Patents by Inventor Robert K. Swank

Robert K. Swank 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: 4375423
    Abstract: Scintillator structures are disclosed in which the phosphor is embedded or suspended in an optically transparent matrix which is selected or adjusted to have an index of refraction which is approximately equal to that of the phosphor embedded therein at the wavelength of the light emitted by the phosphor. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, BaFCl:Eu is embedded in a matrix formed by the polymerization of 2-vinyl napthalene and vinyl toluene. The scintillator structures of the present invention provide superior optical coupling to photoelectrically responsive devices. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing index-matched phosphor scintillator structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dominic A. Cusano, Robert K. Swank, Philip J. White
  • Patent number: 4374749
    Abstract: Scintillator structures are disclosed in which the phosphor is embedded or suspended in an optically transparent matrix which is selected or adjusted to have an index of refraction which is approximately equal to that of the phosphor embedded therein at the wavelength of the light emitted by the phosphor. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, BaFCl:Eu is embedded in a matrix formed by the polymerization of 2-vinyl napthalene and vinyl toluene. The scintillator structures of the present invention provide superior optical coupling to photoelectrically responsive devices. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing index-matched phosphor scintillator structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dominic A. Cusano, Robert K. Swank, Philip J. White
  • Patent number: 4316817
    Abstract: Scintillator structures are disclosed in which the phosphor is embedded or suspended in an optically transparent matrix which is selected or adjusted to have an index of refraction which is approximately equal to that of the phosphor embedded therein at the wavelength of the light emitted by the phosphor. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, BaFCl:Eu is embedded in a matrix formed by the polymerization of 2-vinyl napthalene and vinyl toluene. The scintillator structures of the present invention provide superior optical coupling to photoelectrically responsive devices. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing index-matched phosphor scintillator structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1982
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dominic A. Cusano, Robert K. Swank, Philip J. White
  • Patent number: 4085327
    Abstract: An improved direct charge readout electron radiography apparatus of the type having an upper electrode receiving differentially-absorbed X-radiation, a lower electrode including a plurality of parallel transparent, conductive strips overlaid with a layer of photoconductive material; and means for scanning a beam of light through the transparent strips and into the overlying photoconductive material layer for selectively transferring charge patterns induced therein responsive to the pattern of differentially-absorbed X-radiation, utilizes at least one lead means strip, positioned substantially transverse to, and spaced from the ends of, the plurality of conductive strips. The transverse lead means strip is connected to sequential ones of the parallel strips responsive to illumination of the photoconductive material in the area between the transverse strip and an adjacent end of each sequential parallel strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1978
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Swank, Kei-Hsiung Yang
  • Patent number: 4069355
    Abstract: A phosphor screen for converting x-rays to light includes a large number of discrete columns of the phosphor material, say doped CsI, with the spaces therebetween preferably filled with a reflective substance, which itself may be phosphor (e.g., Gd.sub.2 O.sub.2 S or La.sub.2 O.sub.2 S). Because of the resulting inhibition of lateral spread of light within the phosphor screen, it may be made thicker than conventional screens while achieving at least as high resolution and contrast, thereby increasing brightness (and thus requiring lower x-ray "doses"). A method for making the screen includes using a patterned substrate and wide-angle vapor deposition (as in a hot-wall evaporator) so as to deposit the phosphor only on the raised portions of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stanley J. Lubowski, Robert K. Swank
  • Patent number: 4012637
    Abstract: A conventional x-ray screen-film system includes a phosphor intensifying screen "sandwich", including a backing layer facing the x-rays, the phosphor layer itself, and a so-called "overlayer" adjacent the photographic film. X-rays passing through the backing cause scintillations within the phosphor, emitting light photons which, in turn, pass through the overlayer, a small air gap (caused by lack of perfect optical contact of the overlayer and the adjacent surface of the film) and into the film so as to form a latent image on the photographic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1977
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert K. Swank
  • Patent number: 4011454
    Abstract: A phosphor screen for converting x-rays to light includes a large number of discrete columns of the phosphor material, say doped CsI, with the spaces therebetween preferably filled with a reflective substance, which itself may be a phosphor (e.g., Gd.sub.2 O.sub. 2 S or La.sub.2 O.sub. 2 S). Because of the resulting inhibition of lateral spread of light within the phosphor screen, it may be made thicker than conventional screens while achieving at least as high resolution and contrast, thereby increasing brightness (and thus requiring lower x-ray "doses"). A method for making the screen includes using a patterned substrate and wide-angle vapor deposition (as in a hot-wall evaporator) so as to deposit the phosphor only on the raised portions of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1977
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stanley J. Lubowski, Robert K. Swank