G21K HANDLING OF PARTICLES OR IONISING RADIATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; IRRADIATION DEVICES; GAMMA RAY OR X-RAY MICROSCOPES
Introduced: September 1968
Description
G21K covers apparatus and methods for handling particles and ionizing radiation that do not fall within more specialized nuclear physics or engineering classes, including irradiation devices and microscopy systems using gamma rays or X-rays. This subclass encompasses equipment for directing, controlling, and applying particle beams and radiation sources in industrial, medical, and research applications, as well as microscopes that utilize high-energy photons for imaging. Typical technologies include radiation shielding systems, beam transport apparatus, irradiation chambers, and gamma/X-ray microscopy instruments. Excluded from this class are nuclear reactors (G21B), nuclear fuel processing (G21C), and nuclear power plant safety systems (G21D), which are covered by more specific nuclear engineering divisions.
Additional Content IPC
Ionising radiation ‘Ionising radiation’ consists of particles or electromagnetic waves that are sufficiently energetic to detach electrons from atoms or molecules, thus ionising them. Particle particles ‘Particle’ means a molecular, atomic or sub-atomic particle
Of 7 combined children, 4 exist in both systems.
2 codes are CPC-only extensions, 1 exist only in IPC.
Note: 2 CPC extensions are marked as secondary classification only.
3 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.
Child Classifications
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- G21K 1/00 Arrangements for handling particles or ionising radiation, e.g. focusing or moderating IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- G21K 2207/00 Particular details of imaging devices or methods using ionizing electromagnetic radiation such as X-rays or gamma rays 2nd only +1 CPC CPC only CPC only
- G21K 4/00 Conversion screens for the conversion of the spatial distribution of X-rays or particle radiation into visible images, e.g. fluoroscopic screens (photographic processes using X-ray intensifiers G03C5/17; discharge tubes comprising luminescent screens H01J1/62; cathode ray tubes for X-ray conversion with optical output H01J31/50) since 1980 +6 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- G21K 5/00 Irradiation devices (discharge tubes for irradiating H01J37/00) since 1974 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
Top Applicants
Top Applicants (IPC)
Class G21,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- CHINA GENERAL NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION 2,364
- CGN POWER COMPANY 1,899
- CHINA NUCLEAR POWER ENGINEERING COMPANY 1,870
- NUCLEAR POWER INSTITUTE OF CHINA 1,517
- KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE KR 1,367
- WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION US 1,295
- KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER COMPANY KR 1,196
- CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 1,044
- CHINA INSTITUTE OF ATOMIC ENERGY 1,011
- HITACHI-GE NUCLEAR ENERGY 955
Top Applicants (CPC)
Class G21,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- CHINA GENERAL NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION 1,383
- WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION US 1,347
- KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE KR 1,303
- CGN POWER COMPANY 1,156
- CHINA NUCLEAR POWER ENGINEERING COMPANY 1,149
- KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER COMPANY KR 1,146
- NUCLEAR POWER INSTITUTE OF CHINA 1,086
- CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 765
- CEA (COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE) FR 763
- CHINA INSTITUTE OF ATOMIC ENERGY 659