Apparatus for identifying and tracking a targeted nuclear source
First Claim
1. Apparatus for identifying and tracking a targeted nuclear source comprising:
- detector means to detect any gamma rays emitted by said nuclear source and to convert readings of any gamma ray detected into electrical signals;
analyzing means, which measures the radiation count of any gamma rays detected", electronically connected to said detector means,to split the spectrum of any gamma rays detected on either side of a predetermined and variable discrimination line into two energy groups, an upper portion and a lower portion, andto compute and compare the ratio of the radiation count of said upper portion and the radiation count of said lower portion of said gamma ray spectrum taken on one reading of said detector means with the ratio of radiation counts between said upper portion and said lower portion taken on a previous reading of said detector means or with an expected value;
alarm means, electronically connected to said analyzing means, for indicating, in a particular reading by said detector means, when the ratio of radiation counts between said two energy groups has changed or has not met an expected value.
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Abstract
A plurality of fixed gamma ray detectors is deployed along a corridor or other path to be taken by a targeted nuclear source. Each fixed gamma ray detector and its associated electronics splits the spectrum of any gamma rays detected into two energy groups, one on either side of a predetermined and variable discrimination line along the energy base line. A plurality of paired single channel analyzers (dual channel analyzer), each pair collocated and electronically connected with a gamma ray detector, records the count of each portion of the detected gamma ray spectrum. A host computer computes the ratio between the radiation counts of the two energy groups on a recurring basis and compares the ratio taken on one reading of the detectors with the ratio taken on a previous reading of the detectors. An audible or visual alarm, connected to the computer, is produces when the ratio between the two energy groups has changed or has not met an expected value. To avoid simulation of the nuclear source, the coverage of the two energy groups together, in relation to the total spectrum of the detected gamma ray, or to each other, can be varied and the ratios between the upper and lower portions can be manipulated by changing the position of the discrimination line between the two energy groups. A series of the ratios obtained could be used collectively to identify the gamma emitting sample.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. Apparatus for identifying and tracking a targeted nuclear source comprising:
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detector means to detect any gamma rays emitted by said nuclear source and to convert readings of any gamma ray detected into electrical signals; analyzing means, which measures the radiation count of any gamma rays detected", electronically connected to said detector means, to split the spectrum of any gamma rays detected on either side of a predetermined and variable discrimination line into two energy groups, an upper portion and a lower portion, and to compute and compare the ratio of the radiation count of said upper portion and the radiation count of said lower portion of said gamma ray spectrum taken on one reading of said detector means with the ratio of radiation counts between said upper portion and said lower portion taken on a previous reading of said detector means or with an expected value; alarm means, electronically connected to said analyzing means, for indicating, in a particular reading by said detector means, when the ratio of radiation counts between said two energy groups has changed or has not met an expected value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification