Moisture detector

A moisture detector comprising, a readout assembly, a detector assembly, said detector assembly having a non-flat surface for engagement with an object to be tested, wherein said non-flat surface is generally C-shaped or shaped with an arcuate contour, electrical means connecting said detector assembly to said readout assembly, said detector assembly being mounted on an end of a pole by a swivel assembly so an operator using said pole can hold said non-flat surface against an object to be tested, said swivel assembly permitting said detector assembly to pivot about two different axes relative to said pole, said detector assembly being operated on the principle of neutron backscatter to measure hydrogen, said detector assembly including a pair of tubularly-shaped thermal neutron detectors mounted parallel to one another and arranged to be held adjacent to an object to be tested when said non-flat surface is held against said object to be tested, and said detector assembly including a high voltage power supply and amplifier circuit.

A method of testing moisture in an object comprising the steps of hold a detector assembly against the object to be tested through use of a pole, the detector assembly being pivotally mounted on an end of said pole, said detector assembly being of the type which measures hydrogen based on the principle of neutron backscatter and including at least one thermal neutron detector and conducting signals from said detector assembly through electrical means to a readout assembly which is located separately and is not mounted on said pole, said detector assembly further including a generally C-shaped surface which is held against said insulated pipe.

A method of testing moisture in a length of insulated pipe comprising the steps of holding a detector assembly against insulated pipe to be tested through use of a pole where said detector assembly includes a generally C-shaped surface or arcuate contoured surface which is held against said insulated pipe, said detector assembly being pivotally mounted on an end of said pole, said detector assembly being of the type which measures hydrogen based on the principle of neutron backscatter and including at least one thermal neutron detector, and conducting signals from said detector assembly through electrical means to a readout assembly which is located separately and is not mounted on said pole.

A method of detecting moisture in a length of insulated pipe comprising the steps of holding a detector assembly against insulated pipe to be tested through use of a pole, said detector assembly being mounted on an end of said pole by a swivel assembly which permits pivoting about two different axes, said detector assembly being of the type which measures hydrogen based on the principle of neutron back scatter and including a pair of thermal neutron detectors, conducting signals through electrical means from said detector assembly to a readout assembly which is carried by an operator separately and is not mounted on said pole, and said detector assembly including a generally C-shaped surface or arcuate contoured surface which is held against insulated pipe to be tested.