# US 10,310,101 B2 · Switching frequency extended range Geiger detection system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,310,101 B2 - Document ID: US10310101B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/864,641 - Filed: 2018-01-08 - Published: 2018-05-17 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-09 - Assignees: Leidos, Inc. - Applicants: Leidos, Inc. - Inventors: Eric Matthew Amendt; Ryan Shyffer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10310101B2 ## CPC - G01T 1/18: with counting-tube arrangements, e.g. with Geiger counters (tubes H01J47/08; {with alarm provision G01T7/125}) - H03B 5/20: with frequency-determining element comprising resistance and either capacitance or inductance, e.g. phase-shift oscillator - H03B 5/32: being a piezoelectric resonator (selection of piezoelectric material H10N30/00) - G01T 1/16: Measuring radiation intensity (G01T1/29 takes precedence {; self-powered detectors G01T3/006; using an ionisation chamber filled with a liquid or solid, e.g. frozen liquid, dielectric G01T3/008}) - G01T 1/17: Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular type of detector {(pulse-selection circuits H03K, G01R)} - G01T: MEASUREMENT OF NUCLEAR OR X-RADIATION (radiation analysis of materials, mass spectrometry G01N23/00; tubes for determining the presence, intensity, density or energy of radiation or particles H01J47/00) - H03B: GENERATION OF OSCILLATIONS, DIRECTLY OR BY FREQUENCY-CHANGING, BY CIRCUITS EMPLOYING ACTIVE ELEMENTS WHICH OPERATE IN A NON-SWITCHING MANNER; GENERATION OF NOISE BY SUCH CIRCUITS (generators adapted for electrophonic musical instruments G10H; masers or lasers H01S; generation of oscillations in plasma H05H) ## Abstract A Geiger-Mueller charge particle rate measurement system includes a clock management unit in combination with multiple oscillators and rate feedback controller to allow for reactive switching between the different oscillator frequencies to optimize system use. Controlling the clock management unit to send the appropriate frequency (clock signal) to the timers in response to measured rate date from the rate feedback controller facilitates operation at different clock speeds, which helps reduce power consumption when operated at lower speeds. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A battery-powered radiation measurement system comprising: a single Geiger-Mueller tube for detecting one or more radiation particles; a rate detection module, including a rate detection algorithm programmed therein, for receiving radiation detection data from the single Geiger-Mueller tube and determining a radiation measurement rate therefrom, wherein in determining a radiation measurement rate, the rate detection algorithm further includes timing data; a rate feedback controller for receiving the radiation measurement rate from the rate detection module and determining if a change to the radiation measurement rate should be made, wherein a change to the radiation measurement rate includes a change to the timing data; at least one timer from which the timing data is derived; multiple oscillators, each having different frequencies, for providing clock signals to the at least one timer for use in deriving the timing data; and a clock management unit for controlling one or more of the multiple oscillators responsive to rate feedback data from the rate feedback controller. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The battery-powered radiation measurement system of claim 1, wherein the multiple oscillators include at least one crystal oscillator and at least one RC oscillator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The battery-powered radiation measurement system of claim 2, wherein the multiple oscillators include a high frequency crystal oscillator, a low frequency crystal oscillator and an ultra low frequency RC oscillator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The battery-powered radiation measurement system of claim 2, wherein the multiple oscillators include a high frequency crystal oscillator, a low frequency crystal oscillator, a high frequency RC oscillator, a low frequency RC oscillator and an ultra low frequency RC oscillator. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The battery-powered radiation measurement system of claim 1, further comprising at least one peripheral device also connected to the clock management unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The battery-powered radiation measurement system of claim 5, wherein the at least one peripheral device is selected from a group consisting of an audio alarm, a visual alarm and a display. ### Claim 7 A battery-powered radiation measurement system comprising: a rate detection module, including a rate detection algorithm programmed therein, for receiving radiation detection data from a radiation detector and determining a radiation measurement rate therefrom, wherein in determining a radiation measurement rate, the rate detection algorithm further includes timing data; a rate feedback controller for receiving the radiation measurement rate from the rate detection module and determining if a change to the radiation measurement rate should be made, wherein a change to the radiation measurement rate includes a change to the timing data; at least one timer from which the timing data is derived; multiple oscillators, each having different frequencies, for providing clock signals to the at least one timer for use in deriving the timing data; and a clock management unit for controlling one or more of the multiple oscillators responsive to rate feedback data from the rate feedback controller. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The radiation measurement system of claim 7, wherein the multiple oscillators include at least one crystal oscillator and at least one RC oscillator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The radiation measurement system of claim 7, wherein the multiple oscillators include a high frequency crystal oscillator, a low frequency crystal oscillator and an ultra low frequency RC oscillator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The radiation measurement system of claim 7, wherein the multiple oscillators include a high frequency crystal oscillator, a low frequency crystal oscillator, a high frequency RC oscillator, a low frequency RC oscillator and an ultra low frequency RC oscillator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The radiation measurement system of claim 7, further comprising at least one peripheral device also connected to the clock management unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The battery-powered radiation measurement system of claim 11, wherein the at least one peripheral device is selected from a group consisting of an audio alarm, a visual alarm and a display.