Extraterrestrial nanosecond neutron analysis and associated particle imaging
AssigneeLunar Helium-3 Mining, LLC
InventorsChris Salvino, Andrew Dummer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a nanosecond neutron analysis and associated particle imaging system (NNA/API) and gamma ray detector arrangement (arrangement) that uses associative element detection of titanium, iron and oxygen to determine concentrations of ilmenite or other minerals in extra-terrestrial bodies associated with He-3. The arrangement is used with a mobile carrier for mapping out concentrations of likely He-3 regions on the extra-terrestrial body.
Claims18
An associated particle imaging arrangement for detecting ilmenite, the associated particle imaging arrangement comprising:
- a transport comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the bottom end is configured to interface a surface of an extra-terrestrial body, the transport is configured to be moved in different locations on the surface of the extra-terrestrial body;
- a nanosecond neutron analysis and associated particle imaging system (NNA/API) comprising a neutron emitter configured to aim a cone of neutrons towards the surface of the extra-terrestrial body from the bottom end, the NNA/API devoid of a vacuum chamber adapted to maintain a pressure that is lower than an ambient environment to the associated particle imaging arrangement;
- at least one gamma ray detector configured to identify energy characteristics of gamma rays for titanium and/or iron;
- a cosmic radiation shield covering the NNA/API and the at least one gamma ray detector, wherein the cosmic radiation shield configured to at least shield a portion of cosmic radiation that comprises cosmic gamma radiation and cosmic neutron radiation, the cosmic radiation shield disposed at the top end of the transport;
- an energy source configured to provide energy to the NNA/API and the at least one gamma ray detector;
- a non-transitory memory connected to the at least one gamma ray detector, the non-transitory memory configured to retain concentration information;
- and
- a transmitter configured to transmit the concentration information to a remote receiver.
An ilmenite detector arrangement using associated particle imaging, the ilmenite detector arrangement comprising:
- a rover;
- a nanosecond neutron analysis and associated particle imaging system (NNA/API) comprising a neutron emitter that is configured to aim a cone of neutrons towards a surface of an extra-terrestrial body from the rover, the NNA/API devoid of a vacuum chamber;
- a gamma ray detector that detects titanium concentrations and iron concentrations, the titanium concentrations are from within 12 inches of the surface of the extra-terrestrial body, the gamma ray detector configured to detect the titanium concentrations via gamma radiation emitted from the surface of the extra-terrestrial body due to neutrons impinging the surface of the extra-terrestrial body from the cone of neutrons;
- a cosmic radiation shield covering the NNA/API and the gamma ray detector from at least a portion of cosmic gamma radiation and cosmic neutron radiation;
- a computing processor configured to determine if the titanium concentrations and the iron concentrations comprise a ratio that is consistent with ilmenite;
- and
- a transmitter configured to transmit the titanium concentrations and the iron concentrations to a remote receiver,
- wherein the rover configured to carry the ilmenite detector arrangement to different locations on the surface of the extra-terrestrial body.
A method comprising:
- moving a rover from a first location to a second location on the Moon;
- emitting a neutron beam of a plurality of neutrons at a surface in the first location;
- detecting gamma rays from decaying unstable titanium atoms and iron atoms bombarded with the plurality of neutrons of the neutron beam;
- determining a ratio of titanium atoms to iron atoms from gamma rays;
- and
- establishing that the ratio corresponds to ilmenite.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.