Abstract: An x-ray detector panel support is disclosed that is formed with radiation absorbing material to reduce the reflection of x-rays off anything behind the scintillator, which may include the geometry of the panel support, the electronics, and the back cover of the x-ray detector. The absorbing material may take the form of a discrete layer secured to or otherwise disposed within the panel support. The radiation absorbing material may also be mixed with the base materials used to fabricate the panel support. As such, when the panel support is formed, it includes radiation absorbing components. The radiation absorbing material may include lead, barium sulfate, tungsten, as well as other materials. The panel support is constructed to inhibit the detection of backscattered x-rays without significantly increasing the size or weigh of the x-ray detector. The panel support is applicable with stationary or fixed as well as portable x-ray detectors.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 24, 2004
Date of Patent:
January 8, 2008
Assignee:
General Electric Company
Inventors:
Jason R. Ertel, Bamidele H. Ali, Michael J. Utschig, James Z. Liu
Abstract: Improved techniques for estimating dough development times are provided in order to permit rapid and accurate forecasts of dough development times in commercial baking operations with different lots of wheat flour. The method of the invention involves directing near infrared radiation against a dough formulation during mixing thereof, and collecting a plurality of time-dependant absorbance spectra; the spectral data are then analyzed, preferably by calculating magnitude ratios at predetermined spectral absorbances, and then estimating the dough development time as a function of the magnitude ratios.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 22, 2004
Date of Patent:
December 25, 2007
Assignee:
American Institute of Baking
Inventors:
Richard Dempster, Maureen Olewnik, Virgil S. Smail
Abstract: An electronic device according to the present invention includes: a cavity, which is surrounded with a cavity wall portion and which has a reduced pressure; a gettering thin film, which is arranged in the cavity and has the function of adsorbing a surrounding substance; and an activating portion, at least a part of which is arranged in the cavity and which has the function of activating the gettering thin film by generating heat.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 7, 2006
Date of Patent:
December 18, 2007
Assignee:
Matsushita Electric industrial Co., Ltd.
Inventors:
Kimiya Ikushima, Hiroyoshi Komobuchi, Asako Baba
Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating the sensors of a radiation detector by collecting a radiation spectrum detected by the detector during an irradiation, calculating a peak energy location from the collected radiation spectrum, determining if the peak energy location is mislocated from a desired location; and adjusting the gain setting for the selected radiation sensor so that the peak energy location is no longer mislocated from the desired location.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 8, 2005
Date of Patent:
November 20, 2007
Assignee:
GVI Technology Partners, Ltd.
Inventors:
David S. Vickers, William G. Greathouse
Abstract: A method for determining concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive elements in earth formation by analysis of gamma ray energy spectra measured by at least one gamma ray detector while the borehole is being drilled. Gain of the gamma ray detector is controlled automatically through analysis of the spectra. The one or more gamma ray detectors are disposed at the periphery of the downhole instrumentation to maximize sensitivity. Elemental concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive elements such as potassium, uranium and thorium are measured either as a function of depth in the borehole, or as a function of aximuthal sectors around the borehole wall, or as a function of both depth and azimuthal sectors.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 15, 2004
Date of Patent:
August 7, 2007
Assignee:
Weatherford Canada Partnership
Inventors:
Medhat W. Mickael, Dale A. Jones, Donald A. Phelps, John E. Wright
Abstract: A method for imaging a concealed object is described and which includes a step of providing a heat radiating body, and wherein an object to be detected is concealed on the heat radiating body; imaging the heat radiating body to provide a visibly discernible infrared image of the heat radiating body; and determining if the visibly discernible infrared image of the heat radiating body is masked by the presence of the concealed object.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 6, 2005
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2007
Assignee:
Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
Inventors:
James R. Davidson, Judy K. Partin, Robert J. Sawyers
Abstract: A radiation image storage panel having a phosphor layer formed by a gas phase-accumulation method, in which wherein the phosphor layer is composed of an alkali metal halide stimulable phosphor activated by an activator, and the crystal lattice in the phosphor layer has a lattice distortion in the range of 0.035 to 0.30%.
Abstract: The invention concerns an inorganic scintillator material of general composition M1-xCexCl3, wherein: M is selected among lanthanides or lanthanide mixtures, preferably among the elements or mixtures of elements of the group consisting of Y, La, Gd, Lu, in particular among the elements or mixtures of elements of the group consisting of La, Gd and Lu; and x is the molar rate of substitution of M with cerium, x being not less than 1 mol % and strictly less than 100 mol %. The invention also concerns a method for growing said monocrystalline scintillator material, and the use of said scintillator material as component of a scintillating detector in particular for industrial and medical purposes and in the oil industry.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 28, 2006
Date of Patent:
June 19, 2007
Assignee:
Stichting Voor de Technische Wetenschappen
Inventors:
Pieter Dorenbos, Carel Wilhelm Eduard Van Eijk, Hans-Ulrich Gudel, Karl Wilhelm Kramer, Edgar Valentijn Dieuwer Van Loef
Abstract: A ceramic scintillator comprises a sintered body of a lutetium oxysulfide phosphor containing at least one element selected from Pr, Tb and Eu as an activator. The sintered body of a lutetium oxysulfide phosphor contains 5 to 15 ppm of an alkali metal element and 5 to 40 ppm of phosphorus. Such a ceramic scintillator can sufficiently make use of the intrinsic characteristics of the lutetium oxysulfide phosphor and has good sensitivity in X-ray detection even when it is downsized.
Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for attenuating the effect of ambient light on optical sensors and for measuring and compensating quantitatively for the ambient light.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 21, 2005
Date of Patent:
June 5, 2007
Assignee:
Sensors for Medicine and Science, Inc.
Inventors:
Arthur E. Colvin, Jr., Paul Samuel Zerwekh, Jeffrey C. Lesho, Robert William Lynn, Carrie R. Lorenz, Casey J. O'Connor, Steven J. Walters
Abstract: Printed products are accurately detected, counted and tracked as they move from a gripper conveyor to a lay down conveyor. The printed products are further tracked from a position where they reach a sensor upstream of the stacker where the position of selected printed products is provided to the stacker, together with a flag for those selected printed products, to assure that all of the stacker operations, including product stream interception, turntable rotation and bundle ejection, are performed with precision. Counting and tracking are performed by different sensors upstream relative to the stacker and the tracking function is transferred to the stacker when a flagged signature reaches a nip of the stacker infeed. Counting of printed products by the stacker is eliminated.