Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company

Emanuele Ronchi

Paul David Featonby

Peter Jackson

Kenneth James

Christopher Bowdon

James Stephen Howstan

Carl Robert Tipton

Marco Panniello

Owen John Lloyd Jones

Kevan Bradley Dales

Francis O'Doherty

Peter Donaldson

John Somerton

James Campbell

Andrew Michael Luke Ambrose-Thurman

Christopher Thomas Hudson

Dave Doyle Ferguson, Jnr

Christopher Bowden

The invention discloses a scanning method and apparatus suitable for scanning a pipeline or a process vessel in which a beam of gamma radiation from a source is emitted through the pipeline or the process vessel to be detected by an array of detectors, which are each collimated to detect gamma radiation over a narrow angle relative to a width of the emitted beam of gamma radiation.

Scanning method and apparatus comprising a buoyancy material and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for scanning an underwater pipeline or a process vessel

Scanning method and apparatus comprising a buoyancy material for scanning an underwater pipeline or a process vessel

Disclosed herein are a scanning method and apparatus suitable for scanning a pipeline or process vessel in which a beam of gamma radiation from a source is emitted through the vessel to be detected by an array of detectors which are each collimated to detect radiation over a narrow angle relative to the width of the emitted radiation beam.

A subsea apparatus and method for scanning a subsea structure to detect differences in density between different parts of the subsea structure is described. A source of gamma radiation and a plurality of detectors arranged to detect gamma radiation emitted by the source are provided. The subsea structure is positioned between the source and the detectors, and the detectors and the source rotated in a fixed relationship to each other about an axis of rotation located between the detectors and the source. The plurality of detectors are arranged in a linear array, the linear array being substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. A pixelated detector array and a source container are also disclosed.

Apparatus and method for scanning a structure

The invention discloses a scanning method and apparatus suitable for scanning a pipeline or process vessel in which a beam of gamma radiation from a source is emitted through the vessel to be detected by an array of detectors which are each collimated to detect radiation over a narrow angle relative to the width of the emitted radiation beam.

Scanning method and apparatus comprising a buoyancy material for scanning a pipeline or a process vessel

A scanning apparatus for measuring the attenuation of radiation passing from a radiation source along a radiation path to a radiation detector includes a source of radiation; at least one radiation detector capable of detecting radiation emitted by the source a data processor associated with the at least one radiation detector for calculating a property of material present in a linear radiation path between the source and the at least one detector; and a spacer arranged between the source and the at least one detector. The spacer defines a space which is capable of excluding water and having an average density which is less than 1 gcm. The provision of a spacer in the radiation path enables more radiation to be passed along the radiation path because water can be replaced with a material which is less attenuating to radiation.

Scanning instrument

An apparatus for detecting radiation for obtaining density information of a structure, the apparatus including: at least one detector (), the detector () including: a scintillator () including a scintillating material for emitting light in response to incident radiation (), and a photodetector () for receiving light emitted by the scintillating material () and outputting an electrical signal in response to light received from the scintillating material (), wherein the photodetector () includes at least one silicon photomultiplier (). The invention reduces the volume of the apparatus and therefore provides particular advantages for use in scanning pipelines and other structures located deep subsea.

Radiation detection apparatus and method

An apparatus for scanning a structure to detect density differences between different structure parts, the apparatus includes a source of gamma radiation, a plurality of first detectors arranged to detect radiation emitted by the source along a plurality of respective first paths, a plurality of second detectors arranged to detect radiation emitted by the source along a plurality of respective second paths. Each first and second path is substantially aligned with a respective radius of a circle centered on the source, and an angular separation between at least two neighboring first paths is S. The first and second detectors and the source are arranged for rotation in a fixed relationship with respect to each other, about an axis of rotation located between the source and detectors, wherein the axis of rotation is substantially orthogonal to the circle. An asymmetric collimator block directs gamma radiation from the source to the detectors.

Apparatus and method for scanning a structure, and collimator therefor

An apparatus for measuring radiation includes a plurality of detectors (), each detector () including: a scintillating material () for emitting light in response to incident radiation (), and a photodetector () for receiving light emitted by the scintillating material () and outputting an electrical pulse in response to light received from the scintillating material (), wherein a parameter characterising the electrical pulse is related to an energy associated with the incident radiation (); and a power supply () for supplying power to a plurality of the photodetectors (). The apparatus reduces the volume of hardware to be transported to the measurement location and therefore provides particular advantages for scanning pipelines and other structures located deep underwater.

Radiation measurement apparatus and method

An apparatus and method for scanning a structure for detecting variations in density of a structure, the apparatus () includes: a source of radiation (); a plurality of detectors (), arranged for receiving radiation emitted by the source along a plurality of respective paths (); the apparatus configured such that, a structure () to be scanned is positionable between the detectors and the source; collimation elements () including a plurality of collimator channels (), each located between a respective detector and the source; and collimation adjustment element (). The apparatus, in a first configuration, provides a first resolution (r) in an axial direction substantially orthogonal to a plane including the source and plurality of paths; and, in a second configuration, the collimation adjustment element is positioned between the collimation elements and the source such that the apparatus provides a second resolution (r) in the axial direction; wherein r&#x3c;r

A scanning method, which is a method of identifying a change in the density of an object, includes arranging a source of ionizing radiation and an array of radiation detectors Dn, where n is an integer from 1 to N, capable of detecting the radiation in such a way that radiation counts are counted by the detectors as the source and detectors are rotated around the object. Detectors are arranged in conjugate pairs so that missing data due to a malfunctioning detector may be filled in from its conjugate.

Scanning method

An apparatus for transferring data from a first part of a measuring apparatus to a second part includes a signal transmitting part mounted to the second part and having first antennae for receiving first electrical signals representing data from the second part and emitting electromagnetic radiation corresponding to the first electrical signals, and a signal receiving part mounted to the first part but separated from and rotating relative to the signal transmitting part. The signal receiving part includes a second antenna for receiving electromagnetic radiation and generating second electrical signals corresponding to the first electrical signals. The signal transmitting part and the signal receiving part include respective radiation guide elements adapted to cause less attenuation of the electromagnetic radiation passing through the radiation guide elements than when passing through water, so that the electromagnetic radiation can be continuously transmitted from the signal transmitting part to the signal receiving part.

Data transfer apparatus

Scanning method and apparatus

An apparatus () for determining thickness of refractory material () lining a metal vessel () is disclosed. The apparatus includes a radiation source () for emitting radiation through a metal wall of the vessel and into the refractory material, wherein some of the radiation is scattered by the refractory material, and a radiation detector () for detecting radiation scattered by the refractory material through the wall of the vessel. A converter provides an output signal dependent on the quantity of radiation scattered by the refractory material through the wall of the vessel and detected by the radiation detector.

Apparatus for determining thickness of lining layer

A source container for a radiation source includes a vessel having an external wall defining a space within which is located a shield formed from a radiation absorbing material and defining a cavity for receiving a radiation source, the shield including a window extending from the cavity through the radiation absorbing material, and at least two shutters, each shutter being movable between a closed position in which the shutter covers the window and an open position in which the shutter does not cover the window. The provision of two or more shutters provides a way to emit radiation of different intensities from the same source and container.

Growing community of inventors

Cleveland, United Kingdom

Emanuele Ronchi