Method, apparatus, and systems for remotely nomitoring the location and usage history of radioactive materials stored with a shielded container or overpack

• US 20090109040A1
• Filed: 10/24/2008
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Geoforce Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Geoforce Incorporated
• Inventors: Taylor, Brandon C., MacLean, James S. III
• Granted Patent: US 8,237,575 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/600
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/018 Involving non-radio wave signals or measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 5/06 Details of, or accessories to, the containers

Abstract

A radioactive source information tracking and reporting system and method is disclosed. The system and method include a device operable to detect a presence of a radioactive source contained within a shielded container. The device is further operable to detect a location of the shielded container. A message is generated and transmitted to a central facility. The message includes a shielded container identifier, a location of the shielded container, and an indication of the presence of the radioactive source.

Claims

1. A device for reporting information regarding a shielded container and first radioactive source contained within the shielded container, the device comprising:

a gps device, the gps device comprising an antenna and a receiver;

a wireless communications device;

a first sensor configured to detect the presence of the first radioactive source within the shielded container; and

a first processor coupled each of the gps device, the wireless communications device and the radiation sensor.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a second sensor configured to detect a motion of the shielded container.

3. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to receive a location identifier from an external source and the processor is configured to transmit the location identifier as part of a message.

4. The device as set forth in claim 3, further comprising an external shield configured to inhibit the detection of a second radioactive source located in a position other than within the shielded container.

5. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to detect a change in one of the presence of the radioactive source and the location of the shielded container.

6. The device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the processor is configured to store, in a memory unit, information relating to the detected change and transmit the information to a central facility at a time subsequent to the detection of the change in one of the presence of the radioactive source and location of the shielded container.

7. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises at least one of a cellular modem, a satellite modem, a wifi transceiver, and infrared transceiver and a radio frequency transceiver.

8. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first sensor is configured to detect at least one of a Gamma, Beta and Neutron particle.

9. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first sensor is configured to identify the radioactive source.

10. The device as set forth in claim 9, wherein the first sensor comprises at least one of an RFID transponder, a SAW device, and a RuBee™

transceiver.

11. A location-information system for tracking and reporting information regarding a radioactive source, the system comprising:

an insulating material disposed around an inner cavity;

the inner cavity dimensioned to contain the radioactive source;

a microcontroller circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the radioactive source within the inner cavity;

a wireless communications device configured to receive command and query information and transmit report information; and

a location determination device.

12. The location-information system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said information comprises at least one of geographic location information, storage pit identification information, radiation level information, radiation type information, maintenance history, handling procedures and emergency response documentation.

13. The location-information system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to receive a storage pit identifier from a beacon device located within a storage pit.

14. The location-information system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the beacon device is an RFID.

15. The location-information system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit the report information to a relay device, the report information comprising at least one of a radioactive source identifier, a shielded container identifier and the storage pit identifier.

16. The location-information system as set forth in claim 15, wherein the relay device is configured to receive the report information from the wireless communications device and transmit the report information to a central facility.

17. The location-information system as set forth in claim 11, further comprising an accelerometer configured to detect a motion.

18. The location-information system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to detect at least one of Gamma, Beta or Neutron particles.

19. The location information system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the microcontroller circuit is configured to identify the radioactive source.

20. A method for monitoring a radioactive source in a shielded container, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting the presence of the radioactive source contained within the shielded container;

determining a location of the shielded container; and

transmitting a message, the message including at least one of the location of the shielded container, an identifier corresponding to the shielded container, and an indication of at least one of the presence or absence of the radioactive source.

21. The method as set forth in claim 20, further comprising the steps of detecting a change in one of the presence of the radioactive source and location of the shielded container.

22. The method as set forth in claim 21, further comprising the steps of storing information relating to the detected change in a memory unit and transmitting the information to a central facility at a time subsequent to the detection of the change in one of the presence of the radioactive source and location of the shielded container.

23. The method as set forth in claim 20, further comprising the steps of receiving location information from an external source.

24. The method as set forth in claim 20, wherein the step of detecting the presence of the radioactive source further comprises identifying the radioactive source.