US4729866A
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High fluence neutron dosimetry method
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co LLC
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Filing: 1986-11-07
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Granted: 1988-03-08
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Expires: 2006-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A high fluence neutron dosimetry method is described, including the steps of: exposing a dosimeter containing an alpha-emitting target isotope to neutron irradiation to form an alpha-emitting product isotope; determining the alpha decay rates of the target nucleus and the product nucleus; and using known alpha decay constants for the target nucleus and the product nucleus and the determined alpha decay rates of the target nucleus and the product nucleus to determine the neutron capture rate of the product nucleus.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis H. Ruddy
- 👤 Ezra P. Lippincott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T3/00; G01T3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A high fluence neutron dosimetry method, comprising the steps of: (a) exposing a dosimeter containing an alpha-emitting target isotope to neutron irradiation to form an alpha-emitting product isotope; (b) determining the alpha decay rates of the target nucleus and the product nucleus; and (c) using known alpha decay constants for the target nucleus and the product nucleus and the determined alpha decay rates of the target nucleus and the product nucleus to determine the neutron capture rate of the target nucleus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A high fluence neutron dosimetry method, comprising the steps of: (a) exposing a dosimeter containing an alpha-emitting target isotope to neutron irradiation to form an alpha-emitting product isotope; (b) determining the alpha decay rates of the target nucleus and the product nucleus; and (c) using known alpha decay constants for the target nucleus and the product nucleus and the determined alpha decay rates of the target nucleus and the product nucleus to determine the neutron capture rate of the target nucleus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the following substeps: (i) subjecting the exposed dosimeter to a counting of the number of atoms of the target nucleus and the number of atoms of the product nucleus using an alpha-spectrometer, and (ii) separating the respective alpha peaks representing the decay rates of the target nucleus and the product nucleus using the alpha-spectrometer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the target nucleus and the product nucleus are selected from the target/product isotope pairs 232 Th- 233 U, 235 U- 236 U, 231 Pa- 232 U, 238 U- 239 Pu, 237 Np- 238 Pu, 239 Pu- 240 Pu, 240 Pu- 241 Pu, 226 Ra- 227 Ac, 241 Am- 242 Cm, 248 Cm- 249 Bk, 244 Pu- 245 Cm, 242 Pu- 243 Am, 247 Bk- 248 Cf and 252 Cf- 253 Es.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the target nucleus and the product nucleus are selected from the target/product isotope pairs 232 Th- 233 U, 235 U- 236 U, 231 Pa- 232 U, 238 U- 239 Pu, 237 Np- 238 Pu, 239 Pu- 240 Pu, 240 Pu- 241 Pu, 226 Ra- 227 Ac, 241 Am- 242 Cm, 248 Cm- 249 Bk, 244 Pu- 245 Cm, 242 Pu- 243 Am, 247 Bk- 248 Cf and 252 Cf- 253 Es.
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) | 1991-03-08 | 1991-09-07 | 1992-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-08 | 1995-09-07 | 1996-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-08 | 1999-09-07 | 2000-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |