Patents Examined by Alfred E. Smith
  • Patent number: 4563584
    Abstract: A solid state detector in which each scintillator is optimally configured and coupled with its associated sensing diode in a way which exploits light piping effects to enhance efficiency. Preferably, the detector is modular in nature. Each scintillator is a crystal having an index of refraction which differs as a function of direction through the crystal lattice, with the lowest index of refraction being parallel to the cleavage plane. The sides of each scintillator bar conform with the cleavage plane and are highly polished to light pipe photons created in the scintillator to the rear face for collection by an associated photodiode. The rear face is roughened to de-trap light, allowing transfer from the scintillator to the diode. Optical coupling means join the scintillators to their associated diodes to further enhance light transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David M. Hoffman, Jack D. Kingsley, Roger S. Ehle
  • Patent number: 4563579
    Abstract: In a procedure for recording ion-cyclotron resonance spectra or an apparatus for carrying out the procedure, gaseous ions of a sample substance in an ultrahigh vacuum are simultaneously exposed to a constant magnetic field B.sub.O and to a high frequency field which is perpendicular to it, with resonances being excited when the frequency of the alternating field corresponds to the rotational frequency of the ions which move on circular paths in the constant magnetic field. To produce gaseous ions of the sample substance, the latter is bombarded with additional gaseous, high-energy ions of a primary substance. The primary ions are produced in the measuring cell by means of an electron beam and excited to a high energy level by means of ion-cyclotron resonance (FIG. 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Spectrospin AG
    Inventors: Hanspeter Kellerhals, Martin Allemann
  • Patent number: 4563588
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the luminous lifetime samples, which eliminates the deviation of the time axis of each channel of a multichannel TAC, deviations resulting from differences the wiring or the time lag of the elements of each channel of the multichannel TAC constituting a principal part of the apparatus. The apparatus operates by adding a respective variable offset voltage to the output of each channel of the TAC and by regulating the offset voltage in every channel without using any delay element so as to eliminate the time axis deviations of the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4562351
    Abstract: The invention consists of a mass spectrometer having a sample insertion probe on which a reference compound and an unknown sample can be simultaneously introduced without mixing into a field ionization or ion or neutral particle bombardment ion source. An insulated support is mounted by a parallel hinge on the end of the probe shaft. Two or more separated segments or emitter wires, one carrying the unknown sample, another carrying an appropriate reference compound, are mounted on a base member which is fitted to the support. A drive shaft, concentric with the outer probe shaft, has an eccentric peg on the end, which engages with a cam on the support, so that rotation of the drive shaft results in an oscillating motion of the segments or emitters, alternately positioning them in the optimum position for ionization. A spectrum of the sample or the reference compound can be obtained when required by selecting the appropriate position of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: VG Instruments Group Limited
    Inventors: Paul Atherton, Peter Burns, Brian N. Green
  • Patent number: 4562354
    Abstract: An ionization chamber of reduced size, with an end window of a diameter preferably smaller than 3 cm is mounted on the end of a hand probe containing an amplifier, the output of which goes through a cable to an indicating device. One of a set of aperture diaphragms may be slipped over the end window to reduce the area of the window transparent to beta rays. In addition to the end window, slots in the cylindrical wall of the chamber increase the solid angle through which radiation may enter the chamber. The end window and the slotted walls of the chamber are covered with tissue-equivalent material for measurement of radiation exposure dose by the electrodes of the chamber and their associated amplifier and indicator. An alternative design with a conical chamber and conical inner electrode and a smaller window provides reliable measurement, even in inhomogeneous radiation fields without the necessity of using diaphragms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Kernforschungsanlage Julich GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Keller, Gunter Opladen
  • Patent number: 4562356
    Abstract: An apparatus, for photo-luminescent analysis of the surface of crystalline silicon, is disclosed, in which the photons emitted from the sample are passed through a two-beam (or two-arm) interferometer, having the usual beamsplitter, fixed mirror, and movable mirror. The interferometer output is directed to a detector which is a germanium photo-diode, cooled in a Dewar, which also cools the initial electronic circuitry to which the detector output is input. Using the disclosed apparatus, methods are available for readily eliminating the negative effect of the electron-hole-droplet phenomenon, and for utilizing the no-photon region of the spectrum to identify otherwise unidentified impurity (or dopant) materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Midac Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald L. Auth
  • Patent number: 4562352
    Abstract: In an analyzing apparatus for use in analyzing a surface of an object by the use of Auger electrons resulting from impingement of an electron beam, outer and inner cylindrical electrode members are placed to define outer and inner rooms, respectively, and have a common cylindrical axis. The outer and the inner rooms have first outer and first inner ends adjacent to the object, respectively, and second outer and second inner ends remote from the object, respectively. An electron gun is operable to radiate the electron beam and is entered at least partly in the outer room with an electron gun axis noncoincident with the common cylinder axis. The electron gun axis and the common cylinder axis form a predetermined angle. An ion gun is also entered at least partly in the outer room with an ion gun axis noncoincident with the electron gun axis. Various kinds of detectors may be placed in the inner room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Anelva Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiro Shiokawa
  • Patent number: 4560872
    Abstract: A method of forming a color image using image signals generated by a scanning electron microscope. Three different image signals are generated, a first representing a monochromatic image derived from secondary electrons of energies over a broad range of energies, a second representing a monochromatic image derived from secondary electrons having high energies only and a third representing a monochromatic image derived from backscattered electrons. The three so generated image signals are used to construct the color image by assigning respective colors of an additive primary set to the monochromatic images represented by the three signals. The image signals are combined to form the color image by a process which results in additive mixing, in the color image, of the three monochromatic images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
    Inventor: Ariel D. Antonovsky
  • Patent number: 4560876
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for mounting a detector head including a collimator onto supporting structure of a radiation detector for rotation about a selected one of a plurality of trunnion axes, the selection being made so that rotation occurs about the trunnion axis which passes nearest to the center of gravity of the head. A first rotatable member is mounted to the supporting structure for rotation about a first trunnion axis and a second rotatable member is mounted to the first rotatable member for rotation about a second trunnion axis. A key mounted on the first rotatable member shifts between protrusion into a first key slot located on supporting structure and a second key slot located on the second rotatable member. The shifting mechanism is locked when the detector head is in a position other than a collimator changing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Siemens Gammasonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond L. Meeder
  • Patent number: 4560875
    Abstract: An infrared absorption gas detector uses the amount of IR radiation of a particular wavelength to indicate the presence of a particular component or gas. A monitoring head for such a detector includes a source (8) of IR radiation, dual IR detector elements (17, 18), an optical path which extends between the source and the elements and which includes a gas sample volume, and selectively transmitting spectral filters (20, 21) immediately in front of the detector elements (17, 18) to filter the radiation impinging on them. The optical path also includes a concave mirror (9) to provide a converging beam of radiation concentrated onto both elements of the detector. The location of the gas sample volume, the separation of the two detector elements (17, 18) of the detector, and the mirror are arranged so that IR radiation emitted by the source and impinging upon each of the detector elements follows a substantially common path through the gas sample volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: EIGD Limited
    Inventor: John G. Crowder
  • Patent number: 4560873
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed to accurately measure and analyze multiple component interfering gases which coexist in the stack gas effluent generated from a combustion process which utilizes a non-dispersive, narrowband infrared absorption technique. The apparatus includes a probe in the stack with an optical measurement cavity (34) through which the stack gases are passed. A transceiver (14) mounted to the probe includes an optical portion operatively associated with the measurement cavity including a chopped light source (54), (60), (62) for projecting beams of light into the measurement cavity and a detector (86) for detecting the attenuation of the gases to provide a measure of the extent of absorption of each gas of interest. A control unit, preferably remote from the transceiver, preferably a programmed digital computer, and preferably via a J-box (18) converts the electric outputs to a corresponding % modulation and in turn corrects for temperature, pressure and interference between gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Lear Siegler, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald F. McGowan, Gerald W. Price, Carl E. Polhemus, Ronald L. Ketchum
  • Patent number: 4560880
    Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a semiconductor wafer with respect to a localized vacuum envelope so as to maintain a prescribed gap between the tip of the vacuum envelope and the wafer includes an x-y table, a stage assembly movable along the z-axis for holding the wafer and a z-axis actuator assembly. The z-axis actuator assembly includes a plurality of fluid-containing bellows coupled between the x-y table and the stage assembly and a hydraulic controller operated by a linear stepper motor for varying the fluid volume in each of the bellows in response to an actuator control signal so as to move the stage assembly along the z-axis. The z-axis actuator assembly can further include a flexible disk positioned in the plane of x-y movement and coupled between the x-y table and the stage assembly for preventing lateral and rotational movement of the stage assembly relative to the x-y table. The positioning apparatus is suitable for use in an electron beam lithography system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Varian Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Petric, Michael S. Foley, John J. Waz, Robert W. Milgate, III
  • Patent number: 4560877
    Abstract: A solid state detector in which each scintillator is optimally configured and coupled with its associated sensing diode in a way which exploits light piping effects to enhance efficiency, and at the same time provide a detector which is modular in nature. To achieve light piping, the scintillator crystal is oriented such that its sides conform with the crystal cleavage plane, and the sides are highly polished. An array of tungsten collimator plates define the individual channels. Multi-channel scintillator/diode modules are mounted behind and in registry with the plurality of collimator plates. A plurality of scintillators are bonded together after coating the surfaces thereof to minimize optical crosstalk. After lapping the face of the scintillator module, it is then bonded to a diode module with individual scintillators in registration with individual diodes. The module is then positioned in the detector array with collimator plates at the junctions between the scintillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David M. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4558222
    Abstract: An infrared radiation detecting system comprises an optical imaging system (25) for receiving radiation from a field of view (23) and delivering that radiation to an image surface (16). A background limited detector unit (26) having a detecting surface (.phi.) located in a cold shield housing having a cooled aperture (13) is spaced from image surface (16) and a transfer lens system (24) is interposed to transfer infrared radiation therebetween. Lens system (24) is arranged to focus the radiation at the detecting surface (.phi.) of the detector unit (26) such that the focussed radiation field curvature coincides with the physical curvature of detecting surface (.phi.), to form a pupil which is coincident in space with the position of the cooled aperture (13) and to dimension the pupil to match the dimension of the cooled aperture (13). To achieve these effects the transfer lens system (24) is formed by four lens elements (A,B,C,D) of selected power, axial spacing, and refractive surface curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Barr & Stroud Limited
    Inventor: Iain A. Neil
  • Patent number: 4558218
    Abstract: A heat pipe oven molecular beam source wherein a hollow porous metal, metalloid or ceramic body with at least one opening is nearly saturated with the working material and heated to just above the melting point of the working material, generating a thin liquid layer of the working material on the internal surface of the body. Material passing the length of the bore of the body without striking a wall will escape and form the beam. Material striking the liquid layer covering the inside of the body will condense and be conveyed by capillary action back to the closed end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventor: Robert E. Drullinger
  • Patent number: 4558220
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for radiological investigation of subterranean multicomponent media such as borehole fluids, and subterranean earth formations. The formation under investigation or other medium is irradiated with penetrating radiation having a plurality of discrete energy levels. The radiation at the several energy levels may be applied simultaneously or sequentially. In either case, the absorption of the applied radiation within the medium under investigation varies from one energy level to another. Radiation emanating from the medium is detected for each of the discrete energy levels and the intensity of the detected radiation for each energy level is correlated with the intensity of the applied radiation for each of the energy levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Gearhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Hilton B. Evans
  • Patent number: 4558224
    Abstract: According to the invention, a device for detecting counterfeit paper currency is provided which utilizes the characteristic fluorescence of genuine paper currency to detect counterfeit paper currency. An ultraviolet lamp illuminates the paper currency of unknown origin which the currency is placed on a stage held in fixed relationship to the ultraviolet lamp by a housing. A sensor circuit responds to the fluorescent radiation from the paper currency to give a signal to an indicator which displays an indication of the fluorescence of the unknown paper currency relative to genuine paper currency. The sensor is a photoresistor and the indicator is a variable intensity light or a digital display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Imperial Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome T. Gober
  • Patent number: 4558219
    Abstract: An elongated body member adapted to traverse a well contains a chamber for holding a quantity of a tracer element to be injected into the well. A radially extendable arm is pivotally attached to the body member and is adapted to be extended and retracted by a first drive system within the body member. A nozzle is coupled to the arm with a path of fluid communication provided between the chamber and the nozzle such that a second drive system within the body member may cause the tracer element to traverse such path and be released into the well fluid flow column from a location adjacent to the body member and preferably to be released in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the well. One or more detectors within the body member suitable for detecting the tracer element are utilized to determine the locations and/or flow velocity of the tracer element and therefore of the well fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Aladain J. LeBlanc, Robert A. Turney
  • Patent number: 4556795
    Abstract: A corona discharge device includes a roll formed of a conductive material and a plurality of segments mounted on a support and arranged in spaced relation from the surface of the roll in an alignment generally parallel to the roll's rotational axis. Each segment includes a hollow insulator having an outer surface adapted to be disposed adjacent to said roll and a wall extending away therefrom. The conductive body is disposed within said insulator and in an opposed relation to said outer surface. The conductive means is coupled to the conductive body and extends outwardly from said insulator for being coupled to said support means for movement of said segment away from said roll. An insulating material can be used to fill the remaining portion of said insulator and to surround said conductive means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Ensign-Bickford Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas Tietje
  • Patent number: 4556793
    Abstract: A radioactive borehole logging tool employs an epithermal neutron detector having a neutron counter surrounded by an inner thermal neutron filter and an outer thermal neutron filter. Located between the inner and outer thermal neutron filters is a neutron moderating material for extending the lifetime of epithermal neutrons to enhance the counting rate of such epithermal neutrons by the neutron counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Linus S. Allen, William R. Mills