US5025150A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Site survey method and apparatus
Assignee: Chem Nuclear Systems LLC
•
Filing: 1988-10-14
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Granted: 1991-06-18
•
Expires: 2008-10-14
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure of the invention is directed to a site survey ground vehicle based apparatus and method for automatically detecting source materials, such as radioactivity, marking the location of the source materials, such as with paint, and mapping the location of the source materials on a site. The apparatus of the invention is also useful for collecting and analyzing samples. The apparatus includes a ground vehicle, detectors mounted at the front of the ground vehicle, and individual detector supports which follow somewhat irregular terrain to allow consistent and accurate detection, and autolocation equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 James G. Oldham
- 👤 Charles R. Spencer
- 👤 Carl L. Begley
- 👤 H. Robert Meyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V5/00; G01V5/02; G01T; G01T7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A site survey apparatus for detecting a source material present on a site, the apparatus comprising: a ground vehicle; means for moving and guiding said ground vehicle on a selected path; and means for following terrain disposed on said ground vehicle for automatically retaining and independently positioning each of a plurality of detectors above ground, said means being capable of automatically and independently positioning and retaining each of said detectors at a predetermined height above the ground and in a selected positional relationship to other detectors and maintaining the positions of said detectors as said vehicle transverses irregular terrain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A site survey apparatus for detecting a source material present on a site, the apparatus comprising: a ground vehicle; means for moving and guiding said ground vehicle on a selected path; and means for following terrain disposed on said ground vehicle for automatically retaining and independently positioning each of a plurality of detectors above ground, said means being capable of automatically and independently positioning and retaining each of said detectors at a predetermined height above the ground and in a selected positional relationship to other detectors and maintaining the positions of said detectors as said vehicle transverses irregular terrain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said detector, retaining, and positioning means comprises wheeled carriage means and detector support means for each said detector for maintaining said detectors in their selected relationship to one another and each said detector at said predetermined height above the ground during travel of said ground vehicle over irregular terrain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said wheeled carriage means comprises two wheels for each detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said detector support means for each said detector comprises vertical movement means for providing automatic upward and downward movement of each of said carriage means detectors as said ground vehicle travels over irregular terrain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said detector support means comprises swivel means for automatic sideways turning movement of said carriage means and said detector support means as said ground vehicle travels over irregular terrain.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said detector retaining and positioning means are disposed in front of said ground vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said apparatus further comprises means disposed in front of said detector retaining and positioning means for deflecting objects present in the path of travel of said ground vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising detector height adjustment means disposed on said ground vehicle and operably connected to said detector retaining and positioning means for raising, lowering, and positioning said detectors at a predetermined height.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said detector height adjustment means comprises means for raising said detectors above the ground into a retracted, non-use position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said detector height adjustment means comprises two horizontal bars on each of which a number of detectors are disposed, a junction wherein said two horizontal bars meet, and means for independently raising each of said horizontal bars upward from said junction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein when both said horizontal bars are raised, said horizontal bars form a V-shape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said moving and guiding means are driver operable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising shielding means for preventing a driver from being exposed to the source material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising filtering means for providing clean air flow to a driver.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said moving and guiding means are remotely operable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for operating said moving and guiding means to move said ground vehicle over a site in accordance with a predetermined site survey scanning pattern.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means responsive to said detectors for indicating source material areas on the site.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said source material indicating means comprises an autolocation system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said autolocation system comprises at least one system selected from the group consisting of microwave location, ultrasound location, laser location, radio location, inertial guidance, and radar location.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said source material indicating means comprises means for mapping source material areas on the site.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said mapping means comprises means for indicating coordinate locations for source material areas.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said mapping means comprises means for indicating distance of ground vehicle travel from a starting point.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said mapping means comprises dead reckoning means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said mapping means comprises means for generating a data display indicative of detected source material as a function of distance from a starting point.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said source material indicating means comprises means for producing a visual depiction of source material areas on the site.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said source material indicating means comprises means for visually marking source material areas with visually discernible indication means without vehicle operator assistance.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said means for visually marking said source material areas comprises means for applying paint to a detected area.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means responsive to said detectors for generating assessment data regarding sourced material areas.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said assessment data comprises qualitative data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said assessment data comprise quantitative data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said means responsive to said detectors for generating assessment data comprises means for storing detector provided data for source material areas.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said means responsive to said detectors for generating assessment data comprises an on-board computer disposed in said ground vehicle.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for collecting a sample of source material for assessment.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said sample collection means comprises a tube system.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said sample collection means comprises an auger system.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said detectors comprise means for detecting the presence of source material comprising radionuclides.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said detectors are capable of detecting at least one member selected from the group consisting of alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, x-rays, and neutrons.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said detectors comprise at least one member selected from the group consisting of scintillation detectors and semiconductor detectors.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein assemblies for said detectors are conical shaped, flaring outwards towards the ground.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said detectors comprise means for detecting the presence of source material comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of minerals, ores, metals, oil-containing materials, fuel reprocessing materials, and tailings.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said detectors comprise metal detectors.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said detectors comprise photo detectors, responding to neutron activation.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said detectors comprise means for detecting the presence of source material comprising toxic materials.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said detectors comprise means for detecting the presence of source material comprising hazardous materials.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said detectors comprise means for detecting the presence of source material comprising chemical materials.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the source material comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of toxic materials, hazardous materials, chemical materials, oil-containing materials, tailings, and fuel reprocessing materials, and said detectors comprise gas detectors.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
64 words
A site survey apparatus comprising: a ground vehicle; a plurality of implements associated with said ground vehicle; and terrain following means disposed on said ground vehicle for independently positioning each of said plurality of implements in a selected relationship to the others and for automatically substantially maintaining each said implement at a determined height above ground as said ground vehicle moves over irregular terrain.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
64 words
A site survey apparatus comprising: a ground vehicle; a plurality of implements associated with said ground vehicle; and terrain following means disposed on said ground vehicle for independently positioning each of said plurality of implements in a selected relationship to the others and for automatically substantially maintaining each said implement at a determined height above ground as said ground vehicle moves over irregular terrain.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for detecting a source material present on a site comprising the following steps of: a) providing a ground vehicle comprising detection means responsive to the source material, the detection means comprising a plurality of detectors which are independently positionable in a selected relationship to each other; b) scanning the site for the source material by traversing the site with the ground vehicle and the detection means, and automatically maintaining the detection means substantially at a predetermined height above the ground; and c) providing within the ground vehicle means responsive to the detection means for generating assessment data regarding any source material containing areas, the assessment data comprising the types and quantities of any source material detected on the site.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for detecting a source material present on a site comprising the following steps of: a) providing a ground vehicle comprising detection means responsive to the source material, the detection means comprising a plurality of detectors which are independently positionable in a selected relationship to each other; b) scanning the site for the source material by traversing the site with the ground vehicle and the detection means, and automatically maintaining the detection means substantially at a predetermined height above the ground; and c) providing within the ground vehicle means responsive to the detection means for generating assessment data regarding any source material containing areas, the assessment data comprising the types and quantities of any source material detected on the site.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 48 further comprising the step of mapping the location of any detected source material.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 49 wherein the mapping step comprises utilizing Cartesian coordinates.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 49 further comprising the step of mapping the path of the ground vehicle and any locations of detected source material.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 49 wherein prior to step a), performing an aerial survey to determine site boundaries.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 49 further comprising the step of compensating for background data.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-17 | 1994-12-17 | 1995-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-17 | 1998-12-17 | 1999-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-17 | 2002-12-17 | 2003-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |