Patent ID: 6442232
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: G01B,G01N

Abstract:
A nuclear gauge, comprising:a gauge housing having a vertical cavity therethrough and a base; at least one radiation detector located within said housing and adjacent to said base of said housing; a vertically moveable source rod extending into said cavity of said gauge housing; a radiation source operatively positioned within a distal end of said source rod; means for vertically extending and retracting said source rod to a plurality of predetermined source rod positions so as to change the spatial relationship between said radiation source and said at least one radiation detector; and a radiation shield assembly operatively positioned to move laterally between two positions, a first position blocking a distal end of said vertical cavity of said gauge housing such that radiation is shielded from exiting said cavity and a second position adjacent to said vertical cavity and allowing vertical movement therethrough, said radiation shield assembly comprising a sliding block operatively positioned to move laterally between said first position and said second position, and a fixed block, said fixed block including a track engaging said sliding block and guiding movement of said sliding block.