Diffusion window for radioactive heat source
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorBrian Paul Dempsey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Sealed containers for radioactive material are presented herein. A sealed container forms an interior envelope for housing a radioactive material and prevents escape of the radioactive material into a surrounding environment. The sealed container provides a diffusion window for gaseous decay products to escape at a particular diffusion rate. In one example, an apparatus, comprises a container forming a sealed interior envelope for a radioactive material. The container has an aperture covered by a window material, and properties of the window material are selected to provide for diffusion of at least one gas produced by radioactive decay of the radioactive material.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a container forming a sealed interior envelope for a radioactive material and having an aperture covered by a window material;
- the window material comprising properties selected to provide for diffusion of an isotope of helium produced by radioactive decay of the radioactive material;
- and
- a control system configured to selectively alter the properties of the window material to provide for the diffusion of the isotope of helium according to a selected diffusion rate.
A method, comprising:
- forming a container having a sealed interior envelope for a radioactive material and having an aperture covered by a window material;
- wherein properties of the window material are selected to provide for diffusion of an isotope of helium produced by radioactive decay of the radioactive material;
- and
- selectively altering temperature properties of the window material to provide for the diffusion of the isotope of helium according to a selected diffusion rate.
A system, comprising:
- a means for forming a sealed interior envelope for a radioactive material;
- a means for forming an aperture to the sealed interior envelope covered by a window material, wherein properties of the window material are selected to provide for diffusion of an isotope of helium produced by radioactive decay of the radioactive material;
- and
- a means for selectively altering temperature properties of the window material to provide for the diffusion of the isotope of helium according to a selected diffusion rate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.