Patents Examined by Constantine Hannaher
  • Patent number: 8921769
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for evaluating an earth formation using at least one detector with a pulsed neutron source that includes a beam of deuterium ions that can be directed to a selected position on a target including tritium that extends axially along a sealed tube. This makes it possible to generate pulsed neutrons from a plurality of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven M. Bliven
  • Patent number: 8916831
    Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) actinic reticle imaging system suitable for discharge produced plasma (DPP) or laser produced plasma (LPP) reticle imaging systems using a thin film coating spectral purity filter (SPF) positioned on or proximate to the EUV imaging sensor; an EUV imaging sensor carrying this SPF; and methods for making and using the SPF for reticle inspection. The coating may be applied to the imaging sensor in any manner suitable for the particular coating selected. The coating may be composed of a single layer or multiple layers. Typical SPF coating materials include zirconium (Zr) and silicon-zirconium (Si/Zr) in a thickness between 10 nm and 100 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: Daimian Wang
  • Patent number: 8912498
    Abstract: A halide scintillator material is disclosed. The material is single-crystalline and has a composition of the formula A3MBr6(1-x)Cl6x (such as Cs3CeBr6(1-x)Cl6x) or AM2Br7(1-x)Cl7x (such as CsCe2Br7(1-x)Cl7x), 0?x?1, wherein A consists essentially of Li, Na K, Rb, Cs or any combination thereof, and M consists essentially of Ce, Sc, Y, La, Lu, Gd, Pr, Tb, Yb, Nd or any combination thereof. Furthermore, a method of making halide scintillator materials of the above-mentioned compositions is disclosed. In one example, high-purity starting halides (such as CsBr, CeBr3, CsCl and CeCl3) are mixed and melted to synthesize a compound of the desired composition of the scintillator material. A single crystal of the scintillator material is then grown from the synthesized compound by the Bridgman method. The disclosed scintillator materials are suitable for making scintillation detectors used in applications such as medical imaging and homeland security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignees: University of Tennessee Research Foundation, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kan Yang, Mariya Zhuravleva, Charles L. Melcher, Piotr Szupryczynski
  • Patent number: 8912508
    Abstract: A multiphoton-excited measuring device measuring a sample with the use of a multiphoton absorption phenomenon by optical pulses having high intensity, comprising a short pulse light source 2 emitting optical pulses; an irradiation optical system 17, 18, 19 irradiating a sample 20 with optical pulses emitted from the short pulse light source 2; a detector 24 detecting signal light generated, in association with multiphoton excitation, from the sample 20 by the irradiation with optical pulses; and an optical pulse compression means 4, 13 compressing a pulse width, with the use of intensity-dependent nonlinear effects of the optical fiber 4, so that a pulse width of optical pulses with which the sample 20 is to be irradiated is shorten to equal to or narrower than that of optical pulses emitted from the short pulse light source 2 and so that a spectral width of optical pulses with which the sample 20 is to be irradiated is wider than that of optical pulses emitted from the short pulse light source 2, which makes
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Yajima, Kenji Taira
  • Patent number: 8912497
    Abstract: A measurement structure including an aperture array structure made of a metal and having a plurality of aperture portions, and a support base supporting the aperture array structure. The measurement structure is used in a measuring method by applying an electromagnetic wave to the measurement structure on which a specimen is held, detecting frequency characteristics of the electromagnetic wave transmitted through the measurement structure or reflected by the measurement structure, and measuring characteristics of the specimen. At least a first part of a surface of the aperture array structure proximal to the support base is joined to the support base, and at least a second part of the surface of the aperture array structure defines at least part of the plurality of aperture portions, the second part of the surface being proximal to the support base and not in contact with the support base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kondo, Seiji Kamba
  • Patent number: 8907290
    Abstract: A method for gain calibration of a gamma ray detector includes measuring signals generated by one or more light sensors of a gamma ray detector, generating one or more derived curves using the measured signals as a function of bias voltage and identifying a transition point in the one or more derived curves. The method also includes determining a breakdown voltage of the one or more light sensors using the identified transition point and setting a bias of the one or more light sensors based on the determined breakdown voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chang Lyong Kim, David Leo McDaniel, James Lindgren Malaney, William Todd Peterson, Vi-Hoa Tran, Ashwin Ashok Wagadarikar
  • Patent number: 8895914
    Abstract: A shield for a well logging instrument includes an outer layer including a reinforcing fiber disposed in a matrix and an inner layer including a thermal neutron absorbing material disposed in a matrix. The thermal neutron absorbing material is selected to emit capture gamma rays having energy outside a selected energy range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Joshua Wayne Gibson
  • Patent number: 8890085
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for pulse pile-up rejection are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a delay value application constituent configured to receive a threshold-crossing time value, and provide an adjustable value according to a delay value and the threshold-crossing time value; and a comparison constituent configured to receive a peak-occurrence time value and the adjustable value, compare the peak-occurrence time value with the adjustable value, indicate pulse acceptance if the peak-occurrence time value is less than or equal to the adjustable value, and indicate pulse rejection if the peak-occurrence time value is greater than the adjustable value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Gianluigi De Geronimo
  • Patent number: 8878135
    Abstract: A neutron scintillator composite (NSC) is made of a neutron scintillator and a binder. The neutron scintillator of the composite has the formula LiyMgBry+2, where y=2, 4 or 6 and may further comprise cerium as a scintillation activator. The binder of the composite has an index of refraction substantially identical to that of the neutron scintillator. The neutron scintillator and binder are mixed into a solid or semi-solid neutron scintillator composite having sufficient flowability for molding into a shaped article, such as a neutron sensing element of a radiation detector. The neutron scintillator composite collects and channels photons through the material itself and into a photosensing element optically coupled to the composite. Because the indices of refraction for both the neutron scintillator and the binder are substantially identical, scattering at the scintillator-binder interface(s) is minimized, thereby producing transmission efficiencies that approach single crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alok Mani Srivastava, Adrian Ivan
  • Patent number: 8878131
    Abstract: An infrared light detector including at least one sensor chip that has a layer element that is produced from a pyroelectrically sensitive material and further has a base electrode and a head electrode, to which the layer element is connected for tapping electric signals generated in the layer element by irradiation of the at least one sensor chip with light. The detector further includes a transimpedance amplifier for amplifying the signals with an operational amplifier, which is asymmetrically operated by a supply voltage source having a positive supply voltage and to the inverting input of which the base electrode is connected. At the voltage supply source, a voltage divider connected to ground is provided with a partial node, to which a partial voltage that is smaller than the supply voltage is applied and which is electrically coupled to the non-inverting input and to the head electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Pyreos Ltd.
    Inventor: Timothy John Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 8878126
    Abstract: Substances on or adjacent a tubular disposed in a subterranean wellbore can be detected and/or their presence identified by monitoring gamma rays scattered from the substances. The substances include deposits on a sidewall of the tubular and liquid contained in the tubular. Examples of the deposits include asphaltenes, paraffins, scale, sand, and the like. Gamma rays are strategically directed from a tool disposed within the tubular and to adjacent a sidewall of the tubular. Some of the gamma rays scatter from the substances adjacent the tubular and are detected with detectors set a designated axial distance from the gamma ray source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Logging Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John Edward Smaardyk, Donald Steinman, Russel Hertzog
  • Patent number: 8872121
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes: a first cooling fan configured to cool a first heat generation portion of a radiation detection unit housed in the radiation imaging apparatus, by blowing a cooling medium to the first heat generation portion; a second cooling fan configured to cool a second heat generation portion of the radiation detection unit housed in the radiation imaging apparatus, which is larger in amount of generated heat than the first heat generation portion, by blowing the cooling medium to the second heat generation portion; and a discharge port formed in a position nearer to the second heat generation portion than to the first heat generation portion and configured to discharge the cooling medium which received heat from the first heat generation portion and the cooling medium which received heat from the second heat generation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsushi Kato, Masaaki Kobayashi, Satoru Omura
  • Patent number: 8866084
    Abstract: A method of nondestructive evaluation and related system. The method includes arranging a test piece (14) having an internal passage (18) and an external surface (15) and a thermal calibrator (12) within a field of view (42) of an infrared sensor (44); generating a flow (16) of fluid characterized by a fluid temperature; exposing the test piece internal passage (18) and the thermal calibrator (12) to fluid from the flow (16); capturing infrared emission information of the test piece external surface (15) and of the thermal calibrator (12) simultaneously using the infrared sensor (44), wherein the test piece infrared emission information includes emission intensity information, and wherein the thermal calibrator infrared emission information includes a reference emission intensity associated with the fluid temperature; and normalizing the test piece emission intensity information against the reference emission intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Erwan Baleine, James F. Landy, Ching-Pang Lee, Stephanie Stinelli
  • Patent number: 8866099
    Abstract: A projection radiographic imaging apparatus includes an imaging array with imaging pixels formed over an insulating substrate. A scintillator converts radiographic radiation to photoelectric radiation proximate to the imaging array. A dielectric layer disposed between the scintillator and the imaging array has a dielectric constant less than 3.0. A continuous or patterned anti-static layer disposed between the imaging array and the scintillator is connected to one or more conductive traces in the imaging array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Tredwell, Gregory N. Heiler
  • Patent number: 8859970
    Abstract: A terahertz wave generating device includes a first light source, a second light source and an antenna. The first light source and a second light source are configured and arranged to generate pulsed lights. The antenna is configured and arranged to generate terahertz waves when irradiated by the pulsed lights generated by the first light source and the second light source. The antenna has a pair of electrodes arranged opposite each other with a gap being formed therebetween. The first light source and the second light source are configured and arranged to irradiate the pulsed lights between the electrodes at timings that are offset from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroto Tomioka
  • Patent number: 8859952
    Abstract: A recording medium includes a surface in which an infrared absorptance is less than a threshold value; and plural dot images that records information by an arrangement pattern formed on the surface, in which the infrared absorptance is equal to or more than the threshold value, and a specular gloss to infrared rays is equal to or less than 22%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Xo., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuka Ito, Shinji Hasegawa, Minquan Tian, Suguru Nakaso, Makoto Furuki
  • Patent number: 8853639
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor array has rows and columns of active pixels, and column lines in communication with the active pixels in the respective columns. Each active pixel has an output connected to a column line and includes a photodetector that produces a signal proportional to incident light intensity that is coupled to an active pixel output based on column select and row select signals. Each active pixel has a reset transistor for resetting the active pixel, wherein each reset transistor has a first gate terminal and a second gate terminal. The reset transistors have a variable threshold capability that allows increased sensor array dynamic range or mitigation of the effects of temperature or radiation induced transistor threshold voltage shifts. Row select, column select, and sense transistors can also be configured to have variable thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Voxtel, Inc.
    Inventor: George Melville Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8853614
    Abstract: In a method for calibrating at least one detector array formed by a plurality of detectors that is exposed to a high-energy, fan-shaped expanding radiation emanating from an approximately point-like energy source, serving the penetration of a material for measuring physical properties due to the absorption capacity of the material, it is provided that at least two in each case homogeneously formed calibration bodies whose gradually differing absorption is designed in a way that the absorption capacity of the one calibration body is lower and the one of the other calibration body is higher than the absorbance capacity of the material to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Fagus-Grecon Greten GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Bergmann
  • Patent number: 8847175
    Abstract: A method for locating at least one optical marker in a diffusing medium, the marker having at least one optical property different from the diffusing medium, wherein: a) a pulsed radiation interacts with the medium and the at least one optical marker, producing an optical signal, and at least one acquisition of data of the optical signal is performed, each acquisition including one or more time components of interest, due to the at least one marker, and a spurious component, due to the medium other than the at least one marker, b) a multidimensional array X is formed from the optical signal data of the at least one of the acquisitions, c) the array X is processed by factorization into a product of only two non-negative multidimensional arrays A and S, and d) at least one of the time components is extracted from the arrays A and S.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Aurélie Laidevant, Jean-Marc Dinten, Anne-Sophie Montcuquet
  • Patent number: 8847149
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to irradiate a portion of a geological formation with neutrons in a neutron burst generated by a switchable electronic source, to measure (with one or more detectors) a flux of gamma rays to provide a measured flux, at least a portion of the gamma rays being generated by the neutrons, and to determine one or more of a neutron porosity, a density, and/or a photoelectric factor of the geological formation based on the measured flux. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Alan Jacobson, Gordon L. Moake