Patents Represented by Attorney Volker R. Ulbrich
  • Patent number: 6563121
    Abstract: A gamma camera plate incorporates scintillation crystal which is sufficiently thick to effectively capture high energy radiation. The crystal is provided on its light output side with an array of light path-modifying partitions which extend partly through its thickness. These partitions define individual light collimating cells which reduce the light spreading which would otherwise prevent effective use of the plate for low energy radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Saint Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Schreiner, George Mataraza, Csaba M. Rozsa
  • Patent number: 6534771
    Abstract: A gamma camera scintillation crystal plate assembly and method that may be used for both PET (positron emission tomography) and SPECT (single photon emission computer tomography). The crystal plate assembly includes two or more crystals which are optically coupled and tuned so as to control the energy position of the photopeaks at an output surface of the plate assembly. The crystals are tuned by various means including varying the surface finishes and material selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Saint Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventor: Csaba M. Rozsa
  • Patent number: 6517076
    Abstract: The invention concerns a new seal system for resolving the problem of the contamination of special fluids carried in pumps and moreover providing improved sealing by virtue of its special geometry and design. According to the invention, one of the elements to be connected can replace the seal owing to the fact that the seal system includes a combination of two elements to be connected with a fine film ring, one of the elements to be connected having a geometry able to effect a double indentation on the film ring. The invention may be used in pumps and circuits for fluids of the semiconductor industry. The three elements of the seal system, including the pump body, tube, and film ring, may be made of PFA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Frederic S. Menage
  • Patent number: 6495834
    Abstract: A compact medical nuclear imaging device, which generates a medical image from gamma radiation, can be held stationary or moved to search a large area for locating a radioactive area of interest. The compact medical imaging device comprises a collimator having an array of collimating channels, a radiation collection module converting the gamma radiation to an electric signal, an electronic module for processing the electrical signal, and a display module for displaying a two-dimensional image of the radiation scene, all of which preferably are assembled together in a single, compact module of a size small enough to permit it to be held and maneuvered by a human operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Corvo, Michael R. Mayhugh, Scott T. Huth, Kenneth Smolko, Csaba M. Rozsa, Robert S. Schreiner
  • Patent number: 6494977
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive consisting of a polyurethane foam is used for adhering decorative parts to automobiles and other vehicles. The adhesive is characterized by high tensile strength and elongation, excellent peel strength and good thermal and mechanical stress tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Norton Performance Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Dean A. Waldenberger, Charles A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6447843
    Abstract: A method is set forth for making a diamond film coated wear part, including the following steps: providing a part; depositing a first layer of polycrystalline diamond film on the part with non-{100} crystallographic faceting; and depositing on the first layer a second layer of polycrystalline diamond film having {100} crystallographic faceting, the second layer having a thickness sufficient to overgrow the roughness of said surface of said first layer with a continuous film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Olson
  • Patent number: 6433340
    Abstract: A low energy radiation detector for wireline applications and the like is provided with a housing made of carbon fiber and eopxy binder composite which is relatively transparent to x-radiation, while also being optically opaque and providing an hermetic enclosure for a scintillation crystal disposed inside the housing. Also disclosed is a neutron detector having such a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Penn
  • Patent number: 6407390
    Abstract: A scintillation detector having reduced temperature sensitivity is provided by having two circuits for temperature compensation. The two circuits may be a thermistor in parallel with both a resistive element and a switching element. The switching element can be various devices including a zener diode, a Schottky barrier diode or an MIM. The temperature compensation circuit may be included in the circuit of a photo-detector such as a photomultiplier tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventor: Csaba M. Rozsa
  • Patent number: 6373066
    Abstract: A thermal neutron detector comprises an inorganic scintillation crystal, an inner sleeve on said scintillation crystal and including boron-10, and an outer lead sleeve on said inner sleeve for shielding gamma rays from the inner layer. The boron-10 may be carried in a resiliently compressible silicone cast on the crystal to form a sleeve which functions to mechanically support the crystal inside a detector casing. The resiliently compressible, thermal neutron absorbing layer may also be used in other applications as a thermal neutron shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Penn
  • Patent number: 6272728
    Abstract: A hollow self-lubricating thrust rivet or fastener is adapted to pivotably fasten first and second members to one another. The fastener is laminated on its outer surface with a self-lubricating or lubricious bearing material such as an organic polymer or plastic material. The bearing material provides the fastener with requisite lubricity to enable the members to rotate about the fastener without requiring application of a discrete lubricant to the interface of the fastener and the members. The fastener thus effectively combines the functions of a conventional fastener and a conventional bearing into a single unitary device. The fastener preferably includes an annular thrust portion laminated with the lubricious bearing material and adapted for placement between the members. The thrust portion effectively eliminates the need for installation of a discrete washer between the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Norton Performance Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Lenac, Antoni Jan Szwedziuk, Louis V. Portelli
  • Patent number: 6222192
    Abstract: A scintillation detector includes a scintillation crystal directly coupled to a photomultiplier tube (PMT). The crystal/PMT subassembly is attached to a voltage divider and the entire device is hermetically sealed in a stainless steel outer case. Conductors are passed through the hermetic package from the voltage divider via a high temperature metal to ceramic pass-through. The crystal and PMT are longitudinally loaded within the outer case by springs in order to minimize vibrations in the crystal and PMT. A thermoplastic support sleeve circumscribes the crystal and the PMT to protect the crystal and PMT from excessive longitudinal loading. Preferably, the support sleeve and the crystal have similar coefficients of thermal expansion so that the crystal and the support sleeve experience similar dimensional changes due to temperature fluctuations, allowing the support sleeve to best maintain its stress-limiting function as temperature within the detector changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Sekela, Carlos Grodsinsky
  • Patent number: 6211463
    Abstract: An electronic circuit device package of the type having a metal laminate base flange of molybdenum clad with copper on both faces has a CVD diamond film substrate inlaid in a well in the bottom of the base flange so that it is flush with the base flange surface. An opening in the opposite side of the base flange forms a chamber with the diamond as a floor to which the device may be bonded in intimate contact with the diamond substrate. The edges of the diamond are brazed with a gold-indium braze in intimate thermal contact with a shoulder of the well to maximize heat conduction from the edges of the diamond into the base flange. The base flange may be fastened to the flat surface of a heat sink member with the diamond in intimate thermal contact with the heat sink member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip M. Fabis
  • Patent number: 6103147
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for manufacturing curved scintillation crystal detector plates uses hot forging of crystal material. Crystal material is brought to a temperature between its plastic temperature and its melting temperature, and it is pressed between a pair of dies having curved pressing surfaces. The heated crystal material may be a freshly-drawn ingot of crystal material, and the method for producing curved plates may include cutting the hot-forged ingot into individual plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventor: Al Rybicki
  • Patent number: 6099652
    Abstract: An apparatus for depositing synthetic diamond on a surface of a substrate includes a deposition chamber and a cooling block having a surface in the deposition chamber that is cooled by heat exchange. The substrate is supported from the cooling block so that the bottom surface of the substrate is spaced from the cooling block surface by a gap, and a gas is provided in the deposition chamber and in the gap, the gas comprising at least 30 percent hydrogen gas. A plasma deposition system forms in the chamber a plasma containing hydrogen gas and a hydrocarbon gas for depositing synthetic diamond on the top surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald O. Patten, Jr., Matthew A. Simpson, Henry Windischmann, Michael S. Heuser, William A. Quirk, Stephen M. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 6093245
    Abstract: Alkali halide crystal is grown from a melt in a novel graphite crucible which has a surface depth region of its inside surface impregnated with glassy carbon to eliminate porosity, so that the melt does not leak through or wet the carbon. Additionally, the graphite may be coated with glassy carbon to provide a smoother surface. Also disclosed is a porous graphite crucible lined with a layer of graphitic pyrolytic carbon to prevent wetting of the surface by the melt and to permit release of the cooled crystal without remelting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Hammond, Jan J. Buzniak, Kimberly A. Grencewicz, Milan R. Vukcevich
  • Patent number: 6082294
    Abstract: An apparatus for depositing diamond film is disclosed, which comprises: a chamber; a reaction zone in the chamber; means for feeding diamond forming gases and an electron source gas into the reaction zone; means for applying an electric field across the reaction zone to accelerate free electrons of the electron source gas and dissociate hydrogen in the diamond forming gases to produce atomic hydrogen; and a deposition surface adjacent the reaction zone, whereby diamond film is deposited on the deposition surface from the diamond forming gases, assisted by the atomic hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Simpson
  • Patent number: 6028565
    Abstract: A radome wall construction is provided which includes a sandwich of impact resistant thermoplastic closed cell foam core bounded by epoxy/quartz laminate facings. The facings are dimensioned to be a half wavelength wall for a 94 GHz wave and thinwall for a 9.345 GHz wave. The radome wall can be used for making radomes for aircraft while maintaining satisfactory transmission efficiency for both the X-band weather radar and W-band imaging radar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Norton Performance Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: S. Benjamin Mackenzie, David W. Stressing
  • Patent number: 5982796
    Abstract: A Cr/Tm/Er-doped, yttrium- or lutetium-garnet host material crystal for a solid-state laser, wherein about 3 to about 8 atomic percent of the yttrium or lutetium, respectively, crystallographic sites are occupied by Tm.sup.3+ ions, about 7 to about 22 atomic percent of the yttrium or lutetium, respectively, crystallographic sites are occupied by Er.sup.3+ ions, and about 0.6 to about 1.6 atomic percent of the octahedral sites of the garnet structure are occupied by Cr.sup.3+ ions, which crystal lases under the influence of a pumping means at a wavelength of no more than about 2.7.mu..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics
    Inventors: Milan Ratislav Kokta, Ramesh Kumar Shori
  • Patent number: 5976206
    Abstract: Diamond film with substantially no non-diamond carbon and a high thermal conductivity is deposited by means of a direct current arc jet apparatus with a substrate temperature below about 975 degrees Celsius, an arc power of between about 20 and 40 kw. A pressure of about 12 torr, and an enthalpy greater than 30 from a activated gas jet fed with hydrogen and methane, the methane being supplied at a concentration of less than 0.07%. The resulting material has a high transparency and thermal conductivity.Also disclosed is the use of the diamond material made by the present method for cutting tool applications, particularly milling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain/Norton Industrial Ceramics Corporation
    Inventors: Louis K. Bigelow, Kevin J. Gray, Grant Lu, Matthew A. Simpson, Gordon L. Cann
  • Patent number: 5969686
    Abstract: A retractable forward looking radome assembly which extends from a recess in the undersurface of the aircraft is provided for housing and protecting one or more radar systems and orienting the radar systems and radome wall for adequate transmission. The retractable forward looking radome may be adapted for housing a mm-wave imaging radar system or may house multiple radar systems. Depending upon the application, different radome wall designs may be used. In one embodiment, a retractable forward looking radome is provided which extends from the nose portion of an aircraft having a highly pointed nose, such as a supersonic airliner. In another embodiment, a retractable forward looking radome is provided which extends from and retracts into a larger nose radome. In another embodiment, a retractable forward looking radome is provided which extends from and retracts into the lower fuselage of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Norton Performance Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: S. Benjamin Mackenzie