Patents Examined by Mindy Vu
  • Patent number: 9194796
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting hidden hazardous substance including the steps of: performing terahertz imaging for a detected object; judging whether there is a suspicious area containing the hidden hazardous substance in a terahertz image of the detected object obtained by the terahertz imaging; performing a multi-wavelength spectroscopy measurement to the suspicious area, determining whether the hazardous substance is contained in the suspicious area according to results of multi-wavelength spectroscopy measurement; and outputting the image of the detected object and hazardous substance detecting result. Also disclosed is an apparatus for implementing the method for detecting the hidden hazardous substance according to the present invention. Determination of the hidden hazardous substance can be performed from the perspectives of shape features and substance composition, thus the accuracy of detection is greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited, Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Ziran Zhao, Yingxin Wang, Zhiqiang Chen, Wanlong Wu
  • Patent number: 9188311
    Abstract: A phosphor device (1) comprising a carrier member (2) having upper and lower faces; a phosphor layer (3) being arranged at the upper face of the carrier member (2), wherein the phosphor layer (3) comprises at least two tiled phosphor zones (R, G, B); an optical transmitting member (4) having a first end face (7) and a second end face (9), the optical transmitting member (4) being arranged at the top portion of the phosphor layer (3), whereby the first end face (7) of the optical transmitting member (4) covers at least a subarea (8) of each of the at least two phosphor zones (R, G, B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: OSRAM GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Bruemmer, Ulrich Hartwig, Nico Morgenbrod, Matthias Morkel, Henning Rehn
  • Patent number: 9189074
    Abstract: An optical sensor system is disclosed. The optical sensor system comprises a panel and a sensing unit. The panel comprises a plurality of transparent areas. The sensing unit locates at one side of the panel and the sensing unit senses a plurality of first light signals reflected by an object and senses a plurality second light signals of an ambient light. The reflected first light signals and the second light signals pass through one of the plurality of transparent areas of the panel. The sensing unit further comprises a light sensor and a plurality of gesture sensors. The light sensor locates at the center of the sensing unit, and the light sensor senses the second light signals. The plurality of gesture sensors surrounds the light sensor, and the gesture sensors senses the reflected first light signals and then produce gesture signals corresponding to motions of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: CAPELLA MICROSYSTEMS (TAIWAN), INC.
    Inventors: Jinn-Ann Kuo, Yu-Hao Kao, Koon-Wing Tsang, Yuh-Min Lin, Cheng-Chung Shih, Yao-Tsung Tsai
  • Patent number: 9188682
    Abstract: A computed radiography system includes a stimulating light source, a imaging plate (IP), a light collector having a bundle of optical fibers, a light detector, a mechanism providing relative movement in two orthogonal directions between the IP and the stimulating light source while maintaining the perpendicular relationship between the IP and the stimulating light, and a mechanism including an analog to digital converter for converting the collected and detected PLL to a diagnostic readout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: 3D IMAGING & SIMULATIONS CORP.
    Inventors: Sung Woon Lee, Jung Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9182454
    Abstract: Improved electric field (steered-electron electric-field, or SEEF) sensors and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. The SEEF sensors described herein may have increased sensitivity to low-frequency electric fields while being smaller than previously known sensors, and may allow for low-power electric field detection. The invention described herein allows for sensitive, long-term electric field monitoring for applications ranging from personnel detection to underground facility monitoring, as well as extraordinarily small vector sensing (full Poynting vector) for compact direction-finding of emitters of interest. Exemplary electric field sensors may accurately sense, measure, characterize and/or transmit electric field data over a wide frequency range. Importantly, such sensing, measuring, and/or characterizing do not require any physical or resistive contact between the sensor and a source of an electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignees: Leidos, Inc., Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Kirt Reed Williams, Scott Limb, Dirk De Bruyker
  • Patent number: 9182503
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a scintillation pixel array, a radiation sensing apparatus, a scintillation apparatus, and methods of making a scintillation pixel array wherein scintillation pixels have beveled surfaces and a reflective material around the beveled surfaces. The embodiments described herein can reduce the amount of cross-talk between adjacent scintillation pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventor: Peter R. Menge
  • Patent number: 9185314
    Abstract: Output voltage of a charge-to-voltage converter used in an image sensing system is compared with one or more thresholds to determine if the output voltage exceeds predetermined threshold levels. If the output voltage exceeds one or more of the threshold levels, the input terminal of the charge-to-voltage converter is connected to a reference voltage to prevent the charge-to-voltage converter from saturating. Problems that could be caused due to overload of the voltage-to-charge converter are obviated. In an embodiment, the charge-to-voltage converter is implemented by an operational amplifier (OPAMP). A pair of comparators compares the output of the OPAMP with corresponding threshold voltages. The result of the comparison is used to generate a signal for connecting the input of the OPAMP to the reference voltage, thereby preventing saturation of the OPAMP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Rajiv Shrikant Mantri, Nagesh Surendranath
  • Patent number: 9177680
    Abstract: A collimator (100) for collimating radiation includes collimator material (150) and at least one collimator hole (110) defined by the surrounding collimator material (150). The collimator hole (110) defines an aperture (112) and a bottom surface (132) through which radiation can leave the collimator (100). The volume of the collimator hole between the aperture (112) and the entrance opening and/or exit opening is shaped such that there is at least one cross-section of the hole between the aperture (112) and the entrance opening and/or exit opening, the cross-section being taken parallel with the aperture, such that the shape of the cross-section of the hole cannot be obtained through an affine transform of the shape of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: UNIVERSITEIT GENT
    Inventors: Stefaan Vandenberghe, Steven Staelens, Karel Deprez
  • Patent number: 9170193
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a leak in a gas cooled generator is provided. The apparatus includes a subsystem for introducing a non-corrosive second gas having an infrared absorption spectrum into the generator. The apparatus also includes an imaging component adapted to detect radiation at the infrared absorption spectrum of the non-corrosive second gas. The imaging component is provided with a filter that filters wavelengths in a range encompassing the infrared absorption spectrum of the non-corrosive second gas. The imaging component displays an image of the tracer gas leaking from the generator on the imaging component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Jun Xu, Leonard Paul Squillacioti, Stephen Frank Francese, Brian Scott Shewchuk, Erich John Wollman
  • Patent number: 9161430
    Abstract: A Helical Resonator Ion Accelerator in which ions are injected into a hollow dielectric pipe forming a vacuum chamber along which the ions are accelerated. The pipe is wrapped with a coil and positioned inside a metal pipe. The dielectric pipe, the coil and the metal pipe are arranged coaxially on an axis along which ions are accelerated. The metal pipe is positioned within a high intensity 0.5-3.0 Tesla solenoid. A pulse generator is coupled to the coil to generate a voltage wave pulse. The pulse travels down the axis of the accelerator on the helix formed by the coil. An ion source injects deuteron ions along the axis of the vacuum chamber. A traveling voltage wave is accelerated by tapering the characteristic velocity of the accelerator in the direction of wave propagation by tapering the coil and the outer metal pipe together in a constant ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: HELIONX LLC
    Inventor: Dennis E. Bahr
  • Patent number: 9151722
    Abstract: The systems for determining and imaging wax deposition and simultaneous corrosion and wax deposit determination in pipelines relate to systems for determining wax deposition and corrosion by one or both of two techniques. In both techniques, a source of neutron radiation is directed at the pipeline. In one technique, a neutron detector surrounded by an absorption shield defining a collimation window counts neutrons reflected back to the detector by back diffusion or backscatter radiation. In the other technique, a gamma ray detector measures gamma rays emitted when the emitted neutrons are absorbed in the pipeline. A neutron moderator-reflector is placed around three sides of the pipeline to increase the likelihood of neutron capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: KING ABDULAZIZ UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Samir Abdul-Majid Alzaidi
  • Patent number: 9140807
    Abstract: A method and device for improving the optical performance (such as time resolution) of scintillation detectors using the optical bleaching technique are disclosed. Light of a selected wavelength is emitted by a light source into a scintillator. The wavelength is selected to meet the minimum energy requirement for releasing of charge carriers captured by the charge carrier traps in the scintillation material. Trap-mediated scintillation components are thus reduced by optical bleaching and the optical performance of the scintillator crystal and the detector is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Carl Cohen, A. Andrew Carey, Mark S. Andreaco, Matthias Schmand
  • Patent number: 9134224
    Abstract: An optical path of infrared rays (see the broken lines in FIG. 1) is modified to a substantially U-like shape by a first reflecting mirror and a second reflecting mirror. An incidence angle of the infrared rays incident on the wavelength filter (an angle between the infrared rays incident on the surface of the wavelength filter and the line perpendicular to the surface of the wavelength filter) is nearly zero. For this reason, as compared with a conventional example, the influence of the incidence angle dependence of the wavelength filter can be reduced. As a result, the amount of the infrared rays reaching the light receiving unit through the wavelength filter is increased, thereby suppressing a decline in the detection accuracy of the gas component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Matsushima, Eiichi Furukubo
  • Patent number: 9134439
    Abstract: A radiation detector system that effectively solves the electron trapping problem by optimizing shielding of individual virtual Frisch-grid detectors in an array configuration with a common cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Aleksey Bolotnikov, Ralph B. James, Gianluigi De Geronimo, Emerson Vernon
  • Patent number: 9129770
    Abstract: An ion source for use in a radiation generator includes a sealed envelope containing an ionizable gas therein. The ion source also includes a RF antenna external to the sealed envelope, the RF antenna to transmit time-varying electromagnetic fields within the sealed envelope for producing ions from the ionizable gas. There is at least one extractor within the sealed envelope having a potential such that the ions are attracted toward the at least one extractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Luke Perkins, Benjamin Levitt, Peter Wraight, Arthur D. Liberman
  • Patent number: 9121947
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting neutrons includes an array of pillars, wherein each of the pillars comprises a rounded cross sectional shape where the cross section is taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the respective pillar, a cavity region between each of the pillars, and a neutron sensitive material located in each cavity region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Rebecca J. Nikolic, Adam Conway, Qinghui Shao, Lars Voss, Chin Li Cheung, Mushtaq A. Dar
  • Patent number: 9121953
    Abstract: A radiation detector system that solves the electron trapping problem by optimizing shielding of the individual virtual Frisch-grid detectors in an array configuration with a common cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Aleksey E. Bolotnikov, Ge Yang, Giuseppe Camarda, Yonggang Cui, Anwar Hossain, Ki Hyun Kim, Ralph B. James
  • Patent number: 9116250
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes a housing to contain a radiation detecting gas. The housing has a first thermal expansion over an operating temperature range. An elongate electrode extends within the housing and has opposing first and second ends, with the first end secured to adjacent portion of the housing. The elongate electrode has second thermal expansion over the operating temperature range defining a difference with respect to the first thermal expansion. A temperature compensator is coupled between the second end of the elongate electrode and an adjacent portion of the housing. The temperature compensator has a third thermal expansion over the operating temperature range to maintain a tension on the elongate electrode within a desired range over the operating temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua W. Gibson, Anthony F. Veneruso
  • Patent number: 9117628
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for characterizing a particle beam provides receiving a particle beam in a central region of a reduced pressure enclosure; impacting the received beam against a beam strike that is thermally isolated from the enclosure; measuring a temperature change of the beam strike due to the impacting beam; measuring a pressure change in the enclosure due to receiving the beam; and processing the measured temperature change and the measured pressure change to determine beam characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Exogenesis Corporation
    Inventors: Sean R. Kirkpatrick, Allen R. Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 9097681
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus of inspecting an overlapped substrate obtained by bonding substrates together is provided. The apparatus includes a first holding unit configured to hold and rotate the overlapped substrate, and a displacement gauge configured to measure displacements of peripheral sides of a first substrate and a second substrate constituting the overlapped substrate while rotating the overlapped substrate held by the first holding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Shinji Koga, Akinori Miyahara, Hiroshi Tomita, Shuji Iwanaga, Takeshi Tamura