Real time radioactive training

• US 8,294,589 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2010
• Issued: 10/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Smith, Tim, Altamirano, Arturo E., Wago, Toshimichi
• Primary Examiner(s): CROSLAND, DONNIE L
• Application Number:
  US12/689,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20100259405A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 340/686.1, 340/600, 340/539.29
• US Class Current: 340/686.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/02 operating on the steering mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 15/00 Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/47 using RFID associated with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A method of and a system for tracking radioactive sources includes at least one RFID tag attached to a radioactive source shield, the shield receiving a radioactive source at a base location, and a TRX-Gamma box for detecting identification information from the RFID tag and sensing a first gamma radiation count from the radioactive source shield. The identification information and the first gamma radiation count are stored and the shield with the radioactive source is transported to a job location where the radioactive source is removed from the shield. At the job location, a check is made that the radioactive source has been returned to the shield by comparing any newly detected identification information with the stored identification information, and by comparing a sensed second gamma radiation count with the first gamma radiation count.

Claims

1. A method of tracking radioactive sources, comprising:

attaching at least one RFID tag to a radioactive source shield;

placing a radioactive source in the radioactive source shield at a base location;

detecting identification information from the at least one RFID tag in the shield at the base location;

sensing a first gamma radiation count from the radioactive source in the shield at the base location;

storing the identification information and the first gamma radiation count;

transporting the radioactive source shield to a job location and removing the radioactive source from the shield; and

at the job location, checking that the radioactive source has been returned to the shield by comparing any newly detected identification information with the stored identification information, and by comparing a sensed second gamma radiation count with the first gamma radiation count.

2. The method according to claim 1, including transmitting position information during the transport of the shield to the job location, the transmitting being at least one of from predetermined locations of the shield and predetermined times.

3. The method according to claim 1, including transmitting position information from a location of the shield during the transport to the job location, establishing a Geofence around the location and not transmitting again until the shield has moved beyond the Geofence.

4. The method according to claim 1 including generating a real time display indicating an actual position of the shield.

5. The method according to claim 1, including transmitting position information from the shield including at least one of a time stamp, latitude and longitude, speed and direction.

6. The method according to claim 5, including transmitting the position information at least one of every time the shield moves and every 24 hours.

7. The method according to claim 1, including transmitting from the shield a data poll #1 message that contains the identification information related to the RFID tag.

8. The method according to claim 1, including transmitting from the shield a data poll #2 message that contains at least one of information about a user who last interacted with the shield and if there are any alarms.

9. The method according to claim 1, including a TRX-Gamma box attached to the shield, the box including an interface for permitting a user to select a mode of operation from at least one of a Standby Mode, a Loaded Mode, an Unloaded Mode, an Unattended Mode, a Disabled Mode, a Standard RF Safe Mode, and an Offshore Transport RF Safe Mode.

10. The method according to claim 1, including wirelessly transmitting information related to the radioactive source and the shield via satellite to a server and storing the transmitted information in a database.

11. The method according to claim 10, including obtaining a position of the shield from a GPS satellite and including the position in the transmitted information.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the radioactive source includes at least two separate radioactive sources.

13. The method according to claim 4, wherein generating comprises generating a real time display via a web browser interface.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising generating an electronic alarm in an alarm condition.

15. A system for tracking radioactive sources, comprising:

a radioactive source shield for storing a radioactive source;

an RFID tag attached to the radioactive source shield;

a TRX-Gamma box housing a gamma radiation sensor for sensing a gamma radiation count of the source and an RFID reader for detecting identification information from the RFID tag;

a server; and

a wireless transceiver connected to the sensor and the reader for receiving position information from a GPS satellite and for transmitting the position information, the gamma radiation count and the identification information to the server.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the shield is one of an overpack and a truck.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the TRX-Gamma box establishes a Geofence at a predetermined location of the shield and prevents the transceiver from transmitting until the shield is moved outside the Geofence.

18. The system according to claim 15, wherein the transceiver communicates with the server through a telecom apparatus including a communications satellite.

19. The system according to claim 15, wherein the shield is a truck and the TRX-Gamma box is connected to a door sensor for sensing a position of a door to a storage compartment for the radioactive source.

20. The system according to claim 15, wherein the TRX-Gamma box includes an interface for permitting a user to select a mode of operation from at least one of a Standby Mode, a Loaded Mode, an Unloaded Mode, an Unattended Mode, a Disabled Mode, a Standard RF Safe Mode, and an Offshore Transport RF Safe Mode.

21. The system according to claim 15, wherein the TRX-Gamma box is connected to an audible alarm for generating an alarm signal.

22. A kit for use in tracking radioactive sources, comprising:

an RFID tag for attachment to a radioactive source shield;

a TRX-Gamma box housing a gamma radiation sensor for sensing a gamma radiation count of the source and an RFID reader for detecting identification information from the RFID tag; and

a wireless transceiver connected to the sensor and the reader for receiving position information from a GPS satellite and for transmitting the position information, the gamma radiation count and the identification information to a remote location.