Remote detection of explosive substances
US8080808B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 2009 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 17, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V5/234
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for effectively detecting and locating explosive substances within remote targets, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The detection apparatus includes a neutron beam generator, a gamma ray detector, data collection modules and sensors, and a detection processing module. The neutron beam generator includes a fast neutron source, a neutron moderator to slow some or all of the fast neutrons to thermal energies, a partially enclosing neutron shield, and a rotatable neutron shield surrounding the generated neutrons. The neutron shield has an aperture to form a neutron beam directed at a remote target. If the remote target contains explosive substances, gamma rays radiate isotropically from the remote target when it is bombarded by the neutrons. A portion of these gamma rays are intercepted and detected by the gamma ray detector, which is spaced apart from the neutron source. The detection processing module determines whether the remote target contains explosive substances and further locates the target by processing the collected data from the gamma ray detector, status information collected from the neutron source, and the position sensor(s) associated…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.