a row of screws, each of which is connected to a respective segment, the screws being threadably receivable within a common metal plate connected to said output terminal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said segments and said main detection area are formed on the top face of a solid state chip having a common electrode on the back face thereof, said common electrode being connected to a second output terminal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said source of radioactive material is in the form of a plate in intimate contact with said active surface of the detector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said source material is deposited directly on the active surface of the detector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said detector is of the diffused junction type.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |