Including Ionization Means Patents (Class 250/389)
  • Patent number: 11940374
    Abstract: A continuously tunable radio frequency (RF) sensor system is provided. The system includes a pump laser system that includes first and second pump lasers, at least one frequency modulator to modulate frequencies of first and second laser light from the pump lasers to first and second select frequencies, a switch system to selectively pass one of the first and second laser light, an amplifier to amplify the passed laser light, a frequency doubler to double the frequency of the amplified laser light to generate pump light. A laser source lock system is in communication with the pump laser system to ensure a frequency of the pump light is referenced to atoms in a vapor cell and provide a probe light. The pump light and probe light are transmitted through the vapor cell. A detector measures the probe light that passed through the vapor cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Karl D. Nelson, Matthew Wade Puckett, Neal Eldrich Solmeyer, Robert Compton
  • Patent number: 11869912
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a method for fabricating an image sensor package to define a gap height includes coupling an image sensor die to a substrate, forming a plurality of pillar members on the image sensor die, dispensing a bonding material on the image sensor die, contacting a transparent member with the bonding material such that a height of the pillar members defines a gap height between an active region of the image sensor die and the transparent member, and curing the bonding material to couple the transparent member to the image sensor die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Yu-Te Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11860031
    Abstract: A system for measuring a radiant exposure of electromagnetic radiation includes an accumulation detection module having a detector and configured to continuously monitor an electromagnetic radiation received by the detector; and an adaptive circuit configured to periodically interrogate the accumulation detection module; adjust a frequency of interrogation of the accumulation detection module based on an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation received by the detector; and autonomously transmit information related to an amount of the electromagnetic radiation received by the detector to a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kyeongha Kwon, Seung Yun Heo, Anthony R. Banks, John A. Rogers
  • Patent number: 11697031
    Abstract: A radiation therapy system is capable of widening a radiation irradiation range to a patient and includes: a radiation source; a rotation mechanism that supports the radiation source in rotation around an isocenter; a couch that places a therapy target site of a patient at the isocenter; a head swing mechanism that is disposed between the radiation source and the rotation mechanism and that swings an irradiation axis of a radiation emitted from the radiation source by swinging the radiation source; and a controller. The controller holds the head swing mechanism in a state where the irradiation axis of the radiation of the radiation source is shifted from the isocenter in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount, and rotates the radiation source by the rotation mechanism while emitting the radiation from the radiation source while maintaining the state of the head swing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Shuji Kaneko, Kunio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11633628
    Abstract: A radiotherapy dose rate monitor system includes an electrode configured to be impinged by radiotherapy radiation, and a current measurement circuit configured to measure a current through the electrode. An emission of secondary electrons emitted from the electrode provides a majority of current through the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Pawlak
  • Patent number: 11525931
    Abstract: A system for monitoring intensity of a particle beam can include one or more radio-frequency (RF) detectors coupled to a signal analyzer that can be placed outside the radiation field of the particle beam. Each RF detector can include a gas-filled RF cavity coupled to one or more gas-filled waveguides. The signal analyzer can self-calibrate before the particle beam is turned on for determining one or more absolute intensities of the particle beam when the particle beam is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Muons, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsuya Yonehara, Rolland Paul Johnson, Grigory Kazakevich, Alfred Moretti
  • Patent number: 11404589
    Abstract: An electrode film includes a first electrode pattern having a first set of parallel conductive electrodes and a second electrode pattern having a second set of parallel conductive electrodes disposed on a surface of a transparent film. The conductive electrodes in the first and second electrode patterns are conductive mesh patterns including a pattern of open areas and are arranged in an interlaced pattern. The first and second electrode patterns are configured to be connected to respective sources of electrical power supplying respective waveforms to generate a time-varying electric field pattern above a surface of the electrode film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Todd Mathew Spath, Christopher B. Liston, Douglas Edward Garman
  • Patent number: 11169282
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in making localized passive measurements of electromagnetic radiation emitted from an object located in a radioactive environment includes a hollow elongate conduit having a first end, a second end, and a reflective inner surface. The first end of the conduit is positionable in the radioactive environment proximate the object, and the second end of the conduit is positionable outside the radioactive environment. The conduit has at least one bend between the first end and the second end, such that light entering the first end of the conduit is reflected by the inner surface of the conduit at least once as it travels through the conduit before reaching the second end. A detector in optical communication with the second end of the conduit is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation that reaches the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited / Énergie Atomique du Canada Limitée
    Inventors: Bhaskar Sur, Gang Li, Ghaouti Bentoumi, Liqian Li
  • Patent number: 11002868
    Abstract: A device for detecting neutrons comprising a base, a lateral surface and a cover, thereby providing a detector housing having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the interior of the housing is divided into n (n?2) cells wherein at least one of said cells is adapted to operate as neutron detection ion chamber by having at least one removable foil disposed parallel to said longitudinal axis, at least one removable foil positioned adjacent to, and essentially parallel with, a sector of the lateral surface, with said removable foils having neutron sensitive coating applied on at least one their faces, and an anode mounted in at least one cell bounded by said removable foils, with said housing constituting the cathode. The device is also useful for simultaneously detecting gamma irradiation and or producing radioisotopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignees: NUCLEAR RESEARCH CENTER NEGEV, B.G. NEGEV TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS LTD., AT BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Arie Beck, Udi Wengrowicz, Eitan Tiferet, Avi Raveh, Michael Chonin, Itzhak Orion
  • Patent number: 10871525
    Abstract: A wire detection device and a wire detection method are provided. The wire detection device includes: a chamber body including a first side and a second side arranged opposite to each other; an electrode arranged at the second side of the chamber body; particles arranged within the chamber body; and a signal applying circuit configured to apply an electric signal to at least one wire to be tested arranged at the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., CHENGDU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Nie, Jingang Zhang, Fucheng Yang
  • Patent number: 10481285
    Abstract: A detector assembly is provided that includes a semiconductor detector, plural pixelated anodes, and at least one processor. The plural pixelated anodes are disposed on a surface of the semiconductor detector. Each pixelated anode is configured to generate a primary signal responsive to reception of a photon and to generate at least one secondary signal responsive to an induced charge caused by reception of a photon by at least one surrounding anode. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the pixelated anodes and is configured to acquire a primary signal from one of the anodes responsive to reception of a photon; acquire at least one secondary signal from at least one neighboring pixel; and determine a depth of interaction in the semiconductor detector for the reception of the photon by the one of the anodes using the at least one secondary signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arie Shahar, Yaron Glazer, Moshe Cohen-Erner, Avishai Ofan
  • Patent number: 10317541
    Abstract: A fissile neutron detection system includes an ionizing thermal neutron detector arrangement including an inner peripheral shape that at least substantially surrounds a moderator region for detecting thermal neutrons that exit the moderator region but is at least generally transparent to the incident fissile neutrons. A moderator is disposed within the moderator region having lateral extents such that any given dimension that bisects the lateral extents includes a length that is greater than any thickness of the moderator arrangement transverse to the lateral extents. The moderator can include major widthwise and major lengthwise lateral extents such that any given dimension across the lengthwise and widthwise lateral extents includes a length that is greater than any thickness of the moderator arrangement transverse to the lateral extents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Silverside Detectors, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Inglis, Alison Forsyth, Zach Hartwig, Philip Taber, Timothy Teal, Hidefumi Tomita
  • Patent number: 9960593
    Abstract: Method and system for Single Event Latchup (SEL) current surge mitigation involves monitoring data signals for a protected device and deriving from them a detected signature comprised of one or more detected signature vector components. The detected signature vector components are compared to previously stored signature vector components. Based on the comparing, the system selectively differentiates between the occurrence of standard power surges associated with normal operation of the protected device, and a non-standard current surge which requires cycling power of the protected device for continued proper functioning of the protected device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: David Vail, David Diedling, William Boesch, Joshua P. Bruckmeyer
  • Patent number: 9921318
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring mono-energetic hadron beams are provided. Such systems and methods include a first detection unit having a planar sensor with a sensing area segmented into a matrix of pixels, each pixel being adapted to provide a transit signal indicative of transit of a particle therethrough, and a counting circuit coupled to the sensor for providing an output signal indicative of number of particles Np of the beam crossing said sensing area in a time interval, based on the transit signals provided by said pixels, and a second detection unit arranged downstream of the first detection unit which includes at least one ionization detector for providing an output signal proportional to the total charge Qion released by the beam (B) in the ionization detector in such time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI FISICA NUCLEARE
    Inventors: Nicoló Cartiglia, Roberto Sacchi
  • Patent number: 9838005
    Abstract: A system and method for protecting an electronics module on a spacecraft in space are described. The system includes a non-radiation hardened electronics module electrically connected to a power supply, with a switch connected between the power supply and the electronics module. The switch can disconnect the electronics module from the power supply in response to an event signal. A sensor which is capable of detecting a solar proton event is connected to the switch. The sensor emits the event signal upon detection of the solar proton event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GEDEX SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Kieran A. Carroll
  • Patent number: 9823679
    Abstract: A power delivery system includes a programmable current limit switch circuit connected between a power supply and electronic control circuits that are susceptible to single event latch-up. The programmable current limit switch is connected in a power bus between the power supply and the electronic control circuits. The programmable current limit switch circuit removes power from the electronic control circuits when an over-current condition persists for a blank time period, and restores power to the electronic control circuits after a retry time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Wilberg, Milorad Manojlovic
  • Patent number: 9528944
    Abstract: A monitoring system (2) for monitoring the number and/or concentration of particles and/or micro organisms (12, 22) in a fluid (10). The monitoring system (2) generates an alarm if a predefined criterion is met. The monitoring system (2) includes a micro processer (6) which executes programmed instructions in order to identify and classify particles (12), a storage member (8), and an optical sensor member (40) having a 2-D optical sensor (4) and a light source (36). The optical sensor member (40) records an image of a part of the fluid (10) and the monitoring system (2) determines the number and/or concentration of particles (12) in the fluid (10) on the basis of the optical response of single particles (12) in a sample zone (38) in the fluid (10). The fluid (10) in the sample zone (38) is kept stationary relative to the optical sensor member (40) during the image recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Grundfos Management a/s
    Inventor: Anders Bentien
  • Patent number: 9468406
    Abstract: A dosimeter system for determining radiation exposure including first and second units, where the first unit determines a first quantity indicating influence of a first radiation field, and transmitting the first quantity by the first detecting-unit to the second unit, where the second unit determines second quantity indicative of influence of a second radiation field on biological tissue, third detecting-unit determines a third quantity indicative of an influence of the second radiation field, where the third detecting-unit is of the same type as the first detecting-unit included by the first unit, and determining quantity for adjusting the first quantity on basis of the second quantity by the second detecting-unit and third quantity by the third detecting-unit, adjusting the first quantity so a fourth quantity indicative of an influence of the first radiation field on biological tissue based on the first quantity by the first detecting-unit and adjusting the first quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
    Inventors: Matthias Dieckmann, Ulrich Straube, Thomas Berger, Marlies Luszik-Bhadra
  • Patent number: 9278765
    Abstract: The invention relates to the protection of spacecraft from debris and to de-orbiting devices of the atmospheric drag type, and to debris sweeping apparatus for the removal of debris from the space environment. The debris shielding apparatus for a spacecraft has a shield unit including a shielding surface for impeding incident debris. The shield unit is attached to the spacecraft body and has a drive mechanism for positioning the shield unit in relation to the spacecraft body. The drive mechanism is capable of moving the shield unit between a stowed first position and a deployed second position. In the deployed second position the plane of the shielding surface is at an angle to the spacecraft body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: PHS Space Limited
    Inventor: Peter Hedley Stokes
  • Patent number: 9234969
    Abstract: An electronic read circuit for a radiation detector comprises: a comparator receiving a threshold potential and the potential from an integration node, said node being able to store electrical charges that are generated by a photosensitive element; a counter connected to the output of the comparator; and a counter-charge injection circuit comprising: a capacitor that stores counter-charges, a transfer transistor that can be turned on in order to transfer counter-charges from a terminal of the capacitor to the integration node whenever the comparator toggles, the transfer of the counter-charges bringing about a variation of potential at said terminal of the capacitor, and a regulation circuit for controlling the transfer transistor, said circuit comprising means for turning on the transfer transistor when the potential of the terminal of the capacitor is between two predetermined potentials that are independent of the transfer transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignees: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Trixell Z.I.
    Inventor: Marc Arques
  • Patent number: 9140807
    Abstract: A method and device for improving the optical performance (such as time resolution) of scintillation detectors using the optical bleaching technique are disclosed. Light of a selected wavelength is emitted by a light source into a scintillator. The wavelength is selected to meet the minimum energy requirement for releasing of charge carriers captured by the charge carrier traps in the scintillation material. Trap-mediated scintillation components are thus reduced by optical bleaching and the optical performance of the scintillator crystal and the detector is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Carl Cohen, A. Andrew Carey, Mark S. Andreaco, Matthias Schmand
  • Patent number: 9018593
    Abstract: A method actuates a device for irradiating an object that has at least one target volume to be irradiated and at least one volume to be protected. The method includes defining at least one signal dose value for the volume to be protected and irradiating the object at least one of at least at times and at least in part with hadron irradiation. A dose introduced into the volume to be protected during the irradiation of the object is determined and at least one signal is emitted as soon as the introduced dose exceeds at least one signal dose value in at least one point of the volume to be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: GSI Helmholtzzentrum fuer Schwerionenforschung GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Luechtenborg, Christoph Bert, Daniel Richter
  • Patent number: 9018594
    Abstract: A thermal neutron detector includes a planar detector housing having two glass panels spaced apart by a gas-tight seal defining a detection chamber. Lithium foils adhered to inner surfaces of the glass panel emit alpha particles and tritons in response to incident thermal neutrons, and an inert detection gas is ionized to generate drift electrons. A planar array of detection wires is spaced from the lithium foils and extends outside the detection chamber. Electronic bias applies a field voltage between the wires and the lithium foils to establish a drift electric field to attract the drift electrons to the wires and provide a large electric field to cause electron multiplication. Detection circuitry detects electric signals in the wires generated by the drift of positive ions away from the wires and interprets the electrical signals as incidence of thermal neutrons on the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Steven P. Ahlen, Andrew Inglis, Hidefumi Tomita
  • Publication number: 20150090892
    Abstract: A radiation measurement device comprising a case which is formed of insulating material to be flat, a common electrode substrate having a common electrode which is provided at one surface and a signal electrode substrate having a plurality of signal electrodes which are provided at one surface, wherein the common electrode substrate and the signal electrode substrate are arranged parallel to the direction in which the case extends flat so as for the common electrode and the signal electrode to face each other having a gap, each signal line is connected to each of the plurality of signal electrodes, each of the signal lines is led out from a signal line leading out part which is provided at the case to outside of the case, wherein an inner surface or an outer surface of a case wall which forms the case is covered with a conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eri Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20150069254
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for injecting reactive species and ions from an ambient ionization source into an atmospheric pressure ion mobility spectrometer
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Facundo M. Fernandez, Joel David Keelor
  • Publication number: 20150064814
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an assembly of an ion implanter system is provided. The assembly includes a control unit, a wafer holder and a detecting device. The wafer holder and the detecting device are respectively positioned at two sides of the control unit. The control unit is configured to drive the wafer holder and the detecting device to rotate about at least one rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan-Fu YANG, Ping-Fang CHEN
  • Patent number: 8970099
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ionization chamber with a built-in temperature sensor, which is especially adapted for devices, such as X-ray units, gamma irradiators and linear accelerators, whichever is used for performing radiation dose output measurement accordingly. In an embodiment, the ionization chamber comprises: a cavity, an inner electrode, a chamber wall, an outer electrode, a guard electrode and a calibrated temperature sensor for detecting real-time temperature inside the cavity of ionization chamber to be used in the correction process of radiation dose measurement signals. With the aforesaid device, not only the accuracy of measurement can be improved effectively, but also the time consumed in a radiation dose measurement period can be reduced greatly since it will no longer bear the disadvantage that the radiation dose measurement has to wait until the temperatures inside and outside the cavity of ionization chamber had reached a thermal equilibrium before the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Jeng-Hung Lee, Shi-Hwa Su, Tzeng-Te Huang, Bor-Jing Chang
  • Patent number: 8901506
    Abstract: An air ion measuring apparatus (20) is used for measuring the amount of ions in ionized air generated by an ion generating apparatus (10) having a discharge electrode (11) and a nozzle (12) serving as a discharge electrode. The air ion measuring apparatus (20) has a cylindrical electrode (22), and when the length of the cylindrical electrode (22) is denoted by “l”, a flow rate of air which flows through the cylindrical electrode (22) is denoted by “U”, detection current which flows in the electrode 22 is denoted by “Im”, time constant is denoted by “?”, and the detection current “Im” is denoted by a current detector (33), current generated by passage of ion is calculated by I 0 = U ? ? ? + l l ? I m ? [ A ] , it is possible to measure the amount of ions from the calculated carried ion current “I0”, and to measure the amount of ions while splaying the ionized air to an object required to be electrically neutralized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinari Fukada
  • Patent number: 8901507
    Abstract: Radiation sensitive devices include a substrate comprising a radiation sensitive material and a plurality of resonance elements coupled to the substrate. Each resonance element is configured to resonate responsive to non-ionizing incident radiation. Systems for detecting radiation from a special nuclear material include a radiation sensitive device and a sensor located remotely from the radiation sensitive device and configured to measure an output signal from the radiation sensitive device. In such systems, the radiation sensitive device includes a radiation sensitive material and a plurality of resonance elements positioned on the radiation sensitive material. Methods for detecting a presence of a special nuclear material include positioning a radiation sensitive device in a location where special nuclear materials are to be detected and remotely interrogating the radiation sensitive device with a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventor: Dale K. Kotter
  • Patent number: 8859980
    Abstract: A device and method for on line dosimetry monitoring of a hadron beam generated from a source of radiation and delivered to a target, the device comprising a plurality of support plates arranged in parallel in a face-to-face relation, separated from each other by gas filled gaps and perpendicularly to the central axis of said hadron beam, and forming a plurality of ionization chambers, each support plate having on a first side one or more collecting electrodes and on a second side one or more high voltage electrode, arranged in such a way that each support plate has said first side substantially opposed to said second side of another support plate. Each support plate has an opening so as to form an inner cavity for allowing the undisturbed passage of a central portion of the hadron beam delivered to said target and a peripheral region for intercepting and measuring, by means of said plurality of ionization chambers, a peripheral portion of said hadron beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ion Beam Applications S.A.
    Inventors: Damien Prieels, Victor Breev
  • Publication number: 20140246600
    Abstract: Radiation sensitive devices include a substrate comprising a radiation sensitive material and a plurality of resonance elements coupled to the substrate. Each resonance element is configured to resonate responsive to non-ionizing incident radiation. Systems for detecting radiation from a special nuclear material include a radiation sensitive device and a sensor located remotely from the radiation sensitive device and configured to measure an output signal from the radiation sensitive device. In such systems, the radiation sensitive device includes a radiation sensitive material and a plurality of resonance elements positioned on the radiation sensitive material. Methods for detecting a presence of a special nuclear material include positioning a radiation sensitive device in a location where special nuclear materials are to be detected and remotely interrogating the radiation sensitive device with a sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLC
    Inventor: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLC
  • Publication number: 20140217300
    Abstract: An environmental radiation monitor including a high pressure ionization chamber (HPIC) configured to produce a current signal responsive to gamma impingement. The monitor includes an electrometer electrically connected with the HPIC. The electrometer includes an electrical amplifier receiving the current signal. The electrical amplifier is configured to convert the current signal to a voltage signal indicative of gamma impingement. The monitor includes a voltage supply electrically connected to the HPIC to provide a bias voltage amount to the high pressure ionization chamber. The voltage supply is controllable to vary the bias voltage amount provided to the HPIC. The monitor includes a processor operatively connected to the electrometer to receive information indicative of gamma impingement and operatively connected to the voltage supply to control the voltage supply to vary the bias voltage amount in response to received information indicative of gamma impingement. An associated method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20140209812
    Abstract: A radiation detection assembly includes an ionization chamber for detecting radiation. An exterior enclosure houses the ionization chamber within an interior volume. A pair of support structures support the ionization chamber with respect to the exterior enclosure. The support structures are disposed opposite each other at a surface of the ionization chamber such that the ionization chamber is symmetric with respect to an axis extending between the support structures. A method of supporting the radiation detection assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Edward Joseph Baus, Joseph Paul Constant, Kenneth Keith Lambach
  • Patent number: 8781028
    Abstract: Integrated receiving circuit for radiofrequency signals an amplifying element using the multiplication zone of a reverse biased semiconductor junction operating in Geiger mode for amplifying an input radiofrequency signal (Vin) and converting it into a digital signal. And a digital part for digitally processing the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Edoardo Charbon, Marek Gersbach, Maximilian Sergio
  • Patent number: 8779375
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for dosimetry monitoring of a hadron beam, comprising successive ionization chambers obtained by a series of parallel detector plates separated from each other by a gas filled gap, each detector plate having a collecting part comprising a collecting side insulated from a bias voltage part comprising a bias voltage side and arranged in such a way that the collecting side is facing the bias voltage side of a subsequent detector plate, the resulting assembly of these detector plates forming a plurality of ionization chamber cells, the thicknesses and the choice of the materials of each layer constituting each detector plate as well as the gap of an ionization chamber cell have been selected in order to satisfy the condition that the water equivalent thickness of cell is equal to the length of said cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ion Beam Applications S.A.
    Inventors: Bruno Marchand, Caterina Brusasco, Sébastien De Neuter, Friedrich Friedl
  • Publication number: 20140191134
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices and methodologies relating to an ion induced impact ionization detector and uses thereof. In certain implementations, the detector can include a dielectric layer having one or more wells. An anode layer defining apertures to accommodate the openings of the wells can be disposed on one side of the dielectric layer, and a cathode such as a solid resistive cathode can be disposed on the other side so as to provide an electric field in each of the wells. Various design parameters such as well dimensions and operating parameters such as pressure and high voltage are disclosed. In certain implementations, such an ion detector can be coupled to a low pressure gas volume to detect ionization products such as positive ions. Such a system can be configured to provide single ion counting capability. Various example applications where the ion detector can be implemented are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Loma Linda University Medical Center
    Inventors: Vladimir Bashkirov, Reinhard W. Schulte
  • Publication number: 20140158896
    Abstract: A double-helix Boron-10 powder detector having intrinsic thermal neutron detection efficiency comparable to 36? long, 2-in diameter, 2-bar Helium-3 detectors, and which can be used to replace such detectors for use in portal monitoring, is described. An embodiment of the detector includes a metallic plate coated with Boron-10 powder for generating alpha and Lithium-7 particles responsive to neutrons impinging thereon supported by insulators affixed to at least two opposing edges; a grounded first wire wound in a helical manner around two opposing insulators; and a second wire having a smaller diameter than that of the first wire, wound in a helical manner around the same insulators and spaced apart from the first wire, the second wire being positively biased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Zhehui Wang, Christopher L. Morris, Jeffrey D. Bacon
  • Patent number: 8748837
    Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a chemical element in an object by emission of neutrons onto the object, characterized in that the emission of neutrons onto the object is constituted, firstly, by a continuous emission of neutrons originating from an associated particle neutron generator (G1) and, secondly, by an emission of neutron pulses which are superimposed on the continuous emission of neutrons, where the neutron pulses originate from a pulsed neutron generator (G2) which generates neutron pulses of pulse duration T2, where two successive neutron pulses are separated by a duration T4, and where the continuous and pulsed emissions of neutrons on to the object produce a gamma capture radiation and an inelastic gamma radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Cedric Carasco, Bertrand Perot
  • Patent number: 8749245
    Abstract: The invention relates to anion gauge for determining a total integrated concentration of a substance having a molecular weight falling into a pre-determined range of molecular weights in a gas sample. The anion gauge includes an ionization region in a vicinity of the ionization source; an accelerator for generating a flow of ionized molecules; a mass filter for intercepting the flow for separating ions having the molecular weight falling into the pre-determined range from the ionized molecules and a detector for generating a signal representative of the total integrated concentration of such ions present in the gas sample. The invention further relates to a lithographic apparatus and a method for determining a total integrated concentration of a substance having a molecular weight falling into a pre-determined range of molecular weights in a gas sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventor: Norbertus Benedictus Koster
  • Patent number: 8729508
    Abstract: A beam transport system for a hadron therapy facility comprises: a main beam transport line; secondary beam transport lines branching off from the main beam transport line for delivering the hadron beam into the patient treatment stations; and switching electromagnets for deviating the hadron beam from the main beam transport line into the secondary beam transport line. A discharge circuit associated with each switching electromagnet comprises a discharge accelerating circuit capable of generating a voltage opposing the counter electromotive force induced in the electromagnet coil of the switching electromagnet when the energization of the electromagnet coil producing the hadron beam deviation is interrupted, wherein this voltage stays substantially constant or increases as the current induced in the electromagnet coil decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ion Beam Applications S.A.
    Inventors: Yves Claereboudt, Christophe Wilczak, Daniel Bogaert
  • Patent number: 8696984
    Abstract: A method for medical device sterilization comprises staggering a stack of packages so that a back surface of each package partially overlaps a front surface of another of the packages. Each package contains a medical device. The stack of packages are positioned so that the front surfaces of the packages face toward a radiation source. The packages are then exposed to radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Abigail Freeman, Brian Riggs, Robert Harrison, Gregory Scott Simmons
  • Publication number: 20140077091
    Abstract: A thermal neutron detector includes a planar detector housing having two glass panels spaced apart by a gas-tight seal defining a detection chamber including an inert detection gas and lithium foils adhered to inner surfaces of the glass panel(s). The lithium foils emit alpha particles and tritons in response to incident thermal neutrons, and the inert detection gas is ionized by the particles to generate drift electrons. A planar array of detection wires is spaced apart from the lithium foils and extends outside the detection chamber. Electronic bias applies a field voltage between the wires and the lithium foils to establish a drift electric field in the detection chamber effective to attract the drift electrons to the wires and provide a large electric field near the anode wires to cause electron multiplication near the wire resulting in large numbers of electrons and positive ions for each initial electron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Trustees of Boston University
  • Patent number: 8648604
    Abstract: An ionization gauge to measure pressure and to reduce sputtering yields includes at least one electron source that generates electrons. The ionization gauge also includes a collector electrode that collects ions formed by the collisions between the electrons and gas molecules. The ionization gauge also includes an anode. An anode bias voltage relative to a bias voltage of a collector electrode is configured to switch at a predetermined pressure to decrease a yield of sputtering collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerardo A. Brucker
  • Publication number: 20140021358
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation dose meter for measuring radiation dose in a strong external magnetic field (100 m T-10 T) by means of charged particles generated in the radiation dose meter, the radiation dose meter provided with an alignment unit capable of auto aligning the radiation dose meter in the external magnetic field so that a path of the said charged particles inside the radiation dose meter is substantially parallel to a direction of the external magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast- natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Fokko Pieter Wieringa, René Kroes, Marcus Benedictus Hoppenbrouwers, Wouter Andries Jonker, Robert Snel
  • Publication number: 20130299712
    Abstract: A detection device including an ionization region, an ion gate comprising two electrodes, an ion modifier comprising two electrodes, a drift chamber and a collector. The ion gate and ion modifier are combined so the ion gate is one of the ion modifier electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Smiths Detection-Watford Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Richard Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20130270433
    Abstract: A method of processing a plurality of image charge/current signals representative of trapped ions undergoing oscillatory motion, e.g. for use in an ion trap mass spectrometer. The method includes producing a linear combination of the plurality of image charge/current signals using a plurality of predetermined coefficients, the predetermined coefficients having been selected so as to suppress at least one harmonic component of the image charge/current signals within the linear combination of the plurality of image charge/current signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Li Ding, Ranjan Badheka
  • Publication number: 20130256540
    Abstract: The present invention provides a readout device of an accelerator beam monitoring detector, comprising: a transimpedance amplifier receiving a charge signal from a particle detector and converting the charge signal into an analog voltage signal; and a data acquisition system comprising an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to covert the analog voltage signal into digital data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicants: Academia Sinica, National United University, National Central University
    Inventors: PING-KUN TENG, AUGUSTINE EI-FANG CHEN, MING-LEE CHU, CHIH-HSUN LIN, CHUNG-HSIANG WANG
  • Patent number: 8456313
    Abstract: This invention is a nuclear radiation-warning detector that measures impedance of silver-silver halide on an interdigitated electrode to detect light or radiation comprised of alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, X rays, and/or neutrons. The detector is comprised of an interdigitated electrode covered by a layer of silver halide. After exposure to alpha particles, beta particles, X rays, gamma rays, neutron radiation, or light, the silver halide is reduced to silver in the presence of a reducing solution. The change from the high electrical resistance (impedance) of silver halide to the low resistance of silver provides the radiation warning that detected radiation levels exceed a predetermined radiation dose threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventors: Noel Felix Savignac, Leo S. Gomez, William Graham Yelton, Alex Robinson, Steven Limmer
  • Publication number: 20130112888
    Abstract: An ionization chamber that serves as a radiation detector/beam position monitor for beamline applications. When two chambers are paired together in a 90° rotation orientation, the device can be used for beam position monitoring, detection and recording of location of beam bunches moving within the beamline, by detecting horizontal and vertical beam position. This feature allows for ease of use as well as multiple use applications for the chambers, resulting in the need for less additional parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Alex K. Deyhim, Eric C. Van Every
  • Publication number: 20130105700
    Abstract: An air ion measuring apparatus (20) is used for measuring the amount of ions in ionized air generated by an ion generating apparatus (10) having a discharge electrode (11) and a nozzle (12) serving as a discharge electrode. The air ion measuring apparatus (20) has a cylindrical electrode (22), and when the length of the cylindrical electrode (22) is denoted by “l”, a flow rate of air which flows through the cylindrical electrode (22) is denoted by “U”, detection current which flows in the electrode 22 is denoted by “Im”, time constant is denoted by “?”, and the detection current “Im” is denoted by a current detector (33), current generated by passage of ion is calculated by I 0 = U ? ? ? + l l ? I m ? [ A ] , it is possible to measure the amount of ions from the calculated carried ion current “I0”, and to measure the amount of ions while splaying the ionized air to an object required to be electrically neutralized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Yoshinari Fukada