skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Nuclear cargo detector

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1176037

Apparatus for the inspection of cargo containers for nuclear materials comprising one or more arrays of modules comprising grounded, closed conductive tubes filled with an ionizing gas mixture such as, but not limited to, Argon:CO2. A wire is suspended along each tube axis and electrically connected at both ends of the tube. A positive, dc high voltage is supplied to one end of the wire and an amplifier is attached to the other end through a capacitance to decouple the amplifier from the high voltage. X-rays, gamma rays or neutrons produced by nuclear material and passing through the tube ionize the gas. The electrons from the gas ionization process are accelerated toward the wire surface due to the wire's electrical potential. The acceleration of the electrons near the wire's surface is sufficient to ionize more gas and produce an amplification of electrons/ions that create a surge of current large enough to be detectable by the amplifier. Means are also provided for a warning device coupled to the amplifier.

Research Organization:
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF), Newport News, VA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84ER40150
Assignee:
Southeastern Universities Research Association, Inc. (Newport News, VA)
Patent Number(s):
7,151,266
Application Number:
10/412,990
OSTI ID:
1176037
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 2003 Apr 14
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Surface ionization microscope
Conference · Fri Mar 15 00:00:00 EST 1963 · OSTI ID:1176037

Performance of Au transmission photocathode on a microchannel plate detector
Journal Article · Wed Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2008 · Review of Scientific Instruments · OSTI ID:1176037

RADIATION-MEASURING SYSTEMS OF SOVIET ROCKETS
Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1961 · Geomagnetizm i aeronomiya · OSTI ID:1176037