Method and apparatus for determining the content and distribution of a thermal neutron absorbing material in an object

Patent · Tue Jan 21 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5810339

Crane, T W

This patent describes an apparatus for determining the content and distribution of a thermal neutron absorbing material within an object. The apparatus consists of: a. means for generating neutrons having an energy higher than thermal neutrons; b. means for thermalizing the higher energy neutrons, the neutron thermalizing means being disposed between the neutron generating means and the object; c. neutron detecting means for counting thermal neutrons, the neutrons detecting means including and active portion, the active portion being centrally disposed within the neutron detecting means and in substantial alignment with the neutron generating means; and d. shield means interposed between the object and the neutron detecting means, the shield means comprising an effective thermal neutron absorbing material and having portions defining an orifice, the orifice disposed in substantial alignment between the active portion and the neutron generating means, wherby the number of neutrons absorbed by the object per unit time is determined by comparing the neutron flux at the neutron detecting means when the object is located between the neutron thermalizing means and the shield means with the neutron flux when the object is absent.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): US 4565926
• OSTI ID: 5810339
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 21 Dec 1983
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
NEUTRON ABSORBERS
DETECTION
NEUTRON DETECTORS
DESIGN
ABSORPTION
ALIGNMENT
NEUTRON DETECTION
NEUTRON FLUX
NEUTRON SOURCES
ORIFICES
RADIOMETRIC GAGES
THERMAL NEUTRONS
THERMALIZATION
BARYONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEONS
OPENINGS
PARTICLE SOURCES
RADIATION DETECTION
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATION FLUX
RADIATION SOURCES
SLOWING-DOWN
440105* - Radiation Instrumentation- Radiometric Instruments- (-1987)