US4095106A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radiation attenuation gauge with magnetically coupled source
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1977-03-16
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Granted: 1978-06-13
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Expires: 1997-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A radiaton attenuation gauge for measuring thickness and density of a material comprises, in combination, a source of gamma radiation contained within a housing comprising magnetic or ferromagnetic material, and a means for measuring the intensity of gamma radiation. The measuring means has an aperture and magnetic means disposed adjacent to the aperture for attracting and holding the housed source in position before the aperture. The material to be measured is disposed between the source and the measuring means.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven A. Wallace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/02; G01N23/06; G01N23/20; G01N23/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for measuring thickness and density of a material comprising in combination: a source of gamma radiation contained within a housing comprising magnetic or ferromagnetic material; means for measuring the intensity of gamma radiation, said measuring means having an aperture for admitting radiation to be measured; and magnetic means disposed adjacent said aperture of said measuring means, said housed source being held by magnetic attraction in a position before said aperture such that gamma radiation from said source passes through said aperture and is measured by said measuring means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for measuring thickness and density of a material comprising in combination: a source of gamma radiation contained within a housing comprising magnetic or ferromagnetic material; means for measuring the intensity of gamma radiation, said measuring means having an aperture for admitting radiation to be measured; and magnetic means disposed adjacent said aperture of said measuring means, said housed source being held by magnetic attraction in a position before said aperture such that gamma radiation from said source passes through said aperture and is measured by said measuring means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said housing fis spherical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the magnetic means disposed adjacent said measuring means aperture has both north and south poles facing outward from said measuring means, and said source housing comprises permanent magnetic material disposed such that said housing has both a north pole and a south pole facing outward from said source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which said housing has a flat external surface comprising both a north pole and a south pole facing outward from said source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which said housing has an aperture for transmitting radiation emitted from said source, and said north and south poles of said housing are positioned adjacent said housing aperture such that the north and south poles of the magnetic means disposed adjacent the measurement means aperture attract the housing into an orientation in which the housing aperture communicates with the measurement means aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said housing has a flat external surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a mechanical tether attached to said source to position said source before said measuring means aperture without said source contacting the surface of material being measured.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which said mechanical tether permits said source, under the influence of said magnetic means, to move freely within an article being measured, at a constant distance from the interior surface of said article.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said measuring means comprises a scintillation material, a cylindrical radiation shield surrounding said scintillation material and having an aperture for admitting radiation to be measured, a porous cylindrical bushing coaxial with said radiation shield and disposed between said scintillation material and said radiation shield, and means for passing a gaseous fluid through said porous bushing with sufficient velocity to allow free rotation of said cylindrical shield whereby said aperture is freely rotatably with respect to said scintillation material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3492477A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-12 | 1981-12-12 | 1982-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-12 | 1985-12-12 | 1986-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-12 | 1989-12-12 | 1990-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |