Patents by Inventor Yigang Yang

Yigang Yang 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: 9268027
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting special nuclear materials are disclosed. Said method and system detect the special nuclear materials by making use of the photofission characteristic and thermal neutron induced fission characteristic thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the high density and/or high atomic number region in the object to be detected is also detected first as a suspicious region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignees: Nuctech Company Ltd., Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Kejun Kang, Yigang Yang, Qitian Miao, Zhiqiang Chen, Yuanjing Li, Shangmin Sun, Hua Peng, Guang Yang, Bufu Liu
  • Patent number: 9081099
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting special nuclear materials are disclosed. Said method and system detect the special nuclear materials by making use of the photofission characteristic and thermal neutron induced fission characteristic thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the high density and/or high atomic number region in the object to be detected is also detected first as a suspicious region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited, Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Kejun Kang, Yigang Yang, Qitian Miao, Zhiqiang Chen, Yuanjing Li, Shangmin Sun, Hua Peng, Guang Yang, Bufu Liu
  • Publication number: 20150185164
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a nuclide identification method, a nuclide identification system, and a photoneutron emitter. The photoneutron emitter comprises: a pulsed electron accelerator configured for emitting electrons; and a photoneutron converting target configured to receive the electrons emitted by the pulsed electron accelerator and convert the electrons into photoneutrons. The photoneutron converting target has a volume of about 100 to about 8000 cm3, of about 100 to about 2500 cm3, or of about 785 cm3. These embodiments of the present invention can improve an accuracy of identification of a nuclide, and provide a practical photoneutron emitter, method and system for identifying a nuclide. Especially, these embodiments of the present invention can improve an accuracy of identification of a fissile nuclide such as 233U, 235U, and 239Pu, and provide a practical photoneutron emitter, method and system for identifying a fissile nuclide such as 233U, 235U, and 239Pu.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Zhiqiang CHEN, Yigang YANG, Xuewu WANG, Qinjian ZHANG, Huaibi CHEN, Yuanjing LI
  • Patent number: 9029788
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fast-neutron detector, comprising: a plastic scintillator array which includes at least one plastic scintillator unit, wherein sidewall surfaces of each plastic scintillator unit are covered or coated with a neutron-sensitive coating film. The fast-neutron detector based on such film-coated plastic scintillators according to the present invention advantageously addresses the mutual competition problem between a moderated volume and a measured volume in the prior art and can obtain a higher fast-neutron detecting efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Yigang Yang, Qinjian Zhang, Yi Liu
  • Patent number: 9000392
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cellular thermal neutron detector, comprising: a cellular structure comprised of one or more hollow regular hexagonal prism-shaped cellular units, wherein a neutron absorbing material is coated on an inner side of a pipe wall of each of the cellular units. Since the neutron-sensitive cellular structure is employed, the present invention can perform thermal neutron detection without using the scarce nuclide 3He, and effectively reduce the manufacture costs of the thermal neutron detector. Further, the present invention has characteristics such as a reduced or eliminated neutron detecting dead zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited, Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Yigang Yang, Hejun Zhou, Yi Liu, Qinjian Zhang, Yongqiang Wang
  • Patent number: 8913707
    Abstract: A photoneutron conversion target for generating photoneutrons by directing an x-ray beam at the photoneutron conversion target includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end. When the photoneutron conversion target is in use, the x-ray beam enters the body and propagates in a direction from the first end to the second end. The body of the photoneutron conversion target is shaped such that propagation of the x-ray beam is substantially proportionate to an intensity distribution of the x-ray beam, so that the greater an intensity of x-rays of the x-ray beam, the greater the propagation distance of the x-rays within the body of the photoneutron conversion target. The photoneutron conversion target according to the invention can make full use of the x-ray beam so as to increase a yield of photoneutrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Kejun Kang, Haifeng Hu, Yigang Yang, Zhiqiang Chen, Qitian Miao, Jianping Cheng, Yuanjing Li, Yinong Liu, Hua Peng, Tiezhu Li, Ziran Zhao, Yaohong Liu, Wanlong Wu
  • Patent number: 8841627
    Abstract: A method for imaging an object by means of photoneutron transmission is provided. The method determines the position of the photoneutron rays based on the position of a neutron collimator, to overcome the problem of incapability of imaging due to loss of position information of the photoneutrons during moderation thereof. The method also images the object by arranging detector module arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited, Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Yuanjing Li, Yigang Yang, Tiezhu Li, Qinjian Zhang, Bin Wu, Hong Wang
  • Patent number: 8791421
    Abstract: The present invention provides a boron-containing gas film fast-neutron detector. The fast-neutron detector comprises a package piece having a hollow cavity; a plastic scintillator array provided in the cavity and comprising a plurality of plastic scintillator units, a gap existing between adjacent plastic scintillator units; and a boron-containing gas filled into and gas-tightly sealed in the hollow cavity, the boron-containing gas forming a boron-containing gas film in the gap between the adjacent plastic scintillator units. The fast-neutron detector of the present invention completely does not require use of scarce and expensive 3He gas, nor needs a complicated boron film coating process, improves credibility of signal coincidence, and is adapted for measurement of environment background neutrons and extensively adapted for detection of radioactive substance at sites such as customs ports, harbors and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited, Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Yuanjing Li, Yigang Yang, Qinjian Zhang, Yi Liu, Yang Tai
  • Publication number: 20140098918
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting special nuclear materials are disclosed. Said method and system detect the special nuclear materials by making use of the photofission characteristic and thermal neutron induced fission characteristic thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the high density and/or high atomic number region in the object to be detected is also detected first as a suspicious region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicants: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED, TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kejun Kang, Yigang Yang, Qitian Miao, Zhiqiang Chen, Yuanjing Li, Shangmin Sun, Hua Peng, Guang Yang, Bufu Liu
  • Publication number: 20130341519
    Abstract: The present invention provides a boron-containing gas film fast-neutron detector. The fast-neutron detector comprises a package piece having a hollow cavity; a plastic scintillator array provided in the cavity and comprising a plurality of plastic scintillator units, a gap existing between adjacent plastic scintillator units; and a boron-containing gas filled into and gas-tightly sealed in the hollow cavity, the boron-containing gas forming a boron-containing gas film in the gap between the adjacent plastic scintillator units. The fast-neutron detector of the present invention completely does not require use of scarce and expensive 3He gas, nor needs a complicated boron film coating process, improves credibility of signal coincidence, and is adapted for measurement of environment background neutrons and extensively adapted for detection of radioactive substance at sites such as customs ports, harbors and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicants: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuanjing Li, Yigang Yang, Qinjian Zhang, Yi Liu, Yang Tai
  • Patent number: 8588370
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an article inspection device, comprising: a x-ray machine, a collimation unit, a transmission detector array and at least one scattering detector array. Each of the at least one scattering detector array comprising a plurality of same scattering detector modules arranged in a matrix of i-rows and j-columns. A transmission cross section of the article transmitted by the x-rays is divided into a plurality of same sub-regions arranged in a matrix of i-rows and j-columns. The plurality of scattering detector modules arranged in i-rows and i-columns correspond to the plurality of sub-regions arranged in i-rows and j-columns one by one for detecting pair production effect annihilation photons and Compton-effect scattering photons from the respective sub-regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Yigang Yang, Tiezhu Li, Qinjian Zhang, Yi Zhang, Yingkang Jin, Qinghao Chen, Yuanjing Li, Yinong Liu
  • Publication number: 20130168565
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cellular thermal neutron detector, comprising: a cellular structure comprised of one or more hollow regular hexagonal prism-shaped cellular units, wherein a neutron absorbing material is coated on an inner side of a pipe wall of each of the cellular units. Since the neutron-sensitive cellular structure is employed, the present invention can perform thermal neutron detection without using the scarce nuclide 3He, and effectively reduce the manufacture costs of the thermal neutron detector. Further, the present invention has characteristics such as a reduced or eliminated neutron detecting dead zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicants: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yigang Yang, Hejun Zhou, Yi Liu, Qinjian Zhang, Yongqiang Wang
  • Publication number: 20130168560
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fast-neutron detector, comprising: a plastic scintillator array which includes at least one plastic scintillator unit, wherein sidewall surfaces of each plastic scintillator unit are covered or coated with a neutron-sensitive coating film. The fast-neutron detector based on such film-coated plastic scintillators according to the present invention advantageously addresses the mutual competition problem between a moderated volume and a measured volume in the prior art and can obtain a higher fast-neutron detecting efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Yigang Yang, Qinjian Zhang, Yi Liu
  • Patent number: 8406375
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an article inspection device, comprising: an x-ray machine, a collimation unit, a transmission detector array and a scattering detector array. The scattering detector array comprising a plurality of same scattering detector modules arranged in a matrix of i-rows and j-columns. A transmission cross section of the article transmitted by the x-rays is divided into a plurality of same sub-regions arranged in a matrix of i-rows and j-columns. The plurality of scattering detector modules arranged in i-rows and j-columns correspond to the plurality of sub-regions arranged in i-rows and j-columns one by one for detecting pair production effect annihilation photons and Compton-effect scattering photons from the respective sub-regions. Obtaining atomic numbers of the respective sub-regions based on a ratio of the pair production effect annihilation photon count to the Compton-effect scattering photon count, so as to form a three-dimensional image of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Yigang Yang, Tiezhu Li, Qinjiar Zhang, Yi Zhang, Yingkang Jin, Qinghao Chen, Yuanjing Li, Yinong Liu
  • Patent number: 8396189
    Abstract: A photoneutron-x ray source includes a photoneutron conversion target, which outputs both photoneutrons and x-rays simultaneously. The photoneutron-x ray source includes an x-ray generator for generating an x-ray main beam that is applied to the photoneutron conversion target. The photoneutron conversion target generates photoneutrons upon the application of the x-ray main beam to the photoneutron conversion target. The photoneutron conversion target has a body that defines a passageway extending through the body and that is structured such that a first x-ray beam of the x-ray main beam can pass through the passageway without any reaction with the body, while a second x-ray beam of the x-ray main beam can enter the body and react with the body to emit the photoneutrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Kejun Kang, Haifeng Hu, Yigang Yang, Zhiqiang Chen, Qitian Miao, Jianping Cheng, Yuanjing Li, Yinong Liu, Hua Peng, Tiezhu Li, Ziran Zhao, Yaohong Liu, Wanlong Wu
  • Patent number: 8374310
    Abstract: A method and a system for contraband detection in an object using photoneutrons and x-rays includes an x-ray generator that generates an x-ray main beam including a first x-ray beam and a second x-ray beam, the first x-ray beam being directed to pass through the object. A photoneutron conversion target is arranged to receive the second x-ray beam so as to generate photoneutrons, the photoneutrons being directed to enter the object and react with the object to emit characteristic ?-rays. An x-ray detecting arrangement is arranged to receive the first x-ray beam that has passed through the object in order to perform x-ray imaging detection of the detected object. A ?-ray detecting arrangement is arranged to receive the characteristic ?-rays in order to perform neutron detection of the object based on the characteristic ?-rays. The x-ray imaging detection and the neutron detection are simultaneously performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Kejun Kang, Haifeng Hu, Yigang Yang, Zhiqiang Chen, Qitian Miao, Jianping Cheng, Yuanjing Li, Yinong Liu, Hua Peng, Tiezhu Li, Ziran Zhao, Yaohong Liu, Wanlong Wu
  • Publication number: 20130026383
    Abstract: A method for imaging an object by means of photoneutron transmission is provided, which comprises the steps of: collimating the photoneutron rays passing through the object by means of a neutron collimator so as to determine the position information of the photoneutron rays based on the position of the neutron collimator; detecting the collimated photoneutron ray beams by means of a detector module, wherein the detector module includes a neutron moderator and at least one thermal neutron detector located within the neutron moderator, wherein the neutron moderator converts the photoneutrons into thermal neutrons, and wherein the thermal neutron detector measures the thermal neutrons so as to obtain attenuation information of the photoneutron ray beams upon passing through the object; and integrating the position information and the attenuation information so as to form an image of the corresponding part of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicants: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuanjing Li, Yigang Yang, Tiezhu Li, Qinjian Zhang, Bin Wu, Hong Wang
  • Publication number: 20120207271
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an article inspection device, comprising: an x-ray machine, a collimation unit, a transmission detector array and a scattering detector array. The scattering detector array comprising a plurality of same scattering detector modules arranged in a matrix of i-rows and j-columns. A transmission cross section of the article transmitted by the x-rays is divided into a plurality of same sub-regions arranged in a matrix of i-rows and j-columns. The plurality of scattering detector modules arranged in i-rows and j-columns correspond to the plurality of sub-regions arranged in i-rows and j-columns one by one for detecting pair production effect annihilation photons and Compton-effect scattering photons from the respective sub-regions. Obtaining atomic numbers of the respective sub-regions based on a ratio of the pair production effect annihilation photon count to the Compton-effect scattering photon count, so as to form a three-dimensional image of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Yigang Yang, Tiezhu Li, Qinjian Zhang, Yi Zhang, Yingkang Jin, Qinghao Chen, Yuanjing Li, Yinong Liu
  • Publication number: 20120002788
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an article inspection device, comprising: a x-ray machine, a collimation unit, a transmission detector array and at least one scattering detector array. Each of the at least one scattering detector array comprising a plurality of same scattering detector modules arranged in a matrix of i-rows and j-columns. A transmission cross section of the article transmitted by the x-rays is divided into a plurality of same sub-regions arranged in a matrix of i-rows and j-columns. The plurality of scattering detector modules arranged in i-rows and i-columns correspond to the plurality of sub-regions arranged in i-rows and j-columns one by one for detecting pair production effect annihilation photons and Compton-effect scattering photons from the respective sub-regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Yigang Yang, Tiezhu Li, Qinjian Zhang, Yi Zhang, Yingkang Jin, Qinghao Chen, Yuanjing Li, Yinong Liu
  • Publication number: 20110096886
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting special nuclear materials are disclosed. Said method and system detect the special nuclear materials by making use of the photofission characteristic and thermal neutron induced fission characteristic thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the high density and/or high atomic number region in the object to be detected is also detected first as a suspicious region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicants: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Kejun Kang, Yigang Yang, Qitian Miao, Zhiqiang Chen, Yuanjing Li, Shangmin Sun, Hua Peng, Guang Yang, Bufu Liu