Thermal neutron detectors and system using the same
US4765943A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 29, 1985 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 29, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A solid state thermal neutron detector. The improved detector for particularly high temperature applications of thermal neutron flux determination, employs a differential thermocouple unit having the hot junction positioned within a cylindrical pellet or compact of uranium dioxide (UO.sub.2) partially enriched in uranium-235. The cold junction is positioned within a cylindrical pellet or compact of depleted uranium dioxide, this second pellet having the identical mass as the first. The uranium-containing pellets are spaced apart by a cylindrical pellet of a high temperature insulator, such as MgO or aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3). Similar insulator pellets are positioned outwardly from the uranium-containing pellets to prevent heat loss. The entire assembly is enclosed in a cylindrical sheath of a material resistant to the environment of the detector, with this sheath being radially swaged upon the pellets to achieve intimate thermal contact between the pellets and the differential thermocouple. In one embodiment, a plurality of differential thermocouples are inserted in alternating pellets. In a preferred embodiment, a heater unit is included with a high temperature portion pro…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.