Ambient Neutron Detector for Ground Water Content Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for measuring water content in ground, vegetation, and snow are bulky, costly, complex, and prone to breakage, with high energy consumption and calibration challenges, limiting their reliability and ease of management.
Innovation Solution
A compact device with a single ambient neutron detector module using scintillator sheets and silicon photomultipliers, integrated with a programmable control unit for signal processing and discrimination, allowing for precise measurement of water content through parameter calculation and reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two independent detection modules (cosmic ray and neutron) are used to measure water content, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cosmic ray detection and neutron detection into a single integrated detection module. The scintillator material simultaneously detects both cosmic rays and neutrons, and the control unit processes signals from both types of particles through a unified electronic system, eliminating the need for two separate detection modules while maintaining measurement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The scintillator detector is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects cosmic rays for flow measurement, detects neutrons for water content calculation, and provides signals for both purposes simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows a single module to replace what would traditionally require two separate modules
2Measurement precision
If two independent detection modules are used, then comprehensive data collection is improved, but calibration difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a unified calibration process where the control unit simultaneously calibrates both cosmic ray and neutron detection capabilities within a single detection module. The electronic system performs integrated calibration routines that account for the interrelationships between cosmic ray and neutron signals, eliminating the need for separate calibration procedures for each module
3Reliability
If multiple detection modules are integrated, then measurement capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates the detection system into a single module using one scintillator crystal or scintillator material, one photomultiplier tube or silicon photomultiplier, and a unified electronic system. This merging of components significantly reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and tested, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the capability to measure both cosmic rays and neutrons
4Volume of moving object
If a compact design is implemented, then device portability is improved, but component integration difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves compactness by merging cosmic ray and neutron detection into a single integrated module. The scintillator and photodetector are positioned in close proximity, and the electronic system is consolidated into a compact arrangement that processes both signal types within a small volume, eliminating the space required for separate detection modules
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 solution results in a more reliable, cost-effective, and user-friendly device with improved precision and stability, capable of real-time water content monitoring, suitable for hydrogeological, snow/glaciological, and climatological research, as well as precision irrigation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ambient neutron detector (14) adapted to measure an ambient neutron flow. The ambient neutron detector is of the type comprising at least a first sheet (16) and a second sheet (18) made at least partially with a scintillator, wherein a light guide (20) is interposed between the first sheet (16) and the second sheet (18)
Implementation Method 2
at least one light meter (22, 24) adapted to measure the light conveyed by the light guide (20), and is adapted to transform the interaction with at least one particle into an electric charge
Data Source
AI summary
A device for measuring water content of the ground, vegetation and snow includes an ambient neutron detector to measure ambient neutron flow, having first and second sheets made at least partially with a scintillator. A light meter measures light conveyed by a light guide interposed between the first and second sheets. The ambient neutron detector transforms interaction with particle(s) into an electric charge. A programmable control unit connects to the ambient neutron detector, and includes an integrating circuit transforming the electric charge produced by interaction with the particle(s) into a signal. The control unit processes the signal to discriminate a signal generated by ambient neutron, incident cosmic rays and/or background noise, and measures ambient neutron flow, incident cosmic rays, and/or background noise. The measurement of the water content is obtained from measurement of normalized ambient neutron flow with respect to measurement of cosmic rays flow incident to the ground.