Adaptable radiation monitoring system and method

US7064336B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Daniel E. Archer · Livermore, US
• Brock R. Beauchamp · San Ramon, US
• G. Joseph Mauger · Livermore, US
• Karl E. Nelson · Livermore, US
• Michael B. Mercer · Manteca, US
• David Pletcher · Sacramento, US
• Vincent J. Riot · Oakland, US
• James Schek · Tracy, US
• David A. Knapp · Livermore, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 21, 2004
• Grant date: Jun 20, 2006
• Expiry date: Jun 21, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01T7/00
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A portable radioactive-material detection system capable of detecting radioactive sources moving at high speeds. The system has at least one radiation detector capable of detecting gamma-radiation and coupled to an MCA capable of collecting spectral data in very small time bins of less than about 150 msec. A computer processor is connected to the MCA for determining from the spectral data if a triggering event has occurred. Spectral data is stored on a data storage device, and a power source supplies power to the detection system. Various configurations of the detection system may be adaptably arranged for various radiation detection scenarios. In a preferred embodiment, the computer processor operates as a server which receives spectral data from other networked detection systems, and communicates the collected data to a central data reporting system.