Temperature Control Or Compensation System Patents (Class 250/370.15)
  • Patent number: 8093535
    Abstract: A circuit is disclosed, integrated in a semiconductor material, for measuring signals of a sensor assigned to the integrated circuit. In at least one embodiment, the circuit includes an active component; a temperature sensor; and a circuit to control the temperature of the semiconductor material. The active component is provided to treat the measuring signals produced by the sensor and the active component is drivable by the circuit to control the temperature in such a way that the temperature of the semiconductor material is variable. Further, the circuit includes at least one of a PI and PID controller to control the temperature. A method for controlling the temperature of a semiconductor material that has an integrated circuit is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Björn Heismann, Helmut Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 8080791
    Abstract: Multiple detectors arranged in a ring within a specimen chamber provide a large solid angle of collection. The detectors preferably include a shutter and a cold shield that reduce ice formation on the detector. By providing detectors surrounding the sample, a large solid angle is provided for improved detection and x-rays are detected regardless of the direction of sample tilt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Hanno Sebastian von Harrach, Bert Freitag, Pleun Dona
  • Patent number: 8039812
    Abstract: A method and device that provides independent temperature control of x-ray detector crystals, either singly or in small groups. In addition to a thermal control network for the crystals, electronic devices are associated with each detector crystal and are independently cooled using Peltier devices so that lifetime and reliability are maximized. In most operating environments the ambient temperature is less than the operating temperature of the detector crystals. In these situations, the heat removed from the electronics can be used to heat the detector crystals, resulting in efficient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: SureScan Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Crocker, Liza Hart, Eric Johnson, Gerald Kiballa
  • Publication number: 20110248177
    Abstract: A method and device that provides independent temperature control of x-ray detector crystals, either singly or in small groups. In addition to a thermal control network for the crystals, electronic devices are associated with each detector crystal and are independently cooled using Peltier devices so that lifetime and reliability are maximized. In most operating environments the ambient temperature is less than the operating temperature of the detector crystals. In these situations, the heat removed from the electronics can be used to heat the detector crystals, resulting in efficient operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Crocker, Liza Hart, Eric Johnson, Gerald Kiballa
  • Patent number: 7959303
    Abstract: When a position detector detects that the position of a spot on a projection plane designates a non-projection region, the level of a driving signal of a laser is corrected. Specifically, the correlation between the quantity of laser light detected by a light-receiving portion and the level of the driving signal of the laser in accordance with prescribed data is detected. Then, the characteristic value of the laser indicated by the detected correlation is compared with the characteristic value at room temperature stored beforehand to indicate the correlation between the quantity of light emitted by the laser at room temperature and the level of the driving signal. Then, based on the comparison result, the level of the driving signal of the laser in accordance with image data is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Nishioka, Atsuya Hirano, Atsuhiko Chikaoka, Hiroshi Nishigaki
  • Patent number: 7936270
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for space charge dosimeters for extremely low power measurements of radiation in shipping containers. A method includes insitu polling a suite of passive integrating ionizing radiation sensors including reading-out dosimetric data from a first passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor and a second passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor, where the first passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor and the second passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor remain situated where the dosimetric data was integrated while reading-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Charles L. Britton, Jr., Mark A. Buckner, Gregory R. Hanson, William L. Bryan
  • Patent number: 7932828
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for space charge dosimeters for extremely low power measurements of radiation in shipping containers. A method includes in situ polling a suite of passive integrating ionizing radiation sensors including reading-out dosimetric data from a first passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor and a second passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor, where the first passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor and the second passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor remain situated where the dosimetric data was integrated while reading-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Charles L. Britton, Jr., Mark A. Buckner, Gregory R. Hanson, William L. Bryan
  • Patent number: 7928402
    Abstract: A radiation image detector includes a radiation-image-detector main body and a vacuum container. The radiation-image-detector main body generates charges by irradiation with an electromagnetic wave for recording that carries a radiation image and records the radiation image by accumulating the charges. The vacuum container is sealed to store the radiation-image-detector main body in a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Iwakiri
  • Patent number: 7902514
    Abstract: An image detecting device (radiation solid-state detecting device) including an image detector (sensor substrate) for recording an image and outputting the recorded image as image information; a temperature regulation control unit for performing a temperature regulation control operation to adjust the image detector to a predetermined temperature; and an image information output detecting unit (timing control signal detector) for detecting the output of the image information from the image detector, and outputting the detected output as an image information output detection signal to the temperature regulation control unit, wherein the temperature regulation control unit halts the temperature regulation control operation on the image detector based on the image information output detection signal that is input thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Miyako, Hajime Nakata, Kazuo Hakamata, Yasunori Ohta
  • Patent number: 7902570
    Abstract: A single-photon detector is disclosed that provides reduced afterpulsing without some of the disadvantages for doing so in the prior art. An embodiment of the present invention provides a stimulus pulse to the active area of an avalanche photodetector to stimulate charges that are trapped in energy trap states to detrap. In some embodiments of the present invention, the stimulus pulse is a thermal pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Princeton Lightwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Allen Itzler, Rafael Ben-Michael, Sabbir Sajjad Rangwala
  • Publication number: 20110049378
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus comprising: a radiation detector configured to be detachable with respect to a patient platform and detect radiation transmitted through an object in one of a moving image capturing mode and a still image capturing mode; a detection unit configured to detect a shift timing of an image capturing mode; a cooling mechanism configured to cool the radiation detector in one of a first cooling mode and a second cooling mode having a higher cooling capacity than the first cooling mode; and a control unit configured to switch the cooling modes of the cooling mechanism based on detection by the detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoru Omura
  • Patent number: 7897933
    Abstract: A radiation image capturing apparatus includes a cooling mechanism for causing cooling medium to flow from a rear surface side to a radiation detector to a front surface side of radiation detector through a narrow space formed between an end of the radiation detector and a casing for housing the radiation detector. It is therefore possible to cool the narrow space, as well as regions in the vicinity of the narrow space, with the cooling medium and to discharge the cooling medium from the front surface side of the radiation detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Miyako, Hajime Nakata, Kazuo Hakamata, Yasunori Ohta
  • Patent number: 7851765
    Abstract: A cooling device is disclosed for a radiation detector including a detector surface and a plurality of collimator plates arranged in the direction of X-radiation before the detector surface. In order to produce the cooling device of at least one embodiment, the collimator plates are designed and/or the cooling device includes a ventilation device which is designed, so that the space between the collimator plates is at least partially exposed to a cooling air flow in order to cool the radiation detector. A corresponding method for cooling an X-radiation detector is furthermore described in at least one additional embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bjöm Heismann, Gunter Müller
  • Patent number: 7847987
    Abstract: A method is disclosed as including scanning a first pixel of an image with a primary scanning line of a sensor, and scanning a second pixel of the image with a secondary scanning line of the sensor, wherein the first pixel is separated from the second pixel by a pitch of one or more scan lines. A compensation value is determined for one or more pixels of the image, wherein the compensation value is determined based, at least in part, on a mathematical operation comprising pixel values associated with the first and second pixels and the pitch. The method further includes compensating the one or more pixel values based, at least in part, on the compensation value, wherein the compensation value compensates for a reflection of light between the first and second scanning lines when the first and second pixels are scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Chen-Hsiang Shih
  • Patent number: 7847263
    Abstract: A single flat panel detector provides radiation images which can correspond with various radiographic modes. In a radiation imaging apparatus including a flat panel detector which derives a radiation image according to incident radiation, a holding unit which holds the flat panel detector and a connecting mechanism capable of performing a connecting and a disconnecting between the holding unit and the flat panel detector, the flat panel detector can be controlled so that the maximum number of radiation images that the flat panel detector can derive when the flat panel detector is disengaged from the holding unit is smaller than the maximum number of radiation images that the flat panel detector can derive when the flat panel detector is held by the holding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yagi, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Katsuro Takenaka, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7834325
    Abstract: Amplifiers are mounted on flexible boards connected to a solid-state detector. A first temperature adjustment member is disposed near one of the surfaces of the amplifiers and the flexible boards, and a second temperature adjustment member is disposed near the other surface of the flexible boards. The first temperature adjustment member adjusts the temperature of the amplifiers themselves, and prevents heat from being transferred from the one of the surfaces of the flexible boards to the solid-state detector. The second temperature adjustment member prevents heat from being transferred from the other surface of the flexible boards to the solid-state detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hajime Nakata
  • Patent number: 7829871
    Abstract: An electron beam apparatus such as a sheet beam based testing apparatus has an electron-optical system for irradiating an object under testing with a primary electron beam from an electron beam source, and projecting an image of a secondary electron beam emitted by the irradiation of the primary electron beam, and a detector for detecting the secondary electron beam image projected by the electron-optical system; specifically, the electron beam apparatus comprises beam generating means 2004 for irradiating an electron beam having a particular width, a primary electron-optical system 2001 for leading the beam to reach the surface of a substrate 2006 under testing, a secondary electron-optical system 2002 for trapping secondary electrons generated from the substrate 2006 and introducing them into an image processing system 2015, a stage 2003 for transportably holding the substrate 2006 with a continuous degree of freedom equal to at least one, a testing chamber for the substrate 2006, a substrate transport mech
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Nakasuji, Nobuharu Noji, Tohru Satake, Toshifumi Kimba, Hirosi Sobukawa, Tsutomu Karimata, Shin Oowada, Shoji Yoshikawa, Mutsumi Saito
  • Publication number: 20100224787
    Abstract: A device for detecting electromagnetic radiation, with a diode structure acting absorbingly for the electromagnetic radiation and having a diode, and an ascertainer for ascertaining a measurement value for the absorbed electromagnetic radiation by means of at least two current/voltage measurements at the diode for different pairs of a diode current and a diode voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Juergen Huppertz, Bedrich Hosticka, Daniel Wuerfel
  • Publication number: 20100163742
    Abstract: A silicon drift detector has an X-ray detection device, an electrode terminal subassembly for electrical connection, a Peltier device, and first and second shields formed between the electrode terminal subassembly and the Peltier device. The first shield is made of a material consisting chiefly of an element having an atomic number smaller than the average atomic numbers of the elements included in the material of the Peltier device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: JEOL LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyoshi WATANABE, Kouji Miyatake
  • Publication number: 20100148064
    Abstract: Multiple detectors arranged in a ring within a specimen chamber provide a large solid angle of collection. The detectors preferably include a shutter and a cold shield that reduce ice formation on the detector. By providing detectors surrounding the sample, a large solid angle is provided for improved detection and x-rays are detected regardless of the direction of sample tilt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: FEI COMPANY
    Inventors: Hanno Sebastian von Harrach, Bert Freitag, Pleun Dona
  • Patent number: 7732780
    Abstract: A combined cold plate for RF shield is optimized both for cooling a device and also for shielding it against RF. One embodiment uses a two-part material so that it has improved thermal characteristics from one part and RF shielding characteristics from another part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Digirad Corporation
    Inventor: Joel Kindem
  • Patent number: 7732781
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a radiation detection system is provided including a radiation detector and a first enclosure encapsulating the radiation detector, the first enclosure including a low-emissivity infra-red (IR) reflective coating used to thermally isolate the radiation detector. Additionally, a second enclosure encapsulating the first enclosure is included, the first enclosure being suspension mounted to the second enclosure. Further, a cooler capable of cooling the radiation detector is included. Still yet, a first cooling interface positioned on the second enclosure is included for coupling the cooler and the first enclosure. Furthermore, a second cooling interface positioned on the second enclosure and capable of coupling the first enclosure to a cooler separate from the radiation detection system is included. Other embodiments are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Morgan Thomas Burks, Joel Del Eckels
  • Publication number: 20100133442
    Abstract: The invention relates an x-ray detector module comprising a plurality of silicium-drift detector cells which are arranged next to each other on a sensor chip. Said sensor chip is arranged in a recess of a frame-shaped base support, such that the sensitive chip surface lies in the opening of said frame-shaped base support. The aim of the invention is to improve the signal/base ratio. As a result, a mask (10) is fixed to the side of the base support (2) which is opposite to the recess, said mask covering the outer edge areas of external silicium-drift detector cells of the sensor chip (8) and ridges above the sensor chip (8) protrude into the opening of the base support (2). The ridges are arranged in such a manner that they cover the defining strips which are adjacent to the silicum drift detector cells, in order to protect the external edge areas and the defining strips which are covered by the mask (10) counter to the incident x-ray photons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: DEUTSCHES ELEKTRONEN-SYNCHROTRON DESY
    Inventors: Karsten Hansen, Alexander Venzmer
  • Publication number: 20100118915
    Abstract: A device and a method of thermal management. In one embodiment, the device includes an integrated circuit, including: (1) a conductive region configured to be connected to a voltage source, (2) a transistor having a semiconductor channel with a controllable conductivity and (3) first and second conducting leads connecting to respective first and second ends of said channel, wherein a charge in the conductive region is configured to substantially raise an electrical potential energy of conduction charge carriers in the semiconductor channel and portions of said leads are located where an electric field produced by said charge is substantially weaker than near the semiconductor channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventor: Steven H. Simon
  • Patent number: 7714296
    Abstract: A radiation solid-state detecting device includes a cooling panel disposed on a surface of a sensor substrate that is irradiated with radiation, or on a rear surface of the sensor substrate opposite to the irradiated surface thereof. The cooling panel comprises a plurality of cooling units. Cooling units, which face (pixels depending on) the recording areas in which radiation image information is recorded in the sensor substrate, are energized to cool the recording areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Ohta, Kazuo Hakamata, Kuniaki Miyako, Hajime Nakata, Yuto Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7714295
    Abstract: An image detecting device includes an image detector for recording an image therein and outputting the recorded image as image information, and a cooling panel disposed on a surface of the image detector for cooling the image detector, wherein the cooling panel has a thermal conductivity oriented in a planar direction along the surface of the image detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Ohta, Kazuo Hakamata, Kuniaki Miyako, Hajime Nakata, Yuto Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20100090121
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a radiation detection system is provided including a radiation detector and a first enclosure encapsulating the radiation detector, the first enclosure including a low-emissivity infra-red (IR) reflective coating used to thermally isolate the radiation detector. Additionally, a second enclosure encapsulating the first enclosure is included, the first enclosure being suspension mounted to the second enclosure. Further, a cooler capable of cooling the radiation detector is included. Still yet, a first cooling interface positioned on the second enclosure is included for coupling the cooler and the first enclosure. Furthermore, a second cooling interface positioned on the second enclosure and capable of coupling the first enclosure to a cooler separate from the radiation detection system is included. Other embodiments are also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Morgan Thomas Burks, Joel Del Eckels
  • Publication number: 20100078559
    Abstract: A method of detecting radiation through which the residence time of charge carriers is dramatically reduced by an external optical energy source and the occupancy of the deep-level defects is maintained close to the thermal equilibrium of the un-irradiated device even under high-flux exposure conditions. Instead of relying on thermal energy to release the trapped carriers, infra-red light radiation is used to provide sufficient energy for the trapped carriers to escape from defect levels. Cd1-xZnxTe crystals are transparent to infra-red light of this energy and no additional absorption occurs other than the one associated with the ionization of the targeted deep-level defects. This allows irradiation geometry from the side source of the Cd1-xZnxTe detector crystals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Csaba Szeles, Michael Prokesch, Derek Bale, Bruce Glick, Carl Crawford
  • Patent number: 7684960
    Abstract: Methods and systems for semiconductor diode junction protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Science Research Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonah H. Jacob
  • Patent number: 7675040
    Abstract: A radiation detector device can include a photosensor and a scintillation device coupled to the photosensor. The scintillation device can include a scintillator crystal enclosed within a casing. The scintillator crystal can be optically coupled to a window at an end of the casing. The scintillation device can include a dielectric gas inside at least part of the casing. The dielectric gas can be adapted to reduce or prevent static discharge within the scintillation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Menge, Brian Bacon
  • Publication number: 20100044573
    Abstract: A single flat panel detector provides radiation images which can correspond with various radiographic modes. In a radiation imaging apparatus including a flat panel detector which derives a radiation image according to incident radiation, a holding unit which holds the flat panel detector and a connecting mechanism capable of performing a connecting and a disconnecting between the holding unit and the flat panel detector, the flat panel detector can be controlled so that the maximum number of radiation images that the flat panel detector can derive when the flat panel detector is disengaged from the holding unit is smaller than the maximum number of radiation images that the flat panel detector can derive when the flat panel detector is held by the holding unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yagi, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Katsuro Takenaka, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7629587
    Abstract: A single flat panel detector provides radiation images which can correspond with various radiographic modes. In a radiation imaging apparatus including a flat panel detector which derives a radiation image according to incident radiation, a holding unit which holds the flat panel detector and a connecting mechanism capable of performing a connecting and a disconnecting between the holding unit and the flat panel detector, the flat panel detector can be controlled so that the maximum number of radiation images that the flat panel detector can derive when the flat panel detector is disengaged from the holding unit is smaller than the maximum number of radiation images that the flat panel detector can derive when the flat panel detector is held by the holding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yagi, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Katsuro Takenaka, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7626177
    Abstract: A method for detecting X-rays using an X-ray detector including an X-ray detecting part includes disposing a heat-circulating part adjacent to the X-ray detecting part. The X-ray detecting part includes light-detecting diodes. The method further includes detecting ambient temperatures of the light detecting diodes, circulating heat in the heat-circulating part based upon a result of the detecting the ambient temperatures of the light detecting diodes, increasing a uniformity of the ambient temperatures of the light-detecting diodes, and detecting X-rays irradiated into the X-ray detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Cheol Kim, Dae-Ho Choo, Sang-Wook Ahn, Yeon-Hee Yu
  • Patent number: 7586096
    Abstract: An interface assembly for a sensor array is provided. The interface assembly may be made up of an integrated circuit package thermally coupled to the sensor array. The interface assembly may include a temperature control system for controlling the temperature of the sensor array. The temperature control system includes a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature variation of each sensor of the sensor array from an initial temperature beyond a predetermined threshold. A temperature controller is coupled to each temperature sensor and receives an output signal from the temperature sensor upon the sensor temperature variation exceeding the predetermined threshold. A temperature correction device is coupled to each temperature controller and causes the sensor temperature variation to fall within the predetermined threshold upon receiving a control signal from the temperature controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Oliver Richard Astley, James Wilson Rose, Joe James Lacey, Jonathan David Short, Ashutosh Joshi
  • Patent number: 7576330
    Abstract: A computed tomography detector apparatus includes a substrate defining a recessed area. The computed tomography detector apparatus includes a heat pipe at least partially disposed within the recessed area. The computed tomography detector apparatus also includes an electronic component attached to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph James Lacey, Ashutosh Joshi
  • Publication number: 20090152472
    Abstract: A method for detecting X-rays using an X-ray detector including an X-ray detecting part includes disposing a heat-circulating part adjacent to the X-ray detecting part. The X-ray detecting part includes light-detecting diodes. The method further includes detecting ambient temperatures of the light detecting diodes, circulating heat in the heat-circulating part based upon a result of the detecting the ambient temperatures of the light detecting diodes, increasing a uniformity of the ambient temperatures of the light-detecting diodes, and detecting X-rays irradiated into the X-ray detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-Cheol KIM, Dae-Ho CHOO, Sang-Wook AHN, Yeon-Hee YU
  • Publication number: 20090127471
    Abstract: An image detecting device (radiation solid-state detecting device) including an image detector (sensor substrate) for recording an image and outputting the recorded image as image information; a temperature regulation control unit for performing a temperature regulation control operation to adjust the image detector to a predetermined temperature; and an image information output detecting unit (timing control signal detector) for detecting the output of the image information from the image detector, and outputting the detected output as an image information output detection signal to the temperature regulation control unit, wherein the temperature regulation control unit halts the temperature regulation control operation on the image detector based on the image information output detection signal that is input thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Miyako, Hajime Nakata, Kazuo Hakamata, Yasunori Ohta
  • Publication number: 20090101828
    Abstract: An image detecting device includes an image detector, a temperature regulation controller, an image information output detector, and a timer, wherein the temperature regulation controller stops or relaxes the temperature regulation control operation on the image detector based on the image information output detection signal input thereto from the image information output detector, and resumes or stops relaxing the temperature regulation control operation on the image detector when the timer has measured a preset period of time after the temperature regulation control operation has been stopped or relaxed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime NAKATA, Kuniaki MIYAKO, Kazuo HAKAMATA, Yasunori OHTA
  • Patent number: 7514692
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing polarization within an imaging device are provided and include a method of controlling an image detecting device. The method includes applying heat to the image detecting device having at least one ohmic contact and controlling the applied heat to adjust a temperature level of the image detecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Israel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Bouhnik, Alexander Gabriel Fishler, Hernan Altman, Uzi Dror, Ira Blevis
  • Publication number: 20090084971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiation image capturing apparatus, and includes a radiation image information detector for detecting radiation image information of a subject, a casing containing the radiation image information detector, a reading circuit for reading the radiation image information from the radiation image information detector, and a heat release unit for fastening the reading circuit and releasing heat generated by the reading circuit to the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori OHTA, Kazuo Hakamata, Kuniaki Miyako, Hajime Nakata, Yuto Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090084969
    Abstract: An image detecting device includes an image detector for recording an image therein and outputting the recorded image as image information, and a cooling panel disposed on a surface of the image detector for cooling the image detector, wherein the cooling panel has a thermal conductivity oriented in a planar direction along the surface of the image detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori OHTA, Kazuo Hakamata, Kuniaki Miyako, Hajime Nakata, Yuto Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090084970
    Abstract: A radiation solid-state detecting device includes a cooling panel disposed on a surface of a sensor substrate that is irradiated with radiation, or on a rear surface of the sensor substrate opposite to the irradiated surface thereof. The cooling panel comprises a plurality of cooling units. Cooling units, which face (pixels depending on) the recording areas in which radiation image information is recorded in the sensor substrate, are energized to cool the recording areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori OHTA, Kazuo Hakamata, Kuniaki Miyako, Hajime Nakata, Yuto Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7511277
    Abstract: A nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus is provided that can improve time resolution and energy resolution and diagnosing accuracy by enhancing radiation detectors in terms of moisture-proofing and dust-proofing effects while efficiently cooling the radiation detectors. The apparatus has a first region A in which radiation detectors are to be accommodated, and a second region B in which signal processors are to be accommodated. These regions are provided inside a housing member 5 via an adiabatic member 7. The housing member 5 also has a ventilation port 8 formed to communicate with the first region A and equipped with an anti-dust filter. Ventilation holes 34 are formed to communicate with the first region B and serving as entrances for cooling air. Unit fans 33 serve as exits for the cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuichirou Ueno, Takafumi Ishitsu, Keiji Kobashi, Kensuke Amemiya, Katsutoshi Tsuchiya
  • Publication number: 20090080605
    Abstract: An image capturing base that contains a radiation detector includes a housing having a slit serving as an air inlet port formed in the front end side of the housing, which is to be located adjacent to the chest wall of a subject, and a slit serving as an air outlet port formed in the rear end side of the housing adjacent to a pivot shaft. A fan forces air to flow into the housing through the slit, along a detection surface of the radiation detector in a direction from the front end side toward the rear end side, and out of the housing through the slit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Miyako, Hajime Nakata, Kazuo Hakamata, Yasunori Ohta
  • Publication number: 20090078879
    Abstract: A radiation solid-state detecting device includes a timing control signal detector, which detects the output of a timing control signal from a timing control circuit, and which outputs the detected output to a temperature controller as an image information output detection signal. When the temperature controller is supplied with the image information output detection signal, the temperature controller halts supply of direct current from a DC power supply to Peltier devices, while also stopping a fan from being energized, to thereby temporarily stop a temperature regulation control process from being carried out on a sensor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki MIYAKO, Hajime NAKATA, Kazuo HAKAMATA, Yasunori OHTA
  • Patent number: 7488949
    Abstract: A radiological imaging apparatus including a bed which supports an object to be examined and an imaging apparatus, wherein the imaging apparatus has a unit substrate including a first substrate including a radiation detector and a second substrate including a signal processing apparatus to which detection signals of the radiation detector are inputted and the first substrate is connected through a connector, and is provided with a heat insulating member of separating mutually a first area where the radiation detector is disposed from a second area where the signal processing apparatus is disposed, both of which are formed inside the imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuichirou Ueno, Kensuke Amemiya, Norihito Yanagita, Takafumi Ishitsu, Keiji Kobashi, Tomoyuki Seino, Katsutoshi Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 7455454
    Abstract: A method includes creating a lookup table for thermal correction of a x-ray detector on a pixel by pixel basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Abdelaziz Ikhlef, Naveen Stephan Chandra
  • Patent number: 7449696
    Abstract: A heat management apparatus for disposition in a medical imaging system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a thermally conductive detector module, sensor components disposed upon the detector module, and signal processing electronics in thermal communication with the detector module, the signal processing electronics disposed proximate the sensor components. A main heat conductor is in thermal communication with a first defined portion of a length of the detector module, and a local heat conductor is in thermal communication with a second defined portion of the length of the detector module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ashutosh Joshi, Joseph James Lacey
  • Publication number: 20080156996
    Abstract: An apparatus for the indirect cooling of a silicon drift detector (SDD) includes an enclosure with a vacuum maintained therein, at least one SDD module that generates substantially no heat positioned within the enclosure, a cooling engine positioned remote from the SDD module within the enclosure for cooling the SDD module, whereby heat is generated by the cooling engine, a thermal conduction device comprising a first end thermally coupled to the cooling engine and a second end thermally coupled to the SDD module and a heat removal device thermally coupled to the cooling engine. The cooling engine indirectly cools the SDD module by transferring thermal energy through the thermal conduction device from the SDD module and the heat removal device dissipates the heat generated by the cooling engine to the environment surrounding the enclosure. A method for indirectly cooling a radiation detector is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: AMETEK, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Nicolosi, Sun K. Park, Leong Ying, Steven Cacioppo, Michael Solazzi, Bob Westerdale
  • Patent number: 7378664
    Abstract: In an analytical instrument having a radiation detector, such as an electron microscope with an X-ray detector, a thermoelectric element (such as one or more Peltier junctions) is driven by a cooling power supply to cool the detector and thereby decrease measurement noise. Oil condensates and ice can then form on the detector owing to residual water vapor and vacuum pump oil in the analysis chamber, and these contaminants can interfere with measurement accuracy. To assist in reducing this problem, the thermoelectric element can be powered in the reverse of its cooling mode, thereby heating the detector and evaporating the contaminants. After the detector is cleared of contaminants, it may again be cooled and measurements may resume. Preferably, the thermoelectric element is heated by a power supply separate from the one that provides the cooling power, though it can also be possible to utilize a single power supply to provide both heating and cooling modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLC
    Inventors: James V. Howard, Tom Jacobs, Mark E. Misenheimer, David B. Rohde, Bruce R. Weber