Patents by Inventor Mark W. Drigert

Mark W. Drigert 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: 9018586
    Abstract: Apparatuses and a related method relating to radiation detection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first scintillator and a second scintillator adjacent to the first scintillator, with each of the first scintillator and second scintillator being structured to generate a light pulse responsive to interacting with incident radiation. The first scintillator is further structured to experience full energy deposition of a first low-energy radiation, and permit a second higher-energy radiation to pass therethrough and interact with the second scintillator. The apparatus further includes a plurality of light-to-electrical converters operably coupled to the second scintillator and configured to convert light pulses generated by the first scintillator and the second scintillator into electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Batelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas W. Akers, Mark W. Drigert
  • Publication number: 20140001365
    Abstract: Apparatuses and a related method relating to radiation detection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first scintillator and a second scintillator adjacent to the first scintillator, with each of the first scintillator and second scintillator being structured to generate a light pulse responsive to interacting with incident radiation. The first scintillator is further structured to experience full energy deposition of a first low-energy radiation, and permit a second higher-energy radiation to pass therethrough and interact with the second scintillator. The apparatus furthers include a plurality of light-to-electrical converters operably coupled to the second scintillator and configured to convert light pulses generated by the first scintillator and the second scintillator into electrical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas W. Akers, Mark W. Drigert
  • Patent number: 8274056
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system relating to radiation detection of low-energy beta particles are disclosed. An embodiment includes a radiation detector with a first scintillator and a second scintillator operably coupled to each other. The first scintillator and the second scintillator are each structured to generate a light pulse responsive to interaction with beta particles. The first scintillator is structured to experience full energy deposition of low-energy beta particles, and permit a higher-energy beta particle to pass therethrough and interact with the second scintillator. The radiation detector further includes a light-to-electrical converter operably coupled to the second scintillator and configured to convert light pulses generated by the first scintillator and the second scintillator into electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas W. Akers, Mark W. Drigert
  • Publication number: 20110163237
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system relating to radiation detection of low-energy beta particles are disclosed. An embodiment a radiation detector with a first scintillator and a second scintillator operably coupled to each other. The first scintillator and the second scintillator are each structured to generate a light pulse responsive to interaction with beta particles. The first scintillator is structured to experience full energy deposition of low-energy beta particles, and permit a higher-energy beta particle to pass therethrough and interact with the second scintillator. The radiation detector further includes a light-to-electrical converter operably coupled to the second scintillator and configured to convert light pulses generated by the first scintillator and the second scintillator into electrical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas W. Akers, Mark W. Drigert
  • Patent number: 6255657
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention encompasses a method of detecting radioactive decay, comprising: a) providing a sample comprising a radioactive material, the radioactive material generating decay particles; b)providing a plurality of detectors proximate the sample, the detectors comprising a first set and a second set, the first set of the detectors comprising liquid state detectors utilizing liquid scintillation material coupled with photo tubes to generate a first electrical signal in response to decay particles stimulating the liquid scintillation material, the second set of the detectors comprising solid state detectors utilizing a crystalline solid to generate a second electrical signal in response to decay particles stimulating the crystalline solid; c) stimulating at least one of the detectors to generate at least one of the first and second electrical signals, the at least one of the first and second electrical signals being indicative of radioactive decay in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC
    Inventors: Jerald D. Cole, Mark W. Drigert, Edward L. Reber, Rahmat Aryaeinejad