Patent US5204527A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5204527A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Neutron particle energy detector
Assignee: Halliburton Co
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Filing: 1991-03-12
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Granted: 1993-04-20
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Expires: 2011-03-12
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method utilize a neutron sensitive medium in which initially existing atoms of the medium are divided into particles, reaction energy and neutron energy. The medium undergoes polarization in response to the reaction energy and the neutron energy. This produces an electrical charge gradient which is proportional to the energies and which can be sensed and analyzed to indicate just the neutron energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronnie J. Buchanan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V5/00; G01V5/04; G01V5/08; G01V5/10; G01V5/107; G01T; G01T3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of measuring neutron energy, comprising: placing a lithium tantalate crystal in a field of neutrons to be measured so that the crystal is polarized in response to each nuclear reaction between a neutron from the field and a lithium atom in the crystal; flowing an electrical current having a magntiude responsive to the polarization of the crystal; and determining in response to the electrical current the energy of the neutron from the field reacting with the lithium atom in the crystal, including generating a neutron energy spectrum.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of measuring neutron energy, comprising: placing a lithium tantalate crystal in a field of neutrons to be measured so that the crystal is polarized in response to each nuclear reaction between a neutron from the field and a lithium atom in the crystal; flowing an electrical current having a magntiude responsive to the polarization of the crystal; and determining in response to the electrical current the energy of the neutron from the field reacting with the lithium atom in the crystal, including generating a neutron energy spectrum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein: said flowing an electrical current includes connecting a resistance across the crystal; and said determining the neutron energy includes connecting a multichannel analyzer across the resistance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said placing a lithium tantalate crystal includes lowering the crystal into a well.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the nuclear reaction is confined wholly within the crystal.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for measuring neutron energy, comprising: means for producing nuclear reactions within itself in response to neutrons moving into said means, said means including a single body to which said nuclear reactions are limited, said body comprising a medium wherein a nuclear reaction causes a potential difference between two sides of said body; means, connected to said two sides of said body, for sensing the potential difference; and means for determining an energy spectrum of the neutrons in response to the sensed potential difference.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for measuring neutron energy, comprising: means for producing nuclear reactions within itself in response to neutrons moving into said means, said means including a single body to which said nuclear reactions are limited, said body comprising a medium wherein a nuclear reaction causes a potential difference between two sides of said body; means, connected to said two sides of said body, for sensing the potential difference; and means for determining an energy spectrum of the neutrons in response to the sensed potential difference.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said medium includes lithium tantalate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein: said medium includes a crystal having said two sides; and said means for sensing includes: a resistance connected to said two sides of said crystal; and an amplifier connected across said resistance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherien said means for determining includes a multichannel analyzer connected to said amplifier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said crystal includes lithium tantalate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising: means, connected to said means for sensing, for processing the sensed potential in a well; and a housing having said medium, said means for sensing and said means for processing disposed therein, said housing adapted to be lowered into a well.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said means for processing includes means for storing in said housing data about the sensed potential.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said means for processing includes means for transmitting data representative of the sensed potential
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5, further comprising: means, connected to said means for sensing, for processing the sensed potential in a well; and a housing having said medium, said means for sensing and said means for processing disposed therein, said housing adapted to be lowered into a well.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said means for processing includes means for storing in said housing data about the sensed potential.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said processing includes means for transmitting data representative of the sensed potential.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
100 words
A neutron detector comprising: a lithium tantalate crystal having opposed sides between which electrical charge gradients are produced in response to neutrons entering said crystal and generating nuclear reactions with lithium atoms in said crystal, each of said nuclear reactions including the production of an alpha particle and a hydrogen-3 atom and the release of energy Q and energy E n ; and means, connected to said opposed sides of said lithium tantalate crystal, for producing in response to the electrical charge gradients a neutron energy spectrum representative of the energies E n of the neutrons causing said nuclear reactions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
100 words
A neutron detector comprising: a lithium tantalate crystal having opposed sides between which electrical charge gradients are produced in response to neutrons entering said crystal and generating nuclear reactions with lithium atoms in said crystal, each of said nuclear reactions including the production of an alpha particle and a hydrogen-3 atom and the release of energy Q and energy E n ; and means, connected to said opposed sides of said lithium tantalate crystal, for producing in response to the electrical charge gradients a neutron energy spectrum representative of the energies E n of the neutrons causing said nuclear reactions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
A neutron detector as defined in claim 16, wherein said means for producing includes: a resistance connected to said opposed sides of said lithium tantalate crystal so that current flows through said resistance in response to the electrical charge gradients; an amplifier connected across said resistance; and a multichannel analyzer connected to said amplifier.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A neutron detector as defined in claim 16, further comprising a housing having said lithium tantalate crystal and said means for producing disposed therein, said housing adapted for being lowered into a well.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of measuring neutron energy, comprising: placing a lithium tantalate crystal in a field of neutrons to be measured so that the crystal is polarized in response to each nuclear reaction between a neutron from the field and a lithium atom in the crystal, wherein said placing a lithium tantalate crystal includes lowering the crystal into a well; flowing an electrical current having a magnitude responsive to the polarization of the crystal; and determining in response to the electrical current the energy of the neutron from the field reacting with the lithium atom in the crystal.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of measuring neutron energy, comprising: placing a lithium tantalate crystal in a field of neutrons to be measured so that the crystal is polarized in response to each nuclear reaction between a neutron from the field and a lithium atom in the crystal, wherein said placing a lithium tantalate crystal includes lowering the crystal into a well; flowing an electrical current having a magnitude responsive to the polarization of the crystal; and determining in response to the electrical current the energy of the neutron from the field reacting with the lithium atom in the crystal.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for measuring neutron energy, comprising: means for producing nuclear reactions within itself in response to neutrons moving into said means, said means including a single body to which said nuclear reactions are limited, said body comprisign a medium wherein a nuclear reaction causes a potential difference between two sides of said body, said medium including a crystal having said two sides, said crystal including lithium tantalate; means, connected to said two sides of said body, for sensing the potential difference, said means including: a resistance connected to said two sides of said crystal; and an amplifier connected across said resistance; means, connected to said means for sensing, for processing the sensed potential in a well; and a housing having said medium, said means for sensing and said means for processing disposed therein, said housing adapted to be lowered into a well.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for measuring neutron energy, comprising: means for producing nuclear reactions within itself in response to neutrons moving into said means, said means including a single body to which said nuclear reactions are limited, said body comprisign a medium wherein a nuclear reaction causes a potential difference between two sides of said body, said medium including a crystal having said two sides, said crystal including lithium tantalate; means, connected to said two sides of said body, for sensing the potential difference, said means including: a resistance connected to said two sides of said crystal; and an amplifier connected across said resistance; means, connected to said means for sensing, for processing the sensed potential in a well; and a housing having said medium, said means for sensing and said means for processing disposed therein, said housing adapted to be lowered into a well.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said means for processing includes means for storing in said housing data about the sensed potential.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said means for processing includes means for transmitting data representative of the sensed potential.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for measuring neutron energy, comprising: means for producing nuclear reactions within itself in response to neutrons moving into said means, said means including a single body to which said nuclear reactions are limited, said body comprising a medium wherein a nuclear reaction causes a potential difference between two sides of said body; means, connected to said two sides of said body, for sensing the potential difference; means, connected to said means for sensing, for processing the sensed potential in a well; and a housing having said medium, said means for sensing and said means for processing disposed therein, said housing adapted to be lowered into a well.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for measuring neutron energy, comprising: means for producing nuclear reactions within itself in response to neutrons moving into said means, said means including a single body to which said nuclear reactions are limited, said body comprising a medium wherein a nuclear reaction causes a potential difference between two sides of said body; means, connected to said two sides of said body, for sensing the potential difference; means, connected to said means for sensing, for processing the sensed potential in a well; and a housing having said medium, said means for sensing and said means for processing disposed therein, said housing adapted to be lowered into a well.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said means for processing includes means for storing in said housing data about the sensed potential.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said means for processing includes means for transmitting data representative of the sensed potential.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
122 words
A neutron detector, comprising: a lithium tantalate crystal having opposed sides between which an electrical charge gradient is produced in response to a neutron entering said crystal and generating a nuclear reaction with a lithium atom in said crystal, said nuclear reaction including the production of an alpha particle and a hydrogen-3 atom and the release of energy Q and energy E n ; means, connected to said opposed sides of said lithium tantalate crystal, for producing in response to the electrical charge gradient data representative of the energy E n of the neutron causing said nuclear reaction; and a housing having said lithium tantalate crystal and said means for producing disposed therein, said housing adapted for being lowered into a well.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
122 words
A neutron detector, comprising: a lithium tantalate crystal having opposed sides between which an electrical charge gradient is produced in response to a neutron entering said crystal and generating a nuclear reaction with a lithium atom in said crystal, said nuclear reaction including the production of an alpha particle and a hydrogen-3 atom and the release of energy Q and energy E n ; means, connected to said opposed sides of said lithium tantalate crystal, for producing in response to the electrical charge gradient data representative of the energy E n of the neutron causing said nuclear reaction; and a housing having said lithium tantalate crystal and said means for producing disposed therein, said housing adapted for being lowered into a well.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
34 words
A method of detecting neutron flux, comprising: lowering a lithium tantalate crystal into a well; exposing the lithium tantalate crystal to neutron impingement in the well; and measuring an output signal from the crystal.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
34 words
A method of detecting neutron flux, comprising: lowering a lithium tantalate crystal into a well; exposing the lithium tantalate crystal to neutron impingement in the well; and measuring an output signal from the crystal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 27, wherein the crystal has a pair of spaced opposing sides, and the otuput signal is measured at the sides.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 27, wherein neutron impingement with the crystal creates charged ions within the crystal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 27, wherein the output signal is supplied to a multichannel analyzer to form an energy spectrum.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
60 words
An energy measuring device responsive to neutron impingement, comprising: crystalline lithium tantalate; a housing for lowering said crystalline lithium tantalate into a well; and two electrodes connected to said crystalline lithium tantalate so that charge gradients exist between said electrodes in proportional response to energy deposited or released within said crystalline lithium tantalate by neutron impingement from within the well.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
60 words
An energy measuring device responsive to neutron impingement, comprising: crystalline lithium tantalate; a housing for lowering said crystalline lithium tantalate into a well; and two electrodes connected to said crystalline lithium tantalate so that charge gradients exist between said electrodes in proportional response to energy deposited or released within said crystalline lithium tantalate by neutron impingement from within the well.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
An energy measuring device as defined in claim 31, further comprising means for transmitting from the well data representative of said charge gradients.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4303343A
Cited
US4866607A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-04-19 | 1996-10-19 | 1997-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-19 | 2000-10-19 | 2001-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-19 | 2004-10-19 | 2005-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |