Neutron sealed source

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019341163-A1
Application number	US-201815967720-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 1, 2018
Priority date	May 1, 2018
Publication date	Nov 7, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

A neutron sealed source holds cermet wire sources, such as Californium-252/Palladium wires, in separate blind apertures within a stainless steel block, The stainless steel block is part of an inner encapsulation and includes blind apertures arranged in rotational symmetry for receiving the cermet wire sources. The cermet wire sources are separated from each other and the fission and decay heat is rejected through the stainless steel block.

First claim

1 . A neutron source, including:
a first capsule structure including a block structure defined by first outer walls, the first outer walls extending beyond the block structure and defining a first open end providing access to the block structure, the block structure forming a first closed end; and the block structure including a plurality of apertures for receiving a respective plurality of active sources.

2 . The neutron source of claim 1 wherein the first capsule structure and the block structure are cylindrical.

3 . The neutron source of claim 2 wherein the apertures are cylindrical.

4 . The neutron source of claim 3 wherein the apertures are blind apertures.

5 . The neutron source of claim 4 wherein the apertures are parallel to each other, separated from each other, and co-extensive.

6 . The neutron source of claim 5 wherein the first outer wall extending beyond the block structure forms a first seat within the first outer wall and adjacent to the block structure.

7 . The neutron source of claim 6 wherein the first seat receives a first lid which is welded or otherwise sealed to an interior of the first outer wall in a position immediately adjacent to the block structure and openings of the apertures.

8 . The neutron source of claim 7 further including a second capsule structure, encapsulating the first capsule structure.

9 . The neutron source of claim 8 wherein the second capsule structure includes second outer walls, a second open end and a second closed end, the second outer walls being concentrically outward from the first outer walls.

10 . The neutron source of claim 9 wherein the first open end of first capsule structure abuts an interior of the second closed end of the second capsule structure and the first closed end of the first capsule structure is inwardly adjacent from the second open end of the second capsule structure thereby forming a second seat.

11 . The neutron source of claim 10 wherein the second seat receives a second lid which is welded or otherwise sealed to an interior of the second outer wall in a position immediately adjacent to the first closed end of the first capsule structure.

12 . The neutron source of claim 1 wherein the first capsule structure is formed from stainless steel.

13 . The neutron source of claim 8 wherein the second capsule structure is formed from a material chosen from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, nickel and zirconium.

14 . The neutron source of claim 1 further including a plurality of active sources emitting neutrons, wherein an active source is placed into each aperture of said plurality of apertures.

15 . The neutron source of claim 14 wherein the active sources include Californium-252.

16 . The neutron source of claim 15 wherein the active sources further include palladium.

17 . The neutron source of claim 14 wherein the active sources include Californium-252 in the form of Pd/Cf 2 O 3 (palladium/californium (III) oxide).

18 . The neutron source of claim 16 wherein the active sources are configured as lengths of cermet wire.

19 . A neutron source, including:
a capsule structure including a block structure defined by first outer walls, the first outer walls extending beyond the block structure and defining a first open end providing access to the block structure, the block structure forming a first closed end; and the block structure including a plurality of compartments for receiving a respective plurality of active sources, the compartments separated by heat sink walls.

20 . The neutron source of claim 19 wherein the capsule structure is formed a material chosen from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, nickel and zirconium.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Vose Mark

Classifications

• G21C7/34

  by utilisation of a primary neutron source · CPC title

• G21G4/06

  characterised by constructional features · CPC title

• G21F5/10

  Heat-removal systems, e.g. using circulating fluid or cooling fins · CPC title

• G21G4/02 Primary

  Neutron sources · CPC title

• Y02E30/30

  Nuclear fission reactors · CPC title