Patents Examined by Constantine Hannaher
  • Patent number: 5231289
    Abstract: A thermal photodetector includes a thermal photodetector element and a support stand for supporting the thermal photodetector element. The support stand is made of a material of which heat conduction is relatively small, and is thermally connected to and mounted on a mount of which temperature is controlled to a predetermined temperature. The sizes of the support stand are determined such that the quantity of heat conduction in a heat conduction passage from the thermal photodetector element to the mount is equal to a predetermined quantity. The method of manufacturing this thermal detector includes the steps of exposing, to light, a photosensitive glass plate having a thickness corresponding to the height of a support stand of a thermal photodetector to be manufactured. The light exposure is made with the use of a mask having a shape which corresponds to the shape in transverse section of the support stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Jun-ichi Kita, Hiroyuki Kishihara
  • Patent number: 5229609
    Abstract: A detection assembly is disclosed for an infrared monitoring system, comprising a strip of elementary infrared detectors for analyzing the background of a scene. The elementary detectors are image formation detectors having sensitive areas smaller than the optical spots produced by the hot objects to be detected. The assembly comprises circuitry adapted for grouping together the image formation detectors virtually into virtual monitoring detectors having sensitive areas adapted to said optical spot, the grouping together circuitry comprising circuitry for summation in elevation of p contiguous intermediate image formation detectors at the pitch of q detectors with overlapping of p-q intermediate detectors from one monitoring detector to the next and circuitry for summation in relative bearing of r image formation samples at the pitch of s samples with an overlap of r-s samples from one monitoring pixel to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: SAT (Societe Anonyme de Telecommunications)
    Inventors: Alain Delteil, Jacques Barret
  • Patent number: 5229611
    Abstract: An infrared microscope spectrometer is used to carry out attenuated total reflection (ATR) analysis of a sample. Either the collecting element assembly or focusing element assembly is mounted for selected movement with respect to the other so as to permit alignment of the output beam from the focusing assembly with the optical axis of the spectrometer, whenever an ATR crystal with sample is placed between the collecting and focusing assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventor: Juichiro Ukon
  • Patent number: 5227636
    Abstract: The dual path ultraviolet hygrometer makes use of two narrow spectrum light beams of different wavelengths, both of which are transmitted along two geometrically similar paths to measure and compensate for the presence of contaminants and to more precisely measure the water vapor content in the air samples. A first one of these optical wavelengths is highly absorbed by water vapor while the second optical wavelength is only slightly absorbed by water vapor. Both of these generated narrow band light beams are split so that two pairs of light beams are produced. Beams of both wavelengths are transmitted along the first optical path, which traverses the air sampling chamber. By measuring the differential absorption between the two light beams along this first optical path, the water vapor content of the air sample within the air sampling chamber is precisely measured by correcting for contaminant absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
    Inventor: Ronald L. Schwiesow
  • Patent number: 5227940
    Abstract: A composite magnetic head comprises a pair of magnetic core halves each including a core block formed of an oxide magnetic material and a soft magnetic thin film disposed on said core block interposed with a reaction inhibiting layer, said core halves abutting to each other so that a magnetic gap is defined between the ends of said soft magnetic thin films. The magnetic head has a size relation bcd/a.ltoreq.0.2.times.10.sup.-10 m.sup.2 wherein a is a gap length, measured along the proceeding direction of a magnetic recording medium, c a gap depth, d a gap width as measured along the track width and b is a thickness of said reaction inhibiting layer. Wavy (beat) noise of output signal due to the psuedo gap produced by the reaction inhibiting layer is effectively suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Isomura, Osamu Shimizu, Satoshi Yoshida, Kanji Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 5227633
    Abstract: The joined scintillator block body for radiation detector according to the present invention comprises a plurality of scintillator blocks, each being divided into small scintillator chips through deep grooves formed by cutting each block from the light-incident side and filled with a reflecting material and these plurality of blocks being joined together, wherein a part of the joined faces of each neighboring two blocks is joined with the reflecting material and the remaining portion thereof is joined with a transparent resin layer capable of transmitting scintillation light rays emitted by the scintillator chips. In the foregoing joined scintillator block body for radiation detector, all of the divisions or scintillator chips of the joined scintillator block body have the same ability of light emission and, therefore, the radiation can always be detected at any portion on the photomultiplier tube under the sam conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Ryuo, Takeo Kawanake
  • Patent number: 5227638
    Abstract: Photoluminescence or electroluminescence from a material substrate is measured in a photon-counting range. Luminous efficiency of the substrate in its normal operation range is evaluated on the basis of the measured data. The luminescence is measured in an excitation range of the material including a transition excitation level corresponding to a transition luminous level from a low luminous range to a regular, intense luminous range. Two-dimensional distribution of the luminous efficiencies can be obtained by measuring the luminescence from small divided areas of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Mizushima, Takashi Iida, Eiji Inuzuka
  • Patent number: 5227631
    Abstract: An infrared detector assembly for infrared spectrometers includes a circuit board on which electronic components and an infrared detector and cooler unit are mounted. The detector unit includes a thermal electric cooler which cools the detector and transfers heat to a flange of the detector unit. A front side heat sink is mounted to the flange to dissipate heat to the air on the front side of the circuit board. Heat is also transferred from the flange of the heat detector unit by a heat conductive post or posts through openings in the circuit board to a heat sink mounted to the back side of the circuit board. The back side heat sink can include an adjustment plate to which the circuit board is detachably mounted and which is itself mounted on an assembly which allows lateral adjustment of the position of the circuit board and the detector thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Nicolet Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Leon J. Hunter, III, Robert A. Miller
  • Patent number: 5225681
    Abstract: A UV spectrometer for measurement of spectral intensities over a wavelength range below 190 nm is provided and includes a gas-tight spectrometer vessel, an optical window within the vessel and a UV transparent filling gas inside the vessel. The spectrometer is fitted with a sorption mechanism for binding residual gases that absorbs measuring radiation thereby maintaining the UV transparency of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Spectro Analytical Instruments Gesellschaft fur Analytische Messgerate mbH
    Inventors: Heinz Falk, Ludger Thissen
  • Patent number: 5225679
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring hydrocarbon-based fuel properties by measuring the presence and amount of fuel component molecules in the fuel solution. Detection is made of absorption related to signature vibrational modes associated with the fuel component molecules when excited in the mid-IR. In one embodiment, a mid-IR light source illuminates the fuel in-situ and a narrow bandwidth detector associated with a vibrational mode signature detects absorbance as an indication of the presence and quantity of the fuel component in solution. From the determined fuel component quantity and known characteristics, the fuel solution properties are predicted. In one embodiment, octane rating and vapor pressure for a fuel solution is determined in-situ and in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Boston Advanced Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Clarke, Deming Tang
  • Patent number: 5225677
    Abstract: An x-ray detector assembly is improved by covering the detector holder with a dielectric film to prevent contamination of the sides of the detector without covering the front of the detector. The film does not hermetically seal the detector holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Lun-Shu R. Yeh, Joseph A. Nicolosi, Costas Blionas
  • Patent number: 5223716
    Abstract: A method is provided to extend the high temperature and/or high pressure operating range of a primary radiation-transmitting element 5,6 by the addition of a secondary enclosure 15,16 for containing a pressurized gas atmosphere and a secondary radiation-transmitting element 23,24 wherein the primary radiation-transmitting element 5,6 experiences a reduced pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: Valentine J. Rossiter
  • Patent number: 5223714
    Abstract: The octane of components used in the blending of gasoline is used to predict the octane of the finished gasoline blend by measuring absorbances, preferably in the near-infrared range, and metering the fraction of each blending component as independent variables and performing a multiple regression on the data modeling the dependent variable of the various octanes. Percent aromatics in diesel fuel and other finished chemical or physical properties of the finished blend can be controlled by feed-forward and/or feed-back techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Ashland Oil, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Maggard
  • Patent number: 5223715
    Abstract: A process is provided for obtaining spectral information and quantifying the physical properties of a sample. The process comprises launching polychromatic light having a wavelength ranging from about 100 nanometers to about 2500 nanometers alternately through at least one sample channel and at least one reference channel, through at least one high-efficiency fiber optic switch. The sample and the polychromatic light along the sample channel are directed to a sample cell wherein the polychromatic light is passed through the sample, producing sample spectral information. The polychromatic light directed along the reference channel produces reference spectral information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5220172
    Abstract: A method and appartus for measuring lignin concentration in an undiluted sample of wood pulp or black liquor comprises a light emitting arrangement for emitting an excitation light through optical fiber bundles into a probe which has a sensing end facing the sample. The excitation light causes the lignin concentration to produce fluorescent emission light which is then conveyed through the probe to analyzing equipment which measures the intensity of the emission light. Measures are taken to maximize the emission light intensity which is due to lignin concentration and distinguish it from background and interfering light. The fluorescent light intensity is found to drop off in a predictable manner with increased lignin concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: John W. Berthold, Michael L. Malito, Larry Jeffers
  • Patent number: 5220170
    Abstract: The invention comprises a scintillator for converting impinging x-rays into visible light; a sensor array having two opposed surfaces with a plurality of detectors at one of the surfaces and having the other of the surfaces facing the scintillator; and a plurality of processing circuits facing the one surface and connected to the detectors by bump bonds. Another feature of the invention is a gain stage in close proximity to sensors, which may be MOS capacitors. A single gain stage may be connected to one capacitor or may be connected to several at one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignees: General Imaging Corporation, University of Florida
    Inventors: John D. Cox, William R. Eisenstadt, Robert M. Fox
  • Patent number: 5220169
    Abstract: A first beam of light having a wavelength ranging from a soft X-ray to a vacuum ultraviolet region is focused into a thin beam of light and irradiated upon a surface of a specimen, and physical information obtained as a result of such irradiation is detected to obtain information of the surface of the specimen. A second beam of light is focused into a thin beam of light and irradiated at the irradiation spot of the first beam of light upon the surface of the specimen, and the position of the irradiation spot of the second beam of light on the surface of the specimen is visually observed to located the position of the irradiation point of the first beam of light on the surface of the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Ninomiya, Keizo Suzuki, Shigeru Nishimatsu
  • Patent number: 5220166
    Abstract: An information reading method includes the steps of irradiating a phosphor activated by neodymium and ytterbium ions with exciting light of a wavelength between 500 nm and 780 nm that can excite the neodymium ions, and reading the information by receiving the light emitted from the phosphor with a photodetector designed to detect light with wavelengths between 840 m and 1100 nm. Consequently, the information recorded using the phosphor activated by neodymium and ytterbium ions can be read with a high performance without using a filter for cutting the exciting light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Nemoto & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Takeuchi, Yuzo Ishikawa, Kaori Kanesaka
  • Patent number: 5218208
    Abstract: A device for measuring radioactive contamination of a body includes a scintillator crystal (1) sensitive to gamma radiation emitted during disintegration of the radioactive elements (I, Cs, Co) contaminating a body to which the end of scintillator (1) is applied. A photodiode (2) converts the photons generated in scintillator (1) by the gamma radiation into electric charges. A mechanism (3, 7) converts these charges into amplified, frequency-filtered voltage pulses. Pulse counts in a plurality of bands and deconvolution effected by an electronic mechanism (8) built into the device allow measurement of the contamination of the body by each of the radioactive elements in question.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignees: L'Etat Francais, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Patrick Augier, Paul-Henri Fouquet, Jean-Claude Chapuis, Maurice Chemtob, Rene Chuiton
  • Patent number: 5218206
    Abstract: The condition of the roadway with respect to dryness, wetness, or icing is determined, contact-free by way of reflection measurements of light in the infrared range. The reflected light is measured selectively and simultaneously by a receiver in at least two wavelength regions with the wavelength ranges to be determined being in spectral dependence from the surface condition. Formation of a quotient of the detected signals makes possible an unequivocal statement regarding the respective condition of the roadway surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: TZN Forschungz- und Entwicklungszentrum Unterluss GmbH
    Inventors: Klemens Schmitt, Walter Schaube