Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined imaging detector (10, 20) for detection of gamma and x-ray quanta comprising an integrating x-ray detector (11) comprising a first scintillator layer (12) and a photodetector array (13) and a second structured scintillator layer (14), optionally as part of a second gamma detector having a second photodetector array. The combined imaging detector can be used for X-ray and SPECT detection and uses the principle of current flat x-ray detectors. Different resolutions are used: high spatial resolution for x-ray imaging and low spatial resolution for SPECT imaging.

Abstract: A battery module includes features to optimize cooling while providing electrical isolation and cell gas-venting channels. The battery module can include the integration of a heatsink in order to improve thermal performance. Thermally conductive pads can be provided to create an electrically isolated interface between a plurality of series-connected battery-cell lead plates, at different potentials, and the heatsink. Optimization, by stacking thin and thick thermally conductive pads, allows for creation of gas-venting channels along the positive cell terminal locations. In some arrangements, a plurality of fluid paths are disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the battery module to provide heat convective airflow through the battery module.

Abstract: A battery module includes features to optimize cooling while providing electrical isolation and cell gas-venting channels. The battery module can include the integration of a heatsink in order to improve thermal performance. Thermally conductive pads can be provided to create an electrically isolated interface between a plurality of series-connected battery-cell lead plates, at different potentials, and the heatsink. Optimization, by stacking thin and thick thermally conductive pads, allows for creation of gas-venting channels along the positive cell terminal locations. In some arrangements, a plurality of fluid paths are disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the battery module to provide heat convective airflow through the battery module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for imaging an object in an x-ray imaging mode and in a gamma imaging mode. A radiation detector (1) of the system comprises a conversion unit (202) including a plurality of detector pixels (2061, . . . ,M) and generating for each detection event a detection signal indicative of an energy of the event, and a counting unit (203) including for each detector pixel (2061, . . . ,M) a plurality of comparators (209i; 1, . . . ,N) and associating each detection event to one of a plurality of predetermined energy bins based on the detection signals using the comparators (209i; 1, . . . ,N). In the x-ray imaging mode, the comparators (209i; 1, . . . ,N) of one pixel (2061, . . . ,M), and in the gamma imaging mode, the comparators (209i; 1, . . . ,N) of several pixels (2061, . . . ,M) are available for the association so that more energy bins are available in the gamma imaging mode than in the x-ray imaging mode.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a heating element, which can be an electric ribbon-type heating element. The heating element can be switched on when pack temperatures are near or fall below the minimum discharge or charge operating temperatures. The heating element can simultaneously function to heat the battery cells and as a separator for a group of cells bound together to form a lightweight battery pack. With such a configuration, the disclosed ribbon-type heater is less prone to damage due to vibration of the battery pack. The heating element can be self-powered by the battery pack cells with DC power or can be externally AC or DC powered. The disclosed heating element is self-contained and controlled by the battery pack BMS. In installations where heating elements are not desired, inactive separator elements can be alternatively provided, thereby reducing costs and avoiding the need to reconfigure other components of the battery pack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined imaging detector for detection of gamma and x-ray quanta comprising an x-ray detector (31) for generating x-ray detection signals in response to detected x-ray quanta and a gamma detector (32) for generating gamma detection signals in response to detected gamma quanta. The x-ray detector (31) and the gamma detector (32) are arranged in a stacked configuration along a radiation-receiving direction (33). The gamma detector (32) comprises a gamma collimator plate (320) comprising a plurality of pinholes (321), and a gamma conversion layer (322, 324) for converting detected gamma quanta into gamma detection signals.

Abstract: A battery module includes features to optimize cooling while providing electrical isolation and cell gas-venting channels. The battery module can include the integration of a heatsink in order to improve thermal performance. Thermally conductive pads can be provided to create an electrically isolated interface between a plurality of series-connected battery-cell lead plates, at different potentials, and the heatsink. Optimization, by stacking thin and thick thermally conductive pads, allows for creation of gas-venting channels along the positive cell terminal locations. In some arrangements, a plurality of fluid paths are disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the battery module to provide heat convective airflow through the battery module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for imaging an object. It is described to receive (110) by at least a portion of first pixels of a first area (A, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8) of an X-ray detector (20) first radiation emitted by at least one X-ray source (30). The X-ray detector is configured such that X-ray radiation received by a pixel leads to the generation of signal in that pixel. A plurality of first signals representative of corresponding signals on the plurality of first pixels are stored (120) in at least one first plurality of storage nodes associated with the first area. Second radiation emitted by the at least one X-ray source (30) is received (150) by at least a portion of second pixels of a second area (B, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8; C) of the X-ray detector. A plurality of second signals representative of corresponding signals on the plurality of second pixels are stored (190) in at least one second plurality of storage nodes associated with the second area.

Abstract: An X-ray detector (100) and an X-ray imaging apparatus (500) with such X-ray detector (100) are provided. The X-ray detector (100) comprises at least three scintillator layers (102a-e) for converting X-ray radiation into scintillator light (110), and at least two sensor arrays (104a, 104b), each comprising a plurality of photosensitive pixels (108a, 108b) aranged on a bendable substrate (106a, 106b) for receiving scintillator light (110) emitted by at least one of the scintillator layers (102a-e). Therein, a number of the scintillator layers (102a-e) is larger than a number of the sensor arrays (104a, 104b).

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined imaging detector (110) for the detection of x-ray and gamma quanta. The combined imaging detector (110) is adapted for simultaneous detection of gamma and x-ray quanta. The combined imaging detector (110) includes an x-ray anti-scatter grid (111), a layer of x-ray scintillator elements (112), a first photodetector array (113), a layer of gamma scintillator elements (114), and a second photodetector array (115) that are arranged in a stacked configuration along a radiation-receiving direction (116). The x-ray anti-scatter grid (111) comprises a plurality of septa (117A, B, C) that define a plurality of apertures (118) which are configured to collimate both x-ray quanta and gamma quanta received from the radiation receiving direction (116) such that received gamma quanta are collimated only by the x-ray anti-scatter grid (111). The use of the x-ray anti-scatter grid as a collimator for received gamma quanta results in a significantly lighter combined imaging detector.

Abstract: A method for joining incompatible materials is provided that includes the steps of welding a first component formed of a thermoplastic material and a second component of a porous material to one another to form a subassembly and optionally molding a third component around the subassembly. The method enables the incompatible first component and the third component to be joined to one another, such as to form an electrolyte battery flow frame around an ion exchange material and/or microporous separator material in order to form a separator for an electrolyte flow battery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined imaging detector for detection of gamma and x-ray quanta comprising an x-ray detector (31) for generating x-ray detection signals in response to detected x-ray quanta and a gamma detector (32) for generating gamma detection signals in response to detected gamma quanta. The x-ray detector (31) and the gamma detector (32) are arranged in a stacked configuration along a radiation-receiving direction (33). The gamma detector (32) comprises a gamma collimator plate (320) comprising a plurality of pinholes (321), and a gamma conversion layer (322, 324) for converting detected gamma quanta into gamma detection signals.

Abstract: A radiation detector for combined detection of low-energy radiation quanta and high-energy radiation quanta has a multi-layered structure. A rear scintillator layer (5) is configured to emit a burst of scintillation photons responsive to a high-energy radiation quantum being absorbed by the rear scintillator layer (5). A rear photosensor layer (6) attached to a back side of the rear scintillator layer (5) is configured to detect scintillation photons generated in the rear scintillator layer (5). A front scintillator layer (3) arranged in front of the rear scintillator layer (5) opposite the rear photosensor layer (6) is configured to emit a burst of scintillation photons responsive to a low-energy radiation quantumbeing absorbed by the front scintillator layer (3). A front photosensor layer (2) attached to a front side of the front scintillator layer (3) opposite the rear scintillator layer (5) is configured to detect scintillation photons generated in the front scintillator layer (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined imaging detector (110) for the detection of x-ray and gamma quanta. The combined imaging detector (110) is adapted for simultaneous detection of gamma and x-ray quanta. The combined imaging detector (110) includes an x-ray anti-scatter grid (111), a layer of x-ray scintillator elements (112), a first photodetector array (113), a layer of gamma scintillator elements (114), and a second photodetector array (115) that are arranged in a stacked configuration along a radiation-receiving direction (116). The x-ray anti-scatter grid (111) comprises a plurality of septa (117A, B, C) that define a plurality of apertures (118) which are configured to collimate both x-ray quanta and gamma quanta received from the radiation receiving direction (116) such that received gamma quanta are collimated only by the x-ray anti-scatter grid (111). The use of the x-ray anti-scatter grid as a collimator for received gamma quanta results in a significantly lighter combined imaging detector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for imaging an object. It is described to receive (110) by at least a portion of first pixels of a first area (A, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8) of an X-ray detector (20) first radiation emitted by at least one X-ray source (30). The X-ray detector is configured such that X-ray radiation received by a pixel leads to the generation of signal in that pixel. A plurality of first signals representative of corresponding signals on the plurality of first pixels are stored (120) in at least one first plurality of storage nodes associated with the first area. Second radiation emitted by the at least one X-ray source (30) is received (150) by at least a portion of second pixels of a second area (B, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8; C) of the X-ray detector. A plurality of second signals representative of corresponding signals on the plurality of second pixels are stored (190) in at least one second plurality of storage nodes associated with the second area.

Abstract: A radiation detector for combined detection of low-energy radiation quanta and high-energy radiation quanta, the radiation detector (8) having a multi-layered structure, comprising: a rear scintillator layer (5) configured to emit a burst of scintillation photons responsive to a high-energy radiation quantum being absorbed by the rear scintillator layer (5); a rear photosensor layer (6) attached to a back side of the rear scintillator layer (5), said rear photosensor layer (6) configured to detect scintillation photons generated in the rear scintillator layer (5); a front scintillator layer (3) arranged in front of the rear scintillator layer (5) opposite the rear photosensor layer (6), said front scintillator layer (3) configured to emit a burst of scintillation photons responsive to a low-energy radiation quantumbeing absorbed by the front scintillator layer (3); and a front photosensor layer (2) attached to a front side of the front scintillator layer (3) opposite the rear scintillator layer (5), said fron

Abstract: Plastic preforms are introduced into a blow mold and are expanded by applying a flowable medium thereto, which is introduced into the internal space of the plastic preforms, wherein the blow mold includes at least two lateral parts which form a cavity during the expansion of the plastic preforms, within which the plastic containers are expanded. The lateral parts are respectively provided on lateral part carriers that are moved relative to each other for opening and closing the blow mold. At least one arrangement of a lateral part carrier and the lateral part provided thereon has an expansion element that can have a gaseous medium applied thereto. The expansion element ensures, when the gaseous medium is applied thereto, that one lateral part is moved towards the other lateral part. During the expansion of the plastic preforms, at least two different pressure levels are applied.

Abstract: An electrolyte system is provided for a rechargeable electrode zinc-halogen flow battery that utilizes a highly similar or identical electrolyte positioned on both sides of an ion-conducting membrane. The electrolyte system containing zinc salts, electrolyte conductivity enhancer, and an appropriate amount of bromine complexing agent achieves significant improvements on battery energy efficiency, self-discharge rate, and electrolyte level cycle stability over the prior art electrolyte systems.

Abstract: A method for joining incompatible materials is provided that includes the steps of welding a first component formed of a thermoplastic material and a second component of a porous material to one another to form a subassembly and optionally molding a third component around the subassembly. The method enables the incompatible first component and the third component to be joined to one another, such as to form an electrolyte battery flow frame around an ion exchange material and/or microporous separator material in order to form a separator for an electrolyte flow battery.

Abstract: An improved electrolyte battery is provided that includes a tank assembly adapted to hold an amount of an anolyte and a catholyte, a number of cell stacks operably connected to the tank assembly, each stack formed of a number of flow frames disposed between end caps and a number of power converters operatively connected to the cell stacks. The cell stacks are formed with a number of flow frames each including individual inlets and outlets for anolyte and catholyte fluids and a separator disposed between flow frames defining anodic and cathodic half cells between each pair of flow frames. The power converter is configured to connect the battery with either forward or reverse polarity to a DC power source, such as a DC bus. The anodic and cathodic half cells switch as a function of the polarity by which the battery is connected to the Dc power source.