# US 10,481,107 B2 · Scanning instrument > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,481,107 B2 - Document ID: US10481107B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/106,977 - Filed: 2014-12-18 - Published: 2017-02-02 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-23 - Assignees: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company - Applicants: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company - Inventors: James Campbell; Emanuele Ronchi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10481107B2 ## CPC - G01N 23/18: Investigating the presence of flaws defects or foreign matter - G01N 2223/419: computed tomograph - G01N 2223/628: tubes, pipes - G01N 2223/646: flaws, defects - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A scanning apparatus for measuring the attenuation of radiation passing from a radiation source along a radiation path to a radiation detector includes a source of radiation; at least one radiation detector capable of detecting radiation emitted by the source a data processor associated with the at least one radiation detector for calculating a property of material present in a linear radiation path between the source and the at least one detector; and a spacer arranged between the source and the at least one detector. The spacer defines a space which is capable of excluding water and having an average density which is less than 1 gcm−3. The provision of a spacer in the radiation path enables more radiation to be passed along the radiation path because water can be replaced with a material which is less attenuating to radiation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sub-sea pipeline scanning apparatus for measuring the attenuation of gamma radiation passing from a source of gamma radiation along a radiation path through a sub-sea pipeline to a radiation detector comprising: a) the source of gamma radiation; b) the radiation detector, which is capable of detecting gamma radiation emitted by said source and passed through the sub-sea pipeline, wherein the sub-sea pipeline scanning apparatus is configured to rotate the source and the at least one radiation detector around the sub-sea pipeline while maintaining the source and the at least one radiation detector in a fixed relationship to each other; c) a data processor associated with said at radiation detector configured to calculate a property of a material present in a linear radiation path between said source and said radiation detector; wherein said sub-sea pipeline scanning apparatus further comprises: a first spacer mounted in a fixed relationship with respect to the source and positioned, between the source and the sub-sea pipeline to be scanned; and a second spacer mounted in a fixed relationship with respect to the radiation detector and positioned, between the radiation detector and the sub-sea pipeline; wherein said first and second spacers are rotatable around the sub-sea pipeline with the source and the radiation detector, and said first and second spacers each define a space which is capable of excluding water and have an average density which is less than 1 gcm−3. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or second spacer has an average density <0.75 gcm−3. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The scanning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first and/or second spacer comprises a shell enclosing a vacuum or a gas. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The scanning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a proportion of the volume of the first and/or second spacer is filled by a solid foamed material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The scanning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first and/or second spacer comprises a shell which is impervious to water. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The scanning apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising removable weights for adjusting a trim of the scanning apparatus when underwater. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The scanning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the first and second spacers are formed from a plurality of spacer portions which are adapted to engage each other to form the first and second spacers, wherein the first and second spacers each fill a greater volume than any of the separate spacer portions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or second spacer comprises a shell enclosing a vacuum or a gas. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a proportion of the volume of the first and/or second spacer is filled by a solid foamed material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or second spacer comprises a shell which is impervious to water. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The scanning apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said shell is rigid or flexible. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or second spacer comprises a buoyancy material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The scanning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising removable weights for adjusting a trim of the scanning apparatus when underwater. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second spacers are formed from a plurality of spacer portions which are adapted to engage each other to form the first and/or second spacer, wherein the first and second spacers each fill a greater volume than any of the separate spacer portions.