Contamination detection simulation systems and methods

• US 8,794,973 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2009
• Issued: 08/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Radiation Safety and Control Services, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Radiation Safety and Control Services, Inc.
• Inventors: Darois, Eric L., Straccia, Frederick P., Tarzia, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gishnock, Nikolai A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hadizonooz, Banafsheh
• Application Number:
  US12/426,099
• Publication Number:
  US 20090263771A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,936 Days
• Field of Search: 434/218
• US Class Current: 434/218
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/24 Use of tools
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/20 for atomic physics or neucleonics
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/00 Simulators for teaching or training purposes for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/006 for locating or ranging of objects

Abstract

Provided are contamination detection simulation systems and methods comprising a control unit that generates a first signal comprising data corresponding to a simulated source of contamination; a simulated detector that receives the signal from the control unit, the simulated detector positioned at a distance from a surface; a proximity detector that determines the distance between the simulated detector and the surface and outputs a distance result; and a processing unit that generates a second signal in response to the first signal and the distance result.

Claims

1. A detection simulation system comprising:

a control unit that generates a first signal comprising data corresponding to a simulated source of surface contamination;

a simulated detector that receives the first signal from the control unit, the simulated detector positioned at a distance with respect to a surface, and constructed and arranged to survey the entire surface for locating the surface contamination;

a proximity detector that continuously determines the distance with respect to the surface by outputting distance determination signals towards the surface, and receiving the distance determination signals reflected from the surface, and that generates a distance results in response to the received reflected distance determination signals; and

a processing unit that generates second signals in response to the first signal and the distance results.

2. The detection simulation system of claim 1, wherein the simulated source of surface contamination comprises simulated hazardous material.

3. The detection simulation system of claim 1, wherein the first signal comprises data that simulates a response to a dose rate or contamination level of the source of surface contamination when the simulated detector is in contact with a surface.

4. The detection simulation system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit modifies the data of the first signal based on the distance results.

5. The detection simulation system of claim 1, wherein the second signal comprises data that simulates a dose rate or contamination level of the source of surface contamination adjusted according to the distance results.

6. The detection simulation system of claim 5, wherein the simulated dose rate or contamination level simulates a maximum dose rate or contamination level at a contaminated surface, and wherein the processing unit generates the second signal that simulates a response to an adjusted dose rate or contamination level based on the distance results.

7. The detection simulation system of claim 1 further comprising a meter that receives the second signal from the processing unit.

8. The detection simulation system of claim 7, wherein the meter, in response to the second signal, simulates a meter response to a hazardous material.

9. The detection simulation system of claim 1, wherein the simulated detector comprises a training probe, wherein the proximity detector is configured to be positioned in the training probe.

10. The detection simulation system of claim 1, wherein the proximity detector provides a signal to the processing unit indicating whether the simulated detector is properly oriented relative to the surface.

11. The detection simulation system of claim 1, wherein the proximity detector comprises a transducer that determines the distance based on the orientation between the simulated detector and the surface.

12. The detection simulation system of claim 1, wherein the second signal is received by the control unit.

13. A method of simulating detection of a source of material comprising:

generating a first signal corresponding to a simulated source of surface contamination;

positioning a simulated detector at a distance with respect to a surface;

determining a distance between the simulated detector and the surface by outputting a distance determination signal towards the surface, while surveying the entire surface for locating the surface contamination;

receiving the distance determination signal reflected from the surface;

generating a distance result in response to the received reflected distance determination signal; and

generating a second signal adjusted for the simulated contamination level or dose rate in response to the first signal and the distance result.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the simulated source of contamination comprises simulated hazardous material.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein generating the first signal comprises generating data that simulates a response to a dose rate or contamination level of the source of contamination when the simulated detector is in contact with a surface.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein generating the second signal comprises generating data that simulates a dose rate or contamination level of the source of contamination adjusted according to the distance result.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the simulated dose rate or contamination level simulates a maximum dose rate or contamination level at a contaminated surface, and wherein the processing unit generates the second signal that simulates a response to an adjusted dose rate or contamination level based on the distance result.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising determining whether the simulated detector is properly positioned over the surface.

19. A method of training an operator to detect contamination in a hazardous environment comprising:

setting at least one simulated measurement of the detected surface contamination on a control unit;

transmitting the at least one simulated measurement to a simulated detector;

measuring a distance and geometry with respect to a surface between a simulated detector and the surface over which the simulated detector is positioned by outputting a distance determination signal towards the surface and receiving a reflected distance determination signal from the surface;

modifying the at least one simulated measurement in response to the reflected distance determination signal; and

outputting the at least one modified simulation measurement to a display.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one simulated measurement comprises at least one of a simulated dose rate and a contamination level of at least one hazardous material.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the display is at least one of a display of the control unit and a meter display.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein an instructor sets the at least one simulated measurement on the control unit and wherein the trainee has an instrument that receives the modified simulated measurement.