Stand-alone power supply energized by decay of radioactive iostope
US5590162A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 21, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 31, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 21, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A stand-alone low-voltage direct current power supply, for use as a battery, which is energized by the decay of a radioactive isotope in response to neutron capture. During this decay, either .alpha.- or .beta.-particles are emitted. The emitting radioactive isotope should have adequate half-life and no .gamma.-emission. The preferred .beta.-emitting radioisotope is thallium, which decays directly to the ground state of Pb.sup.204 by 763-keV .beta.-decay with no .gamma.-emission. The resulting .beta.-particles are collected to form a current which can be used for various purposes inside a reactor. The preferred .alpha.-emitting radioisotope is americium.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.