Patents by Inventor Clifford Bueno

Clifford Bueno has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7745797
    Abstract: A digital radiography imaging system having a digital x-ray detector that is easy to manufacture and produces high quality images with no artifacts. The digital x-ray detector including a front cover, a scintillator screen member, a light imager panel member having a surface in direct contact with an adjoining surface of the scintillator screen member, a compressible member positioned between the front cover and the scintillator screen member to apply pressure to the scintillator screen member and the adjoining surface between the scintillator screen member and the light imager panel member, electronic circuitry mounted on at least one printed circuit board and coupled to the light imager panel, a back cover, and a plurality of fasteners for fastening the front cover to the back cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Chen Zhang, Habib Vafi, Zhimin Sun, Kenneth Scott Kump, Clifford Bueno, Clarence Lavere Gordon, III
  • Patent number: 7706502
    Abstract: A cargo container inspection radiation detector apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support, and a plurality of area radiation detectors disposed upon the support arranged corresponding to a height of the cargo container, each area radiation detector comprising an active area defined by a matrix of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Morpho Detection, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Joseph Bendahan, Elizabeth Lokenberg Dixon, Clarence Lavere Gordon, III, William Robert Ross, Donald Earl Castleberry, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Douglas Albagli
  • Patent number: 7692161
    Abstract: A computed radiography plate including a substrate is provided. The computed radiography plate also includes at least one phosphor layer disposed above the substrate. The computed radiography plate also includes a protective layer disposed above the phosphor layer. The computed radiography plate further includes multiple patterns inscribed within at least one of the phosphor layer, the protective layer or the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nelson Raymond Corby, Jr., Clifford Bueno
  • Patent number: 7608829
    Abstract: A scintillation detector comprising nano-scale particles of a scintillation compound embedded in a plastic matrix is provided. The nano-scale particles may be made from metal oxides, metal oxyhalides, metal oxysulfides, or metal halides. Methods are provided for preparing the nano-scale particles. The particles may be coated with organic compounds or polymers prior to incorporation in the plastic matrix. A technique for matching the refractive index of the plastic matrix with the nano-scale particles by incorporating nano-scale particles of titanium dioxide is also provided. The scintillator may be coupled with one or more photodetectors to form a scintillation detection system. The scintillation detection system may be adapted for use in X-ray and radiation imaging devices, such as digital X-ray imaging, mammography, CT, PET, or SPECT, or may be used in radiation security detectors or subterranean radiation detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sergio Paulo Martins Loureiro, James Scott Vartuli, Brent Allen Clothier, Steven Jude Duclos, Mohan Manoharan, Patrick Roland Lucien Malenfant, Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani, Clifford Bueno
  • Publication number: 20090232277
    Abstract: An inspection system is provided. The inspection system includes at least one radiation source including single or multiple energies and configured to transmit a radiation beam through an object under inspection. The inspection system further includes an array of detectors configured to receive multiple radiation beams transmitted through the object, wherein the array of detectors are oriented at different angles with respect to the radiation beam and wherein at least one of the radiation source, and the array of detectors or the object is configured to be actuated in a translational direction relative to each other. The inspection system further includes processing circuitry coupled to the array of detectors and configured to generate a three dimensional image of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Forrest Frank Hopkins, Clifford Bueno, Yanfeng Du, Joseph Bendahan
  • Patent number: 7586252
    Abstract: A phosphor admixture includes a phosphor powder and a number of radiation capture electron emitters. The emitters are dispersed within the phosphor powder. A phosphor screen includes phosphor particles, radiation capture electron emitters and a binder. The emitters and phosphor particles are dispersed within the binder. An imaging assembly includes a phosphor screen configured to receive incident radiation and to emit corresponding optical signals. An electronic device is coupled to the phosphor screen. The electronic device is configured to receive the optical signals from the phosphor screen and to generate an imaging signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Steven Jude Duclos, David Michael Hoffman, John Michael Cuffe
  • Patent number: 7550754
    Abstract: A computed radiography (CR) system for imaging an object is provided. The system includes a radiation source, a storage phosphor screen, an illumination source and a two dimensional imager. The radiation source is configured to irradiate the storage phosphor screen, and the storage phosphor screen is configured to store the radiation energy. The illumination source is configured to illuminate at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen. The two dimensional (2D) imager is configured to capture a two dimensional image from the storage phosphor screen using the stimulated emission photons. A method of reading a storage phosphor screen is also provided. The method includes illuminating at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen using an illumination source to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Nelson Raymond Corby, Jr., Kenneth Gordon Herd
  • Patent number: 7547895
    Abstract: An adaptable imaging assembly is provided. The adaptable imaging assembly includes a free-standing phosphor film configured to receive incident radiation and to emit corresponding optical signals. An electronic device is coupled to the free-standing phosphor film. The electronic device is configured to receive the optical signals from the free-standing phosphor film and to generate an imaging signal. A free-standing phosphor film is also provided and includes x-ray phosphor particles dispersed in a silicone binder. A method for inspecting a component is also provided and includes exposing the component and a free-standing phosphor film to radiation, generating corresponding optical signals with the free standing phosphor film, receiving the optical signals with an electronic device coupled to the free-standing phosphor film and generating an imaging signal using the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Venkatesan Manivannan, Clifford Bueno, Stephen Jude Duclos, Stanley John Stoklosa, Douglas Albagli, Paul Alan Mc Connelee
  • Publication number: 20090146079
    Abstract: A computed radiography plate including a substrate is provided. The computed radiography plate also includes at least one phosphor layer disposed above the substrate. The computed radiography plate also includes a protective layer disposed above the phosphor layer. The computed radiography plate further includes multiple patterns inscribed within at least one of the phosphor layer, the protective layer or the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nelson Raymond Corby, JR., Clifford Bueno
  • Patent number: 7522756
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for processing a radiographic image of a scanned object is disclosed. A pixel offset correction is performed in integer format on the radiographic image using saturation arithmetic to produce an image in integer format with any negative corrected values clipped to a value of zero. The resulting pixels are converted to floating point format and the converted pixels are multiplied by a gain factor. Optionally the resulting pixels are recursively averaged with previous results. The resulting pixels are converted to integer format and the converted pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. Non-functional pixel correction is performed in integer format and the resulting pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. An optional processing path replaces the recursive average by a linear average. The resulting pixel values are optionally filtered to enhance features of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Elizabeth Lokenberg Dixon, Walter Vincent Dixon, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Michael Robert Hopple, Brian Walter Lasiuk, Ronald Cecil McFarland, August David Matula, Robert James Mitchell, Jr., Kevin Layne Moermond, Gregory Alan Mohr
  • Publication number: 20090078892
    Abstract: A computed radiography system is provided. The computed radiography system includes an imaging plate configured to store a radiation energy pattern of an object or emit multiple prompt emission photons of the radiation energy pattern upon irradiation or a combination thereof. The computed radiography system also includes at least one light source configured to illuminate at least a sub-area of the imaging plate for a time period of less than about a second. The at least one light source is configured to stimulate at least one of an emission of multiple photons of the radiation energy pattern stored in the imaging plate. The computed radiography system further includes a two dimensional imager configured to capture at least one two dimensional image from the at least a sub-area of the imaging plate using one of an image emitted from the radiation energy pattern stored or an image emitted from prompt emission or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nelson Raymond Corby, JR., Clifford Bueno
  • Patent number: 7499599
    Abstract: A method and program product for real-time correction of non-functioning pixels in digital radiography, where the method comprises: receiving a list of non-functioning pixels; determining which neighboring functioning pixels are needed to correct the non-functioning pixels; organizing those neighboring functioning pixels and corresponding non-functioning pixels into a plurality of groups by a number of pixels used to perform correction; and performing correction of data from non-functioning pixels within one of the plurality of groups and subsequently performing correction of data from non-functioning pixels within another one of the plurality of groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Elizabeth Lokenberg Dixon, Walter Vincent Dixon, Clifford Bueno, Gregory Alan Mohr, Brian Walter Lasiuk
  • Publication number: 20080298545
    Abstract: A cargo container inspection radiation detector apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support, and a plurality of area radiation detectors disposed upon the support arranged corresponding to a height of the cargo container, each area radiation detector comprising an active area defined by a matrix of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Joseph Bendahan, Elizabeth Lokenberg Dixon, Clarence Lavere Gordon, III, William Robert Ross, Donald Earl Castleberry, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Douglas Albagli
  • Publication number: 20080298546
    Abstract: A method of improving a signal to noise ratio of an image data set of a cargo container is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a radiation beam toward the cargo container, detecting the transmitted radiation beam via a plurality of area radiation detectors, each area radiation detector comprising an active area defined by a matrix of pixels, thereby defining enhanced radiation data, processing the enhanced radiation data and reconstructing the image data set representative of contents of the cargo container, combining image attributes of the image data set to improve the signal to noise ratio, thereby defining an enhanced image data set, and displaying on a display the enhanced image data set comprising an improved signal to noise ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Joseph Bendahan, Elizabeth Lokenberg Dixon, Clarence Lavere Gordon, III, William Robert Ross, Donald Earl Castleberry, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Douglas Albagli, Robert August Kaucic, Jr., William Macomber Leue
  • Publication number: 20080237470
    Abstract: A scintillation detector comprising nano-scale particles of a scintillation compound embedded in a plastic matrix is provided. The nano-scale particles may be made from metal oxides, metal oxyhalides, metal oxysulfides, or metal halides. Methods are provided for preparing the nano-scale particles. The particles may be coated with organic compounds or polymers prior to incorporation in the plastic matrix. A technique for matching the refractive index of the plastic matrix with the nano-scale particles by incorporating nano-scale particles of titanium dioxide is also provided. The scintillator may be coupled with one or more photodetectors to form a scintillation detection system. The scintillation detection system may be adapted for use in X-ray and radiation imaging devices, such as digital X-ray imaging, mammography, CT, PET, or SPECT, or may be used in radiation security detectors or subterranean radiation detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Sergio Paulo Martins Loureiro, James Scott Vartuli, Brent Allen Clothier, Steven Jude Duclos, Mohan Manoharan, Patrick Roland Lucien Malenfant, Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani, Clifford Bueno
  • Publication number: 20080185535
    Abstract: A computed radiography (CR) system for imaging an object is provided. The system includes a radiation source, a storage phosphor screen, an illumination source and a two dimensional imager. The radiation source is configured to irradiate the storage phosphor screen, and the storage phosphor screen is configured to store the radiation energy. The illumination source is configured to illuminate at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen. The two dimensional (2D) imager is configured to capture a two dimensional image from the storage phosphor screen using the stimulated emission photons. A method of reading a storage phosphor screen is also provided. The method includes illuminating at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen using an illumination source to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Nelson Raymond Corby, Kenneth Gordon Herd
  • Publication number: 20080166033
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for processing a radiographic image of a scanned object is disclosed. A pixel offset correction is performed in integer format on the radiographic image using saturation arithmetic to produce an image in integer format with any negative corrected values clipped to a value of zero. The resulting pixels are converted to floating point format and the converted pixels are multiplied by a gain factor. Optionally the resulting pixels are recursively averaged with previous results. The resulting pixels are converted to integer format and the converted pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. Non-functional pixel correction is performed in integer format and the resulting pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. An optional processing path replaces the recursive average by a linear average. The resulting pixel values are optionally filtered to enhance features of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Elizabeth Dixon, Walter Dixon, Forrest Hopkins, Michael Hopple, Brian Lasiuk, Ronald McFarland, August Matula, Robert Mitchell, Kevin Moermond, Gregory Mohr
  • Publication number: 20070290135
    Abstract: An adaptable imaging assembly is provided. The adaptable imaging assembly includes a free-standing phosphor film configured to receive incident radiation and to emit corresponding optical signals. An electronic device is coupled to the free-standing phosphor film. The electronic device is configured to receive the optical signals from the free-standing phosphor film and to generate an imaging signal. A free-standing phosphor film is also provided and includes x-ray phosphor particles dispersed in a silicone binder. A method for inspecting a component is also provided and includes exposing the component and a free-standing phosphor film to radiation, generating corresponding optical signals with the free standing phosphor film, receiving the optical signals with an electronic device coupled to the free-standing phosphor film and generating an imaging signal using the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Venkatesan Manivannan, Clifford Bueno, Steven Duclos, Stanley Stoklosa, Douglas Albagli, Paul Mc Connelee
  • Publication number: 20070257197
    Abstract: A detector assembly is provided. The detector assembly includes a configurable x-ray detector having an area no greater than 10.2 centimeters (cm)×10.2 centimeters (cm) and an embedded controller coupled to the configurable x-ray detector and configured to control the configurable x-ray detector and to format image data from the configurable x-ray detector for wireless transmission. The detector assembly also includes a wireless transmission device configured to wirelessly transmit the image data to a user interface device and a power storage device configured to provide electrical power to the configurable x-ray detector, the wireless transmission device and to the embedded controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventors: Clarence Gordon, Clifford Bueno, Elizabeth Dixon, Edward Nieters, William Ross, Richard Bossi, Michael Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 7244955
    Abstract: A computed radiography (CR) system for imaging an object is provided. The system includes a radiation source, a storage phosphor screen, an illumination source and a two dimensional imager. The radiation source is configured to irradiate the storage phosphor screen, and the storage phosphor screen is configured to store the radiation energy. The illumination source is configured to illuminate at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen. The two dimensional (2D) imager is configured to capture a two dimensional image from the storage phosphor screen using the stimulated emission photons. A method of reading a storage phosphor screen is also provided. The method includes illuminating at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen using an illumination source to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Nelson Raymond Corby, Jr., Kenneth Gordon Herd