Invisible Radiant Energy Responsive Electric Signalling Patents (Class 250/336.1)
  • Patent number: 9910171
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a system. The system includes a sensor device having a sensor element having a sensor output and an amplification element having at least one amplification stage, an amplifier input, and an amplifier output. The sensor output can be coupled to the amplifier input. Further, each amplification stage of the amplification stage(s) can have at least four thin film transistors, an input node, and an output node. Meanwhile, the sensor element can detect a physical quantity and/or an event and can provide an electric signal to the amplification element in response to detecting the physical quantity and/or the event, and the amplification element can amplify the electric signal received from the sensor element. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: George Kunnen, David Allee
  • Patent number: 9900526
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided to compensate for and/or update ineffective (e.g., stale) calibration terms due to calibration drifts in infrared imaging devices. For example, a virtual-shutter non-uniformity correction (NUC) procedure may be initiated to generate NUC terms to correct non-uniformities when appropriate triggering events and/or conditions are detected that may indicate presence of an object or scene to act as a shutter (e.g., a virtual shutter). Scene-based non-uniformity correction (SBNUC) may be performed during image capturing operations of the infrared imaging device, for example, when a virtual-shutter scene is not available. Further, snapshots of calibration data (e.g., NUC terms) produced during the virtual-shutter NUC procedure, the SBNUC process, and/or other NUC process may be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Kostrzewa, Vu L. Nguyen, Theodore R. Hoelter, Nicholas Högasten, Mark Nussmeier, Eric A. Kurth, Katrin Strandemar, Pierre Boulanger, Barbara Sharp
  • Patent number: 9851259
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, for an infrared detector are provided. In one aspect, an infrared detector is provided that includes a pyroelectric sensor; a controller for receiving a trigger signal outputted by the pyroelectric sensor; a thermopile sensor, wherein the controller starts the thermopile sensor after receiving the trigger signal output by the pyroelectric sensor; and an alarm, wherein the controller controls the alarm to generate an alarm signal in response to a determination that a difference between a current temperature and a background temperature detected by the thermopile sensor is larger than a threshold value and a determination that the areas of the thermopile sensor activated correspond to a human being.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: MivaLife Mobile Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongjuan Zhao, Yueqiong Wang, Kai Li, Hangqiang Chen, Shangyu Guo, Shaodong Ma, Qin Yuan
  • Patent number: 9846353
    Abstract: A projection device comprising, a red light source, a green light source, and a blue light source which can emit red, green and blue light respectively, a beam combiner which is configured such that it can combine light beams; a means for collimating the light emitted from the red, green and blue light sources to provide red, green and blue collimated light beams, an optical modifier means, which is arranged such that the optical modifier means can receive the red, green and blue collimated light beams, and wherein the optical modifier means is configured to modify cross sectional dimensions of the red, green and blue collimated light beams to provide red, green and blue projection beams each of which has a circular cross section, and wherein the optical modifier means is configured, and the distances between the light sources and means for collimating are set, such that the dimensions of the circular cross sections of the red, green and blue projection beams are equal at a predetermined distance from the pro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lucio Kilcher, Nicolas Abele
  • Patent number: 9847215
    Abstract: An environmental radiation detector for detecting and distinguishing between all types of environmental radiation, including photons, charged particles, and neutrons. A large volume high pressure ionization chamber (HPIC) includes BF3 gas at a specific concentration to render the radiation detector sensitive to the reactions of neutron capture in Boron-10 isotope. A pulse-mode readout is connected to the ionization chamber capable of measuring both the height and the width of the pulse. The heavy charged products of the neutron capture reaction deposit significant characteristic energy of the reaction in the immediate vicinity of the reaction in the gas, producing a signal with a pulse height proportional to the reaction energy, and a narrow pulse width corresponding to the essentially pointlike energy deposition in the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: JEFFERSON SCIENCE ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventor: Pavel V. Degtiarenko
  • Patent number: 9841371
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, kits, methods, and systems that include a radiation source configured to direct radiation to a sample; a detector configured to measure radiation from the sample; an electronic processor configured to determine information about the sample based on the measured radiation; a housing enclosing the source, the detector, and the electronic processor, the housing having a hand-held form factor; an arm configured to maintain a separation between the sample and the housing, the arm including a first end configured to connect to the housing and a second end configured to contact the sample; and a layer positioned on the second end of the arm, the layer being configured to contact the sample and to transmit at least a portion of the radiation from the sample to the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Knopp, Robert L. Green, Brendon D. Tower, Christopher D. Brown, Gregory H. Vander Rhodes
  • Patent number: 9835654
    Abstract: A device for measuring very low current closes to femto Ampere using an integration, includes a first operational amplifier connected as an integrator, and a second operational amplifier connected as an original current generator which can compensate for leakage current in the circuit measurement state and reset the QO charge of the integration capacitor in the reset state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT À L'ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventor: Robert Boden
  • Patent number: 9829383
    Abstract: A radiation detector with a substrate and a membrane, which is suspended above the substrate by a spacer is described, wherein the spacer thermally insulates a radiation sensor, which is formed in the membrane, from the substrate. Further, the spacer includes a first layer, which is electrically conducting and contacts a first pole of the radiation sensor and of the substrate, and a second layer, which is electrically conducting and electrically insulated from the first electrically conductive layer and contacts a second pole of the radiation sensor and of the substrate, wherein the second pole differs in polarity from the first pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Weiler, Kai-Marcel Muckensturm, Frank Hochschulz
  • Patent number: 9778375
    Abstract: An X-ray detector including a substrate having opposite first and second faces, at least a first temperature sensor on the side of the first or second face, and at least one stack including of a copper oxide layer and a copper layer. The copper oxide layer is located between the copper layer and the substrate. The stack covers at least partially the first temperature sensor or is at least partially opposite the first temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives
    Inventor: Abdelkader Aliane
  • Patent number: 9735867
    Abstract: Systems and methods of estimating a distance to a cause of a micro-reflection in a CATV network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Thompson, John L. Moran, Mark L. Fowler
  • Patent number: 9726536
    Abstract: A fiber optical superconducting nanowire detector with increased detector efficiency, fabricated directly on the tip of the input optical fiber. The fabrication on the tip of the fiber allows precise alignment of the detector to the fiber core, where the field mode is maximal. This construction maximizes the coupling efficiency to close to unity, without the need for complex alignment procedures, such as the need to align the input fiber with a previously fabricated device. The device includes a high-Q optical cavity, such that any photon entering the device will be reflected to and fro within the cavity numerous times, thereby increasing its chances of absorption by the nanowire structure. This is achieved by using dedicated cavity mirrors with very high reflectivity, with the meander nanowire structure contained within the cavity between the end mirrors, such that photons impinge on the nanowire structure with every traverse of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: TECHNION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Gil Bachar, Oleg Shtempluck, Eyal Buks
  • Patent number: 9709920
    Abstract: The sensitivity of a sensor that detects the amount or density of magnetic substance is raised. The sensor includes an oscillation circuit, a differential transformer, and an amplification circuit. The oscillation circuit includes a resonance circuit having a coil. The differential transformer includes the coil, as a primary coil, and a secondary coil, and is configured such that, as the amount or density of magnetic substance as a detection target increases, a signal output from the secondary coil increases, and as the amount or density of magnetic substance decreases, the signal decreases. The amplification circuit amplifies the signal, and has, as its frequency characteristics, a frequency band such that, as the frequency of the signal decreases, the amplification factor of the signal increases, and as the frequency of the signal increases, the amplification factor of the signal decreases. The resonance frequency of the resonance circuit falls within the frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Aikawa
  • Patent number: 9693743
    Abstract: According to on embodiment, a photon counting CT apparatus includes a hybrid detector and processing circuitry. The hybrid detector includes CT detectors and PCCT detectors. The CT detectors output integral signals concerning the detected X-rays. The PCCT detectors output a count signal for each of a plurality of energy bands concerning the detected X-rays. The processing circuitry estimate a count signal concerning an estimation target CT detector of the CT detectors based on an integral signal output from the estimation target CT detector and a count signal output from the PCCT detector. And the processing circuitry reconstruct an image based on the estimated count signal and the count signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Arakita, Masahiro Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9671504
    Abstract: A system for detecting and locating sources of radiation emissions. A hand-held probe includes a detector configured to generate a low-level electrical signal relating to a radiation source proximate the detector, and a probe wireless link configured to transmit a message containing gamma data relating to the low-level electrical signal. An instrumentation console includes a housing, an integral console wireless link within the housing and configured to receive the message transmitted by the probe wireless link, a receiver electrically coupled to the console wireless link to convert the message to corresponding electrical display signals, and a visually perceivable display electrically coupled to the receiver to convert the electrical display signals to a visually perceivable display relating to the amount of radiation detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard McFerron
  • Patent number: 9664797
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detector unit (100) for the detection of photons of incident radiation. The detector unit (100) comprises a signal processing circuit (40, 50, 60) for generating signals (V0) that are dependent on the energy of a currently detected photon (X) and at least one processing-parameter (Rf). Moreover, it comprises a flux estimator (70) for estimating the flux of photons and for adjusting the processing-parameter (Rf) based on said estimated flux. The flux estimator (70) receives its input (Vi), from which the flux of photons is estimated, from a processing stage that is independent of the output of the signal processing circuit. In a preferred embodiment, the signal processing circuit is or comprises a shaper (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Ewald Roessl, Roger Steadman-Booker
  • Patent number: 9659486
    Abstract: A radiofrequency (“RF”) transmitter site protection system and an RF radiation protection device are provided. The RF radiation protection device includes a control system and a communication module. The control system includes a processor. The communication module is adapted to communicate with a device operable to sense RF radiation and to receive data representative of a level of the RF radiation proximate the RF safety monitoring device from the RF safety monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Weinberg, Norman R. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 9651763
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a co-aperture broadband infrared optical system, belonging to the field of infrared optical system. The system realizes long wave infrared (LWIR) imaging and broadband infrared spectrum measurement, and solves the problems of limited optical path layout, large volume and high cost of an optical system. The present invention includes a Cassegrain lens, a spectroscope, a reflector, several lens groups, an FPA interface and an optical fiber interface. Light (2 ?m˜12 ?m) is incident to the Cassegrain lens to be focused, then is split by the spectroscope, where 50% of the LWIR light (8 ?m˜10 ?m) passes through the lens group for aberration correction, and the image plane is focused again at the imaging interface. The other 50% of the LWIR light (8 ?m˜10 ?m) and the infrared reflected light (2 ?m˜8 ?m and 10 ?m˜12 ?m) pass through the lens group, and are reflected by the reflector, then focused at the optical fiber interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Hong Zhang, Jindong Fei, Tlanxu Zhang, Xiaobing Dai, Xlangyan Liu, Li Liu
  • Patent number: 9645008
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with light sensors. The electronic device may have an electronic device housing in which a display is mounted. The display may have a transparent layer such as a transparent display cover layer, a thin-film transistor layer, or a color filter layer. An opaque masking layer such as a layer of black ink may be used to cover an inner surface of the transparent layer in an inactive area of the display. Sensor window openings may be formed in the black ink layer. A layer of ink may be formed in each sensor window opening. Each layer of ink may have a diffuse reflectivity that is matched to that of the black ink. A diffuser layer such as a polymer coating layer with light-scattering particles may be coated on the inner surface of the layer of ink in a sensor window opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zhang Jia, Christopher S. Erickson, James J. Dudley, Kenichi Nakajima, Chunji Li
  • Patent number: 9645263
    Abstract: The method for providing a warning of radiation-dose-relevant space-weather events at cruising altitudes comprises the steps of detecting radiation data of the atmospheric radiation, particularly ionizing radiation in the atmosphere, and providing a radiation model for 3D-spatially resolved estimation of a radiation field at cruising altitudes of the earth's atmosphere by use of a radiation dose rate scale based on a continuous range of values. Moreover, the 3D-spatially resolved rates of the effective radiation dose on the basis of the detected radiation data and the radiation model will be estimated. The radiation dose rate scale is divided, based on a continuous range of values, into a discrete, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Meier, Daniel Matthia
  • Patent number: 9626581
    Abstract: A method for detecting and tracking a target includes detecting the target using a plurality of feature cues, fusing the plurality of feature cues to form a set of target hypotheses, tracking the target based on the set of target hypotheses and a scene context analysis, and updating the tracking of the target based on a target motion model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dashan Gao, Ting Yu, Li Guan, Yi Yao, Kedar Anil Patwardhan, Peter Henry Tu
  • Patent number: 9607444
    Abstract: A method and apparatus in a vehicular telemetry system for determining accelerometer thresholds based upon decoding a vehicle identification number (VIN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GEOTAB Inc
    Inventor: Neil Charles Cawse
  • Patent number: 9599725
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining a photosensor substrate (236) having two opposing major surfaces. One of the two opposing major surfaces includes at least one photosensor row (230) of at least one photosensor element (232, 234), and the obtained photosensor substrate has a thickness equal to or greater than one hundred microns. The method further includes optically coupling a scintillator array (310) to the photosensor substrate. The scintillator array includes at least one complementary scintillator row (224) of at least one complementary scintillator element (226, 228), and the at least one complementary scintillator row is optically coupled to the at least one photosensor row (230) and the at least one complementary scintillator element is optically coupled to the at least one photosensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Randall Peter Luhta, Rodney Arnold Mattson
  • Patent number: 9590293
    Abstract: A dipole antenna assembly for an electronic device includes a rear mount having electronic components exposed at one of its surfaces, an antenna, a printed circuit board, and a battery. The antenna may be adjacent the rear flexible mount. The antenna includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion comprises a transmission line. The printed circuit board can be connected to the antenna and the battery can be connected to a portion of the rear flexible mount and the printed circuit board. A positive arm of the dipole antenna assembly can include the battery, and a negative arm of the dipole antenna assembly can include the outside surface of the transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Bevelacqua
  • Patent number: 9579071
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an X-ray imaging apparatus including: an X-ray generator including a first X-ray source configured to irradiate a first X-ray onto an object, and at least one second X-ray source spaced apart from the first X-ray source and configured to irradiate at least one second X-ray onto the object; an X-ray detector configured to detect the first X-ray which has propagated through the object and the at least one second X-ray which has propagated through the object; and an image processor configured to produce a first X-ray image of the object based on the detected first X-ray, to produce at least one second X-ray image of the object based on the detected at least one second X-ray, and to produce a stereoscopic image of the object based on the first X-ray image and the at least one second X-ray image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Hak Lee, Dong Goo Kang, Sung Hoon Kang, Young Hun Sung, Seok Min Han
  • Patent number: 9553116
    Abstract: A substrate-removed, surface passivated, and anti-reflective (AR) coated detector assembly is provided. The assembly has an AR coating or passivation layer which includes a wide bandgap thin-film dielectric/passivation layer integrated therein. The wide bandgap thin-film dielectric/passivation layer is positioned proximal to a back interface of a substrate-removed detector assembly. A method of manufacturing the detector assembly includes etching a backside of a partially-removed-substrate detector assembly to obtain an etched detector assembly removed from a substrate. A wide bandgap layer is deposited, in a vacuum chamber, on the etched detector assembly without utilizing an adhesive layer. Additional anti-reflective coating layers are deposited, in the same vacuum chamber, on the wide bandgap layer to form an anti-reflective coating layer with the wide bandgap layer integrated therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC
    Inventors: Donald L. Lee, Eric Piquette, Majid Zandian, Paul H. Kobrin, Haluk Sankur
  • Patent number: 9541946
    Abstract: Embodiments of quantum clocks for a master/slave architecture are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a coupled pair of entangled particles is generated using a particle source. A first of the entangled particles of the coupled pair is used as a master clock. A second of the entangled particles of the coupled pair is used as a slave clock. Quantum states of the first entangled particle of the coupled pair associated with the master clock and the second of the entangled particles of the coupled pair associated with the slave clock are entangled by an Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Silverman, Nils Paz, John R. Harmon
  • Patent number: 9500750
    Abstract: A stacked crystal array includes a plurality of crystal slices and a plurality of interconnects. The interconnects have electrically conductive, spaced-apart and generally parallel elements joined by electrically conductive spacers extending generally orthogonally therebetween, the spacers being rotationally offset from each other by a predetermined angle. The array further includes a plurality of electrical insulators and an electrically insulative housing having a plurality of slots. The crystal slices, insulators and interconnects are arranged in the housing to form an assembly wherein the crystal slices are coupled together in a parallel electrical circuit. The assembly provides photon absorption comparable to a monolithic crystal having a thickness generally equivalent to the sum of the thicknesses of the crystal slices, but at a lower bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Call
  • Patent number: 9420976
    Abstract: An imaging system is provided including an adjustable source collimator, an input unit, and a processing unit. The adjustable source collimator is configured to be interposed between an X-ray source and an object to be imaged, and is adjustable between plural settings corresponding to different amounts of collimation of rays from the X-ray source. The input unit is configured to obtain an input identifying a portion to be imaged of the object. The processing unit is operably coupled to the input unit and the adjustable source collimator, and configured to obtain the input. The processing unit is also configured to determine a prescribed collimation configuration to perform a scan of the portion to be imaged based on the input, the prescribed collimation configuration having a corresponding scanning volume that includes the portion to be imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Irvin Jackson, Holly Ann McDaniel, Grant Morey Stevens, Bradley Jay Gabrielse, Dominic Joseph Crotty
  • Patent number: 9417332
    Abstract: A gamma ray detector includes a gamma ray detecting rod elongated along a longitudinal axis, wherein gamma ray detection is enhanced along the longitudinal axis, and a gamma ray shield encapsulating the rod, the shield having an aperture at an end of the detecting rod along the longitudinal axis to admit gamma rays substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated detecting rod, wherein gamma ray detection is enhanced along the longitudinal axis and aperture to substantially collimate the sensitivity of the gamma ray detector along the combined aperture and longitudinal axis of the detecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Cardinal Health 414, LLC
    Inventors: Chad E. Bouton, Mehmet Husnu
  • Patent number: 9362191
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a carrier and a semiconductor chip disposed over the carrier. The semiconductor chip has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the second surface faces the carrier. Further, the semiconductor device includes a pre-encapsulant covering at least partially the second surface of the semiconductor chip and at least partially a side wall surface of the semiconductor chip. The pre-encapsulant has a thermal conductivity of equal to or greater than 10 W/(m·K) and a specific heat capacity of equal to or greater than 0.2 J/(g·K).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Khalil Hosseini, Joachim Mahler, Ivan Nikitin
  • Patent number: 9293307
    Abstract: A novel electron multiplier that regulates in real time the gain of downstream dynodes as the instrument receives input signals is introduced. In particular, the methods, electron multiplier structures, and coupled control circuits of the present invention enable a resultant on the fly control signal to be generated upon receiving a predetermined threshold detection signal so as to enable the voltage regulation of one or more downstream dynodes near the output of the device. Accordingly, such a novel design, as presented herein, prevents the dynodes near the output of the instrument from being exposed to deleterious current pulses that can accelerate the aging process of the dynode structures that are essential to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLC
    Inventors: Viatcheslav Kovtoun, Raman Mathur
  • Patent number: 9287014
    Abstract: A nuclear power distribution measurement assembly that is sized to fit within an instrumentation thimble of a nuclear fuel assembly, that employs a spaced tandem arrangement of thermo-acoustic engines, each of which has a heat source side that is insulated from the reactor coolant traversing the nuclear core in which the fuel assembly is to be placed and a cold side housing a resonator chamber with enhanced thermal conductance to the coolant. The resonator chamber of each of the thermo-acoustic engines is of a different length to generate a different frequency whose amplitude is proportional to the neutron activity at the axial and radial position of the thermo-acoustic engine. The frequency identifies the measurement assembly's position. Acoustic telemetry is employed to monitor the acoustic waves generated by the individual thermo-acoustic engines to provide a remote reading of the axial and radial power distribution of a reactor core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Heibel, Robert W. Flammang, David M. Sumego
  • Patent number: 9268028
    Abstract: A waveform analyzing section analyzes the waveform of a detector signal pulse. A calculation section calculates a count rate from the addition-subtraction accumulated value of an up-down counter, and detects noise intrusion, based on the output from the waveform analyzing section. When noise intrusion has been detected, the addition-subtraction accumulated value for the present calculation cycle is replaced with the value for the previous calculation cycle. When the noise intrusion has stopped, the addition-subtraction accumulated value of the up-down counter is set at the value for a calculation cycle just before the noise intrusion, by an accumulated value setting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuro Kobayashi, Kenichi Moteki
  • Patent number: 9259155
    Abstract: A therapy system (10) includes one or more processors (98, 100). The processors (98, 100) are programmed to receive one or more of: (1) dosimetric data from dosimeters (26, 28, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212) implanted within a patient and/or positioned on a vest (200); and (2) motion data from surrogates (18, 20, 22, 24) implanted within the patient. Based on the motion data, a current location and/or shape of a surrogate (18, 20, 22, 24) is determined and deviations between the current location and/or shape and a reference location and/or shape are determined. Based on the dosimetric data, a delivered dose distribution is compared with a planned dose distribution and deviations therebetween are determined. The deviations determined from the motion data and/or the dosimetric data are employed for adaptive planning, alignment, post treatment analysis, and safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Shyam Bharat, Vijay Parthasarathy
  • Patent number: 9176236
    Abstract: The invention provides a radiation intensity measuring apparatus for each of small sealed radiation sources for cancer therapy that is capable of measuring multiple cartridges. The apparatus includes a device for setting up multiple cartridges and a device for measuring the radiation intensities of radiation passing through a narrow slit. Radiation is emitted from multiple radiation sources and the radiation measurement device moves simultaneously together with the slit along with the side of cartridge holding device while scanning the radiation intensities. Included is a radiation detection scanning device for measuring radiation intensities for each of the radiation sources passing through the narrow slit, and a slit shielding system for restricting radiation originated originating from both the side neighboring radiation sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignees: THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKUSHIMA, LSIP, LLC
    Inventors: Minoru Sakama, Hitoshi Ikushima, Takaharu Yamada, Hisashi Takai, Teruyoshi Ichiraku
  • Patent number: 9165375
    Abstract: Field of view overlap among multiple cameras are automatically determined as a function of the temporal overlap of object tracks determined within their fields-of-view. Object tracks with the highest similarity value are assigned into pairs, and portions of the assigned object track pairs having a temporally overlapping period of time are determined. Scene entry points are determined from object locations on the tracks at a beginning of the temporally overlapping period of time, and scene exit points from object locations at an ending of the temporally overlapping period of time. Boundary lines for the overlapping fields-of-view portions within the corresponding camera fields-of-view are defined as a function of the determined entry and exit points in their respective fields-of-view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ankur Datta, Rogerio S. Feris, Sharathchandra U. Pankanti, Yun Zhai
  • Patent number: 9129954
    Abstract: A semiconductor package and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor package includes a substrate, a semiconductor chip, a package body and an antenna layer. The semiconductor chip is disposed on the substrate. The package body encapsulates the semiconductor chip and includes an upper surface. The antenna layer is formed on the upper surface of the package body and includes two antenna slot groups connected together. Each antenna slot group includes a wave guiding slot extending along a first direction, and an irradiation slot group extending along a second direction, wherein the irradiation slot group is connected to the wave guiding slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Han-Chee Yen, Shih-Yuan Chen, Chien-Pai Lai, Ming-Hsien Cheng
  • Patent number: 9116120
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing image data for constructing an image of a region of a three dimensional target object. The method includes the steps of providing incident radiation, via at least one detector detecting an intensity of radiation scattered by the target object, repositioning incident radiation relative to the target object, subsequently detecting the intensity of radiation scattered by the target object, determining a probe function indicating an estimate of at least one characteristic of the incident radiation at one or more depths of the object and providing image data from which an image of one or more regions of the object may be constructed via an iterative process using the probe function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Phase Focus Limited
    Inventor: John Marius Rodenburg
  • Patent number: 9102524
    Abstract: A photomultiplier tube includes a photocathode, a first electrode, and a second electrode opposedly disposed to the first electrode and separated from it to create a space therebetween. An anode opposedly disposed to the photocathode. The first electrode and the second electrode are disposed between the anode and the photocathode. The photocathode is adjacent to the first electrode and separated from it, and the anode is adjacent to the second electrode and separated from it. An amplifying medium is disposed in the space between the first electrode and the second electrode. The amplifying medium includes metal oxide nanoparticles and/or an aerogel. The metal oxide nanoparticles have an aspect ratio greater than or equal to about 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: Stergios J. Papadakis
  • Patent number: 9084535
    Abstract: A medical imager, primarily for use in oral and dental applications. The imager has a source for providing a plurality of collimated beams of non-ionizing radiation, in particular near-infrared light, and a plurality of correlated detectors. Each detector is arranged to receive unscattered light from one or part of one of said collimated beams and scattered light from one or more other beams. The imager further comprises means for using both the unscattered and scattered light to form an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: King's College London
    Inventors: John Michael Girkin, Simon Poland, Christopher Longbottom
  • Patent number: 9079670
    Abstract: Aerosol detection apparatus comprises an aircraft having a dielectric member, such as a window (10), comprised in the body (12) thereof such that a surface of the dielectric member forms part of the exterior surface of the aircraft. Detection means (16), such as a static monitor is located on the inside of the aircraft and arranged to detect an electric field resulting from polarization of the dielectric member. The output of the static monitor, or the rate of change thereof, correlates closely to particle density as the aircraft is flown though an aerosol, such as a volcanic ash cloud. The apparatus is simple and relatively inexpensive, and may comprise any general purpose aircraft. Aerosol particles may be detected and mapped using apparatus of the invention more easily and quickly than by use of devices such as optical spectrometers mounted on dedicated research aircraft, or static monitors mounted on the exterior of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF LEADS, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND, NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
    Inventors: Alan Michael Woolley, Stephen David Mobbs, James Matthew Haywood
  • Patent number: 9059388
    Abstract: An artificial composite object combines a quantum of sound with a matter excitation. A phonon in a confinement structure containing the matter excites it from an initial state to an excited state corresponding to a frequency of the phonon. Relaxation of the matter back to the initial state emits a phonon of the same frequency into the confinement structure. The phonon confinement structure, for example, a cavity, traps the emitted phonon thereby allowing further excitation of the matter. The coupling between the phonon and the matter results in a quantum quasi-particle referred to as a phoniton. The phoniton can find application in a wide variety of quantum systems such as signal processing and communications devices, imaging and sensing, and information processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignees: University of Maryland College Park, The United States od America, as represented by the Director, National Security Agency
    Inventors: Charles George Tahan, Rousko Todorov Hristov, Oney O. Soykal
  • Patent number: 9052409
    Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for extracting information about a system of nuclear spins including: performing a plurality of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) measurements on the system of nuclear spins; acquiring NMR data from each of the plurality of NMR measurements; performing data inversion using an random-sampler to generate an ensemble of spectra so as to extract information about the system of nuclear spins; and analyzing the performed random-sampler inversion results to extract information about the system of nuclear spins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Prange, Yi-Qiao Song
  • Patent number: 9046612
    Abstract: A double-helix Boron-10 powder detector having intrinsic thermal neutron detection efficiency comparable to 36? long, 2-in diameter, 2-bar Helium-3 detectors, and which can be used to replace such detectors for use in portal monitoring, is described. An embodiment of the detector includes a metallic plate coated with Boron-10 powder for generating alpha and Lithium-7 particles responsive to neutrons impinging thereon supported by insulators affixed to at least two opposing edges; a grounded first wire wound in a helical manner around two opposing insulators; and a second wire having a smaller diameter than that of the first wire, wound in a helical manner around the same insulators and spaced apart from the first wire, the second wire being positively biased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Zhehui Wang, Christopher L. Morris, Jeffrey D. Bacon
  • Publication number: 20150146842
    Abstract: A detector module for a radiation detector in a radiation imaging apparatus is provided. The detector module includes a detecting element array including a plurality of detecting elements arranged in a matrix form in first and second directions orthogonal to each other, the detecting element array configured to allow radiation to penetrate through spaces defined between the detecting elements, an electronic circuit arranged on a radiation emission side of the detecting element array, and a radiation shielding body arranged on a radiation incident side of the detecting element array. The radiation shielding body includes a base material having radiation permeability and formed with a plurality of grooves extending in the first direction at respective positions corresponding to spaces between the detecting elements in the second direction, and a plurality of radiation shielding materials each inserted in a respective groove of the plurality of grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Haruo Kurochi, Abdelaziz Ikhlef
  • Publication number: 20150144789
    Abstract: A target processing machine (100), such as a lithography or inspection machine, comprising a rigid base plate (150), a projection column (101) for projecting one or more optical or particle beams on to a target (130), a support frame (102) supporting the projection column, the support frame being supported by and fixed to the base plate, a stage comprising a movable part (128) for carrying the target and a fixed part (132, 133) being supported by and fixed to the base plate, a beam sensor (160) for detecting one or more of the beams projected by the column, the beam sensor at least in part being supported by and fixed to the base plate, and a vacuum chamber (110) enclosing the support frame and the column, for maintaining a vacuum environment in the interior space of the chamber, the vacuum chamber formed with the base plate forming part thereof and supporting a plurality of wall panels (171, 172) including a plurality of side wall panels (171) supported by and fixed thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: MAPPER LITHOGRAPHY IP B.V.
    Inventor: Jerry Johannes Martinus Peijster
  • Publication number: 20150131776
    Abstract: The radiation detector includes image pixels that each includes a counting pixel, to restore an image. The counting pixel includes a radiation absorption layer, which converts incident photons into an electrical signal, and a photon processor that counts a number of the photons, based on the electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min-kook CHO
  • Publication number: 20150132574
    Abstract: A fiber is provided with a polymer having a cross-section and a length. A particulate is distributed in the polymer in an amount to make the fiber detectable by X-ray detection or magnetic detection. The particulate is present in a core, a sheath, or both portions of polymer matrix. A process of detecting a fabric article is provided that includes the formation of a fiber in the form of a polymer having a cross-section and a length. A particulate is distributed in the polymer. A fiber is formed into a fabric. A fabric article is then manufactured from the fabric. The fabric article passes through an X-ray detector or a magnetic detector. A signal is collected from the X-ray detector or the magnetic detector indicative of the presence of the fabric article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Emily Aldridge, Robert Martin, Karen Mertins
  • Patent number: 9029769
    Abstract: A radiation detector outputs an analog pulse for incident radiation, and a signal processing portion is furnished with a wave height measuring function of converting the analog pulse inputted therein to a digital form and then measuring a peak wave height of the analog pulse and a wave height spectrum measuring function of measuring a wave height spectrum on the basis of measured wave height data, computes a dose rate and mean energy on the basis of measured wave height spectral data, and outputs computation results. The signal processing portion computes the dose rate and the mean energy on the basis of the wave height spectral data in a same wave height range on a same time axis. It thus becomes possible to provide accurate information based on which to determine whether a rise in dose rate is contributed by natural radon and thoron or contributed by a reactor facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihide Aiba, Kenichi Moteki
  • Patent number: 9029770
    Abstract: A charge injection circuit is used to control injection of an electronic charge to be added to a photon-induced charge generated by a detector of a direct integration circuit. The electronic charge can be injected directly to the detector or through a parallel path to the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: John L. Vampola, Andrew E. Gin, Roya Mokhtari, Walter C. Trautfield