Abstract: The present application provides techniques and/or systems for inspecting a pipe, or rather measuring one or more characteristics of a pipe, using radiation. A carriage, mounted to the pipe, may provide a mechanism for propelling a radiation source and a detector along the pipe. The detector is configured such that it can receive radiation that has traversed both a wall of the pipe and an obstacle, such as a pipe support. In this way, portions of a pipe that are traditionally difficult to inspect may be inspected easily with minimal human intervention.

Abstract: Axisymmetric solid of revolution derivable from section at FIG. 5 is generally toroidal with electric current(s) in windings 110, 160 preferably flowing circumferentially along major circle(s) during power coupling device operation. Current(s) in windings 110, 160; current(s) in half-shields 120, 170; and the volume of space swept out by shield airgap(s) 101 emerge from plane of paper perpendicularly at FIG. 5 but as these emerge therefrom they curve to follow toroidal major circle(s). Cores 115, 165 preferably shunt and align magnetic flux such that magnetic field lines escape therefrom primarily only in region(s) of core airgap(s) and such that magnetic flux loops lie in planes of toroidal minor circle(s).

Abstract: The present application provides techniques and/or systems for inspecting a pipe, or rather measuring one or more characteristics of a pipe, using radiation. A carriage, mounted to the pipe, may provide a mechanism for propelling a radiation source and a detector along the pipe. The detector is configured such that it can receive radiation that has traversed both a wall of the pipe and an obstacle, such as a pipe support. In this way, portions of a pipe that are traditionally difficult to inspect may be inspected easily with minimal human intervention.

Abstract: An apparatus including a base, a linkage extending along a second axis and pivotally connected to the base for pivotal movement about a first axis perpendicular to the second axis, a leg having a first end pivotally connected to the linkage for pivotal movement about the second axis, and a frame secured to a second end of the leg. A stand extends from the base, and a first slide is secured to a distal end of the stand for pivotal movement with respect to the distal end of the stand. A first guide is supported by the first slide for movement with respect to the first slide, and a second slide is secured to an end of the first guide. A second guide is pivotally connected to the frame and supported by the second slide for movement with respect to the second slide. The frame can be used to support a plating mask and is movable along a surface of an imaginary sphere having a center located at the intersection of the first and the second axes.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an anti-scatter grid including arranging a plurality of elongated metal ribbons of radio-opaque material so that each ribbon is substantially straight and lies in a plane that passes through a focal point of the grid, and placing the elongated ribbons under tension. A first sheet of radioluscent material is secured to top edges of the ribbons, and a second sheet of radioluscent material is secured to bottom edges of the ribbons. The ribbons are arranged such that the first and second radioluscent sheets are substantially parallel. Then the tension is removed from the ribbons.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an anti-scatter grid including arranging a plurality of elongated metal ribbons of radio-opaque material so that each ribbon is substantially straight and lies in a plane that passes through a focal point of the grid, and placing the elongated ribbons under tension. A first sheet of radioluscent material is secured to top edges of the ribbons, and a second sheet of radioluscent material is secured to bottom edges of the ribbons. The ribbons are arranged such that the first and second radioluscent sheets are substantially parallel. Then the tension is removed from the ribbons.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an anti-scatter grid having a desired height. The method includes positioning a bottom surface of a mask of dielectric material, with a depth at least equal to the desired height of the anti-scatter grid, on a sheet of metal, cutting first and second series of intrinsically focused slots through a top surface of the mask to the sheet of metal, plating the sheet of metal at the bottom of each of the slots of the mask with a radiopaque material to form partition walls of the anti-scatter grid, and continuing to plate the radiopaque material into the slots of the mask until the desired height of the anti-scatter grid is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for stabilizing CT number calculations by a CT system against fluctuations in the x-ray source voltage due to voltage source drift. A voltage reference level is established, by adjusting the voltage to the value which yields the correct CT number for a sample having a known CT number value. The x-ray energy spectrum measured by a kV meter is used to maintain the voltage constant at this reference level. The kV meter has a principal detector that generates a first intensity magnitude of the x-rays, and an auxiliary detector that generates a second intensity magnitude. The auxiliary detector includes an absorber that preferentially absorbs x-ray photons having a relatively low energy. A feedback controller provides to the voltage source a voltage control signal, which is continuously adjusted as a function of the first and second intensity magnitudes, so as to maintain the voltage constant at the reference level.

Abstract: A rotating-patient computed tomography scanning system in which the detector offset is measured in real time for each scan. At least one x-ray--absorbent reference structure is disposed in the field of view, so that a projection of the reference structure is present in every view of the patient. The position of the reference structure can be expressed in terms of the detector offset for each view of the patient. The detector offset for a given image can therefore be determined at the time the image data is obtained. The offset value is used in the data obtained from the current scan to reconstruct images that are free of artifacts that are caused by errors in the detector offset.

Abstract: A system for and method of generating a reconstructed tomographic image is described using an asymmetric detector array during a helical scan. An improved helical weighting system applies a helical halfscan technique to data collected by a symmetric portion of an asymmetric detector system and applies a helical fullscan technique to data collected by an asymmetric portion of the asymmetric detector system. The preferred system comprises an equi-angle interpolator, a streak artifact suppression filter, and an isocenter interpolator that preserve the distinction between even and odd data points in parallel beam projection data.

Abstract: Bulk rolls of film are pre-exposed with a latent image of artwork positioned within a film frame. Multiple frames, each having an artwork image portion and an opaque portion, are formed within an imaging filmstrip formed in a continuous loop. The continuous loop is rotated while a portion of the filmstrip is in contact with a portion of the bulk film for transferring the artwork image from the filmstrip to the bulk film. The bulk film is advanced while a light source exposes the film when in contact with the filmstrip. The pre-exposed bulk roll of film is punched at preselected sprocket holes corresponding to the filmstrip length for providing a reference sprocket hole within each length of film cut from the bulk roll for loading within a camera for double exposure of the film and placement of a second latent image in juxtaposition with the artwork.

Abstract: A fun camera provides precise registration of a latent image within a film frame with subsequent images placed on the filmstrip through exposure of the filmstrip within the camera. Rolls of film are pre-exposed with the latent image of artwork positioned within film frames. Masks are provided for insertion of the camera frame opening for shielding that portion of the film frame which contains the artwork latent image. The art work is placed onto the pre-exposed filmstrip using an imaging filmstrip formed in a continuous loop. The continuous loop having multiple artwork images thereon is rotated while a portion of the filmstrip is in contact with a portion of the bulk film for transferring the artwork image from the filmstrip to the bulk film. The bulk film is advanced while a light source exposes the film when in contact with the filmstrip.

Abstract: A method for exposing film with a latent image, wherein the latent image is in precise registration with a subsequent image placed onto the filmstrip. Pre-exposed artwork is positioned to enhance a finished photograph creating a pleasing and interesting photograph without special efforts by a user. An exposure frame opening of the camera has a shielded portion in registration with the pre-exposed filmstrip artwork portion of the filmstrip. To place the artwork in proper registration, an imaging filmstrip is formed having an image of the artwork. The artwork image is located using an alignment filmstrip formed using the camera itself. Subsequent exposure provides each frame of the pre-exposed filmstrip with images in pleasing juxtaposition.

Abstract: A method for pre-exposing a variety of latent images onto a filmstrip for use in a single use camera is presented wherein the latent images are in precise registration with subsequent images placed onto the filmstrip. Pre-exposed artwork is positioned to enhance a finished photograph creating a pleasing and interesting photograph without special efforts by a user. An exposure frame opening of the single use camera has a shielded portion in registration with the pre-exposed filmstrip artwork portion of the filmstrip. To place the artwork in proper registration, an imaging filmstrip is formed having an image of the artwork. The artwork image is located using an alignment filmstrip formed using the single use camera itself. The results providing for a subsequent exposure of each frame of the pre-exposed filmstrip having images in pleasing juxtaposition.

Abstract: Accurately altering a precisely located site on a substrate by: (a) providing a vacuum chamber; (b) providing an energy beam; (c) providing a source of a hydrocarbon and a conduit extending between the source and the chamber, the hydrocarbon being capable of being adsorbed in the substrate and of interacting with the energy beam to alter the substrate; (d) positioning the substrate in the chamber to be exposed to hydrocarbon delivered by the conduit; (e) introducing into the conduit a carrier having a vapor pressure above the vapor pressure of the hydrocarbon, the carrier being in vapor form under conditions existing in the conduit and having a bulk velocity that transports the hydrocarbon by molecular collisions into the chamber, the hydrocarbon being adsorbed on the surface of the substrate, free carrier molecules being drawn off sufficiently rapidly to maintain low pressure in the chamber; and (e) while maintaining the low chamber pressure, directing the energy beam to the site in the presence of the absor

Abstract: A tomography data acquisition system in which the signal processing of signals from a radiation detector is a function of the angular position of the detector relative to a center path from the radiation source through the center of a tomography subject, and which results in system hardware savings. The information content of detector signals derived from radiation paths progressively outward from the center path is progressively less than the information content of detector signals derived from the central radiation path. The sampling rate of the outward detector signals can be lower without loss of information. The resolution of the outward detector signals can also be lower, and as desired, either the sampling rate or the resolution or both can be varied in accordance with the position of the detector in relation to the center path.

Abstract: A system for profiling of structural sections with penetrating radiation in which a head includes a radiation source that projects a fan shaped radiation pattern from one side of the section to be profiled to a diametrically opposite side at which is located an array of detectors. The head is used to detect both attenuation of the rays by the section and the section position, and is not changed or reconfigured for variations in scale. A prior knowledge of the geometric shape of the section permits calculation of total cross-sectional area for weight determination or determination of geometric conformity to a predetermined standard, the calculations being derivable from the individual outputs of the detectors. Compensation for displacement of the profiled article during measurement is also provided.