US4267446A — Dual scintillation detector for determining grade…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 262 words

A scintillation radiation detector comprising: (a) a body means; (b) a first scintillation radiation detector material, said material being sensitized to produce light energy whose intensity is directly proportional to the intensity of beta radiation; (c) a second scintillation radiation detector material sensitized to produce light energy in direct proportion to the intensity of gamma radiation which has higher energy levels than said beta radiation, said second radiation scintillation detector material being positioned on the opposite side of said first scintillation radiation material from a source of unknown radiation; (d) said first scintillation material being configured in a thin cross section whereby the path traveled by said second radiation through said first material is relatively short; (e) sensing means positioned adjacent each of said beta and gamma scintillation detector materials on the opposite side of said materials from the source of said unknown radiation whereby the light energy generated by the passage of the radiation through each of the detector materials will be converted from light energy to a separate electrical output signal directly proportional to the intensity of the energy produced by the radiation as it passes through its respective scintillation detector materials, and (f) said beta radiation detector material being generally transparent to said gamma radiation so that only light energy is generated by said beta radiation with said gamma radiation only generated light energy within said gamma scintillation material whereby accurate readings of the intensity of said beta and gamma radiation can be determined so that the quantity of uranium ore present in an unknown sample can be determined.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 262 words

A scintillation radiation detector comprising: (a) a body means; (b) a first scintillation radiation detector material, said material being sensitized to produce light energy whose intensity is directly proportional to the intensity of beta radiation; (c) a second scintillation radiation detector material sensitized to produce light energy in direct proportion to the intensity of gamma radiation which has higher energy levels than said beta radiation, said second radiation scintillation detector material being positioned on the opposite side of said first scintillation radiation material from a source of unknown radiation; (d) said first scintillation material being configured in a thin cross section whereby the path traveled by said second radiation through said first material is relatively short; (e) sensing means positioned adjacent each of said beta and gamma scintillation detector materials on the opposite side of said materials from the source of said unknown radiation whereby the light energy generated by the passage of the radiation through each of the detector materials will be converted from light energy to a separate electrical output signal directly proportional to the intensity of the energy produced by the radiation as it passes through its respective scintillation detector materials, and (f) said beta radiation detector material being generally transparent to said gamma radiation so that only light energy is generated by said beta radiation with said gamma radiation only generated light energy within said gamma scintillation material whereby accurate readings of the intensity of said beta and gamma radiation can be determined so that the quantity of uranium ore present in an unknown sample can be determined.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 31 words

An improved scintillation detector apparatus as defined in claim 1 which further includes a rate indicator means which is coupled to the output signals from said beta and gamma detector means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 42 words

An improved scintillation detector apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said rate indicator means includes means for subtracting the readings between the beta and gamma detectors to provide a direct read-out of percentage of uranium ore present in an unknown sample.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 52 words

An improved scintillation detector apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the thickness dimension of said beta scintillation detector material is held within the range of 0.250 to 0.030 inch whereby the gamma radiation penetrating through said first detector material will not cause scintillation and false readings in said beta scintillation detector.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 25 words

An improved scintillation detector apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said scintillation detector materials are shielded against extraneous radiation on at least three sides.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 54 words

An improved scintillation detector apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said beta scintillation detector material is formed in the shape of a flat plate, one side of said flat plate being contiguous with the outer surface of said body means and arranged to be positioned in general contact with the unknown sample material.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 74 words

An improved scintillation detector apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the edge of said flat plate on the surface opposite that in contact with the sample is tapered toward the outer edge and toward the surface in contact with said sample whereby the length of the path of the radiation from said unknown sample through the beta detector material is relatively constant regardless of the angle that the radiation penetrates the detector material.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 34 words

An improved scintillation detector apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the sensing means is a solid state device which directly converts the light energy created by the scintillation to electrical energy output pulses.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 255 words

A dual scintillation radiation detector apparatus which senses the quantity of two different types of radiation simultaneously in a radioactive sample in order to determine the grade of uranium ore present, said apparatus comprising: (a) a body housing means; (b) a first scintillation detector material sensitized to a first radiation; (c) a second scintillation radiation detector material sensitized to a second higher level radiation; (d) said first scintillation detector material being configured in a relatively thin cross section of both of said detector materials being arranged in contiguous position with the second detector material positioned on the opposite side of said first detector material from the source of radiation whereby the highest level energy radiation must pass through said first material to energize said second material, said first and second radiation detector materials being suitably mounted in said body housing; (e) sensing means coupled to a surface of each of said scintillation detector materials, said sensing means being capable of receiving the light energy created by the scintillation of the detector materials by the respective radiation whereby the light energy will be converted to electrical output signals proportional to the amount of radiation present within the scintillation detector materials; and (f) indicating means arranged to receive the output signals from said sensing means, said indicating means including means for processing the output signals from said sensing means in order to display a differential of said output signals whereby a direct indication of the grade of uranium ore present at a specific location can be obtained.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 255 words

A dual scintillation radiation detector apparatus which senses the quantity of two different types of radiation simultaneously in a radioactive sample in order to determine the grade of uranium ore present, said apparatus comprising: (a) a body housing means; (b) a first scintillation detector material sensitized to a first radiation; (c) a second scintillation radiation detector material sensitized to a second higher level radiation; (d) said first scintillation detector material being configured in a relatively thin cross section of both of said detector materials being arranged in contiguous position with the second detector material positioned on the opposite side of said first detector material from the source of radiation whereby the highest level energy radiation must pass through said first material to energize said second material, said first and second radiation detector materials being suitably mounted in said body housing; (e) sensing means coupled to a surface of each of said scintillation detector materials, said sensing means being capable of receiving the light energy created by the scintillation of the detector materials by the respective radiation whereby the light energy will be converted to electrical output signals proportional to the amount of radiation present within the scintillation detector materials; and (f) indicating means arranged to receive the output signals from said sensing means, said indicating means including means for processing the output signals from said sensing means in order to display a differential of said output signals whereby a direct indication of the grade of uranium ore present at a specific location can be obtained.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 36 words

A dual radiation detector apparatus as defined in the claim 9 wherein the first radiation detected by said first detection material is beta and the second radiation detected by said second detection material is gamma radiation.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 55 words

A dual radiation detector apparatus as defined in claim 10 which further includes shielding means provided between the radiation detection material and the sample source of radiation which is sufficient to attenuate low energy radiation from the respective materials so as to selectively limit the output electrical signals to known isotope families of radioactive material.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 24 words

A dual radiation detector apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said first scintillation detector material is formed as a generally flat, thin plate.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 31 words

A dual radiation detector apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said second radiation detection material is positioned contiguous to the side of said flat plate opposite the source of radiation.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 62 words

A dual radiation detector apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the outer surfaces of said first and second detection materials are polished in order to retain and reflect internally the light created by the scintillation of said materials, and the outer surfaces of said detection materials are coated with light impermeable material to aid in the retention of said light energy.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 40 words

A dual radiation detector apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein a shock aborbing means is positioned between said first and second scintillation detector materials to prevent damage to said materials from the handling and usage of said detector apparatus.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 47 words

A dual radiation detector apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said body housing means includes a radiation sample holding means which is slidably mounted within said housing so that the radiation source can be removably positioned adjacent to the surface of said first scintillation detector material.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 21 words

A scintillation radiation detector apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said indicating means is mounted within said body housing means.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 58 words

A scintillation detector apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said body housing means is arranged in the shape of an elongated cylinder having a longitudinal axis and a diameter which is significantly less than the length of said cylinder, and the ratio of the length of the body housing means to the diameter is greater than 3:1.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 37 words

A scintillation detector apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein the first and second detector materials are mounted within the body housing means so as to be concentric with the longitudinal axis of said body housing means.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 62 words

A scintillation detector apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein first radiation shielding means is provided on the outer surface of said first scintillation detector material, and second radiation shielding means is provided between said first and second scintillation detector materials whereby only higher energy levels of the first and second radiation can penetrate into said first and second detector materials respectively.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 78 words

A scintillation detector apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the body housing means is arranged in the shape of an elongated cylinder with both scintillation detector materials generally arranged in an intermediate location within said body housing and the area of the body housing adjacent to said first scintillation detection material being reduced in thickness to provide a window means to allow passage of radiation through said body means so that it will penetrate the scintillation materials.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 56 words

A scintillation detector apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said body housing means includes means for attaching a thin, flexible support means at one end and the opposite end being rounded whereby the detector can be lowered into an earth bore so that a radiation profile along the length of said bore can be obtained.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 89 words

A scintillation radiation detector as provided in claim 21 wherein said body housing means includes an enlarged section in which the indicating means is mounted, the elongated section and said housing means is fabricated as an integral unit, said enlarged section having handle means provided on opposite sides whereby said detector can be manually supported with the elongated section being pushed into the surface of the earth so that the earth surrounds the window means of the housing whereby the radiation present in the earth surface can be detected.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 71 words

A scintillation detector apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein the sensing means mounted furtherest from the enlarged section for the indicating means is recessed along with said second scintillation detector material into the cavity of said first scintillation detector material in order to reduce the overall dimension between the window means and the free end of the elongated housing to reduce the required depth of penetration into the earth's surface.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 54 words

A scintillation detection apparatus as defined in claim 21 which includes conduit means arranged along the outer surface of said housing means and parallel to the longitudinal axis of said housing means whereby a connecting cable connecting one of the sensing means with an indicating means is protected and shielded from the radiation sources.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 53 words

A scintillation detector apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the individual sensing means are coupled to the respective scintillation detector materials by resin optical coupling means which are positioned between the sensing means and the detector material so that the light energy is transmitted efficiently from the material to the sensing means.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 247 words

A radiation detection apparatus for determining the grade of uranium ore present at a specific location, the apparatus comprising: a body housing means, a first scintillation detector material sensitized to a first radiation; a second scintillation radiation detector material sensitized to a second radiation different from said first; said first radiation detector material being formed in the shape of a hollow cylinder having one end closed and the second scintillation detector material being positioned within the hollow cavity of said first radiation detector material and said detector materials being mounted within said body means whereby the first detector material is exposed to a source of radiation through the outer surface of said body housing means whereby the radiation passes through said first material in order to penetrate the second material; a pair of suitable sensing means coupled to a surface of each of said scintillation detector materials, said sensing means being capable of receiving the light energy created by the scintillation of the detector materials by the radiation whereby the light energy will be converted to electrical output signals proportional to the amount of radiation present within the respective scintillation detector materials; and indicating means arranged to receive the output signals from said sensing means, said indicating means including means for processing the output signals from said sensing means in order to display a differential of said output signals whereby a direct indication of the grade of uranium ore present at a specific location can be obtained.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 247 words

A radiation detection apparatus for determining the grade of uranium ore present at a specific location, the apparatus comprising: a body housing means, a first scintillation detector material sensitized to a first radiation; a second scintillation radiation detector material sensitized to a second radiation different from said first; said first radiation detector material being formed in the shape of a hollow cylinder having one end closed and the second scintillation detector material being positioned within the hollow cavity of said first radiation detector material and said detector materials being mounted within said body means whereby the first detector material is exposed to a source of radiation through the outer surface of said body housing means whereby the radiation passes through said first material in order to penetrate the second material; a pair of suitable sensing means coupled to a surface of each of said scintillation detector materials, said sensing means being capable of receiving the light energy created by the scintillation of the detector materials by the radiation whereby the light energy will be converted to electrical output signals proportional to the amount of radiation present within the respective scintillation detector materials; and indicating means arranged to receive the output signals from said sensing means, said indicating means including means for processing the output signals from said sensing means in order to display a differential of said output signals whereby a direct indication of the grade of uranium ore present at a specific location can be obtained.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 26 words

A radiation detection apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein a single source of battery power for said detection apparatus is mounted within said housing means.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 42 words

A radiation detection apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein the indicating and sensing means includes an electrical power source which is mounted externally to said housing means with means for electrically connecting the power source to the indicating and sensing means.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 62 words

A radiation detection apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein said sensing means are photoconductive materials which are arranged adjacent to said scintillation detector materials and are capable of generating electrical output signals proportionally indicative of the light energy present in said scintillation materials whereby the output signals can be introduced to said indicating means for determining the quantity of radiation present.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1984-05-11	1984-11-10	1985-05-12	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1988-05-11	1988-11-10	1989-05-12	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1992-05-11	1992-11-10	1993-05-12	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Dual scintillation detector for determining grade of uranium ore

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