# US 2014/0191135 A1 · Neutron backscatter instrument > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0191135 A1 - Document ID: US20140191135A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/978,595 - Filed: 2012-01-05 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-01-06 - Assignees: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company - Inventors: Thomas John Partington; Peter Jackson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191135A1 ## CPC - G01N 23/204: using neutrons - G01F 23/288: X-rays; Gamma rays {or other forms of ionising radiation} - G01N 2223/639: material in a container - 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) - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME ## Abstract Disclosed is an instrument for detecting neutron backscatter from an object including a source of neutrons (12), a neutron detector (14) capable of detecting thermal neutrons and a housing (10) which is impervious to water and having at least one external operating surface (20) for placing adjacent the object, the source and detector being located within the housing in such a way that the distance between the detector and the operating surface(s) is less than 25 mm and the distance between the detector and any other external surface of the housing is at least 50 mm. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-16. (canceled) ### Claim 17 An instrument for detecting neutron backscatter from an object comprising a source of neutrons, a neutron detector capable of detecting thermal neutrons and a housing which is impervious to water and having at least one external operating surface for placing adjacent said object, said source and detector being located within the housing in such a way that the distance between the detector and any external surface of the housing except the operating surface is at least 50 mm, wherein said housing is essentially free of hydrogen-containing material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) An instrument according to claim 17, wherein the distance between the detector and any external surface of the housing except the operating surface is at least 100 mm. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) An instrument according to claim 17, wherein the distance between the detector and the operating surface is less than 50 mm. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) An instrument according to claim 17, wherein the operating surface is generally flat. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) An instrument according to claim 17, wherein the operating surface is profiled to fit against the surface of the object which is to be scanned. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) An instrument according to claim 17, further comprising at least one coupling plate adapted for mounting against the operating surface, each coupling plate having a surface to bear against the operating surface of the instrument, an operating surface adapted to fit against the object to be scanned and means to mount and demount the coupling plate to/from the instrument. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) An instrument according to claim 17, wherein at least one external surface of the housing is curved, cylindrical or dome-shaped. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) An instrument according to claim 17, wherein the housing incorporates a visual display. ### Claim 25 (depends on 17) An instrument according to claim 17, wherein the neutron source comprises a radioisotope source. ### Claim 26 (depends on 17) An instrument according to claim 17, wherein a neutron-absorbing material is positioned to shield the detector from neutrons except neutrons passing through the operating surface of the housing. ### Claim 27 (depends on 17) An instrument according to claim 17, further comprising a support and means for mounting on and demounting the instrument from a support, said support being provided with handling means. ### Claim 28 (depends on 17) An instrument according to claim 17, further comprising wireless or wired transmission means to transmit data from the detector to a remote data receiver and data processor. ### Claim 29 A method of gathering information about an object comprising the steps of performing a neutron backscatter measurement using an instrument and using the number of thermal neutrons counted by the detector to provide the required information about the object, wherein said instrument is an instrument for detecting neutron backscatter from an object and comprises a. a source of neutrons, b. a neutron detector capable of detecting thermal neutrons and c. a housing which is impervious to water, is essentially free of hydrogen-containing material and having at least one external operating surface for placing adjacent said object, said source and detector being located within the housing in such a way that the distance between the detector and any external surface of the housing except the operating surface is at least 50 mm. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29, wherein said object is a vessel located underwater and the required information relates to the identity of material contained within said vessel. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29, wherein the energies of the thermal neutrons counted by the detector are used to provide the required information about the object. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29, wherein the distance between the detector and any external surface of the housing except the operating surface is at least 100 mm. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29, wherein said instrument further comprises at least one demountable coupling plate adapted for mounting against the operating surface, each coupling plate having a surface to bear against the operating surface of the instrument, and an operating surface adapted to fit against the object to be scanned; and mounting said coupling plate to the instrument. ### Claim 34 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29, wherein said instrument further comprises a demountable support which is provided with handling means, and wherein said instrument is mounted on said support. ### Claim 35 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29, further comprising temporarily attaching said instrument to the object whilst a measurement is taken. ### Claim 36 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29, comprising transmitting data from the detector to a remote data receiver by wireless or wired transmission means.