US3786253A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gamma and neutron scintillator
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1972-02-01
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1992-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A uni-directional spectrometer is described that can detect and distinguish between gamma ray and neutron fluxes. The scintillator has two parallel disposed cylindrical scintillating elements that are made, for example, of plastic. The plastic compound of one element comprises only protons or hydrogen atoms, having atomic weight one, and the other element is made of a chemically similar plastic compound comprising only deuterium or hydrogen atoms of atomic weight two. The two cylindrical scintillator elements are enclosed within an anti-coincidence or outer scintillator element, with both ends of each cylinder exposed. On the same adjacent ends of each cylindrical element are disposed photomultiplier tubes. On opposite sides of the outer scintillator element are disposed two additional photomultiplier tubes. The cylindrical elements and the outer element are each, respectively, enclosed in a thin coating of aluminum except where the respective elements are in contact with the photomultiplier tubes to isolate the light output from each element.
Inventors
- 👤 J Haffner
- 👤 L Pearce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T3/00; G01T3/06; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A scintillator for measuring substantially unidirectional radiation energy comprising: first and second scintillator elements of substantially the same configuration; said first scintillator element being comprised of a chemical compound having hydrogen atoms with an atomic weight of one and said second scintillator element being comprised of the same chemical compound With hydrogen atoms having an atomic weight of two; a first photomultiplier tube in contact with a surface of said first scintillator element; a second photomultiplier tube in contact with a surface of said second scintillator element; a third scintillator element enclosing both said first and second scintillator elements and leaving an exposed window surface on each of said first and second scintillator elements facing in the same direction; said third scintillator element being made of the same material as either of said first or second scintillator elements; at least one photomultiplier tube in contact with said third scintillator element and connected with said first and second scintillator photomultiplier tubes in a manner to form an anticoincidence circuit whereby only radiation energy entering the exposed window surfaces of said first and second scintillator elements is measured by said scintillator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A scintillator for measuring substantially unidirectional radiation energy comprising: first and second scintillator elements of substantially the same configuration; said first scintillator element being comprised of a chemical compound having hydrogen atoms with an atomic weight of one and said second scintillator element being comprised of the same chemical compound With hydrogen atoms having an atomic weight of two; a first photomultiplier tube in contact with a surface of said first scintillator element; a second photomultiplier tube in contact with a surface of said second scintillator element; a third scintillator element enclosing both said first and second scintillator elements and leaving an exposed window surface on each of said first and second scintillator elements facing in the same direction; said third scintillator element being made of the same material as either of said first or second scintillator elements; at least one photomultiplier tube in contact with said third scintillator element and connected with said first and second scintillator photomultiplier tubes in a manner to form an anticoincidence circuit whereby only radiation energy entering the exposed window surfaces of said first and second scintillator elements is measured by said scintillator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The scintillator of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third scintillator elements are each covered with a specular reflective coating with openings therein at each such scintillator element to permit light rays to pass to the respective photomultiplier tubes associated with each of said scintillator elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The scintillator of claim 2 wherein said first and second scintillator elements have an elongated shape and are disposed in spaced, parallel relationship to each other, and said third scintillator element is also disposed between said first and second scintillator elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The scintillator of claim 3 wherein the axial ends of said elongated first and second scintillator elements are flush with outer surfaces of said third scintillator element to form an exposed window surface on one end of each of said first and second scintillator elements, and said first and second photomultiplier tubes are in contact with the respective other flush axial ends of said first and second scintillator elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The scintillator of claim 4 wherein two photomultiplier tubes are in contact with said third scintillator element on opposite sides thereof.
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) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |