Patent · US Expired

Neutron generator

US5293410A · kind A · utility

71Cited by
13References
39Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 4, 1991
Grant dateMar 8, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 4, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E30/10
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A neutron generator, comprising: PA0 (i) an ion source comprising an anode and a thermionic cathode disposed in an ionizable gas environment (e.g. hydrogen isotope); PA0 (ii) means for heating the cathode so that the latter emits electrons which, when colliding with the gas atoms, generate ions; PA0 (iii) a target; PA0 (iv) an electrical gap to accelerate ions from the ion source towards the target upon impingement of the ions; and PA0 (v) control means for applying voltages to the anode, cathode and electrical gap. The cathode is of the dispenser type or volume type, and preferably comprises one block of material comprised of a substrate impregnated with an electron emitting material.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.