Patent US3950647A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3950647A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Detection instrument for plutonium-americium
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-09-25
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Granted: 1976-04-13
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Expires: 1994-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A plutonium-americium detection instrument having an end window type photomultiplier tube supported in a light weight aluminum housing. An europium activated calcium fluoride scintillation crystal coupled directly to the face plate of the photomultiplier tube with a silicone optical coupling grease. An aluminum window is supported on a styrofoam support and positioned adjacent to said scintillation crystal.
Inventors
- 👤 Harley V. Piltingsrud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for detecting the normal radiation from plutonium-americium, comprising: a non-radioactive metal housing; an end window type photomultiplier tube; means for supporting said photomultiplier tube within said housing; a europium activated calcium fluoride scintillation crystal directly coupled to said photomultiplier tube; a light impervious, reflective, electrostatic shield on the side of said scintillation crystal remote from said photomultiplier tube; a shock absorbent layer on the side of said light impervious, reflective, electrostatic shield, remote from said scintillation crystal; means secured to said housing for retaining said shield within said housing; a radioactive contamination barrier layer on the side of said shock absorbant layer, remote from said scintillation crystal; means for supplying power to said photomultiplier tube and means, for indicating the level of plutonium-americium electromagnetic emission reaching said detection instrument.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for detecting the normal radiation from plutonium-americium, comprising: a non-radioactive metal housing; an end window type photomultiplier tube; means for supporting said photomultiplier tube within said housing; a europium activated calcium fluoride scintillation crystal directly coupled to said photomultiplier tube; a light impervious, reflective, electrostatic shield on the side of said scintillation crystal remote from said photomultiplier tube; a shock absorbent layer on the side of said light impervious, reflective, electrostatic shield, remote from said scintillation crystal; means secured to said housing for retaining said shield within said housing; a radioactive contamination barrier layer on the side of said shock absorbant layer, remote from said scintillation crystal; means for supplying power to said photomultiplier tube and means, for indicating the level of plutonium-americium electromagnetic emission reaching said detection instrument.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein a face plate forms the end window of the photomultiplier tube; said scintillation crystal being coupled directly to said face plate with optical coupling grease; said light impervious, reflective, electrostatic shield being a thin sheet of aluminum supported on the side of said shock absorbant shield adjacent said scintillation crystal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said light impervious, reflective, electrostatic shield includes a layer of aluminum vacuum deposited on said scintillation crystal and an electrically conductive black paint coated over the aluminum layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device as recited in claim 3 wherein said europium activated calcium fluoride scintillation crystal forms the face plate of said photomultiplier tube.
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) | 1979-04-13 | 1979-10-13 | 1980-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-13 | 1983-10-13 | 1984-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-13 | 1987-10-13 | 1988-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |