Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for non-invasive monitoring and imaging of nuclear fuel inside a nuclear reactor using muon detector arrays. In one aspect, these detector arrays are placed outside the reactor vessel or building for investigating the reactors without access to the cores, therefore the imaging process is non-invasive. In some implementation, these detector arrays measure both muon scattering and absorption to enable imaging and characterizing not only the very high-Z fuel materials, but also other materials in the reactor, thereby obtaining a more complete picture of reactor status. When applied to damaged reactors, the disclosed proposed techniques, systems, and devices, through the process of providing an image, can reveal the presence (or absence) of damage to fuel rod assemblies or puddles of molten fuel at the bottom of the containment vessel, thus providing crucial information to guide decisions about remedial actions.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for non-invasive monitoring and imaging of nuclear fuel inside a nuclear reactor using muon detector arrays. In one aspect, these detector arrays are placed outside the reactor vessel or building for investigating the reactors without access to the cores, therefore the imaging process is non-invasive. In some implementation, these detector arrays measure both muon scattering and absorption to enable imaging and characterizing not only the very high-Z fuel materials, but also other materials in the reactor, thereby obtaining a more complete picture of reactor status. When applied to damaged reactors, the disclosed proposed techniques, systems, and devices, through the process of providing an image, can reveal the presence (or absence) of damage to fuel rod assemblies or puddles of molten fuel at the bottom of the containment vessel, thus providing crucial information to guide decisions about remedial actions.

Abstract: A double-helix Boron-10 powder detector having intrinsic thermal neutron detection efficiency comparable to 36? long, 2-in diameter, 2-bar Helium-3 detectors, and which can be used to replace such detectors for use in portal monitoring, is described. An embodiment of the detector includes a metallic plate coated with Boron-10 powder for generating alpha and Lithium-7 particles responsive to neutrons impinging thereon supported by insulators affixed to at least two opposing edges; a grounded first wire wound in a helical manner around two opposing insulators; and a second wire having a smaller diameter than that of the first wire, wound in a helical manner around the same insulators and spaced apart from the first wire, the second wire being positively biased.

Abstract: A double-helix Boron-10 powder detector having intrinsic thermal neutron detection efficiency comparable to 36? long, 2-in diameter, 2-bar Helium-3 detectors, and which can be used to replace such detectors for use in portal monitoring, is described. An embodiment of the detector includes a metallic plate coated with Boron-10 powder for generating alpha and Lithium-7 particles responsive to neutrons impinging thereon supported by insulators affixed to at least two opposing edges; a grounded first wire wound in a helical manner around two opposing insulators; and a second wire having a smaller diameter than that of the first wire, wound in a helical manner around the same insulators and spaced apart from the first wire, the second wire being positively biased.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating neutron-induced 4He (or other nuclei) recoil from background, which is predominantly gamma-ray induced electrons and cosmic rays, using software analysis of digitized electrical pulses generated in a six tube, high-pressure (11 bar) helium-4 (4He) detector, are described. Individual electrical pulses from the detector were recorded using a 12-bit digitizer, and differences in pulse rise time and amplitudes, due to different energy loss of neutrons and gamma rays, are used for neutron/gamma ray separation.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for obtaining tomographic images of a volume of interest by using charged particle tomography detection systems.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for detecting particles such as muons. In one implementation, a monitoring system has a cosmic ray-produced charged particle tracker with a plurality of drift cells. The drift cells, which can be for example aluminum drift tubes, can be arranged at least above and below a volume to be scanned to thereby track incoming and outgoing charged particles, such as cosmic ray-produced muons, while also detecting gamma rays. The system can selectively detect devices or materials, such as iron, lead, gold and/or tungsten, occupying the volume from multiple scattering of the charged particles passing through the volume and can also detect any radioactive sources occupying the volume from gamma rays emitted therefrom. If necessary, the drift tubes can be sealed to eliminate the need for a gas handling system. The system can be employed to inspect occupied vehicles at border crossings for nuclear threat objects.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for detecting particles such as muons. In one implementation, a monitoring system has a cosmic ray-produced charged particle tracker with a plurality of drift cells. The drift cells, which can be for example aluminum drift tubes, can be arranged at least above and below a volume to be scanned to thereby track incoming and outgoing charged particles, such as cosmic ray-produced muons, whilst also detecting gamma rays. The system can selectively detect devices or materials, such as iron, lead, gold and/or tungsten, occupying the volume from multiple scattering of the charged particles passing through the volume and can also detect any radioactive sources occupying the volume from gamma rays emitted therefrom. If necessary, the drift tubes can be sealed to eliminate the need for a gas handling system. The system can be employed to inspect occupied vehicles at border crossings for nuclear threat objects.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for detecting particles such as muons for imaging applications. Subtraction techniques are described to enhance the processing of the muon tomography data.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for detecting particles such as muons. In one implementation, a monitoring system has a cosmic ray-produced charged particle tracker with a plurality of drift cells. The drift cells, which can be for example aluminum drift tubes, can be arranged at least above and below a volume to be scanned to thereby track incoming and outgoing charged particles, such as cosmic ray-produced muons, while also detecting gamma rays. The system can selectively detect devices or materials, such as iron, lead, gold and/or tungsten, occupying the volume from multiple scattering of the charged particles passing through the volume and can also detect any radioactive sources occupying the volume from gamma rays emitted therefrom. If necessary, the drift tubes can be sealed to eliminate the need for a gas handling system. The system can be employed to inspect occupied vehicles at border crossings for nuclear threat objects.

Abstract: Arrangements of X-ray inspection systems are described for inspecting high-z materials in voluminous objects such as containers. Inspection methods may involve generating a radiographic image based on detected attenuation corresponding to a pulsed beams of radiation transmitted through a voluminous object. The pulsed beams of radiation are generated by a high-energy source and transmitted substantially downward along an incident angle, of approximately 1° to 30°, to a vertical axis extending through the voluminous object. The generated radiographic image may be analyzed to detect on localized high attenuation representative of high-z materials and to discriminate high-z materials from lower and intermediate-z materials on the basis of the high density and greater attenuation of high-z material for higher energy (3-10 MeV) X-rays, and the compact nature of threatening masses of fissionable materials.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for detecting particles such as muons and neutrons. In one implementation, a particle detection system employs a plurality of drift cells, which can be for example sealed gas-filled drift tubes, arranged on sides of a volume to be scanned to track incoming and outgoing charged particles, such as cosmic ray-produced muons. The drift cells can include a neutron sensitive medium to enable concurrent counting of neutrons. The system can selectively detect devices or materials, such as iron, lead, gold, uranium, plutonium, and/or tungsten, occupying the volume from multiple scattering of the charged particles passing through the volume and can concurrently detect any unshielded neutron sources occupying the volume from neutrons emitted therefrom. If necessary, the drift cells can be used to also detect gamma rays. The system can be employed to inspect occupied vehicles at border crossings for nuclear threat objects.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for detecting particles such as muons. In one implementation, a monitoring system has a cosmic ray-produced charged particle tracker with a plurality of drift cells. The drift cells, which can be for example aluminum drift tubes, can be arranged at least above and below a volume to be scanned to thereby track incoming and outgoing charged particles, such as cosmic ray-produced muons, whilst also detecting gamma rays. The system can selectively detect devices or materials, such as iron, lead, gold and/or tungsten, occupying the volume from multiple scattering of the charged particles passing through the volume and can also detect any radioactive sources occupying the volume from gamma rays emitted therefrom. If necessary, the drift tubes can be sealed to eliminate the need for a gas handling system. The system can be employed to inspect occupied vehicles at border crossings for nuclear threat objects.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for detecting particles such as muons for imaging applications. Subtraction techniques are described to enhance the processing of the muon tomography data.

Abstract: An edge coated gasket includes a base sheet made of compressible gasket material and having opposed faces and an interior edge surrounding and defining an aperture. An edge coating of polymer or other material is disposed on and seals the interior edge of the base sheet and may project beyond the facial planes of the base sheet to define protruding rims extending around the aperture. Face coatings may also be applied to one or more of the faces extending in relatively narrow strips around the aperture of the base sheet. When clamped between flange surfaces, the edge coating engages, conforms to, and seals against the flange surfaces to provide a seal against both interfacial and intersticial migration of fluid past the gasket. At the same time, the inherently good compression failure resistance of the compressible gasket material of the base sheet is preserved. Thus, a gasket with enhanced sealability and compression failure resistance is provided.

Abstract: An edge coated gasket includes a base sheet made of compressible gasket material and having opposed faces and an interior edge surrounding and defining an aperture. An edge coating of polymer or other material is disposed on and seals the interior edge of the base sheet and may project beyond the facial planes of the base sheet to define protruding rims extending around the aperture. Face coatings may also be applied to one or more of the faces extending in relatively narrow strips around the aperture of the base sheet. When clamped between flange surfaces, the edge coating engages, conforms to, and seals against the flange surfaces to provide a seal against both interfacial and intersticial migration of fluid past the gasket. At the same time, the inherently good compression failure resistance of the compressible gasket material of the base sheet is preserved. Thus, a gasket with enhanced sealability and compression failure resistance is provided.

Abstract: A system for utilizing a computer to analyze damage to a structure. The system includes a damage disposition program for determining an appropriate repair procedure for repairing the damage to the structure. Additionally, the system includes a processor for executing the damage disposition program. A predefined set of damage class determination rules are utilized by the damage disposition program to determine a damage class.

Abstract: An edge coated gasket includes a base sheet made of compressible gasket material and having opposed faces and an interior edge surrounding and defining an aperture. An edge coating of polymer or other material is disposed on and seals the interior edge of the base sheet and may project beyond the facial planes of the base sheet to define protruding rims extending around the aperture. Face coatings may also be applied to one or more of the faces extending in relatively narrow strips around the aperture of the base sheet. When clamped between flange surfaces, the edge coating engages, conforms to, and seals against the flange surfaces to provide a seal against both interfacial and intersticial migration of fluid past the gasket. At the same time, the inherently good compression failure resistance of the compressible gasket material of the base sheet is preserved. Thus, a gasket with enhanced sealability and compression failure resistance is provided.

Abstract: An edge coated gasket includes a base sheet made of compressible gasket material and having opposed faces and an interior edge surrounding and defining an aperture. An edge coating of polymer or other material is disposed on and seals the interior edge of the base sheet and may project beyond the facial planes of the base sheet to define protruding rims extending around the aperture. Face coatings may also be applied to one or more of the faces extending in relatively narrow strips around the aperture of the base sheet. When clamped between flange surfaces, the edge coating engages, conforms to, and seals against the flange surfaces to provide a seal against both interfacial and intersticial migration of fluid past the gasket. At the same time, the inherently good compression failure resistance of the compressible gasket material of the base sheet is preserved. Thus, a gasket with enhanced sealability and compression failure resistance is provided.

Abstract: A system for utilizing a computer to analyze damage to a structure. The system includes a damage disposition program for determining an appropriate repair procedure for repairing the damage to the structure. Additionally, the system includes a processor for executing the damage disposition program. A predefined set of damage class determination rules are utilized by the damage disposition program to determine a damage class.