Patents Examined by Constantine Hannaher
  • Patent number: 8067742
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and determining a source azimuth for gamma radiation includes at least two scintillation crystals at angular offsets and directed toward a common plane of detection, photodetectors adjacent to each of the scintillation crystals for converting the light response of the scintillation crystals into distinct electrical signals, and a digital processing system configured to analyze spectral data from each electrical signal produced for each crystal. The digital processing system monitors a finite number of spectral windows corresponding to a selected set of radioisotopes, and uses one or more of the electrical signals to determine a signal intensity and a likely source azimuth for a detected radioisotope in the plane of detection. Another scintillation crystal directed outside of the common plane of detection may be used for three-dimensional detection. Related methods for detection and location of gamma ray sources are discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Space Micro Inc.
    Inventors: James H Winso, Michael D Fennell
  • Patent number: 8063386
    Abstract: A system and method that allows for time-resolved fluorescent imaging of fluorescent samples. The user is able to receive temporally filtered pictures of the sample with a reduced amount of the scattered excitation light and the short lived background fluorescence. The system allows for adjustment of fluorescent gating time and delay time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp.
    Inventors: Ahmad Yekta, Pavel A. Fomitchov, Joseph Masino
  • Patent number: 8063367
    Abstract: A lens position sensor for infrared or other types of cameras, which is particularly useful in lens assemblies that have relatively limited axial travel between near field and far field lens focus positions. The camera includes a magnet or other stimulator coupled to a rotatable lens that extends within a magnet plane where the magnet plane is not normal to the optical axis of the lens. A magnetic or other sensor senses the position of the magnet, which is indicative of the lens position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk R. Johnson, Justin M. Sheard
  • Patent number: 8059996
    Abstract: A developing apparatus performs image visualization processing by electrostatically adhering toner carried on a developer carrying member onto an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrying member. In the developing apparatus, the toner to be supplied to the developer carrying member is directly injected onto the developer carrying members after flying inside an electric field generated immediately before reaching the developer carrying member. The electric field has one of a homopolarity and a reverse polarity to the electrostatic latent image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ikeguchi, Katsuhiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 8058619
    Abstract: A radiation detector comprises a tool housing. The tool housing has a substantially cylindrical tubular shape. A radiation sensor generates a signal in response to detecting radiation. The radiation sensor is locatable within the tool housing. A signal processor is operably connectable with the radiation sensor. The signal processor receives the signal from the radiation sensor and generates an electrical signal as a function of the signal received. The signal processor is locatable within the tool housing. A flex-sleeve supports at least one of the radiation sensor and signal processor within the tool housing. The flex-sleeve comprises a substantially cylindrical portion and a coaxially extending polygonal portion for engagement and supportive interaction with the cylindrical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Keith D. Jones
  • Patent number: 8058617
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of determining the presence of keratin, particularly hard keratin, such as exists in mammalian hair and feathers, and objects comprising such materials. The method of the present invention also includes displaying information derived from such a determination, as well as a measurement method followed by transmission of data to a remote processing site for analysis or display. The invention also includes devices for carrying out the determination, display and/or transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Bowling Green State University
    Inventors: Robert K. Vincent, B. B. Maruthi Sridhar
  • Patent number: 8058624
    Abstract: A simple method is developed for detection of fast neutrons for systems of detection of radioactive materials, which does not involve moderator systems, operates on the real time scale and ensures high detection efficiency. The method includes conversion of the cascade of gamma-quanta formed as a result of inelastic scattering of neutrons in a converter material with high atomic number into a set of light scintillations by a scintillator, processing of signals obtained in recording of said scintillations, formation of counting pulses with frequency proportional to the neutron flux and their recording according to an appropriate algorithm. Inorganic scintillators with high effective atomic number are used, and, as converter materials for inelastic scattering of neutrons, materials with high atomic numbers are used, which are a constituent part of said inorganic scintillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Institute of Scintillation Materials, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
    Inventors: Boris Viktorovich Grynyov, Volodymyr Diomydovych Ryzhikov, Liudmyla Lavrentiivna Nagorna, Genadiy Mychaylovich Onishenko, Leonid Oleksiyvich Piven
  • Patent number: 8058615
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting radiation of a plurality of wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum may be provided. The apparatus includes a substrate, a laser irradiated layer proximal to a first side of the substrate, and a microbolometer and at least one readout circuit proximal to a second side of the substrate in electrical communication with the laser irradiated layer. The substrate, laser irradiated layer, and the microbolometer are disposed and arranged such that radiation of a first wavelength is substantially detected by the laser irradiated layer, and radiation of a second wavelength is substantially detected by the microbolometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: SiOnyx, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. McCaffrey, James E. Carey
  • Patent number: 8053730
    Abstract: An infrared sensor and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The sensor includes a substrate including a reflection layer and a plurality of pad electrodes, an interdigitated sensing electrode connected to the pad electrode and formed to be spaced apart from the reflection layer by a predetermined distance and a sensing layer formed on the sensing electrode and having an opening exposing a portion in which an interdigitated region of the sensing electrode connected to one pad region is separated from the sensing electrode connected to the other pad electrode. Therefore, the sensor has an electrode in a very simple constitution, and a sensing layer divided into rectangular blocks, so that current that non-uniformly flows into the electrode can be removed. Accordingly, the sensor in which current of the sensing layer can be uniformly flown, and noise is lowered can be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Seong Mok Cho, Ho Jun Ryu, Woo Seok Yang, Sang Hoon Cheon, Byoung Gon Yu, Chang Auk Choi
  • Patent number: 8053739
    Abstract: A device to measure the beam spot of a particle beam, has a device that records the projections of the beam spot in many directions that are essentially perpendicular to the direction of the particle beam, and an analysis device that reconstructs a two-dimensional cross section profile of the particle beam from the recorded projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eike Rietzel
  • Patent number: 8053732
    Abstract: Provided are a terahertz wave transmission and reception (Tx/Rx) module package and method of manufacturing the same. The complete and separate terahertz wave Tx/Rx module package is implemented by simply aligning a silicon ball lens, a photoconductive antenna and a focusing lens, and thus facilitates generation or measurement of a terahertz wave. The terahertz wave Tx/Rx module package and method can remarkably reduce time and cost required to build a terahertz wave generation and measurement system, and simplify and miniaturize the terahertz wave generation and measurement system. In addition, characteristics of a terahertz wave generated by the photoconductive antenna can be simply measured. Furthermore, the terahertz wave Tx/Rx module package can be stored and transported with a photoconductive antenna, a silicon ball lens and a focusing lens kept aligned as they are, and also it is possible to minimize pollution of terahertz wave devices caused by surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Sang Kuk Choi, Kwang Yong Kang, Mun Cheol Paek, Min Hwan Kwak, Seung Beom Kang
  • Patent number: 8050599
    Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a toner receptacle that houses toner, a plurality of stirring members housed in the toner receptacle, a plurality of gears meshing with each other on outside of the toner receptacle, and a phase display section. The stirring members are arranged next to each other in the toner receptacle and rotate to stir the toner. Each of the stirring members has a scraper that scrapes off the toner adhering to an inner surface of the toner receptacle. The gears rotate to rotate the stirring members in an interlocked manner with each other. The phase display section shows a meshing position of the gears so that the gears mesh with each other at a position where a phase difference along a rotating direction of the stirring members occurs between the scrapers of the stirring members that are next to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8049176
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for real time imaging and monitoring of radiation therapy beams is designed to preferentially distinguish and image low energy radiation from high energy secondary radiation emitted from a target as the result of therapeutic beam deposition. A detector having low sensitivity to high energy photons combined with a collimator designed to dynamically image in the region of the therapeutic beam target is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Jefferson Science Assocates, LLC
    Inventors: Stanislaw Majewski, James Proffitt, Daniel J. Macey, Andrew G. Weisenberger
  • Patent number: 8044365
    Abstract: Nested ionization chambers provide independent measurements of a radiation beam that does not fully irradiate the volume of one or both chambers. By mathematically combining these independent measurements, partial volume effects caused by a change in ionization detector calibrations when the full detector volume is not irradiated by the radiation beam, may be decreased, providing more accurate measurement of extremely small radiation beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Standard Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. DeWerd, Brian D. Hooten, Edward W. Neumueller
  • Patent number: 8044366
    Abstract: A method is provided for simplifying the calibration of neutron multiplicity counters. The method includes multiplicity counter dead time correction algorithms that preclude the need for extended calibration steps with known radiation sources. The algorithms include approximations that allow calculation of the counter's efficiency without knowledge of sample source activity or origin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Canberra Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Croft, Robert D. McElroy, Jr., Sasha Philips
  • Patent number: 8044362
    Abstract: An x-ray detector including an array substrate including blocks extending along the array substrate in a first direction. Each of the blocks includes cells that are each associated with a data line extending in parallel with the first direction and a gate line extending perpendicularly to the first direction such that the data line crosses the gate line, a thin film transistor respectively connected to the gate and data lines, and a photodiode connected to the thin film transistor to receive light. The cells store charges corresponding to an amount of the light. Gate drivers are connected to ends of the gate lines to select rows of the cells associated with each of the gate lines. Read-out circuits are connected to ends of the data lines to read out charges stored in the cells, of each of the selected rows, that are respectively associated with each of the data lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-Sang Goo, Dae-Ho Choo, Kwan-Wook Jung
  • Patent number: 8044359
    Abstract: A dosimeter comprising an ionizing radiation detector array is used to generally encompass a three dimensional geometric shape such as that employed as a phantom in radiation dosimetry measurements. The ionizing radiation detector array may include passive or active detectors. The active detectors in the array may comprise diodes, ionization chambers, luminescent sensors or amorphous silicon. The three dimensional geometric shape may comprise a shape defined by a closed directrix, wherein each of a plurality of detectors within the ionizing detector array is within an envelope defined by a generatrix of the directrix. The closed directrix may be an open or closed cylinder, or a structure having a cross section described by a polygon. The plurality of detectors may only be positioned on or at least proximate the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: SunNuclear Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Simon
  • Patent number: 8041242
    Abstract: A method of forming an image with a plurality of colors of developer, the method including generating color printing data corresponding to colors, sensing remainders of the plurality of colors of developer, converting the color printing data into mono printing data for a reference color corresponding to color density of each color printing data if at least one of colors of developer is insufficient, and printing the mono printing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-myong Shin
  • Patent number: 8039804
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating an image dataset obtained by a radiation-based image acquisition device. A scatter background dataset is determined as a function of the image data. The image dataset is corrected pixel by pixel by multiplying the image dataset with the inverse of a function dependent on the quotient of the scatter background data and the image data at a respective pixel. The function is a nonlinear, smooth function determined by a coefficient and having positive derivatives. The absolute value of the function is one for the value zero. The image acquisition parameter dependent coefficient is determined by an optimization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Brunner, Christoph Köhler, Bernd Schreiber
  • Patent number: 8041277
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a guide member configured to guide a sheet to a nip section between a heating roller and a pressing roller disposed close to the upstream side of the rollers and on the pressing roller side. A downstream end of the guide member is disposed on the heating roller side with respect to the nip surface between the rollers so that a header of the sheet to be printed is in contact with the heating roller first, and a downstream end of the fixing device introduction guide member is concavely curved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Hashimoto, Motoji Kurobane, Masami Takeshita, Kazuhiko Kawasaki