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).

  • Patent number: 11009616
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Symetrica Limited
    Inventors: David Ramsden, Mark Abbott Foster
  • Patent number: 10310102
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Symetrica Limited
    Inventors: David Ramsden, Mark Abbott Foster
  • Publication number: 20190120980
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: David Ramsden, Mark Abbott Foster
  • Patent number: 9720111
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Symetrica Limited
    Inventors: David Ramsden, Mark Abbott Foster
  • Publication number: 20170184736
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: SYMETRICA LIMITED
    Inventors: DAVID RAMSDEN, MARK ABBOTT FOSTER
  • Publication number: 20170090049
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Symetrica Limited
    Inventors: David Ramsden, Mark Abbott Foster
  • Publication number: 20160306052
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: David Ramsden, Mark Abbott Foster