Patent US4788432A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4788432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Radiation monitoring device
Assignee: JP Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1987-07-17
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Granted: 1988-11-29
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Expires: 2007-07-17
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a device for monitoring alpha particles and material emitting alpha particles such as radon and its daughters. The device can also be used for monitoring other high energy particles such as cosmic rays, nuclear fission fragments, nucleon ions, and neutrons having energy between 0.1 and 200 MeV. In the operation of the invention, the high energy particles pass through and degrade tracks in a track registering material placed on a carrier substrate. These tracks are enlarged with a developing agent which etches the initial tracks. The enlarged tracks are then visualized by means of a color change in the immediate vicinity of these tracks.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordhanbhai Patel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T5/00; G01T5/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S250/00; Y10S250/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A composite developable device for monitoring the presence of high energy radiation particles comprising: (a) at least one layer of track registering material capable of being penetrated by said particles to form tracks therein, (b) at least one indicator layer comprising a polymeric dispersion layer, having indicator dispersed therein, said indicator being capable of changing color in the presence of a solution of a water soluble developing agent in a hydroxylic solvent, said agent being selected from the group consisting of strong acids, strong bases, reducing agents and oxidizing agents, wherein one or more members of said group are also capable of etching the penetrated tracks in said track registering material, and (c) a carrier substrate wherein the indicator layer is coated on one side thereof on to said track registering material and on the other side thereof contacted by said carrier substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A composite developable device for monitoring the presence of high energy radiation particles comprising: (a) at least one layer of track registering material capable of being penetrated by said particles to form tracks therein, (b) at least one indicator layer comprising a polymeric dispersion layer, having indicator dispersed therein, said indicator being capable of changing color in the presence of a solution of a water soluble developing agent in a hydroxylic solvent, said agent being selected from the group consisting of strong acids, strong bases, reducing agents and oxidizing agents, wherein one or more members of said group are also capable of etching the penetrated tracks in said track registering material, and (c) a carrier substrate wherein the indicator layer is coated on one side thereof on to said track registering material and on the other side thereof contacted by said carrier substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device of claim 1 for monitoring particles having an energy of between 0.1 and 200 Mev.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device of claim 1 additionally comprising at least one radiator layer in contact with said track registering material, said radiator layer comprising material which when struck by high energy radiation particles will generate alpha particles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device of claim 1 additionally comprising at least one radiator layer in contact with said track registering material, said radiator layer comprising material which when struck by high energy radiation particles will generate fission fragments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device of claim 3 wherein the radiator layer material is selected from the group consisting of B-10 and Li-6.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device of claim 4 wherein the radiator layer material is U-235.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the carrier substrate is substantially resistant to said solutions of said developing agents.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the carrier substrate is selected from the group consisting of glasses, ceramics, plastics and metals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the carrier substrate is a second layer of track registering material capable of being penetrated by said particles to form tracks therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the carrier substrate is substantially planar and substantially translucent and is provided, on the side distal from the indicator layer with a second indicator layer itself in contact with a second layer of track registering material capable of being penetrated by said particles to form tracks therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the particles are alpha particles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the particles are protons, nucleon ions, neutrons or fission fragments.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the track registering material is inorganic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the track registering material is a polymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device of claim 14 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetatebutyrate, polymethylmethacrylate, poly(bisphenol-A carbonate) and crosslinked poly (diallyl diethylene glycol carbonate) and mixtures thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the track registering layer is a polymeric film.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the indicator layer is a dyestuff layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the dispersant layer is a water soluble, water permeable, water absorbing or water swellable layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the dispersant layer comprises a water soluble, water permeable, water absorbing or water swellable polymeric layer located between said track registering layer and said carrier substrate and having a dyestuff dispersed therein.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device of claim 16 wherein the indicator, being a dyestuff, and the carrier substrate, are both selected to be insoluble in organic solvents in which said polymeric film material is soluble.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device of claim 16 wherein the indicator, being a dyestuff, the dispersant layer, and the carrier substrate, are selected to be insoluble in organic solvents in which said polymeric film material is soluble.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the indicator is at least one pH sensitive dyestuff.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the indicator is at least one redox indicator dye.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the developing agent is an alkali and the hydroxylic solvent is water, methanol or glycerol.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device of claim 1 wherein the indicator is selected from the group consisting of Bromophenol Blue, Phenolphthalein, Thymolphthalein, Aniline Blue, Brilliant Yellow+Aniline Blue, Brillian Yellow+Brilliant Green.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device of claim 25 wherein the indicator is aniline blue.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
73 words
A method of monitoring the presence of high energy radiation particles which comprises the sequential steps of: (a) exposing a device of claim 1 to an environment suspected of containing such particle radiation, for a predetermined period of time, (b) developing the latent image in said device by immersing said device in a hydroxylic solution of a developing agent of claim 1, (c) and washing the solution of developing agent from said device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method of claim 27 comprising the additional step of drying the washed device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of claim 27 additionally comprising a water soluble, water absorbant, water permeable or water swellable dispersant layer located between said track registering layer and said carrier substrate and having said dyestuff dispersed therein.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method of claim 27 wherein the track registering material is a polymeric film and, the indicator being a dyestuff and the carrier substrate, are selected to be insoluble in organic solvents in which said polymeric film material is soluble.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of claim 29 wherein the track registering material is a polymeric film and, the indicator being a dyestuff and the dispersant layer, and the carrier substrate are selected to be insoluble in organic solvents in which said polymeric film material is soluble.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of claim 27 wherein the track registering material is a polymer selected from the group consisting of cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetatebutyrate, polymethylmethacrylate, poly(bisphenol-A carbonate) and crosslinked poly(diallyl diethylene glycol carbonate) and mixtures thereof.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 27 wherein the dyestuff is pH sensitive.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 27 wherein the developing agent is aqueous alkali.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 27 wherein the dyestuff is aniline blue.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of monitoring the presence of high energy radiation particles which comprises the sequential steps of: (a) exposing a composite developable device to an environment suspected of containing such particle radiation, for a predetermined period of time, said device comprising: (i) at least one layer of track registering material capable of being penetrated by said particles to form tracks therein; (ii) a carrier substrate, (iii) an indicator layer coated on one side thereof on to said track registering material and on the other side thereof contacted by said carrier substrate, said indicator layer comprising a polymeric dispersion layer, (b) developing the latent image in said device by immersing said device in a hydroxylic solution of a developing agent selected from the group consisting of strong acids, strong bases, reducing agents and oxidising agents, wherein one or more members of said group are also capable of etching the penetrated paths in said track registering material.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of monitoring the presence of high energy radiation particles which comprises the sequential steps of: (a) exposing a composite developable device to an environment suspected of containing such particle radiation, for a predetermined period of time, said device comprising: (i) at least one layer of track registering material capable of being penetrated by said particles to form tracks therein; (ii) a carrier substrate, (iii) an indicator layer coated on one side thereof on to said track registering material and on the other side thereof contacted by said carrier substrate, said indicator layer comprising a polymeric dispersion layer, (b) developing the latent image in said device by immersing said device in a hydroxylic solution of a developing agent selected from the group consisting of strong acids, strong bases, reducing agents and oxidising agents, wherein one or more members of said group are also capable of etching the penetrated paths in said track registering material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 36 wherein the developing agent is aqueous alkali.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 36 wherein the dyestuff is aniline blue.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
57 words
A kit for the monitoring of high energy radiation particles comprising: (a) a device of claim 1 packaged in an airtight readily openable container, and (b) a developing chamber, in said container, of sufficient size to readily contain said device of claim 1, a sufficient amount of developing agent to provide a solution therein of predetermined concentration.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
A kit for measuring the level of high energy radiation particles comprising: a kit of claim 39 and a calibration chart.
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) | 1991-11-29 | 1992-05-30 | 1992-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-29 | 1996-05-30 | 1996-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-29 | 2000-05-30 | 2000-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |