Nuclear Transmutation (e.g., By Means Of Particle Or Wave Energy) Patents (Class 376/156)
  • Publication number: 20040047443
    Abstract: The process of capturing electron by subjecting proton to magnetic resonance until its magnetic moment is in opposite direction relative to the electron's magnetic moment. As soon as the particles' magnetic moments are opposite in direction, spinlocking technique is applied for a period of time to induce transmutation of the particles and the consequent reactions of the product with an adjacent particle or a group of particles and the release of energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Edwin L. Bondoc
  • Publication number: 20040022342
    Abstract: A method of incineration of minor actinides in nuclear reactors is presented. The minor actinides to be incinerated are embedded in at least one finite region of a core of a thermal nuclear reactor. This finite region is isolated from the rest of the core by means of a thin layer of material that absorbs thermal neutrons but is transparent to fast neutrons. This isolating material is preferably fissile, so that the neutron flux in the core is not simply filtered of its thermal neutrons, but also amplified in its fast neutrons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph Magill, Paolo Peerani
  • Patent number: 6680993
    Abstract: A method of producing an isotope comprising directing electrons at a converting material coated with a coating material, the coating material having an atomic number of n, whereby interaction of the electrons with the converting material produces photons, and whereby the photons produced interact with the coating material to produce an isotope having an atomic number of n−1. In preferred embodiments, the converting material is Tungsten, the coating material having an atomic number of n is Radium-226, and the isotope having an atomic number of n−1 is Radium-225.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventors: Stanley Satz, Scott Schenter
  • Publication number: 20040005272
    Abstract: Inorganic ion exchange materials for the separation of 90Y from 90Sr include chabazite, clinoptilolite, potassium pharmacosiderite, sodium titanosilicate and sodium nonatitanate. These materials are suitable for making a 90Y generator that contains 90Sr immobilized on an ion exchange column of the materials. The materials have a very high selectivity for 90Sr, a very low selectivity for 90Y, good radiation and thermal stability, low toxicity, fast reaction kinetics, and can be readily and reproducibly synthesized. A method is thus provided for eluting 90Y from the ion exchange material with an eluant solution. The eluant solution is preferably aqueous, preferably has a pH greater than about 5, and preferably includes a chelating agent. Preferred chelating agents include gluconic acid, oxalic acid, iminodiacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, citric acid, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Paul Sylvester, Todd Adams, Alan J. Cisar
  • Patent number: 6668033
    Abstract: Method for analyzing a primary neutron beam of a neutron source, a neutron source having a beam monitor, and a beam monitor. Fission chambers which are arranged in the primary neutron beam are known as beam monitors. Fission processes initiated by the neutrons produce in the fission chambers free charge carriers which, given an applied electric voltage, effect an ionization current pulse by means of which the neutron is counted. Produced as by-product during fission are undesired fast neutrons and high-energy gamma radiation. In addition, the flux of slow neutrons can be substantially attenuated by the gas filling of the fission chambers. These disadvantages can be avoided in the case of the novel method, the novel neutron source and the novel beam monitor. Neutrons are scattered incoherently out of the primary neutron beam (1) by means of a scattering foil (4). A portion of the scattered neutrons (5) strike a detector device (6) which is arranged outside the primary neutron beam (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
    Inventor: Jakob Schelten
  • Publication number: 20030210759
    Abstract: The present invention produces nuclide transmutation using a relatively small-scale device. The device 10 that produces nuclide transmutation comprises a structure body 11 that is substantially plate shaped and made of palladium (Pd) or palladium alloy, or another metal that absorbs hydrogen (for example, Ti) or an alloy thereof, and a material 14 that undergoes nuclide transmutation laminated on one surface 11A among the two surfaces of this structure body 11. The one surface 11A side of the structure body 11, for example, is made a region in which the pressure of the deuterium is high due to pressure or electrolysis and the like, and the other surface 11B side, for example, is a region in which the pressure of the deuterium is low due to vacuum exhausting and the like, and thereby, a flow of deuterium in the structure body 11 is produced, and nuclide transmutation is carried out by a reaction between the deuterium and the material 14 that undergoes nuclide transmutation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Iwamura, Takehiko Itoh, Mitsuru Sakano
  • Publication number: 20030206857
    Abstract: Processes for the preparation, prepared solutions, and the use of radium-223 for the treatment of calcified tumors, bone tumors, treatment of bones, bone surfaces and soft tissues is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Roy H. Larsen, Gjermund Henriksen, Oyvind S. Bruland
  • Publication number: 20030202624
    Abstract: A process for obtaining useful energy from certain fuel materials, includes the following steps: providing a fuel medium that includes atomic nuclei that have forbidden beta decay transitions; selecting the fuel medium such that cancellation by atomic electrons of an externally applied electromagnetic field at the nucleus is rendered incomplete; applying an electromagnetic field to the fuel medium, the field having an intensity after partial reduction by atomic electrons sufficient to overcome the forbiddenness of beta decay transitions of said nuclei; and recovering useful energy therefrom. In an embodiment, the applied electromagnetic field is operative to provide angular momentum and/or intrinsic parity necessary to overcome forbiddenness. In this embodiment, the atomic nuclei are selected from the group consisting of 90Sr, 137Cs, 87Rb, 48Ca, 40K, 50V, 113Cd, 115In, 96Zr, 85Kr, 99Tc, 135Cs, and 129I.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: Howard R. Reiss
  • Publication number: 20030183783
    Abstract: The invention provides a container for transporting antiprotons including a dewar having an evacuated cavity and a cryogenically cold wall. A plurality of thermally conductive supports are disposed in thermal connection with the cold wall and extend into the cavity. An antiproton trap is mounted on the extending supports within the cavity. A sealable cavity access port selectively provides access to the cavity for selective introduction into and removal from the cavity of the antiprotons. The container is capable of confining and storing antiprotons while they are transported via conventional terrestrial or airborne methods to a location distant from their creation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald A. Smith, Raymond A. Lewis, Steven D. Howe
  • Publication number: 20030165212
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting, locating, and analyzing chemical compounds located within a test subject using subatomic particle activation. In a first embodiment, an excitation source excites a target to simultaneously produce beams each consisting of certain subatomic species, for example fast neutrons and alpha particles. The test subject (and chemical compounds contained therein) is irradiated by the fast neutrons, thereby stimulating the emission of prompt gamma rays. Gamma and alpha detectors are positioned relative to the test subject and target(s) so as to detect the emitted prompt gamma rays and alpha particles in substantial coincidence, and the known physical relationship between the beams is used to spatially locate the activated chemical compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventor: Bogdan C. Maglich
  • Patent number: 6586747
    Abstract: A particle accelerator assembly with a liquid-target holding assembly usable to produce radioisotopes in liquid targets. A particle accelerator is configured to produce a particle beam along a beam axis, and the liquid-target holding assembly connected to the particle accelerator. The liquid-target retaining assembly has a mounting portion coupled to the particle accelerator, and the mounting portion is configured to receive the particle beam therethrough. A liquid-target holder is connected to the mounting portion and has a holder body with a target cavity that contains a liquid target therein. The target cavity has a longitudinal axis oriented at an acute angle relative to the particle beam axis. The target cavity has a first depth along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and has a projected depth along the beam axis greater than the first depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ebco Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Karl Lembit Erdman
  • Patent number: 6576916
    Abstract: The invention provides a container for transporting antiprotons including a dewar having an evacuated cavity and a cryogenically cold wall. A plurality of thermally conductive supports are disposed in thermal connection with the cold wall and extend into the cavity. An antiproton trap is mounted on the extending supports within the cavity. A sealable cavity access port selectively provides access to the cavity for selective introduction into and removal from the cavity of the antiprotons. The container is capable of confining and storing antiprotons while they are transported via conventional terrestrial or airborne methods to a location distant from their creation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gerald A. Smith, Raymond A. Lewis, Steven D. Howe
  • Publication number: 20030103592
    Abstract: Model of photons, electrons, protons, neutrons and atomic nuclei and provides a process for analyzing light and other radiation, subatomic particles, atoms, molecules and the entire universe and its evolution. The present invention also discloses two new “things” that are offered as the basic building blocks of everything in the universe. These things are called “trons”. There are two types of trons, a plus tron and a minus tron. Trons have no mass but they have a charge equal to the electron charge of about +1.6×10−19 Coulomb for the plus tron and about −1.6×10−19 Coulomb for the minus tron. Six trons (such as the trons making up three photons [each photon comprised of a plus tron and a minus tron] combine to produce a single positron and a single negatron. The positron is modeled as a minus tron orbited by two plus trons and a negatron (the negative electron) is modeled as a single plus tron orbited by two minus trons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: John R. Ross
  • Publication number: 20030072402
    Abstract: Gold, silver, platinum, palladium and all precious metals and elements can be made from other elements. By taking the element which has double the atomic number of the precious element (ex: gold) and bombarding its nucleus with neutrons and protons. This element which has double the atomic number will split into the precious element (gold) and will have a chain reaction and turn the hole material into gold (a concentration of 80% gold). By experimentation, we find which of the elements which has (double the atomic number or double the atomic number +1, or double the atomic number +2 or −1) will give the most concentration of gold after splitting. We will take the less expensive element, and the one who will give the most concentration between the elements that has double the atomic number +1, or −1, or +2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Hanna Albert Awad
  • Publication number: 20030053580
    Abstract: Processes for modeling photons, electrons, protons, neutrons and atomic nuclei and processes for analyzing light and other radiation, subatomic particles, atoms, molecules and the entire universe and its evolution. The present invention describes two new “things” that are offered as the basic building blocks of everything in the universe. These things are called “trons”. There are two types of trons, a plus tron and a minus tron. Trons have no mass but they have a charge equal to the electron charge of about +1.6×10−19 Coulomb for the plus tron and about −1.6×10−19 Coulomb for the minus tron. Six trons (such as the trons making up three photons [each photon comprised of a plus tron and a minus tron] combine to produce a single positron and a single negatron. The positron is modeled as a minus tron orbited by two plus trons and a negatron (the negative electron) is modeled as a single plus tron orbited by two minus trons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: John R. Ross
  • Publication number: 20030031286
    Abstract: A process for analyzing subatomic particles. A model of a proton is created that is comprised of only electrons, the electrons including a plurality of positrons and a plurality of negatrons, with at least one of said electrons orbiting at least one other of said electrons at a velocity great enough to increase the mass of electrons to equal a proton mass of about 1.67×10−27 kg. A digital computer is programmed to perform analyses using the proton model. Preferably, the proton model includes: (A) a first positron, (B) two negatrons orbiting said first positron each negatron orbiting at a velocity, defining a negatron velocity, very near the speed of light, said first positron and said two orbiting negatrons defining a center three-some, and (C) two positrons orbiting said center three-some. Preferred embodiments of the present invention include processes for analyzing forces acting in atomic nuclei. Embodiments of the present invention can be utilized to analyze hydrogen thermonuclear reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: John R. Ross
  • Publication number: 20030016774
    Abstract: A method for the synthesis of neutrons from protons and electrons comprising apparatus for said protons and electrons to have a threshold relative energy of about 0.80 MeV, for said protons and electrons to be in anti-parallel coupling, and for forcing said protons and electrons in anti-parallel coupling to be at a mutual distance essentially of one Fermi. Another embodiment includes a method for the stimulated decay of a peripheral neutron in a nucleus. Another embodiment includes apparatus for the stimulated beta decay of a natural isotope into another natural isotope, the latter having the same number of nucleons of the former and one additional proton, wherein the conservation of total energy, angular momentum and parity are satisfied. Another embodiment includes apparatus for the stimulated beta decay of radioactive waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Rugerro Maria Santilli
  • Publication number: 20020179858
    Abstract: The invention provides a container for transporting antiprotons including a dewar having an evacuated cavity and a cryogenically cold wall. A plurality of thermally conductive supports are disposed in thermal connection with the cold wall and extend into the cavity. An antiproton trap is mounted on the extending supports within the cavity. A sealable cavity access port selectively provides access to the cavity for selective introduction into and removal from the cavity of the antiprotons. The container is capable of confining and storing antiprotons while they are transported via conventional terrestrial or airborne methods to a location distant from their creation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Gerald A. Smith, Raymond A. Lewis, Steven D. Howe
  • Patent number: 6472677
    Abstract: A transuranic transmuter includes a sealable steel housing having a window to allow a beam of protons to enter the housing and strike a spallation target, thereby generating fast neutrons. Conductive tubes holding minor actinides are positioned within the housing and at a distance from the spallation target. A graphite block is positioned within the housing to interpose the minor actinides between the graphite block and the spallation target. Plutonium and toxic fission products are positioned in recesses formed within the graphite block. Upon exposure to fast neutrons from the spallation target, the minor actinides transmute by either fission or neutron capture reactions into one or more stable, less radiotoxic isotopes. Some neutrons from the target pass through the moderator and subsequently transmute the plutonium and the toxic fission products into one or more stable, less radiotoxic isotopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: General Atomics
    Inventors: Carmelo Rodriguez, Alan M. Baxter
  • Publication number: 20020106045
    Abstract: A method for identifying an object, by specifying an identifier which has been assigned to the object and which has not been indicated on the object itself, is provided to include the steps of: irradiating the object with a radiation; storing in a storage separate from the object, a correlation between the identifier and for-identification information; measuring a level of radioactivity of the object after an irradiation time at which the object was irradiated; obtaining the for-identification information, at least on the basis of the measured level of radioactivity; a measurement time at which the level of radioactivity was measured; and characteristics of a predetermined decay curve representing how the radioactivity of the object decays with time; and retrieving in the storage the identifier corresponding to the obtained for-identification information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Hata
  • Publication number: 20020106046
    Abstract: A radioisotope generating apparatus according to the present invention comprises a nuclear reaction section an interior of which is retained in a vacuum; a source supply section for supplying a source material R consisting of a nuclide necessary for generation of the radioisotope, to the nuclear reaction section, an optical system for emitting pulse laser light toward the source material R supplied into the nuclear reaction section and thereby brought into a dispersed state, thereby inducing a nuclear reaction in the source material R to generate the radioisotope, a product nucleus collecting section for collecting a molecule PI having a nucleus of the radioisotope generated in the nuclear reaction section, and a radiation shielding system for preventing outside leakage of radiations generated in the nuclear reaction section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Fujimoto, Shinichiro Aoshima, Makoto Hosoda, Yutaka Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 6414331
    Abstract: The invention provides a container for transporting antiprotons including a dewar having an evacuated cavity and a cryogenically cold wall. A plurality of thermally conductive supports are disposed in thermal connection with the cold wall and extend into the cavity. An antiproton trap is mounted on-the extending supports within the cavity. A sealable cavity access port selectively provides access to the cavity for selective introduction into and removal from the cavity of the antiprotons. The container is capable of confining and storing antiprotons while they are transported via conventional terrestrial or airborne methods to a location distant from their creation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventors: Gerald A. Smith, Raymond A. Lewis, Steven D Howe
  • Publication number: 20010019595
    Abstract: The present invention includes the use of N-isomers as a source of energy and of neutrons, and the use of K-isomers as a source of energy when associated with a source of neutrons. Although there is strong indirect evidence for the existence of shape isomers in nuclei lighter than actinides, super-deformed (SD) isomeric states have not yet been directly observed. However, rotational bands from such SD states have been observed through &ggr;-ray transitions within high-energy rotational states of this band, as populated by HI reactions. The lifetimes for the shape isomers are likely to be small, but may be increased by effects like the odd-even effects already observed for fission isomers. By contrast, K-isomers have been observed and investigated. If N-isomers are found with the required properties (especially with sufficiently long lifetimes) and produced in sufficient quantities, portable neutron sources more intense than existing neutron sources could be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventor: Andre Michaudon
  • Patent number: 6252921
    Abstract: The present invention includes the use of N-isomers as a source of energy and of neutrons, and the use of K-isomers as a source of energy when associated with a source of neutrons. Although there is strong indirect evidence for the existence of shape isomers in nuclei lighter than actinides, super-deformed (SD) isomeric states have not yet been directly observed. However, rotational bands from such SD states have been observed through &ggr;-ray transitions within high-energy rotational states of this band, as populated by HI reactions. The lifetimes for the shape isomers are likely to be small, but may be increased by effects like the odd-even effects already observed for fission isomers. By contrast, K-isomers have been observed and investigated. If N-isomers are found with the required properties (especially with sufficiently long lifetimes) and produced in sufficient quantities, portable neutron sources more intense than existing neutron sources could be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: André Michaudon
  • Patent number: 6208704
    Abstract: An apparatus, and method, are disclosed for producing a high specific activity of a radioisotope in a single increment of target material, or sequentially within in-series increments of target material, by exposing a targeted isotope in the target material to a high energy photon beam to isotopically convert the targeted isotope. In particular, this invention is used to produce a high specific activity of Mo99, of at least 1.0 Ci/gm or preferably at least about 10.0 Ci/gm, from Mo100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Lidsky, Richard Lanza
  • Patent number: 6163587
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of antihydrogen, comprising the steps of: (i) exciting alkali atoms to a Rydberg state; (ii) charge-exchanging the excited alkali atoms with positrons to produce Rydberg-state positronium; and (iii) charge exchanging the Rydberg-state positronium with antiprotons to produce Rydberg-state antihydrogen. Preferably, the Rydberg-state antihydrogen is permitted to decay to ground-state antihydrogen which can be trapped in a magnetic trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: York University
    Inventor: Eric Arthur Hessels
  • Patent number: 6160263
    Abstract: The invention provides a container for transporting antiprotons including a dewar having an evacuated cavity and a cryogenically cold wall. A plurality of thermally conductive supports are disposed in thermal connection with the cold wall and extend into the cavity. An antiproton trap is mounted on the extending supports within the cavity. A sealable cavity access port selectively provides access to the cavity for selective introduction into and removal from the cavity of the antiprotons. The container is capable of confining and storing antiprotons while they are transported via conventional terrestrial or airborne methods to a location distant from their creation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: Gerald A. Smith, Raymond A. Lewis, Steven D. Howe
  • Patent number: 5977554
    Abstract: The invention provides a container for transporting antiprotons including a dewar having an evacuated cavity and a cryogenically cold wall. A plurality of thermally conductive supports are disposed in thermal connection with the cold wall and extend into the cavity. An antiproton trap is mounted on the extending supports within the cavity. A sealable cavity access port selectively provides access to the cavity for selective introduction into and removal from the cavity of the antiprotons. The container is capable of confining and storing antiprotons while they are transported via conventional terrestrial or airborne methods to a location distant from their creation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gerald A. Smith, Raymond A. Lewis, Steven D. Howe
  • Patent number: 5949836
    Abstract: An apparatus, and method, are disclosed for producing a high specific activity of a radioisotope in a single increment of target material, or sequentially within in-series increments of target material, by exposing a targeted isotope in the target material to a high energy photon beam to isotopically convert the targeted isotope. In particular, this invention is used to produce a high specific activity of Mo.sup.99, of at least 1.0 Ci/gm or preferably at least about 10.0 Ci/gm, from Mol.sup.100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Lidsky, Richard Lanza
  • Patent number: 5903622
    Abstract: A source for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) comprises a body of photoneutron emitter that includes heavy water and is closely surrounded in heat-imparting relationship by target material; one or more electron linear accelerators for supplying electron radiation having energy of substantially 2 to 10 MeV and for impinging such radiation on the target material, whereby photoneutrons are produced and heat is absorbed from the target material by the body of photoneutron emitter. The heavy water is circulated through a cooling arrangement to remove heat. A tank, desirably cylindrical or spherical, contains the heavy water, and a desired number of the electron accelerators circumferentially surround the tank and the target material as preferably made up of thin plates of metallic tungsten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company
    Inventors: Woo Y. Yoon, James L. Jones, David W. Nigg, Yale D. Harker
  • Patent number: 5784423
    Abstract: An apparatus, and method, are disclosed for producing a high specific activity of a radioisotope in a single increment of target material, or sequentially within in-series increments of target material, by exposing a targeted isotope in the target material to a high energy photon beam to isotopically convert the targeted isotope. In particular, this invention is used to produce a high specific activity of Mo.sup.99, of at least 1.0 Ci/gm or preferably at least about 10.0 Ci/gm, from Mo.sup.100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Lidsky, Richard Lanza
  • Patent number: 5586153
    Abstract: A process for producing radionuclides using a porous carbon target. The process includes the steps of inserting a porous carbon target with tailored solid and void dimensions in the path of a bombarding beam; introducing fluid into the porous carbon target; bombarding the porous carbon target to produce at least one type of radionuclide; collecting the fluid and separating the resulting radionuclides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: CTI, Inc.
    Inventor: C. William Alvord
  • Patent number: 5452222
    Abstract: An electromagnetic test system induces large current pulses in a component of a system under test. The pulse waveform may be selectively varied, and possible waveforms include square wave pulse, double exponential, and damped sinusoid waveforms. In a preferred embodiment, these waveforms are generated by simultaneously triggering a plurality of modular signal injector units having ferrite cores hinged to permit positioning of a system component under test (such as a cable or antenna) along their central axes without disturbing connections of the tested component within its system. The injector units are resonance tuned to induce a particular signal in the component under test when triggered, and the modular construction of the system permits selective connection of different injector units to provide different desired total induced signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Ensco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Gray, Leedy Ambrose, Diane C. Jentilet
  • Patent number: 5280505
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the generation of isotopes, and in particular radioisotopes, from a target material which is not normally a solid and which, when bombarded by selected high energy particles, produces the selected isotope. A surface is provided which is preferably of a thermally-conductive material, which surface is cooled to a temperature below the freezing temperature of the target material. A thin layer of target material is then frozen on the surface and the target material is bombarded with the high energy particles. The beam of high energy particles is preferably at an angle to the surface such that the particles pass through a thickness of the target material greater than the thickness of the layer before reaching the surface. When the desired quantity of isotope has been produced from the target material, the target material, which has now been altered nuclearly to contain the selected isotope, is removed from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Science Research Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Barbara Hughey, Robert E. Klinkowstein, Ruth Shefer
  • Patent number: 5276717
    Abstract: Neutrinos and antineutrinos are generated by electromagnetic excitation of elementary subatomic particle magnetic moments in a DC magnetic field and causing the orientation energy of magnetic moments resulting from such excitation to be converted into the neutrinos and/or antineutrinos. A beam of neutrinos and antineutrinos is derived by enclosing a neutrino antineutrino source with neutrino scattering crystals having an aperture therein. Neutrinos and/or antineutrinos are amplitude modulated by varying the amplitude of electromagnetic excitation of the elementary particle magnetic moments, or the DC field or momentum mechanically imparted to a stiff crystal including the subatomic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventor: Joseph Weber
  • Patent number: 5204072
    Abstract: Methods for producing selenium-72, separating it from its daughter isotope arsenic-72, and generating multiple portions of a solution containing arsenic-72 from a reusable parent substance comprised of selenium-72.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: University of California
    Inventor: Dennis R. Phillips
  • Patent number: 5076971
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for decontaminating radioactive materials by stimulating the atomic system of radioactive materials. The stimulus is kept applied to the radioactive materials for a predetermined time. In this way, the rate of decay of the radioactivity of the materials is greatly accelerated and the materials are thereby decontaminated at a rate much faster than normal. The stimulus can be applied to the radioactive materials placing them within the sphere or terminal of a Van de Graaff generator and allowing them to be subjected to the electrical potential of the generator, such as in the range of 50 kilovolts to 500 kilovolts, for at least a period of 30 minutes or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Altran Corporation
    Inventor: William A. Barker
  • Patent number: 4961880
    Abstract: Accelerated decay of radioactive materials is used for power production. In the method of this invention an alpha-emitting radioactive material is placed in a region. The region is selected so that when a negative potential is applied to the region, enhanced alpha decay of the radioactive material results. The energy of the alpha decay particles is captured and converted to thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Altran Corporation
    Inventor: William A. Barker
  • Patent number: 4910156
    Abstract: A silicon wafer and a method of producing a silicon wafer comprising a phosphor-doping method of doping phosphor into a single silicon crystals by transmuting isotope Si.sup.30 contained in said single silicon crystals made by the CZ method or the MCZ method into p.sup.31 under neutron irradiation to said single silicon crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Toshiba Ceramics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin'ichiro Takasu, Michihiro Ohwa, Kazuhiko Kashima, Eiichi Toji, Kazumoto Homma
  • Patent number: 4910522
    Abstract: An electromagnetic test method simulates the effects of plane electromagnetic wave illumination on a conducting body. A conductive sheet is placed in the vicinity of the body and connected to an electrical ground. Alternating current from a current generator is injected into the conducting body via electrodes positioned at spatially separated points on the body's surface. The fields generated by the injected currents and the mirror currents in the grounded conducting sheet induce fields which create an overall current distribution in the conducting body substantially identical with that resulting from the incidence of a plane electromagnetic wave upon the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: British Aerospace Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Ian P. MacDiarmid, Carl P. Loller
  • Patent number: 4867939
    Abstract: A process for producing antihydrogen includes providing low energy antiprotons and positronium atoms within an interaction volume. Thermalized positrons are derived by moderating high energy positrons obtained from a high energy source, such as .sup.22 Na. The thermalized positrons are directed by electrostatic lenses to a positronium converter, positioned adjacent a low energy (less than about 50 KeV) circulating antiproton beam confined within an ion trap. Collisions between antiprotons and ortho-positronium atoms generate antihydrogen, a stable antimatter species, with substantial probability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventor: Bernhard I. Deutch
  • Patent number: 4678618
    Abstract: A secondary source positioning mechanism for a fuel assembly in a nuclear reactor locates an individual one of the secondary sources in a respective guide thimble of the fuel assembly aligned with an opening defined through the upper core plate which overlies the fuel assembly. The positioning mechanism has a tapered locating boss which registers with a chamfer on the lower side of the core plate about one of its openings and a resilient holddown device which resiliently couples the upper end of a rod containing the secondary source to the locating boss in a manner which restrains the upper end of the rod in the lateral direction and positions the secondary source rod in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: John F. Wilson, Robert K. Gjertsen, Samuel Cerni
  • Patent number: 4657722
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for producing and sustaining a very intense pinch effect in a ralativistic electron beam by applying a continually accelerating strong electric field along the entire length of the beam. A special anode collects electrons that stray from the beam and conducts them along a conducting wall of the anode. The potential drop due to the flow of these electrons in the anode wall produces a strong electric field along the beam. The clusters of heavy ions in the beam impact a target made of lead, for example, and produces various varieties of sub-nuclear products including mesons, neutrons, neutrinos, and hadrons. Electrons liberated from atoms appear adjacent the cathode along with ions also resulting from the liberation. These electrons are accelerated toward the target leaving behind the positive ions which produce a positive potential trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Inventor: Willard H. Bennett
  • Patent number: 4504438
    Abstract: A plurality of detectors (12) are disposed within a bore hole (14) for ascertaining the frequency and trajectory of high energy muons which penetrate through the earth. This information is converted by data processor (42) into an integrated density value of the earth for incremental angular lines of sight extending through spaced apart elevations along the detectors (12). The data processor (42) uses a tomographic analysis process to combine together all of these integrated density values for all of the elevations of interest to calculate the densities of discrete spatial volumes composing the underground region being investigated. Detectors (12) produce electrical signals indicative of the trajectory of the passing muon. The signals are recorded by time-to-digital convertor ("TDC") units (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Inventors: Richard H. Levy, Paul M. Mockett
  • Patent number: 4483816
    Abstract: A combination of passive and active neutron measurements which yields quantitative information about the isotopic composition of transuranic wastes from nuclear power or weapons material manufacture reactors is described. From the measurement of prompt and delayed neutron emission and the incidence of two coincidentally emitted neutrons from induced fission of fissile material in the sample, one can quantify .sup.233 U, .sup.235 U and .sup.239 Pu isotopes in waste samples. Passive coincidence counting, including neutron multiplicity measurement and determination of the overall passive neutron flux additionally enables the separate quantitative evaluation of spontaneous fission isotopes such as .sup.240 Pu, .sup.244 Cm and .sup.252 Cf, and the spontaneous alpha particle emitter .sup.241 Am.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
    Inventors: John T. Caldwell, Walter E. Kunz, James D. Atencio
  • Patent number: 4428902
    Abstract: A system and method of rapidly obtaining quantitative information as to the elemental constituents of coal, particularly the oxygen and sulfer content thereof. The system makes use of the photonuclear interaction to produce the desired radioactivity in the coal constituents. The above mentioned interaction is induced by high energy x-rays from a suitable electron accelerator. The induced radioactivity manifests itself by the emission of characteristic gamma rays among other things. These gamma rays are detected by conventional energy sensitive gamma-ray detectors such as germanium or sodium iodide crystals. The resultant signals are sorted and analyzed to provide the desired information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Murray
  • Patent number: 4393509
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating, in conjunction with a source of ionizing radiation, intense pulsed electromagnetic fields and time varying conductivity caused by the gamma radiation associated with a nuclear detonation. An enclosed space, including the source of ionizing radiation is separated into three spaces, each space separated from the adjacent space by a gas impermeable, radiation permeable barrier. A guided wave structure, pulsed with high voltage pulses in conjunction with the firing of the source of ionization radiation is disposed adjacent to the barrier separating two of the spaces. A gas handling system is provided to introduce a selected non-ionizing gas and a selected ionizing gas into the spaces on either side of the barrier adjacent to the guided wave structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: George Merkel, William D. Scharf
  • Patent number: 4341731
    Abstract: A method for efficiently generating thermal positions from a source of energetic positrons, consisting of a method for increasing the emission efficiency of the positron source, and a method for increasing the efficiency of a positron moderator. In an advantageous case the combined improvements lead to an about ten-fold increase in generated thermal positrons. The method for improving the source efficiency consists in reducing the self-absorption of positrons, typically emitted from radioactive atoms incorporated into a substrate by means of diffusion, by the source. This is accomplished by providing for a backing layer having a relatively small diffusion constant for the radioactive species, and a thin diffusion layer having a relatively large such diffusion constant, with the diffusion layer deposited onto the backing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventor: Allen P. Mills, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4335465
    Abstract: An electron and ion accelerator includes plural spaced electrodes which are apertured to define a gas discharge path and supported at their peripheries by insulative means. A gas supply provides low pressure gas capable of producing electrons and ions in the gas discharge path. A voltage applied between the at least two electrodes establishes an electrical potential between them such that a spark-like gas discharge occurs along the gas discharge path. The current density obtainable in the low pressure gas is substantially higher than the density of an electron or ion flow in a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Inventors: Jens Christiansen, Christoph Schultheiss