Patent US3710112A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3710112A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of indirectly monitoring the output of a pulsed neutron source
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1970-05-18
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1990-05-18
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a borehole tool for assaying for uranium and having a pulsed neutron source of the accelerator type and a detector for detecting delayed fission neutrons. In operation, the source is periodically actuated to produce very short neutron bursts having a duration of a few microseconds or less. Located adjacent the source is a gamma-ray detector for detecting delayed gamma rays emitted from oxygen in the formations when irradiated with neutrons and resulting from the reaction O16(n,p)N16 -> O16 + gamma . These gamma rays are recorded to obtain an indirect measure of the neutron output produced by the source.
Inventors
- 👤 R Caldwell
- 👤 W Givens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V5/00; G01V5/04; G01V5/08; G01V5/10; G01V5/107; G01V5/108; G01V5/104; G01V5/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of monitoring the output of a pulsed neutron source while operated in a borehole to investigate subsurface formations in uranium assaying, comprising the steps of: locating said source in a borehole at the level of a formation of interest, periodically operating said source over an interval of time for the production of bursts of fast neutrons spaced in time for irradiating said formation, detecting radiation of interest resulting from the irradiation of said formation, recording said radiation of interest detected between neutron bursts during said interval of time, detecting the quantity of delayed gamma rays emitted from oxygen in said formation when irradiated with neutrons from said source and resulting from the reaction O16(n,p)N16 -> O16 + gamma , and recording the quantity of delayed gamma rays detected between neutron bursts during said interval of time to obtain a representation of the quantity of neutrons produced by said source during said interval.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of monitoring the output of a pulsed neutron source while operated in a borehole to investigate subsurface formations in uranium assaying, comprising the steps of: locating said source in a borehole at the level of a formation of interest, periodically operating said source over an interval of time for the production of bursts of fast neutrons spaced in time for irradiating said formation, detecting radiation of interest resulting from the irradiation of said formation, recording said radiation of interest detected between neutron bursts during said interval of time, detecting the quantity of delayed gamma rays emitted from oxygen in said formation when irradiated with neutrons from said source and resulting from the reaction O16(n,p)N16 -> O16 + gamma , and recording the quantity of delayed gamma rays detected between neutron bursts during said interval of time to obtain a representation of the quantity of neutrons produced by said source during said interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said interval of time is a predetermined time period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said interval of time is determined by the detection of a predetermined number of said delayed gamma rays.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3034008A
Cited
US3133195A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |