Abstract A scintillation counter, particularly for counting gamma ray photons, includes a massive lead radiation shield surrounding a sample-receiving zone. The shield is disassembleable into a plurality of segments to allow facile installation and removal of a photomultiplier tube assembly, the segments being so constructed as to prevent straight-line access of external radiation through the shield into radiation-responsive areas. Provisions are made for accurately aligning the photomultiplier tube with respect to one or more sample-transmitting bores extending through the shield to the sample receiving zone. A sample elevator, used in transporting samples into the zone, is designed to provide a maximum gamma-receiving aspect to maximize the gamma detecting efficiency.
Inventors
👤 Arnold David Thumim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-03 11:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T7/00; G01T7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
In a scintillation counter for detecting and measuring the gamma activity of a sample, including a vertical sample receiving zone within a massive lead radiation shield, a scintillator crystal in gamma-transmissive relation with said sample receiving zone, at least one photomultiplier tube in light-transmissive relation with said scintillator crystal, a vertical bore extending upwardly through said shield to said sample receiving zone, and an elevator in said vertical bore for transferring said sample into and out of said sample receiving zone, the improvement whereby the gamma detecting efficiency of said counter is maximized, comprising: a sample receiving zone substantially longer than said sample, and an upstanding elevator extension platform having a plurality of thin vertical sample-supporting members to position said sample above the bottom of the sample receiving zone, so that transversely-emitted gamma radiation leaving the bottom of said sample is permitted to reach said scintillator crystal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a scintillation counter for detecting and measuring the gamma activity of a sample, including a vertical sample receiving zone within a massive lead radiation shield, a scintillator crystal in gamma-transmissive relation with said sample receiving zone, at least one photomultiplier tube in light-transmissive relation with said scintillator crystal, a vertical bore extending upwardly through said shield to said sample receiving zone, and an elevator in said vertical bore for transferring said sample into and out of said sample receiving zone, the improvement whereby the gamma detecting efficiency of said counter is maximized, comprising: a sample receiving zone substantially longer than said sample, and an upstanding elevator extension platform having a plurality of thin vertical sample-supporting members to position said sample above the bottom of the sample receiving zone, so that transversely-emitted gamma radiation leaving the bottom of said sample is permitted to reach said scintillator crystal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
Combination of claim 1 wherein said members are radial fins.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Combination of claim 1 wherein said elevator extension platform includes a central conical portion.