Patents Examined by Andrew Israel
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Patent number: 6297505Abstract: The present invention relates to an on-line method and a flow system as well as a cuvette for carrying out IR spectrometry for analysis of liquid food products, possibly containing dissolved gases, in a process line in a liquid food product processing plant, especially a dairy processing milk and milk products. A liquid sample is extracted from the process line to a measuring branch, the sample is thermostated and passed to a measurement cuvette. The IR-absorbance spectrum is measured, e.g. in the MID-IR or NIR-range. In order to obtain an on-line monitoring of the process line the liquid food sample is extracted directly from the process line into the measurement branch, in which the pressure is maintaining at least as high as in the adjacent process line. The high pressure ensures that dissolved air will stay dissolved in the liquid food. Before each new sample the measurement branch and cuvette are flushed by high flow rates with a part of the new sample to clean the cuvette.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1999Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Foss Electric A/SInventors: Andreas Skærlund Frandsen, Søren Christian Pedersen, Carsten Ridder, Henrik Thomsen
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Patent number: 6294783Abstract: An infrared sensor has a stem with a metallic base serving as a ground and a ground terminal extending from the metallic base; a substrate disposed on the metallic base; a field effect transistor attached to the substrate; a pyroelectric element connected between the gate of the field effect transistor and ground; and a capacitor connected between ground and either the drain terminal or the source terminal of the field effect transistor. One of the electrodes of the capacitor is directly connected to the metallic base of the stem, while the other electrode of the capacitor is directly connected to the corresponding terminal by a conductive bonding material.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1998Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kooji Hayashi
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Patent number: 6294792Abstract: The subject of the invention is a UV dosimeter suitable for visual evaluation, which is consisted of a light-sensitive layer on a carrier and a cover layer. The thickness of the light-sensitive layer is 10-40 &mgr;m, the concentration is 95-105 g/dm3 and calculated to the volume of the suspension it contains in a water bloated high molecular weight polymer amenable to hardening 0,004-0,2 mole/dm3 of argentic (I) oxalate, 0,0014-0,07 mole/dm3 of water soluble multivalent metallic oxalate and 0,00044-0,006 mole/dm3 of complexing additive. The light-sensitive layer is fitted with a cover layer, which is light-transmitting in the UVB range excluding the humidity of the air.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1999Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Kossuth Lajos TudomanyegyetemInventors: György Bazsa, Mihály Beck, Zsolt Fazekas, Vincze Zsuzsanna Györgyné Fleischinger, Irén Horkay, Zoltán Nagy, Attila Nemes, István Országh, Miklós Rácz, Tibor Szalay
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Patent number: 6294789Abstract: A radiation intensifying screen is formed by a reflective-transmissive layer which is disposed between two radiation absorbing, luminescent phosphor layers having emission maximum wavelengths which are well separated. The reflective-transmissive layer is either a long wave pass or short wave pass filter which provides maximum reflection for spectral emissions produced in the first luminescent layer but, at the same time, allows the maximum transmission of spectral emissions produced in the second luminescent layer. An optional secondary reflective layer and a backing layer are provided adjacent to the second luminescent layer. As a result, spectral emissions in the first luminescent layer have a relatively short traveling path compared to the path in a conventional intensifying screen. The disclosed dual layer intensifying screen construction increases the spatial resolution of the phosphor screen without adversely affecting the screen speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventor: Zhenxue Jing
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Patent number: 6291825Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively integrating PMT channel signals in a gamma camera system are described. A trigger word is decoded to determine which of multiple PMT channels are affected by a given scintillation event. When two scintillation events overlap both spatially and temporally, only those channels which are affected by both events stop integrating in response to the second event. Pre-pulse pile-up is corrected by removing the tail of a preceding pulse from a current pulse using an approximation of the tail of the preceding pulse based upon the instantaneous energy of the current pulse and the current countrate. Extrapolation of the tail of the current pulse may also be performed in essentially the same manner.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1998Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: ADAC LaboratoriesInventors: Thomas E. Scharf, Michael J. Petrillo, Donald R. Wellnitz
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Patent number: 6288400Abstract: The radometer is a portable instrument for the measurement of the concentration of atmospheric radon/thoron in a test area. A constant velocity pump pulls the air from the outside at a constant flow rate. If the air is too moist, some or all of the sample is passed through a desiccant filter prior to encountering an electrostatic filter. The electrostatic filter prevents any charged particles from entering the sampling chamber. Once the sample has entered the chamber, the progeny of the decay of radon/thoron are collected on a detector and measured. The measured data is compiled by a computer and displayed.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1999Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventor: Vincent C. Negro
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Patent number: 6274870Abstract: A correction curve (FIG. 19) is prepared by plotting 12CO2 concentrations and 13CO2/12CO2 concentration ratios which are determined on the basis of a calibration curve and 13CO2 and 12CO2 absorbances of gaseous samples having the same 13CO2/12CO2 concentration ratio but known different 12CO2 concentrations. A gaseous test sample containing 13CO2 and 12CO2 as component gases is introduced into a cell, and spectrometrically measured. A 12CO2 concentration of the gaseous test sample is determined by way of the spectrometric measurement. A concentration ratio correction value is obtained on the basis of the correction curve and the 12CO2 concentration of the gaseous test sample thus determined. A measured 13CO2/12CO2 concentration ratio is divided by the concentration ratio correction value thus obtained for correction of the 13CO2/12CO2 concentration ratio. Thus, the measurement accuracy of the concentration ratios of the component gases can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1999Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhiro Kubo, Katsuhiro Morisawa, Yasushi Zasu, Eiji Ikegami, Kazunori Tsutsui, Tamotsu Hamao, Masaaki Mori, Takashi Maruyama
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Patent number: 6271523Abstract: An optical sensor for monitoring a utility meter having a sweep hand indicator that moves over a meter surface of the utility meter. The optical sensor has a single infrared light emitter and two photo diodes detectors. The infrared light emitter is positioned at an angle with respect the meter surface and the sweep hand indicator of the utility meter so that the sweep hand indicator is illuminated from an angle to provide a shadow of the sweep hand indicator. The photo detectors detect changes in the intensity of light reflected on the sweep hand indicator and the background surface as well as the shadow of the sweep hand indicator. The two photo diode detectors are electrically coupled in series but in opposite directions relative to an output node, so as to cancel each other at the output node in normal operation. The passing of the sweep hand indicator changes the signal produced of each of the photo diode detectors at the output node, independently but in opposite directions.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2000Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Inventors: John D. Weaver, Gary Moman
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Patent number: 6271518Abstract: The present invention relates to the exploration for and exploitation of formation hydrocarbons. According to the invention, a sample of material, representative of the impregnation with hydrocarbons of the rocks passed through, is taken during a drilling operation, with which sample a value of an emission flux, representative of the concentration of the fluorescent elements in the sample, and a value of a fluorescence quotient, which reflects the nature of the hydrocarbons present in the sample, are determined by spectrofluorimetry. The invention finds its application in analytical laboratories and on the drilling sites of petroleum production fields.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1998Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Elf Exploration ProductionInventors: Claudine Boehm, Jean-Bernard Berrut
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Patent number: 6265720Abstract: An apparatus for photographing a radiographic image, has an image sensing system for obtaining a radiographic image; an image process system for correcting the radiographic image obtained by the image sensing system using input/output characteristics in units of pixels of the image sensing system, and outputting the corrected radiographic image; and a predetermined factor detecting unit for monitoring a predetermined factor value that ultimately influences the output from the image process system.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1998Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tatsuya Yamazaki, Yutaka Endo
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Patent number: 6262417Abstract: An infrared bolometer having enhanced structural integrity includes an active matrix level having a substrate and a pair of connecting terminals, a support level provided with a pair of bridges and a pair of conduction lines, an absorption level including a bolometer clement surrounded by an absorber and a pair of posts positioned between the support level and the absorption level. Each of bridges is provided with an anchor portion, a leg portion and an elevated portion, the anchor portion being affixed to the active matrix level and the elevated portion being apart from the active matrix level, wherein the elevated portion of each of the bridges including an inner part cantilevered from an outer part. Each of the posts includes an electrical conduit, wherein each ends of the bolometer element is electrically connected to the respective connecting terminal through the respective conduit and the respective conduction line.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1998Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sang-Baek Ju
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Patent number: 6262420Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting alpha particles in the presence of high activities of beta particles utilizing an alpha spectrometer. The apparatus of the present invention utilizes a magnetic field applied around the sample in an alpha spectrometer to deflect the beta particles from the sample prior to reaching the detector, thus permitting detection of low concentrations of alpha particles. In the method of the invention, the strength of magnetic field required to adequately deflect the beta particles and permit alpha particle detection is given by an algorithm that controls the field strength as a function of sample beta energy and the distance of the sample to the detector.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Amir H. Mohagheghi, Robert P. Reese
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Patent number: 6259112Abstract: A method of ascertaining imaging quality in a computed radiography (CR) system includes providing a substrate having fluorescent test pattern disposed thereon. The substrate is disposed in place of the standard storage-phosphor screen and scanned as if reading out a storage screen. The detected signals form a read-out image which is then compared against the test pattern to judge image quality.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1998Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: Lumisys, Inc.Inventor: Arthur J. Lim
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Patent number: 6259095Abstract: System and apparatus for locating sources of radiation emanating from predetermined radionuclides. The apparatus incorporates a large window display utilizing icon imagery to identify counting functions such as target count and background. A variety of radionuclide modes of operation can be selected by the operator and the system automatically defaults to detector bias selection and window reference voltage selection in correspondence with the elected radionuclide. A bar graph readout apprises the user of the amount of time or count level remaining in a target or background procedure and the flashing of icon identifiers occurs during such procedures. Pulse validation is improved by the utilization of a discriminator which evaluates pulse width.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1998Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: Neoprobe CorporationInventors: Chad E. Bouton, Daniel A. Kramer, Richard C. Mayoras, Jr.
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Patent number: 6255659Abstract: A new class of ultraviolet dosimeters is made possible by exposing caged dye molecules, which generate a dye molecule on exposure to ultraviolet radiation, to an exterior environment. Applications include sunburn monitors, characterizing the UV exposure history of UV-sensitive materials, especially including structural plastics, and use in disposable ‘one-use’ optical equipment, especially medical devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1998Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventor: David R. Sandison
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Patent number: 6252232Abstract: A detector including opposed detector heads having anode signal processors which perform a sliding box car integration of each PMT anode signal, corrects for baseline shifts and pileup from the tails of previous events, vary the length of the box car based on the time between events, and use a peak detection circuit to reduce the dependence of the integrated value on timing differences between the asynchronous events and the synchronous ADC conversion is described. The outputs of anode processors are combined to provide the X and Y coordinates, and the energy E, of an event. The outputs from each head processor are then combined in a coincidence processor to provide the corrected positions and energies of coincidence events. The above described detector heads function at a high count rate with minimum dead time and pileup.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1998Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David L. McDaniel, Floribertus Heukensfeldt Jansen
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Patent number: 6252230Abstract: The refraction type non-destruction measuring apparatus of the present invention has a prism having a predetermined refractive index, projecting means for projecting near infrared light onto an object to be examined through the prism, a contact material filling the space between the object to be examined and the prism and having a refractive index set in conformity with the characteristic of the object to be examined, and light receiving means for receiving the internal reflected light of the light having entered the interior of the object to be examined through the contact material and the prism.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1998Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mikio Kimura, Akihiko Fujita
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Patent number: 6249004Abstract: The present invention is a composite material containing a mix of dosimeter material powder and a polymer powder wherein the polymer is transparent to the photons of wavelengths absorbed by the dosimeter material powder. The present method includes a method of interrogation that is substantially independent of dose rate and temperature. Interrogation is done with spectrophotometric measurements using ultraviolet or visible light.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1998Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Sunna Systems Corp.Inventor: Steven Donald Miller
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Patent number: 6239448Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, is exposed to stimulating rays. Light emitted from the front surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet and light emitted from the back surface are detected with two photoelectric read-out devices located on the opposite surface sides of the sheet. Two image signals having thus been obtained are added in predetermined addition ratios w1 and w2.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasuhiro Kawai
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Patent number: 6236046Abstract: An infrared sensor is formed with a first infrared detecting element for infrared detection disposed in a container through a supporting substrate, and a second infrared detecting element for temperature compensation also disposed in the container to be shielded by the supporting substrate of the first infrared detecting element from incident infrared within the container, while a temperature sensing section of the first infrared detecting element is born in non-contacting state with respect to a supporting part of the substrate for the element, whereby the sensitivity can be remarkably improved with a simpler arrangement while keeping a high precision and inexpensiveness.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1998Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshifumi Watabe, Yoshiaki Honda, Kouichi Aizawa, Tsutomu Ichihara