System and method for locating radiation sources
First Claim
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1. A method for detection and locating a source of radiation, comprising:
- providing a plurality of radiation detectors mounted to a vehicle;
comparing count rates amongst the plurality of radiation detectors to determine a direction in which the vehicle should move to locate the source of radiation;
rotating the plurality of radiation detectors in unison using a common gear so that the plurality of radiation detectors are at a same angle relative to a horizontal plane so as to maximize a detection efficiency for detecting radiation emitted from a source in the vicinity of the vehicle as the vehicle moves towards the source of radiation; and
determining that the vehicle has reached the source of radiation.
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Abstract
A radiation detection system is disclosed comprising of number of detector elements arranged in a regular pattern that allows for directional information to be collected based on the number of radiation interaction events in each detection element. This system is mounted to an unmanned vehicle. In some embodiments, this information is used by the motion control unit of the unmanned vehicle to guide its movement toward a radiation source. A radiation spectrometer, also integrated in the detection system, is able to identify radiation sources.
9 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for detection and locating a source of radiation, comprising:
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providing a plurality of radiation detectors mounted to a vehicle; comparing count rates amongst the plurality of radiation detectors to determine a direction in which the vehicle should move to locate the source of radiation; rotating the plurality of radiation detectors in unison using a common gear so that the plurality of radiation detectors are at a same angle relative to a horizontal plane so as to maximize a detection efficiency for detecting radiation emitted from a source in the vicinity of the vehicle as the vehicle moves towards the source of radiation; and determining that the vehicle has reached the source of radiation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for detection and locating a source of radiation, comprising:
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a plurality of rotatable detectors positioned on a vehicle, wherein the plurality of rotatable detectors are coupled to a common gear so as to rotate in unison to a common angle; and a controller coupled to the plurality of detectors to determine a direction of the source of radiation based on count rates received from the plurality of detectors and to direct the vehicle on a direction to proceed to locate the source of radiation. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A multi-element radiation measurement system, comprising:
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a plurality of radiation detection panels arranged in a pattern around a central point with substantially equidistant spacing there between and coupled together so as to rotate in unison to a common angle, the plurality of radiation detection panels for generating radiation event information in response to receiving a flux of radiation emitted from a radiation source; a controller coupled to the plurality of radiation detection panels for rotating the radiation detection panels in response to receiving the flux of radiation so as to maximize detecting the flux of radiation; and at least one radiation spectrometer device coupled to the controller that provides energy information based on interaction with the flux of radiation emitted from the radiation source so as to identify a type of radiation source or radionuclide. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification