US 12,235,405 B1
Extraterrestrial nanosecond neutron analysis and associated particle imaging
Chris Salvino, Scottsdale, AZ (US); and Andrew Dummer, Chapel Hill, NC (US)
Assigned to LUNAR HELIUM-3 MINING, LLC, Scottsdale, AZ (US)
Filed by Chris Salvino, Scottsdale, AZ (US); and Andrew Dummer, Chapel Hill, NC (US)
Filed on Apr. 29, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/648,725.
Application 18/648,725 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/406,459, filed on Jan. 8, 2024, granted, now 12,100,580.
Application 18/406,459 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/538,102, filed on Dec. 13, 2023, granted, now 12,044,636.
Int. Cl. G01N 23/222 (2006.01); B60K 35/60 (2024.01); G01T 1/167 (2006.01); G01T 3/02 (2006.01); G01V 5/02 (2006.01); G01V 5/22 (2024.01)
CPC G01V 5/234 (2024.01) [B60K 35/60 (2024.01); G01N 23/222 (2013.01); G01T 1/167 (2013.01); G01T 3/02 (2013.01); G01V 5/02 (2013.01); G01V 5/232 (2024.01); B60K 2360/48 (2024.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An associated particle imaging arrangement for detecting ilmenite, the associated particle imaging arrangement comprising:
a transport comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the bottom end is configured to interface a surface of an extra-terrestrial body, the transport is configured to be moved in different locations on the surface of the extra-terrestrial body;
a nanosecond neutron analysis and associated particle imaging system (NNA/API) comprising a neutron emitter configured to aim a cone of neutrons towards the surface of the extra-terrestrial body from the bottom end, the NNA/API devoid of a vacuum chamber adapted to maintain a pressure that is lower than an ambient environment to the associated particle imaging arrangement;
at least one gamma ray detector configured to identify energy characteristics of gamma rays for titanium and/or iron;
a cosmic radiation shield covering the NNA/API and the at least one gamma ray detector, wherein the cosmic radiation shield configured to at least shield a portion of cosmic radiation that comprises cosmic gamma radiation and cosmic neutron radiation, the cosmic radiation shield disposed at the top end of the transport;
an energy source configured to provide energy to the NNA/API and the at least one gamma ray detector;
a non-transitory memory connected to the at least one gamma ray detector, the non-transitory memory configured to retain concentration information; and
a transmitter configured to transmit the concentration information to a remote receiver.