Patents by Inventor Kimberlee J. Kearfott

Kimberlee J. Kearfott 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).

  • Patent number: 8563947
    Abstract: A method of determining the radiation type and energy distribution of a radiation source that outputs radiation. The method including providing a plurality of detector materials and exposing the plurality of detector materials to the radiation. Each of the plurality of detector materials stores a signal in response to being exposed to the radiation. The signals are representative of the radiation. The plurality of detector materials is stimulated to output the signals as measured signals. These measured signals are used to determine the radiation type and energy distribution of the radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of Michigan
    Inventor: Kimberlee J. Kearfott
  • Patent number: 8274062
    Abstract: A method of determining the radiation type and energy distribution of a radiation source that outputs radiation. The method including providing a plurality of detector materials and exposing the plurality of detector materials to the radiation. Each of the plurality of detector materials stores a signal in response to being exposed to the radiation. The signals are representative of the radiation. The plurality of detector materials is stimulated to output the signals as measured signals. These measured signals are used to determine the radiation type and energy distribution of the radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of Michigan
    Inventor: Kimberlee J. Kearfott
  • Publication number: 20110155928
    Abstract: A method of determining the radiation type and energy distribution of a radiation source that outputs radiation. The method including providing a plurality of detector materials and exposing the plurality of detector materials to the radiation. Each of the plurality of detector materials stores a signal in response to being exposed to the radiation. The signals are representative of the radiation. The plurality of detector materials is stimulated to output the signals as measured signals. These measured signals are used to determine the radiation type and energy distribution of the radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventor: KIMBERLEE J. KEARFOTT
  • Patent number: 7485877
    Abstract: A method of determining the radiation type and energy distribution of a radiation source that outputs radiation. The method including providing a plurality of detector materials and exposing the plurality of detector materials to the radiation. Each of the plurality of detector materials stores a signal in response to being exposed to the radiation. The signals are representative of the radiation. The plurality of detector materials is stimulated to output the signals as measured signals. These measured signals are used to determine the radiation type and energy distribution of the radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of Michigan
    Inventor: Kimberlee J. Kearfott
  • Patent number: 6815687
    Abstract: A high-speed, three-dimensional, gamma-ray imaging method and system as well as a detector and array of such detectors for use therein are provided which characterize radioactivity distributions in nuclear and radioactive waste and materials facilities by superimposing radiation images on a view of the environment using see-through display screens or shields to provide a stereoscopic view of the radiation. The method and system provide real-time visual feedback about the locations and relative strengths of radioactive sources. The method and system dynamically provide continuous updates to the displayed image illustrating changes, such as source movement. A pair of spaced gamma-ray cameras of a detector subsystem function like “gamma eyes”. A pair of CCD cameras may be coupled to the detector subsystem to obtain information about the physical architecture of the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Clair J. Branch-Sullivan, Kimberlee J. Kearfott, Bozidar Stojadinovic, Douglas S. McGregor
  • Patent number: 6806474
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting ionizing radiation emitted by material located over an extended area are provided. The method and system include a radiation detector disposed within a detector space on a detection axis. An array of collimating louvers is positioned about the radiation detector and is movable between different polar positions or angles relative to the detection axis. A mechanism is provided for moving the array of collimating louvers between the different polar angles to collimate the ionizing radiation from different locations over the area. The detector produces electrical signals as a function of the polar positions of the array of collimating louvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Douglas S. McGregor, Kimberlee J. Kearfott
  • Patent number: 6727505
    Abstract: A radiation detector system includes detectors having different properties (sensitivity, energy resolution) which are combined so that excellent spectral information may be obtained along with good determinations of the radiation field as a function of position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Roland R. Benke, Kimberlee J. Kearfott, Douglas S. McGregor
  • Publication number: 20030136916
    Abstract: A method, system and a radiation detector system for use therein are provided for determining the depth distribution of radiation-emitting material distributed in a source medium, such as a contaminated field, without the need to take samples, such as extensive soil samples, to determine the depth distribution. The system includes a portable detector assembly with an x-ray or gamma-ray detector having a detector axis for detecting the emitted radiation. The radiation may be naturally-emitted by the material, such as gamma-ray-emitting radionuclides, or emitted when the material is struck by other radiation. The assembly also includes a hollow collimator in which the detector is positioned. The collimator causes the emitted radiation to bend toward the detector as rays parallel to the detector axis of the detector. The collimator may be a hollow cylinder positioned so that its central axis is perpendicular to the upper surface of the large area source when positioned thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Kimberlee J. Kearfott, Douglas S. McGregor
  • Publication number: 20030042426
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting ionizing radiation emitted by material located over an extended area are provided. The method and system include a radiation detector disposed within a detector space on a detection axis. An array of collimating louvers is positioned about the radiation detector and is movable between different polar positions or angles relative to the detection axis. A mechanism is provided for moving the array of collimating louvers between the different polar angles to collimate the ionizing radiation from different locations over the area. The detector produces electrical signals as a function of the polar positions of the array of collimating louvers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas S. McGregor, Kimberlee J. Kearfott
  • Patent number: 6528797
    Abstract: A method, system and a radiation detector system for use therein are provided for determining the depth distribution of radiation-emitting material distributed in a source medium, such as a contaminated field, without the need to take samples, such as extensive soil samples, to determine the depth distribution. The system includes a portable detector assembly with an x-ray or gamma-ray detector having a detector axis for detecting the emitted radiation. The radiation may be naturally-emitted by the material, such as gamma-ray-emitting radionuclides, or emitted when the material is struck by other radiation. The assembly also includes a hollow collimator in which the detector is positioned. The collimator causes the emitted radiation to bend toward the detector as rays parallel to the detector axis of the detector. The collimator may be a hollow cylinder positioned so that its central axis is perpendicular to the upper surface of the large area source when positioned thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Roland R. Benke, Kimberlee J. Kearfott, Douglas S. McGregor