US4197461A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miniaturized radiation chirper
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1978-08-17
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Granted: 1980-04-08
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Expires: 1998-08-17
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure relates to a miniaturized radiation chirper for use with a small battery supplying on the order of 5 volts. A poor quality CdTe crystal which is not necessarily suitable for high resolution gamma ray spectroscopy is incorporated with appropriate electronics so that the chirper emits an audible noise at a rate that is proportional to radiation exposure level. The chirper is intended to serve as a personnel radiation warning device that utilizes new and novel electronics with a novel detector, a CdTe crystal. The resultant device is much smaller and has much longer battery life than existing chirpers.
Inventors
- 👤 C. John Umbarger
- 👤 Michael A. Wolf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A miniaturized radiation chirper with a small battery supplying on the order of 5.2 volts at about 500 mA hours, said chirper comprising: a low quality CdTe crystal having poor energy resolution; means for biasing said crystal with said battery so that an output signal is produced in response to photon radiation within a selected wide energy range impinging on said crystal; means for producing a pulse when said radiation exposure exceeds a preselected threshold value; means for receiving said pulse and for storing the electrical energy therefrom; and means for creating audible sound when the electrical energy stored in said pulses exceeds a threshold amount to indicate that a preselected radiation exposure has been accumulated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A miniaturized radiation chirper with a small battery supplying on the order of 5.2 volts at about 500 mA hours, said chirper comprising: a low quality CdTe crystal having poor energy resolution; means for biasing said crystal with said battery so that an output signal is produced in response to photon radiation within a selected wide energy range impinging on said crystal; means for producing a pulse when said radiation exposure exceeds a preselected threshold value; means for receiving said pulse and for storing the electrical energy therefrom; and means for creating audible sound when the electrical energy stored in said pulses exceeds a threshold amount to indicate that a preselected radiation exposure has been accumulated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said preselected threshold value is established by a resistive divider.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said pulse receiving and electrical energy storage means comprises a first capacitor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said audible noise creating means comprises: a first Schmidt trigger having an output which goes low when the energy stored in said first capacitor exceeds a selected upper threshold of said first Schmidt trigger.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said audible noise creating means further comprises: a low leakage diode for removing energy stored in said first capacitor and a second capacitor charged by said discharging first capacitor connected to a second Schmidt trigger having an output going high in response to discharge from said second capacitor; an oscillator operatively connected to said second Schmidt trigger; and, an audio transducer operatively connected to said oscillator.
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) | 1983-04-08 | 1983-10-08 | 1984-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-08 | 1987-10-08 | 1988-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-08 | 1991-10-08 | 1992-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |