Device for measuring the activity of nuclear isotopes using a self-power detector
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsMichael D. Heibel, Michael C. Prible
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A measuring device for measuring the activity of a specimen of a radioactive isotope is disclosed. The specimen of the radioactive isotope is contained within a capsule. The measuring device comprises an inner enclosure, a gamma-radiation sensitive self-power detector (SPD) positioned around the inner enclosure, and an outer enclosure positioned around the SPD and the inner enclosure. The inner enclosure comprises an internal cavity configured to receive the capsule containing the specimen. The inner enclosure defines a longitudinal axis. The outer enclosure secures the SPD to the inner enclosure such that the SPD does not move during operation and storage of the measuring device.
Claims22
A measuring device for measuring the activity of a specimen of a radioactive isotope, wherein the specimen of the radioactive isotope is contained within a capsule, and wherein the measuring device comprises:
- an inner enclosure comprising an internal cavity configured to receive the capsule containing the specimen, wherein the inner enclosure defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the inner enclosure comprises a closed end and an open end opposite the closed end, and wherein the internal cavity is positioned between the closed end and the open end;
- a gamma-radiation sensitive self-power detector (SPD) positioned around the inner enclosure;
- and
- an outer enclosure positioned around the SPD and the inner enclosure, wherein the outer enclosure secures the SPD to the inner enclosure such that the SPD does not move during operation and storage of the measuring device.
A method of measuring the activity of a target specimen comprising a radioactive isotope, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
- positioning a plurality of test specimens of a radioactive isotope within an internal cavity of a measuring device one at a time, the measuring device comprising a gamma-sensitive self-power detector (SPD), wherein the activity of each of the test specimens is known;
- measuring electrical current within the SPD when each of the test specimens is positioned in the measuring device;
- positioning a target specimen of the same radioactive isotope as the test specimens within the internal cavity of the measuring device, wherein the activity of the target specimen is unknown;
- measuring electrical current within the SPD when the target specimen is positioned in the measuring device;
- and
- comparing the measured electrical currents of the test specimens to the measured electrical current of the target specimen to determine the activity of the target specimen.
A method of measuring the activity of a target specimen comprising a radioactive isotope, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
- positioning a target specimen of a radioactive isotope within a measuring device comprising a gamma-sensitive self-power detector (SPD), wherein the activity of the target specimen is unknown, and wherein the SPD comprises a known sensitivity level and a known length;
- measuring electrical current of the SPD when the target specimen is positioned in the measuring device;
- and
- determining the activity of the target specimen using the measured electrical current of the SPD, the known sensitivity level of the SPD, and the known length of the SPD.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.