Borehole Muon Detector Bundle for 3D Trajectory Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing muon detector systems are not suitable for borehole applications due to their size, shape, and requirement for orthogonally disposed drift tubes, which limits their ability to measure muon trajectories in three dimensions within confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
A borehole muon detector system featuring a tubular, sealed unit with longitudinally disposed drift tubes in a bundle, each with a Vernier pattern on the cathode for precise longitudinal coordinate determination, and longitudinally disposed scintillators for reference timing, capable of withstanding high pressure and measuring muon trajectories in three dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If orthogonally disposed drift tubes are used to measure muon trajectories, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase, making it unsuitable for borehole applications
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is segmented into multiple drift tubes arranged in a bundle within a cylindrical housing. Each drift tube independently measures muon trajectories, and the combined data from multiple tubes provides three-dimensional measurement capability without requiring orthogonal arrangements. This segmentation allows the system to achieve comprehensive measurement precision while maintaining a compact, borehole-compatible structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional orthogonal drift tube arrangements to a three-dimensional bundle configuration within a cylindrical housing. By distributing drift tubes in multiple angular orientations around the borehole axis rather than in orthogonal planes, the system achieves three-dimensional muon trajectory measurement capability while adapting to the confined cylindrical space of borehole applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a compact borehole-compatible detector design is used, then adaptability to confined spaces is improved, but measurement precision of muon trajectories may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The detector employs multiple drift tubes segmented and arranged in a bundle within the cylindrical housing. Each tube contributes to measuring muon trajectories from different angular perspectives, and the combined information from all tubes reconstructs three-dimensional trajectories with high precision despite the compact borehole configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The drift tubes serve multiple functions: they detect muon passage, determine trajectory angles, and collectively reconstruct three-dimensional paths. The same compact bundle structure adapts to various borehole diameters and depths, providing universal applicability while maintaining measurement precision through the multi-functional capability of each drift tube element.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively measures muon trajectories in three dimensions within boreholes, enabling accurate radiographic imaging and geotomographic analysis of subsurface density distributions, suitable for resource exploration and monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a borehole muon detector for muon radiography or geotomography. The system measures the trajectory of muons that pass through it
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of scintillator members disposed on the bundle
Data Source
AI summary
A borehole muon detector for muon radiography or geotomography is provided, the borehole muon detector including a substantially cylindrical housing, which defines a bore, a pair of end caps, each end cap sealing an end of the cylindrical housing and a plurality of sealed drift tubes which are longitudinally disposed in the bore of the housing to form a bundle of drift tubes, wherein each sealed drift tube comprises: a centrally located anode wire disposed on a longitudinal axis; an inner surface which is coated with a cathode coating, the cathode coating divided into a first cathode pad and a second cathode pad by a Vernier pattern; and a timer in electrical communication with the anode wire for measuring a drift time. A system and a method are also provided.