The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 19, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 06, 2004
Francis H. Ruddy, Monroeville, PA (US);
Abdul R. Dulloo, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
John G. Seidel, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Thomas V. Congedo, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Bojan Petrovic, Monroeville, PA (US);
Vefa N. Kucukboyaci, Monroeville, PA (US);
Francis H. Ruddy, Monroeville, PA (US);
Abdul R. Dulloo, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
John G. Seidel, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Thomas V. Congedo, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Bojan Petrovic, Monroeville, PA (US);
Vefa N. Kucukboyaci, Monroeville, PA (US);
Westinghouse Electric Co LLC, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
A method and associated apparatus for detecting concealed fissile, fissionable or special nuclear material in an article, such as a shipping container, is provided. The article is irradiated with a source of fast neutrons, and fast neutrons released by the fissile or fissionable material, if present, are detected between source neutron pulses. The method uses a neutron detector that can detect and discriminate fast neutrons in the presence of thermal neutrons and gamma radiation. The detector is able to process high count rates and is resistant to radiation damage, and is preferably a solid state neutron detector comprised of silicon carbide.