Abstract:
956,727. Ionisation counters. PHILIPS ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIES Ltd. Nov. 23, 1960 [Nov. 26, 1959], No. 40303/60. Heading H1D. [Also in Division G1] The variation of beta radiation incident upon a proportional gas flow ionisation counter tube is used to measure the thickness of workpieces in a device comprising two such tubes, one for measuring and one as a reference, there being in each tube an electrode consisting of two or more wires, the two tubes being connected to a common voltage source and connected in parallel to a common gas supply, the gas flow resistances differing by less than 20%. Each tube comprises a nickel plated cylinder 24 in which is disposed a nickel coated mica window 25 11 , the ends of the cylinder being closed by glass calottes 25 on to which are deposited graphite guard rings 26. The central electrode 17 comprises four wires of e.g., molybdenum, symmetrically disposed around the longitudinal axis of the tube. Methane gas slightly above atmospheric pressure is admitted via a nozzle 15 and emerges via a second nozzle 16 to a capillary tube chosen to match the gas flow resistances of the tubes to within 20%. The workpieces are moved by a conveyer belt between a Strontium 90 source 18 to intercept the beta radiation emergent from a conical diaphragm 20 towards the measuring ionisation counter tube 3.