With Irradiation Or Heating Of Object Or Material Patents (Class 250/341.1)
  • Patent number: 8618487
    Abstract: A system for imaging a distribution of an absorbent material within an absorbent article. The system includes a radiation source and a detector positioned such that the absorbent article is situated between the radiation source and the detector. The absorbent article includes an absorbent material having a spatial distribution within the absorbent article. Infrared radiation within a particular wavelength range (e.g., 3 ?m to 3.2 ?m) is more likely to be absorbed by the absorbent material than by other materials within the absorbent article. The radiation source is configured to generate infrared radiation incident on the absorbent article. The detector is configured to detect a quantity of the infrared radiation within the particular wavelength range that was transmitted through the absorbent article. The radiation source is further configured to generate data indicative of the spatial distribution of the absorbent material based on the detected quantity of the infrared radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Varga, Michael Dennis Kembel
  • Patent number: 8618486
    Abstract: An apparatus visualizing internal information of an object includes a detection unit of terahertz wave, a generating unit of a time waveform of the terahertz wave, a modulation unit, an adjustment unit, and an addition unit. The modulation unit sequentially performs spatial modulation on a propagation distance for each pixel of a terahertz wave corresponding to a pixel in a horizontal direction by using a plurality of modulation patterns, and emits a plurality of terahertz waves. Based on a time amount converted from the change of the propagation distances corresponding to the modulation patterns, the adjustment unit adjusts a position on a time axis of the time waveforms of a plurality of terahertz waves and calculates a new plurality of time waveforms. The addition unit adds a new time waveform for each pixel. The apparatus can suppress reduction in signal intensity of a terahertz wave while maintaining detection sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeaki Itsuji
  • Patent number: 8620132
    Abstract: A terahertz scanning reflectometer is described herein. A high sensitivity terahertz scanning reflectometer is used to measure dynamic surface deformation and delamination characteristics in real-time. A number of crucial parameters can be extracted from the reflectance measurements such as dynamic deformation, propagation velocity, and final relaxation position. A terahertz reflectometer and spectrometer are used to determine the permeation kinetics and concentration profile of active ingredients in stratum corneum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Anis Rahman, Aunik K. Rahman
  • Patent number: 8618485
    Abstract: A method for detecting suspended discontinuity densities in a material is provided. The method includes transmitting terahertz electromagnetic radiation toward a surface of the material. This radiation is received at an expected location after interacting with the material. The power level of the received radiation is measured and deviation from the expected value is used to determine a suspended discontinuity density gradient in the material. The method can be used with either reflected radiation or transmitted radiation. Embodiments of the method can calculate the index of refraction in the material and correlate this with the suspended discontinuity density of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Patric K. Lockhart
  • Publication number: 20130313436
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the concentration of a molecule, such as CO, NO or NO2, in a gaseous atmosphere at a temperature above 1200° C. in a chamber, said molecule having an absorption line at a wavelength between 4 and 8 ?m, said device comprising an emitter that emits laser radiation with a wavelength corresponding to that of the absorption line, said emitter emitting the laser radiation through a first window and then through said atmosphere, said window being made of a solid material having, for a material thickness of 1 mm, a transmittance greater than 50% at the wavelength of the laser radiation, the laser radiation being analyzed after having passed through said atmosphere by an analyzer that determines the absorption of the laser radiation by the molecule in the gaseous atmosphere, the window being placed on or in a wall of the chamber, where appropriate via an insert, in order to prevent the hot atmosphere of the chamber escaping therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicants: SAINT-GOBAIN EMBALLAGE, SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Lorenzo Canova, Mathieu Rougnon
  • Patent number: 8580130
    Abstract: Laser-assisted apparatus and methods for performing nanoscale material processing, including nanodeposition of materials, can be controlled very precisely to yield both simple and complex structures with sizes less than 100 nm. Optical or thermal energy in the near field of a photon (laser) pulse is used to fabricate submicron and nanometer structures on a substrate. A wide variety of laser material processing techniques can be adapted for use including, subtractive (e.g., ablation, machining or chemical etching), additive (e.g., chemical vapor deposition, selective self-assembly), and modification (e.g., phase transformation, doping) processes. Additionally, the apparatus can be integrated into imaging instruments, such as SEM and TEM, to allow for real-time imaging of the material processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Samuel S. Mao, Costas P. Grigoropoulos, David J. Hwang, Andrew M. Minor
  • Patent number: 8576087
    Abstract: A radiation imaging system includes a radiation imaging cassette and a console device. A communication mode between the cassette and the console device is switchable between a wired mode and a wireless mode. Due to shortage of a battery of the cassette, the communication mode is switched to the wired mode to start charging the battery and send image data from the cassette to the console device through a cable. The console device has first and second judging sections. The first judging section judges whether or not a charge level of the battery exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The second judging section judges whether or not radiography is in progress. If it is judged that the charge level of the battery exceeds the predetermined threshold value and the radiography is not in progress, a window that indicates permission for switching to the wireless mode is displayed on a monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Kamiya, Yusuke Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20130284930
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a measurement device includes an electromagnetic wave detector, a phase measurement unit and a deriving unit. The electromagnetic wave detector detects an electromagnetic wave having a frequency equal to or more than 0.02 THz and equal to or less than 12 THz having traveled inside an object to be measured, which is an aggregation of particles. The phase measurement unit measures a change in phase of the electromagnetic wave generated by the travel inside the object to be measured based on a detection result by the electromagnetic wave detector. The deriving unit derives hardness or porosity of the object to be measured based on a measurement result by the phase measurement unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eiji KATO
  • Patent number: 8558201
    Abstract: A method and device for measuring the soot load in the exhaust gas systems of diesel engines using a sensor which is mounted downstream of a particulate filter and comprises a sensor element, to measure the operability of the particulate filter. According to the method, the soot load of the sensor element is measured resistively or capacitively using electrodes. The measuring voltage of the sensor element is controlled depending on at least one actual operating parameter of the diesel engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Bitter, Camiel Heffels, Thomas Hörner
  • Patent number: 8554087
    Abstract: A method for imaging objects through turbid media includes generating a repetitive pulsed light beam under control of a pulse shaper, propagating the light beam through turbid media, and receiving and imaging the light beam at a sensor. Propagation through turbid media causes scattering of the light, and the sensor captures scattered pulses to produce an image. The pulse shaper controls pulse width, frequency, repetition rate and chirp of the generated light pulses according to a feedback signal received from the sensor, to improve image quality. A system for imaging objects through turbid media includes a laser for generating a light beam; a pulse shaper for controlling said light beam, and a sensor, in communication with the pulse shaper, for capturing the image of said light beam through a turbid medium. Pulse width is less than 250 femtoseconds to reduce attenuation of the light beam through the turbid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Trustees of Dartmouth College
    Inventor: Ulf Osterberg
  • Patent number: 8546762
    Abstract: Time-domain measurements are carried out using arrangements and methods. A transmitter generates electro-magnetic pulses upon receipt of pulses of an optical pulse source. A coherent detector detects the electro-magnetic pulses or an evoked electro-magnetic signal. A delay line periodically changes the optical path length between the optical pulse source and the coherent detector and/or the electro-magnetic transmitter by periodically moving an optical element of the delay line. A position sensor determines the position of the optical element and smoothes the data generated by the position sensor. The coherent detector detects the electro-magnetic signal evoked by the electro-magnetic pulses. Pulses of the optical pulse source trigger the coherent detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Helmut Roehle, Bernd Sartorius
  • Patent number: 8541743
    Abstract: A method for identifying and quantifying one or more analytes included in a sample comprising a background solvent is disclosed. The present invention locates a sample fluid at a sample region by virtue of a sample holder that comprises work-hardened silver halide. The sample fluid at the sample region is then spectrally characterized via a mid-infrared spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: ROC8SCI Co.
    Inventor: Frank Thomas Hartley
  • Patent number: 8541746
    Abstract: A process for the non-destructive determination of the quality of a weld seam, the process steps comprising: providing a first and a second component; connecting the first and second components by a weld seam produced by a welding operation; and measuring a surface temperature of the weld seam and surface temperatures of areas of the first and second components adjacent to the weld seam that were heated by the welding operation. A system for carrying out the process for the non-destructive determination of the quality of a weld seam, the system comprising: a measuring device, an analyzing unit, and a welding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Andres, Sven Przybylski
  • Publication number: 20130240737
    Abstract: Concatenated distributed feedback lasers having novel waveguides are disclosed. The waveguides allow for coupling of the laser beam between active and passive waveguide structures and improved device design and output efficiency. Methods of making along with methods of using such devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Catherine Genevieve Caneau, Feng Xie, Chung-En Zah
  • Publication number: 20130240736
    Abstract: An electromagnetic wave measurement device includes an electromagnetic wave outputter that outputs an electromagnetic wave having a frequency equal to or more than 0.01 THz and equal to or less than 100 THz toward a device under test. An electromagnetic wave detector detects the electromagnetic wave which has transmitted through the device under test. A relative position changer changes a relative position of an intersection of an optical path of the electromagnetic wave transmitting through the device under test and the device under test, with respect to the device under test, so that the intersection is at a predetermined relative position due to the refraction of the electromagnetic wave by the device under test. A characteristic value deriver derives a characteristic value of the electromagnetic wave based on a detection result of the electromagnetic wave detector, the characteristic value being associated with the predetermined relative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeki NISHINA, Motoki IMAMURA, Akiyoshi IRISAWA, Tomoyu YAMASHITA, Eiji KATO, Kodo KAWASE
  • Patent number: 8536530
    Abstract: A terahertz wave transceiver configured to generate and detect terahertz waves based on time-domain spectroscopy includes a photoconductive device having a photoconductive film, a first electrode, and a second electrode. An excitation light illumination region is formed between the first and second electrodes. A bias applying unit applies a bias between the first electrode and the second electrode to generate the terahertz wave in the excitation light illumination region. A current detection unit detects a terahertz-wave current that is a component of a current generated in the excitation light illumination region and that is generated by an electric field of a received terahertz wave arriving from the outside. A current drawing unit draws a current originating from the bias applied by the bias applying unit. An adjustment unit determines the amount of the current drawn, based on the amount of the bias applied by the bias applying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeaki Itsuji
  • Patent number: 8536533
    Abstract: Reflective means comprising substrates, selectively reflects electromagnetic radiation whose frequency lies between 3×109 Hz and 1013 Hz, and includes, for example, a layer of high resistivity silicon, on which the radiation is arranged to be incident, and means for selectively generating charge carriers in the layer to reflect the radiation, for example, by illuminating a face of the substrate with electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength lies between 5 ?m and 100 mn in order to generate the charge carriers. The reflective means may form part of an imaging device in which a scene to be imaged is illuminated by radiation which passes through the reflective means in a coaxial arrangement, the reflected radiation being received by the reflective element while the reflective region is scanned over its entire surface, to produce a stream of radiation reflected from the scene which can be detected and used to drive a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: E2V Technologies (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Mervyn Keith Hobden, Robert Anthony Sareen
  • Patent number: 8531674
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a total reflection measuring apparatus which, while visually observing a specific minute area of a measurement object, is capable of efficiently obtaining optical data on the basis of the total reflection measurement. A microscopic total reflection measuring apparatus of the present invention comprises a Cassegrain mirror 12 having a Cassegrain primary mirror 16 and a Cassegrain secondary mirror 18, which condenses an incident light beam 30 on a measurement object 20 by making an incident light beam successively reflected by the secondary mirror 18 and the primary mirror 16, and which obtains a reflected light beam 32 from the measurement object 20 by making the reflected light beam 32 successively reflected by the primary mirror 16 and the secondary mirror 18. And, a total reflection prism 14 is arranged below the Cassegrain secondary mirror 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: JASCO Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Soga, Hiroshi Sugiyama, Takayuki Sera, Jun Koshoubu
  • Publication number: 20130228690
    Abstract: A method of determining components of a flowing heterogeneous sample comprising obtaining a sample of material; measuring mid-infrared attenuation values of the sample and calculating in a data processing unit an indication of the component of interest in the sample from the measured mid-infrared attenuation values characterised in that the method further comprises flowing the sample; concurrently interacting mid-infrared radiation with the flowing sample in a measurement region and subsequently measuring the mid-infrared attenuation values for one or more wavebands of the interacted radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: FOSS ANALYTICAL A/S
    Inventor: Henrik Vilstrup Juhl
  • Publication number: 20130228689
    Abstract: Disclosed are a gas flow meter and a method for measuring the velocity of gas, wherein the reliability of real time measurement may be improved and a specific gas may be selected and measured. The gas flow meter includes: at least a gas detecting section for radiating light having a wavelength that is absorbed by a specific gas to the specific gas, of which flow velocity is to be measured, in a mixture gas including at least one gas, detecting the irradiance absorption of the corresponding wavelength of the specific gas, and providing a detection signal corresponding to the detected irradiance and a control section for calculating the flow velocity of the specific gas to be measured in real time based on the detection signal, which is provided from the gas detection section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Sung-Won Kim
  • Patent number: 8525115
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhanced THz radiation coupling to molecules, includes the steps of depositing a test material near the discontinuity edges of a slotted member, and enhancing the THz radiation by transmitting THz radiation through the slots. The molecules of the test material are illuminated by the enhanced THz radiation that has been transmitted through the slots, thereby producing an increased coupling of EM radiation in the THz spectral range to said material. The molecules can be bio-molecules, explosive materials, or species of organisms. The slotted member can be a semiconductor film, a metallic film, in particular InSb, or layers thereof. THz detectors sense near field THz radiation that has been transmitted through said slots and the test material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Boris Gelmont, Tatiana Globus, Nathan Swami, Robert M Weikle, Arthur Weston Lichtenberger, Ramakrishnan Parthasarathy, Alexei Bykhovski
  • Patent number: 8521445
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to measuring corrosion rate. Flowing corrosive fluid contacts a metal coupon or object and results in an effluent stream. The effluent stream contains metal from the object due to reaction of constituents in the fluid with the metal. Analysis of the effluent stream measures concentration of the metal therein. Since the concentration of the metal in the effluent stream is indicative of mass loss from the object, calculations provide the corrosion rate utilizing weight of the metal that is eluted, surface area of the object and exposure time of the object with the corrosive fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Ricky Eugene Snelling, Donald Ray Engelbert, Omar Jesus Yepez
  • Patent number: 8513608
    Abstract: The coating film inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a terahertz-wave generator that generates a terahertz-wave; an irradiation optical system that irradiates, with the terahertz-wave, a sample with a film formed thereon; a terahertz-wave detector that detects a terahertz-wave reflected at the sample; and a control unit that shows an electric field intensity of the detected terahertz-wave in wave form data on a time axis to detect a plurality of peaks from the wave form data, and also calculates film thickness on the basis of time difference between peaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ohtake, Yuzuru Uehara, Jun Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 8502153
    Abstract: An optical proximity sensor and corresponding methods of measuring crosstalk in the sensor are disclosed. The amount of crosstalk generated between the light emitter and the light detector of an optical proximity sensor is measured and quantified according to one of two methods. The measured crosstalk may then be stored in a register or memory location and then subtracted from signals representative of signals indicative of the nearby presence of an object to be detected combined with crosstalk, thereby removing so the contribution or effect of crosstalk on such signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chee Heng Wong, Han Kang Chong, Rani Ramamoorthy Saravanan
  • Publication number: 20130181133
    Abstract: A system for imaging a distribution of an absorbent material within an absorbent article. The system includes a radiation source and a detector positioned such that the absorbent article is situated between the radiation source and the detector. The absorbent article includes an absorbent material having a spatial distribution within the absorbent article. Infrared radiation within a particular wavelength range (e.g., 3 ?m to 3.2 ?m) is more likely to be absorbed by the absorbent material than by other materials within the absorbent article. The radiation source is configured to generate infrared radiation incident on the absorbent article. The detector is configured to detect a quantity of the infrared radiation within the particular wavelength range that was transmitted through the absorbent article. The radiation source is further configured to generate data indicative of the spatial distribution of the absorbent material based on the detected quantity of the infrared radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventor: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20130175108
    Abstract: A method of measuring a chemical vapor concentration is provided. A chemical vapor sensor measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, an ethanol vapor sensor is provided, sized for being inconspicuous and on-board a vehicle, having a passive measurement mode and an active breathalyzer mode, for detecting a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. For the passive mode, a vapor concentrator is utilized to amplify a sampled vapor concentration to a detectable level for use with an infrared (IR) detector. In an aspect, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is passively measured and if a predetermined ethanol level is measured, a countermeasure is invoked to improve safety. In an aspect, an active breathalyzer is used as a countermeasure. The active breathalyzer can be imposed for a number of vehicle trips or for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Patent number: 8482739
    Abstract: A heterodyne photomixer spectrometer comprises a receiver photomixer that is driven at a different frequency than the source photomixer, thereby maintaining the coherent nature of the detection, eliminating etalon effects, and providing not only the amplitude but also the phase of the received signal. The heterodyne technique can be applied where the source and receiver elements are components of a waveguide thereby forming an on-chip heterodyne spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Wanke, Kevin Fortier, Eric A. Shaner, Todd A. Barrick
  • Patent number: 8481945
    Abstract: An optical frequency converter includes a waveguide including a core made of a nonlinear optical medium having a refractive index n1,light in a wavelength region of light, and cladding disposed so as to cover the core and made of a material whose refractive index n2,light in the wavelength region of light is lower than the refractive index n1,light, and a coupling section made of a material whose refractive index n3,THz in a wavelength region of a terahertz wave is higher than the refractive index n1,light and disposed in contact with the cladding. The coupling section is configured to couple the waveguide with a space in the wavelength region of the terahertz wave. The coupling section covers the cladding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Koyama, Kousuke Kajiki
  • Publication number: 20130168553
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and devices are provided for a thermally-sensitive optocoupler package. A layer in the optocoupler package has an upper surface and a lower surface, and comprises a thermally-sensitive material. In the package, an LED emits infrared or near-infrared light and a photodetector receives at least a portion of such emitted light and in response provides isolated output signals therefrom. The LED is located above the upper surface, and the photodetector is located beneath the lower surface. The thermally-sensitive material is configured such that an amount of light emitted by the LED, incident on the material and the layer, and transmitted through the material and the layer, changes in accordance with changes in ambient temperature or local thermal conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chee Mang Wong, Yik Loong Leong, Stephanie Febianty Lie
  • Patent number: 8477293
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a container configured to contain a coolant within a space. The apparatus further includes a cooling block positioned substantially within the space and having a high heat capacity such that the space not occupied by the cooling block is filled with a coolant to a level at or below the top of the cooling block, and a placement structure having high thermal conductivity positioned on top of the cooling block and outside of the space. A method for cooling an object is also provided, which includes inserting a coolant into a container configured to contain the coolant within a space, and placing the object on a placement structure outside the space. For this method, the placement structure has a high thermal conductivity and is coupled to a cooling block, the cooling block having a high heat capacity and positioned substantially within the space. A two-stage cooling apparatus and method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
    Inventors: Matt Hall, Ren Lu, Wuyi Wang
  • Patent number: 8471208
    Abstract: A non-dispersive infrared gas sensor provides the same light path for light used in a reference mode and a test mode for testing for the presence or concentration of one or more gases. A vacuum is formed in the light pipe in the reference mode. Gas flows into the light pipe before the test mode. The same emitter and detector maybe used for both the test and reference modes. The emitter transmits an electromagnetic wave through the light pipe in both the reference and test modes. The detected signals in both modes are compared to determine the concentration or presence of gas in the light pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Patrick Tang
  • Publication number: 20130146770
    Abstract: A terahertz continuous wave system in accordance with the inventive concept may include a terahertz wave generator generating a terahertz continuous wave; a non-destructive detector measuring a change of the terahertz continuous wave by emitting the generated terahertz continuous wave to a sample and controlling a focal point of the emitted terahertz continuous wave while two-dimensionally moving the sample at predetermined intervals; and a three-dimensional image processor obtaining a three-dimensional image using two-dimensional images corresponding to the measured terahertz continuous wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Electronics and Telecommunications Research In
  • Patent number: 8457915
    Abstract: A system and method to measure, with increased precision, the transit time position(s) of pulses in a time domain data. An example data set would be the transit time of pulses in Time-Domain Terahertz (TD-THz) data. The precision of the pulse timing directly affects the precision of determined sample properties measurements (e.g., thickness). Additionally, an internal calibration etalon structure and algorithm method provides for continuous system precision/accuracy check method to increase sample measurement integrity. The etalon structure can improve the precision of sample property measurements (e.g., absolute thickness). Various hardware and system implementations of the above are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Picometrix, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. White, Gregory D. Fichter, David Zimdars, Steven Williamson
  • Patent number: 8450690
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting terahertz radiation at room temperature. A detecting pixel includes a sub-wavelength split-ring resonator, and is mechanically coupled to (but thermally decoupled from) a substrate via a cantilever formed from two materials that have a significant mismatch in their thermal expansion coefficients. Incident radiation causes the split-ring resonator to resonate, thereby generating heat that is transferred to the cantilever, causing the cantilever to flex. An optical readout system includes a secondary light source, such as a laser, that shines on a reflective surface on the pixel, whereby a photodiode detects the reflected light and permits calculation of a relative deflection of the pixel in the nanometer range. An exemplary detector has a noise equivalent power rating of approximately 60 pW/?Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignees: Trustees of Boston University, Trustees of Boston College
    Inventors: Richard Averitt, Xin Zhang, Hu Tao, Andrew Strikwerda, Willie J. Padilla, Eric Shaner
  • Patent number: 8450689
    Abstract: A non-contacting type paint film thickness measuring device includes a generating portion for generating a terahertz pulse light, a detecting portion for detecting the terahertz pulse light, a measured wave form in time-series obtaining portion for obtaining a measured wave form indicating an electric field intensity of a terahertz echo pulse light, and an intrinsic wave form in time-series obtaining portion, having an intrinsic electric field spectrum calculating portion and an intrinsic wave form in time-series calculating portion, for calculating an intrinsic wave form in time-series of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ohtake, Yuki Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8450691
    Abstract: A high frequency radiation transceiver is presented. The transceiver includes an electrodes' arrangement, including two or more electrodes, where two of said electrodes are accommodated in a spaced-apart relationship defining a cavity for free space propagation of electrons between them. One of said two electrodes is configured to be responsive to an external input optical signal to emit an electron flux towards the other electrode. Said two or more electrodes are configured to define first and second electrode portions, the first portion having at least a region thereof exposed to said electron flux and operable as an antenna feeding port causing an electric current in said second portion and the second portion being configured and operable as an antenna radiating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Novatrans Group SA
    Inventors: Ron Daisy, Laurent Habib
  • Publication number: 20130126737
    Abstract: A testing device includes a receiving unit for electromagnetic signals arranged on a carrier element to be tested to generate test data from received electromagnetic radiation. The test data are evaluated in a processing system in order to determine a deviation of the test data from a nominal state of the carrier element. The testing device is used to test a carrier element of an elevator installation on which the elevator car is suspended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Josef Husmann, Guntram Begle
  • Patent number: 8445875
    Abstract: An optical crystal includes a first non-linear optical crystal that generates terahertz waves corresponding to a difference frequency component in incident light with two different wavelengths by a difference frequency generation, and a second non-linear optical crystal that generates terahertz waves corresponding to a difference frequency component in incident light with two different wavelengths by a difference frequency generation, the second non-linear optical crystal being different in material from the first non-linear optical crystal, and the first non-linear optical crystal and the second non-linear optical crystal being disposed in contact or close together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventor: Hirohisa Uchida
  • Patent number: 8444821
    Abstract: Optical radiation sources functioning on different optical bands radiate on different optical bands and focus optical radiation on a region in a web surface as pulses in such a manner that illumination areas of the pulses overlap on the plane of the web. At most one optical radiation band is focused on the web from the direction of the normal. The spatial intensity distribution of at least one optical band differs from the uniform distribution and the intensity distributions of at least two different optical bands differ from one another in a predetermined manner. A camera forms still images of the web surface region on each optical radiation band. An image-processing unit determines the surface topography of the web on the basis of the images. In addition, a controller may control the paper manufacturing process on the basis of the determined surface topography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Metso Automation Oy
    Inventors: Marko Avikainen, Petri Niemi, Heikki Kettunen, Markku Mäntylä, Heimo Keränen
  • Publication number: 20130123639
    Abstract: According to a measuring method or a control method of life activity, a life object is illuminated with an electromagnetic wave including a wavelength in a designated waveband, and a characteristic in a local area of the life object is detected, or a life activity thereof is controlled. This “local area” is an area constituted by one or more cells. The “designated waveband” is defined based on any one of the following phenomena: [1] transition energy between a ground state of a vibration mode newly occurring between atoms in a constituent molecule of a cell membrane and a plurality of excited states; [2] transition energy between vibration modes occurring between specific atoms in a molecule corresponding to the activity of the life object or the change thereof; and [3] a specific chemical shift value in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: Hideo Ando
  • Publication number: 20130119256
    Abstract: A testing device includes a receiving unit for electromagnetic signals arranged on a carrier element to be tested to generate test data from received electromagnetic radiation. The test data are evaluated in a processing system to determine a deviation of the test data from a nominal state of the carrier element. The testing device is used to test a carrier element of an elevator installation on which the elevator car is suspended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Josef Husmann, Guntram Begle
  • Patent number: 8440974
    Abstract: A system and method of performing acoustic thermography in which invalid data is filtered from data used to detect defects on a structure. An ultrasonic sound input signal is provided to a structure to produce a thermal image output. A sensor senses an input energy corresponding to the sound input signal and produces an input energy signal. The input energy signal is transformed to a test spectrum and is compared to a reference spectrum. The comparison of the test spectrum to the reference spectrum is used to determine whether to include the thermal image output in an analysis for detecting defects in the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest R. Ruhge, Clifford Hatcher
  • Patent number: 8436311
    Abstract: A method of predicting thermal or chemical effect in a painted or coated composite material includes generating a calibration model, providing a composite material having a coating layer, irradiating the coating layer with infrared energy, detecting infrared energy reflected from the coating layer and predicting a thermal or chemical history of the coating layer using the calibration model and the infrared energy reflected from the coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Paul H. Shelley, Gregory J. Werner, Paul G. Vahey
  • Patent number: 8436310
    Abstract: A system for reducing effects relating to stretching of an optical fiber includes an optical control source, the optical source outputting an optical signal, a terahertz transmitter and receiver both being optically coupled to the optical source, and a means for providing the optical signal to both the terahertz transmitter and terahertz receiver such that the terahertz receiver is synchronized to the terahertz transmitter by the optical signal. The means prevents the stretching of an fiber carrying the optical signal provided to the terahertz transmitter or terahertz receiver or allows for the stretching an optical fiber such that the terahertz receiver will still be synchronized to the terahertz transmitter by the optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Picometrix, LLC
    Inventor: David Zimdars
  • Patent number: 8415625
    Abstract: A total reflection terahertz wave measuring apparatus 1 includes a light source 11, a branching part 12, a chopper 13, an optical path length difference adjusting part 14, a polarizer 15, a beam splitter 17, a terahertz wave generating element 20, a filter 25, an internal total reflection prism 31, a terahertz wave detecting element 40, a ¼ wavelength plate 51, a polarization split element 52, a photodetector 53a, a photodetector 53b, a differential amplifier 54, and a lock-in amplifier 55. The internal total reflection prism 31 is a so-called aplanatic prism, and has an entrance surface 31a, an exit surface 31b, and a reflection surface 31c. The terahertz wave generating element 20 and the filter 25 are provided to be integrated with the entrance surface 31a of the internal total reflection prism 31, and the terahertz wave detecting element 40 is provided to be integrated with the exit surface 31b of the internal total reflection prism 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakanishi, Yoichi Kawada, Takashi Yasuda, Hironori Takahashi, Masatoshi Fujimoto, Shinichiro Aoshima, Atsuko Aoshima
  • Publication number: 20130075614
    Abstract: A method for identifying and quantifying one or more analytes included in a sample comprising a background solvent is disclosed. The present invention locates a sample fluid at a sample region by virtue of a sample holder that comprises work-hardened silver halide. The sample fluid at the sample region is then spectrally characterized via a mid-infrared spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: ROC8SCI CO.
    Inventor: Roc8Sci Co.
  • Patent number: 8405406
    Abstract: A detection apparatus and an imaging apparatus are capable of accurately conducting non-destructive observation of a target by using an incoherent electromagnetic wave. The detection apparatus has a generating section, a first coupler section, a delaying section, a second coupler section and a signal processing section. The generating section 101 includes a coherent electromagnetic wave source 102 and a diffusing section 103 for generating a pseudoincoherent electromagnetic wave by changing a propagation state of the coherent electromagnetic wave in accordance with a code pattern. The incoherent electromagnetic wave is split into first and second waves and the first wave is affected by the target of observation while the second wave is delayed by the delaying section. The first and second waves are then coupled to produce a coupled wave having a correlation signal of them and the signal is utilized to acquire information on the inside of the target of observation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeaki Itsuji
  • Patent number: 8395122
    Abstract: Apparatus for detection of infrared radiation emitted from a taggant following excitation of the taggant sample measures the decay time of the radiation used. If the decay characteristic is accurately measured, the particular taggant can be accurately identified. The apparatus comprises an electronic controller, light-emitting diodes, a photo-detector, a first amplifier, a three-way sampling switch, filter/stores, second amplifiers and an output display. The infrared emission is excited by repeatedly illuminating the taggant for a period of microseconds every few milliseconds. When the light source is turned off, the sample continues radiating for a few milliseconds. The emission is detected by photo-detector sensitive to the 800 to 1000 nm waveband thereby rejecting interference from visible light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Filtrona C&SP Limited
    Inventors: Philip John Allen, Andrew John Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20130043391
    Abstract: A modulator wheel of a gas analyzer which contains an opening in the shadowing part thereof, where the opening generates in the measurement signal of the gas analyzer, in addition to a signal component at a modulation frequency generated by alternating shadowing and passing-through of the radiation, a further signal component having twice the modulation frequency that is used for detecting changes to the infrared radiation source or detector arrangement due to contamination, aging, or temperature, and compensating for the effects thereof on the measurement result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Bitter, Camiel Heffels, Thomas Hörner
  • Publication number: 20130043392
    Abstract: A mid- to far-infrared solid state Raman laser system comprising a resonator cavity comprising: an input reflector adapted to be highly transmissive for light with a first wavelength in the range of about 3 to about 7.5 micrometers for admitting the first beam to the resonator cavity; and an output reflector adapted to be partially transmissive for light with a second wave-length greater than about 5.5 micrometers for resonating the second wavelength in the resonator and for outputting an output beam, the input reflector further being adapted to be highly reflective at the second wavelength for resonating the second wave-length in the resonator; and a solid state diamond Raman material located in the resonator cavity for Raman shifting the pump beam and generating the second wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Richard Paul Mildren