Patents by Inventor Mark Abbott Foster
Mark Abbott Foster has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11009616Abstract: A neutron detector comprises one or more neutron detector modules (20). Each neutron detector module (20) comprises a neutron moderating block (22) having a plurality of neutron detector blades (2) embedded therein. Each neutron detector blade (2) is generally planar and comprises conversion layers on either side of a light-guiding sheet (8). Each conversion layer (4a, 4b) comprises a mixture of a neutron absorbing material and a scintillation material. This light-guiding sheet (8) is arranged to receive photons emitted from the scintillation material. A photodetector (10) is optically coupled to the light-guide (8) and arranged to detect photons generated in the conversion layers (4a, 4b) as a result of neutron absorption events and received into the light-guiding sheet (8).Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Symetrica LimitedInventors: David Ramsden, Mark Abbott Foster
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Patent number: 10310102Abstract: A gamma-ray detector for determining the direction to a source of gamma-rays is described. The detector comprises a first scintillation body coupled to a first photodetector and a second scintillation body coupled to a second photodetector, wherein the first scintillation body and the second scintillation body are arranged to be co-axial with a pointing axis of the detector. The detector further comprises a processing circuit arranged to receive output signals associated with the first and second photodetectors for a plurality of different orientations of the pointing axis of the detector relative to a reference direction. The processing circuit is further operable to determine a direction to the source of gamma-rays relative to the reference direction based on output signals associated with the first and second photodetectors for the plurality of different orientations of the pointing axis of the detector relative to the reference direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2014Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Symetrica LimitedInventors: David Ramsden, Mark Abbott Foster
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Publication number: 20190120980Abstract: A neutron detector comprises one or more neutron detector modules (20). Each neutron detector module (20) comprises a neutron moderating block (22) having a plurality of neutron detector blades (2) embedded therein. Each neutron detector blade (2) is generally planar and comprises conversion layers on either side of a light-guiding sheet (8). Each conversion layer (4a, 4b) comprises a mixture of a neutron absorbing material and a scintillation material. This light-guiding sheet (8) is arranged to receive photons emitted from the scintillation material. A photodetector (10) is optically coupled to the light-guide (8) and arranged to detect photons generated in the conversion layers (4a, 4b) as a result of neutron absorption events and received into the light-guiding sheet (8).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: David Ramsden, Mark Abbott Foster
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Patent number: 9720111Abstract: An apparatus comprises a neutron detector. The neutron detector comprises a conversion layer comprising a mixture of a neutron absorbing material and a scintillation material; and a photodetector optically coupled to the conversion layer and arranged to detect photons generated as a result of neutron absorption events in the conversion layer; wherein the apparatus is adapted to be carried by a user and the conversion layer is positioned within the neutron detector such that when the apparatus is being carried by a user in normal use neutrons are absorbed in the conversion layer after passing through the user such that the user's body provides a neutron moderating effect. In some cases the apparatus may be carried in association with a backpack or clothing worn by a user, for example, the neutron detector may be sized to fit in a pocket. In other cases the apparatus may be a hand-held device with the conversion layer arranged within a handle of the device to be gripped by a user when being carried.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Symetrica LimitedInventors: David Ramsden, Mark Abbott Foster
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Publication number: 20170184736Abstract: An apparatus comprises a neutron detector. The neutron detector comprises a conversion layer comprising a mixture of a neutron absorbing material and a scintillation material; and a photodetector optically coupled to the conversion layer and arranged to detect photons generated as a result of neutron absorption events in the conversion layer; wherein the apparatus is adapted to be carried by a user and the conversion layer is positioned within the neutron detector such that when the apparatus is being carried by a user in normal use neutrons are absorbed in the conversion layer after passing through the user such that the user's body provides a neutron moderating effect. In some cases the apparatus may be carried in association with a backpack or clothing worn by a user, for example, the neutron detector may be sized to fit in a pocket. In other cases the apparatus may be a hand-held device with the conversion layer arranged within a handle of the device to be gripped by a user when being carried.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: June 29, 2017Applicant: SYMETRICA LIMITEDInventors: DAVID RAMSDEN, MARK ABBOTT FOSTER
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Publication number: 20170090049Abstract: A neutron detector comprises one or more neutron detector modules (20). Each neutron detector module (20) comprises a neutron moderating block (22) having a plurality of neutron detector blades (2) embedded therein. Each neutron detector blade (2) is generally planar and comprises conversion layers on either side of a light-guiding sheet (8). Each conversion layer (4a, 4b) comprises a mixture of a neutron absorbing material and a scintillation material. This light-guiding sheet (8) is arranged to receive photons emitted from the scintillation material. A photodetector (10) is optically coupled to the light-guide (8) and arranged to detect photons generated in the conversion layers (4a, 4b) as a result of neutron absorption events and received into the light-guiding sheet (8).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Applicant: Symetrica LimitedInventors: David Ramsden, Mark Abbott Foster
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Publication number: 20160306052Abstract: A gamma-ray detector for determining the direction to a source of gamma-rays is described. The detector comprises a first scintillation body coupled to a first photodetector and a second scintillation body coupled to a second photodetector, wherein the first scintillation body and the second scintillation body are arranged to be co-axial with a pointing axis of the detector. The detector further comprises a processing circuit arranged to receive output signals associated with the first and second photodetectors for a plurality of different orientations of the pointing axis of the detector relative to a reference direction. The processing circuit is further operable to determine a direction to the source of gamma-rays relative to the reference direction based on output signals associated with the first and second photodetectors for the plurality of different orientations of the pointing axis of the detector relative to the reference direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2014Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: David Ramsden, Mark Abbott Foster