US3914602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plutonium monitor
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1973-11-14
•
Granted: 1975-10-21
•
Expires: 1993-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A coincidence measuring circuit responding to the output signals from first and second scintillation counters adapted respectively to respond to alpha particles and X-rays produced by a monitored environment provides reliable detection of plutonium in the presence of other radioactive elements such as radon and its daughter products.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman P Goldstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/17; G01T1/178
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A APPARATUS FOR DISTINGUISHING ALPHA EMITTING PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES FROM RADON AND ITS DAUGHTER PRODUCTS IN A PREDETERMINED ENVIRONMENT, COMPRISING, FIRST MEANS INCLUDING A PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE AND AN Z-RAY SCINTILLATION CRYSTAL OPERATIVELY COUPLED TO THE VIEWING SURFACE OF SAID PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE TO MONITOR THE X-RAY EMISSIONS IN SAID PREDERERMINED ENVIRONMENT, SECOND MEANS INCLUDING A PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE AND AN ALPHA SCINTILLATION MEANS POSITIONED IN A SPACED APART RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID X-RAY SCINTILLATION CRYSTAL SO AS TO VIEW SAID PREDETERMINED ENVIRONMENT, LIGHT CONDUCTING MEANS EXTENDING FROM BETWEEN SAID X-RAY SCINTILLATION CRYSTAL AND SAID ALPHA SCINTILLATION MEANS TO THE VIEWING SURFACE OF SAID PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE OF SAID SECOND MEANS, SAID PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE OF SAID FIRST MEANS GENERATING AN OUTPUT SIGNAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE X-RAY SCINTILLATIONS OCCURRING IN SAID X-RAY SCINTILLATION CRYSTAL AND THE PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE OF SAID SECOND MEANS GENERATING AN OUTPUT SIGNAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ALPHA SCINTILLATIONS OCCURRING IN SAID ALPHA SCINTILLATION MEANS.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A APPARATUS FOR DISTINGUISHING ALPHA EMITTING PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES FROM RADON AND ITS DAUGHTER PRODUCTS IN A PREDETERMINED ENVIRONMENT, COMPRISING, FIRST MEANS INCLUDING A PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE AND AN Z-RAY SCINTILLATION CRYSTAL OPERATIVELY COUPLED TO THE VIEWING SURFACE OF SAID PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE TO MONITOR THE X-RAY EMISSIONS IN SAID PREDERERMINED ENVIRONMENT, SECOND MEANS INCLUDING A PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE AND AN ALPHA SCINTILLATION MEANS POSITIONED IN A SPACED APART RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID X-RAY SCINTILLATION CRYSTAL SO AS TO VIEW SAID PREDETERMINED ENVIRONMENT, LIGHT CONDUCTING MEANS EXTENDING FROM BETWEEN SAID X-RAY SCINTILLATION CRYSTAL AND SAID ALPHA SCINTILLATION MEANS TO THE VIEWING SURFACE OF SAID PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE OF SAID SECOND MEANS, SAID PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE OF SAID FIRST MEANS GENERATING AN OUTPUT SIGNAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE X-RAY SCINTILLATIONS OCCURRING IN SAID X-RAY SCINTILLATION CRYSTAL AND THE PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE OF SAID SECOND MEANS GENERATING AN OUTPUT SIGNAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ALPHA SCINTILLATIONS OCCURRING IN SAID ALPHA SCINTILLATION MEANS.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means extending between said X-ray scintillation crystal and said alpha scintillation means to the viewing surface of the photomultiplier tube of said second means comprises a lucite plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further including circuit means operatively connected to said photomultiplier tubes of said first and second means to evaluate the coincidence rates of the alpha and X-ray emissions occurring in said predetermined environment to distinguish the presence of alpha emitting plutonium isotopes from radon and its daughter products.
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) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |