Composition Analysis Patents (Class 378/53)
  • Patent number: 9704689
    Abstract: A method is provided of reducing the thickness of a region of a target sample. Reference data is obtained that is representative of x-rays generated by a particle beam being directed upon part of a reference sample under a first set of beam conditions. Under a second set of beam conditions the particle beam is directed upon the region of the target sample. The resultant x-rays are monitored as monitored data. Output data are then calculated based upon the reference and the monitored data. Material is then removed from the region, so as to reduce its thickness, in accordance with the output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Oxford Instruments Nanotechnology Tools Limited
    Inventors: Christian Lang, Peter Statham, Cheryl Hartfield
  • Patent number: 9651680
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of gamma ray spectroscopy monitoring and a system for accomplishing same to monitor one or more aspects of various isotope production processes. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a monitoring system, and method of utilizing same, for monitoring one or more aspects of an isotope production process where the monitoring system comprises: (A) at least one sample cell; (B) at least one measuring port; (C) at least one adjustable collimator device; (D) at least one shutter; and (E) at least one high resolution gamma ray spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: BWXT Technical Services Group, Inc.
    Inventors: William R Stagg, Timothy A Policke
  • Patent number: 9625606
    Abstract: A second stage screening system configured to resolve a threat alarm detected in a cargo by a first stage screening system. The second stage screening system includes layers of first muon detectors placed above the cargo to detect a first coordinate and an angle of incidence of incoming muons and layers of second muon detectors placed below the cargo to detect an actual coordinate and an actual angle of exit of the incoming muons. The first and second detectors measure a momentum of the incoming muons. A processing unit receives threat sensitivity vectors determined from the first stage, operates a cargo positioning system that centers a high-Z threat within the cargo, relative to the first and second muon detectors, and analyzes the momentum and a distribution of deflection angles between the angles of incidence and exit to resolve the threat alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Bendahan, Edward James Morton, David Yaish, Yossi Kolkovich, Jacques Goldberg
  • Patent number: 9558588
    Abstract: A method for building a 3D model of a rock sample comprises performing X-ray micro/nanoCT scanning of a rock sample and obtaining its initial three-dimensional microstructure image in a gray scale. Then, an analysis of the obtained three-dimensional image of the rock sample is performed and a binarization method is selected in dependence of the image quality and properties of the rock sample. The selected binarization method is at least once applied to the obtained initial three-dimensional image of the sample. Obtained 3D binarized image represents a 3D model of the rock sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dmitry Anatolievich Koroteev, Alexander Nikolaevich Nadeev, Ivan Viktorovich Yakimchuk, Igor Andreevich Varfolomeev
  • Patent number: 9442081
    Abstract: A method for measuring ash content in a biological material in an automated or semi-automated procedure is disclosed. The method includes the steps of scanning the biological material with electromagnetic radiation of at least two different energy levels, determining the amount of radiation transmitted through the sample of the biological material at the energy levels and estimating the moisture content in the biological material based on a relationship between the determined amount of radiation transmitted through the biological material. Thereafter, the ash content in the biological material is estimated, based on the estimated moisture content in the biological material, and average attenuation coefficients for the biological material without moisture, attenuation coefficients for a combustible part of the biological material and attenuation coefficients for ash of the biological material at the energy levels. A corresponding apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MANTEX AB
    Inventors: Erik Odén, Ragnar Kullenberg, Anders Ullberg, Fredrik Danielsson
  • Patent number: 9423363
    Abstract: A method for monitoring objects for example for facilitating the identification and/or authentication of objects comprises: in a first recording phase: irradiating an object with a suitable source of radiation, collecting intensity information about radiation emergent from the object, resolving the intensity information spectroscopically between at least two energy bands, and storing the resultant dataset as a reference dataset; and in a second verification phase: irradiating an object with a suitable source of radiation, collecting intensity information about radiation emergent from the object, resolving the intensity information spectroscopically between at least two energy bands, and using the resultant dataset as a test dataset; identifying the object and retrieving its corresponding reference dataset; comparing the test dataset and the reference dataset within predetermined tolerance limits, and: in the event that the reference dataset and the test dataset correspond within the predetermined tolerance li
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Kromek Limited
    Inventors: Ian Radley, Ben Cantwell, David Edward Joyce, Paul Scott
  • Patent number: 9396547
    Abstract: A method for increasing the accuracy of a target property value derived from a rock sample is described in which the sample is scanned to obtain a three-dimensional tomographic digital image which can be processed to pore space and solid material phases through a segmentation process. A process is used which revises the segmented volume, e.g., by increasing pore space connectivity, in a manner affecting the target property value that would be derived. Another described method increases the accuracy with which a segmented volume represents a material sample having structure not adequately resolved in an original three-dimensional tomographic digital image. Further, a system for performing the processes, and a segmented digital volume which more accurately represents a sample of a porous media, are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ingrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Naum Derzhi, Jack Dvorkin, Qian Fang, Michael Suhrer
  • Patent number: 9314218
    Abstract: An integrated microtomography and optical imaging system includes a rotating table that supports an imaging object, an optical stage, and separate optical and microtomography imaging systems. The table rotates the imaging object about a vertical axis running therethrough to a plurality of different rotational positions during a combined microtomography and optical imaging process. The optical stage can be a trans-illumination, epi-illumination or bioluminescent stage. The optical imaging system includes a camera positioned vertically above the imaging object. The microtomography system includes an x-ray source positioned horizontally with respect to the imaging object. Optical and x-ray images are both obtained while the imaging object remains in place on the rotating table. The stage and table are included within an imaging chamber, and all components are included within a portable cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Caliper Life Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Stearns, David G. Nilson, Bradley W. Rice
  • Patent number: 9311277
    Abstract: A calibration method for a device for identifying materials using X-rays, including: a) determining at least one calibration material and, for each calibration material, at least one calibration thickness of this material, b) measuring, for each of the calibration materials and for each of the selected calibration thicknesses, attenuation or transmission coefficients for X radiation, c) calculating statistical parameters from the coefficients, d) determining or calculating, for each calibration material and for each calibration thickness, a presence probability distribution law, as a function of the statistical parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Commissariat à l' énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventors: Jean Rinkel, Guillaume Beldjoudi, Jean-Marc Dinten, Georges Gonon, Veronique Rebuffel
  • Patent number: 9243776
    Abstract: A solar simulator including a support structure, two or more lighting modules connected to the support structure, wherein each lighting module includes a mounting structure and at least one multi-lamp assembly connected to the mounting structure, and a mobile sensor platform configured to sense light intensity and/or light spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Douglas R. Jungwirth
  • Patent number: 9213047
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of collecting topography, mechanical property data and electrical property data with an atomic force microscope (AFM) in either a single pass or a dual pass operation. PFT mode is preferably employed thus allowing the use of a wide range of probes, one benefit of which is to enhance the sensitivity of electrical property measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Bruker Nano, Inc.
    Inventors: Chunzeng Li, Yan Hu, Ji Ma, Jianli He, Lin Huang, Stephen C. Minne, Henry Mittel, Weijie Wang, Shuiqing Hu, Chanmin Su
  • Patent number: 9164183
    Abstract: A method and a detector system are disclosed for the photon-counting detection of x-ray radiation with direct conversion detectors. In at least one embodiment of the method, as a function of the existing radiation energy, current and/or voltage pulses which are largely proportional thereto are generated, and the generated current and voltage pulses are counted in the detector when a predetermined current and/or voltage source is exceeded, whereby a threshold is used as a predetermined current and/or voltage threshold, which corresponds to a detection of a photon with an energy which is less than the k-edge of the detector material used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLCHAFT
    Inventors: Edgar Kraft, Daniel Niederlöhner, Christian Schröter
  • Patent number: 9155516
    Abstract: A method for photon count-loss calibration in a computed-tomography (CT) scanner, including capturing incident X-ray photons via a plurality of energy-discriminating detectors, determining photon counts of the captured incident X-ray photons in a plurality of energy windows at each energy-discriminating detector, and adjusting the determined photon counts in each energy window for each energy-discriminating detector based on a pre-determined photon count-loss look-up table and the determined photon counts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaolan Wang, Yu Zou
  • Patent number: 9116100
    Abstract: Method for the identification of a homogeneous material (e.g. a liquid) in a container (e.g. a bottle) by measuring its X-ray or gamma spectrum and deriving its specific attenuation function. The method comprises building a database of the attenuation functions of empty containers, of containers filled with various fluid materials and of the contained fluid materials itself (by subtracting or devoluting the empty-container-attenuation-function from the filled-container-attenuation-function), recording the spectrum of an unknown material in a container and comparing this spectrum to the spectra in the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Kromek Limited
    Inventors: David Edward Joyce, Gary Gibson, Ian Radley, Martin Senior
  • Patent number: 9063061
    Abstract: A method for detecting an anomaly in a biological material is disclosed, including the steps of: irradiating the biological material with electromagnetic radiation of at least two different energy levels; measuring the amount of radiation transmitted through the biological material; and determining, for each energy level, a transmission value. Before or after irradiation of the biological material, a reference material of a predetermined thickness is irradiated and the amount of radiation transmitted is determined. For each energy level, a transmission calibration reference value is determined and a calibrated transmission value is determined for the biological material and the calibration reference. A material value based on a relationship between the calibrated transmission value and the presence of an anomaly in the biological material is determined by comparing the determined and expected material values for the biological material. A corresponding apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: MANTEX AB
    Inventors: Erik Oden, Ragnar Kullenberg, Anders Ullberg, Fredrik Danielsson
  • Patent number: 9042515
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10; 10a;10b; 10c; 50) for checking pharmaceutical products (1), in particular hard gelatin capsules, by means of at least one radiation source (30; 60) preferably embodied as an X-ray source, and a conveying device which conveys the products (1) in a clocked manner in a radiation area (31) of the radiation source (30; 60). The radiation emitted by the radiation source (30; 60) penetrating the products (1) preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axes thereof (2), and the radiation is captured on the side of the products (1) opposite the radiation source (30) by means of at least one sensor element (35) which is coupled to an evaluation device (36). The invention is characterized in that the conveyor device is embodied as a conveyor wheel (15; 15a; 51) which can rotate in a stepped manner about an axis (12; 52), and the products (1) are arranged, while being conveyed in the radiation area (31), in receiving areas (28; 37; 56) of the conveyor wheel (15; 5a; 51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Runft, Iulian Maga, Jens Schlipf, Martin Vogt
  • Patent number: 9042517
    Abstract: To provide an X-ray imaging apparatus capable of easily adjusting the sensitivity or capable of easily extracting the amount of refraction of X-rays. An X-ray imaging apparatus irradiating an object to be measured with an X-ray beam from an X-ray source that generates X-rays of a first energy and X-rays of a second energy different from the first energy to measure an image of the object to be measured includes an attenuator and a detector. The attenuator attenuates the X-ray beam transmitted through the object to be measured and is configured so as to vary the amount of attenuation of the X-rays depending on a position on which the X-ray beam is incident. The detector detects the X-ray beam transmitted through the attenuator and is configured so as to detect the X-rays of the first energy and the second energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunori Fukuda, Kazuhiro Takada, Taihei Mukaide, Masatoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9031189
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus acquiring a differential phase contrast image of a test object without using a light-shielding mask for X-ray. The apparatus includes an X-ray source, a splitting element configured to spatially divide an X-ray emitted from an X-ray source and a scintillator configured to emit light when a divided X-ray beam divided at the splitting element is incident on the scintillator. The apparatus also includes a light-transmission limiting unit configured to limit transmitting amount of the light emitted from the scintillator and a plurality of light detectors each configured to detect the amount of light that has transmitted through the light-transmission limiting unit. The light-transmission limiting unit is configured such that a light intensity detected at each of the light detectors changes in response to a change in an incident position of the X-ray beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taihei Mukaide, Takashi Noma, Kazunori Fukuda, Masatoshi Watanabe, Kazuhiro Takada
  • Patent number: 8989344
    Abstract: A system and a method for measuring an ash content and a calorific value of a coal are provided. The system comprises: an X ray device, disposed over the coal and configured to emit an X ray to the coal; at least one X ray measuring device, disposed over the coal and configured to measure an energy spectrum of an X ray reflected by the coal; a distance sensor, disposed over the coal and configured to measure a distance between the coal and the at least one X ray measuring device; and a computing device, configured to receive the energy spectrum and the distance from the at least one X ray measuring device and the distance sensor and to compute the ash content and the calorific value of the coal according to the energy spectrum and the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Hongchang Yi, Qian Lin, Jianping Cheng
  • Publication number: 20150078518
    Abstract: A method for counterfeit IC detection includes: providing a computer, an optical and an X-ray imager; optically imaging a package of one or more ICs; pattern matching the package image to identify an IC type; selecting one or more reference images from a reference library; X-ray imaging one or more ICs; performing in any order: comparing an internal lead frame structure of the one or more ICs to images from the reference library to determine a first numerical indicator; and determining a composition of the lead frame of the one or more ICs and to a corresponding composition from the reference library to determine a second numerical indicator; calculating an indication of authenticity based on the first numerical indicator and the second numerical indicator; and accepting or rejecting the one or more ICs based on the indication of authenticity. A system for counterfeit IC detection is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Achilleas Tziazas, Mark Northrup, Daniel F. Martinelli
  • Patent number: 8964939
    Abstract: A radiation image acquiring system is provided. An X-ray image acquiring system irradiates X-rays to a subject from an X-ray source, and detects X-rays transmitted through the subject. The X-ray image acquiring system includes a first detector for detecting X-rays that are transmitted through the subject to generate first image data, a second detector arranged in parallel to the first detector with a dead zone region sandwiched therebetween, for detecting X-rays that are transmitted through the subject to generate second image data, and a timing control section for controlling detection timing of the second detector based on a dead zone width of the dead zone region so that first image data to be generated by the first detector and second image data to be generated by the second detector mutually correspond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Suyama, Tadashi Maruno, Toshihide Sasaki, Junichi Sonoda, Shinji Takihi
  • Patent number: 8953741
    Abstract: A system and a method for measuring an ash content and a calorific value of a coal are provided. The system comprises: at least two dual-energy gamma ray transmission measuring devices and a computing device, in which at least one first dual-energy gamma ray transmission measuring device is disposed before an inlet of a coal combustion apparatus for measuring a first attenuation coefficient of a gamma ray from the at least one first dual-energy gamma ray transmission measuring device with regard to the coal; at least one second dual-energy gamma ray transmission measuring device is disposed after an outlet of the coal combustion apparatus for measuring a second attenuation coefficient of a gamma ray from the at least one second dual-energy gamma ray transmission measuring device with regard to a coal ash; and the computing device is configured to compute the ash content and the calorific value of the coal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Hongchang Yi, Lin Qian
  • Patent number: 8942344
    Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of an element in a material includes irradiating the material with an X-ray beam having a continuum in the area of an absorption edge of the element to be measured. The intensity of the transmitted X-ray beam is measured with an energy dispersive sensor. The intensity of the transmitted X-ray beam in an energy interval above the absorption edge and in an energy interval below the absorption edge is determined. The concentration of the element is computed on the basis of said intensities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Albert Klein
  • Publication number: 20150010127
    Abstract: There is provided an X-ray device irradiating a measuring object with X-ray and detecting transmission X-ray transmitted through the measuring object, the X-ray device including: a first information generation portion configured to generate first information in which a value according to an absorption coefficient is allocated to each of a plurality of divided sections into which there is divided a predetermined space including at least part of the measuring object; a frequency generation portion configured to generate frequency information of the allocated value to indicate a number of the divided sections according to magnitude of the allocated value in the first information; a ratio acquirement portion configured to acquire ratio information indicating a ratio between a first substance and a second substance constituting the measuring object; and a second information generation portion configured to change the first information into second information, by using the frequency information and the ratio inform
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Takashi AOKI
  • Publication number: 20150003582
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a composition of a multi-phase mixture, the multi-phase mixture comprising at least one liquid phase and at least one gaseous phase, comprises: a measurement tube that forms a conduit configured for receiving a flow of the multi-phase mixture; a radiation part configured for irradiating the multi-phase mixture in the measurement tube with electromagnetic radiation; a detector configured for detecting radiation that passes through the multi-phase mixture in the measurement tube; and an analyzer configured for determining the composition of the multi-phase mixture based on the detected radiation and calibration data of the at least one liquid phase and the at least one gaseous phase. A data acquisition part is configured for acquiring calibration data from radiation detected by the detector that passes through a calibration vessel filled with the multi-phase mixture or respective phases of the multi-phase mixture from the measurement tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Stepan Polikhov, Reiner Franz Schulz
  • Publication number: 20140355737
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining fluid phase fraction of a multiphase fluid mixture (13) comprises:—a x-ray generator (20) arranged to emit a x-ray radiation spectrum comprising a low energy region and a high energy region, the high energy region including a Bremsstrahlung spectrum;—a pipe section (27) through which the multiphase fluid mixture (13) flows comprising a measurement section (28), said measurement section (28) being coupled to said x-ray generator (20);—a detector (30) coupled to said measurement section (28) and arranged to detect x-ray radiation that has passed through said multiphase fluid mixture (13), the detector (30) being coupled to a multichannel analyzer (32) producing a measurement output comprising a low energy (LE) and high energy (HE) measurement counts; wherein the measurement output further comprises a low energy (LV) and high energy (HV) control counts, in a low energy and high energy control windows located on an edge of the Bremsstrahlung spectrum, respectively; and wherein the app
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Roman Vladimirovich Korkin, Lev Zakharov, Oleg Zhdaneev
  • Patent number: 8895937
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a convertor for X-ray radiography and its manufacturing method and an X-ray detector, wherein the surface of the scintillator facing the X-ray is covered with photonic crystals of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional spatial structure capable of reflecting the visible light facing the photonic crystals generated by the scintillator to increase the intensity of the output light of the scintillator by more than 100%, thus enhancing the image brightness and improving the image resolution, in addition to reducing to a certain extent the interference between pixels due to the ability of the photonic crystals to control the direction of the light being reflected, for example, by controlling the reflecting direction so as to be vertical to the surface of the scintillator, and the manufacturing method and material for the photonic crystals are low in cost without toxicity, enabling it to be used more widely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dian Song Cao, Lei Cao, Guang Wei Du, Li Rong Ren, Xiao Dong Xu
  • Publication number: 20140341339
    Abstract: An x-ray testing facility for detecting certain materials in a test object, having a testing device containing a housing with a radiation tunnel, through which a transport device, particularly a transport conveyor for the test objects, passes, an x-ray generator arranged in the housing, which emits x-rays in a radiation plane, and a detector arrangement directed at the radiation plane. According to the invention, the x-ray testing facility contains an additional testing device which has a dedicated x-ray generator and an associated detector arrangement in a dedicated housing, wherein the x-ray generator emits x-rays, which are directed at the transport region of the test objects of the first testing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Stefan AUST
  • Publication number: 20140341341
    Abstract: The application discloses systems and methods for X-ray scanning for identifying material composition of an object being scanned. The system includes at least one X-ray source for projecting an X-ray beam on the object, where at least a portion of the projected X-ray beam is transmitted through the object, and an array of detectors for measuring energy spectra of the transmitted X-rays. The measured energy spectra are used to determine atomic number of the object for identifying the material composition of the object. The X-ray scanning system may also have an array of collimated high energy backscattered X-ray detectors for measuring the energy spectrum of X-rays scattered by the object at an angle greater than 90 degrees, where the measured energy spectrum is used in conjunction with the transmission energy spectrum to determine atomic numbers of the object for identifying the material composition of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsahi Gozani, Joseph Bendahan, Craig Matthew Brown, Willem G. J. Langevel, John David Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20140341340
    Abstract: The application discloses systems and methods for determining an atomic number of a material being scanned by generating a predetermined number of transmission data samples, determining a variance of the transmission data samples, and determining the atomic number of the material being scanned by comparing the variance or a derivative of the variance of the transmission data samples to one or more predetermined variances. The application also discloses systems and methods for determining an atomic number of a material being scanned by deriving transmission signal samples of the material being scanned, determining a variance of the signal samples, and determining an atomic number of the material being scanned by comparing the variance of the signal samples, or a derivative of the variance, to one or more predetermined variances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Willem G.J. Langeveld
  • Publication number: 20140341342
    Abstract: The invention relates to equipment (1) for the radiography of a load (11) moving relative thereto, the radiography equipment comprising a source (2) for emitting pulses (16) of divergent X-rays, a collimator (4) for the source for delimiting an incident x-ray beam (22), and sensors (8) for receiving X-rays, which are aligned with the incident beam so as to collect the X-rays after the latter have passed through the load and generate raw image signals. The equipment includes a reference block (6) comprising the intermediate x-ray sensors (28) which are to be located within the incident beam, between the source and the load, so as to be irradiated by at least two separate angular sectors of the incident beam, and which are to output separate reference signals corresponding to each angular sector to be used in the conversion of the raw image signals into a portion of a radiographic image. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Pascal Desaute, Irène Dorion, Nicolas Dumay
  • Patent number: 8891729
    Abstract: An X-ray analyzer includes a transmission X-ray inspecting portion having a first X-ray source and a transmission X-ray detector for detecting a transmission X-ray that passed through a sample from the first X-ray source, and a fluorescent X-ray inspecting portion having a second X-ray source and a fluorescent X-ray detector for detecting a fluorescent X-ray output from the sample when the sample is irradiated with an X-ray from the second X-ray source. A movement mechanism moves a sample stage that supports the sample. A foreign matter position calculating unit calculates a position of foreign matter in the sample, and a movement mechanism control unit controls the movement mechanism so that the position of the foreign matter calculated by the foreign matter position calculating unit coincides with an optical axis of the second X-ray source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: SII NanoTechnology Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Matoba, Rintaro Nakatani, Tsuneo Sato
  • Patent number: 8873701
    Abstract: A water-soluble salt of a metal with a high atomic weight is selected as an X-ray contrast substance providing a selective ion-exchange reaction with a component. The salt has a general formula R+M?, where R+ is selected from a group consisting of Ba2+; Sr2+; Tl+; Rb+ . . . , and M? is selected from a group consisting of Cln; NOn; OHn; CH3COO, SO4; . . . in accordance with a standard table of inorganic substances' water solubility. The X-ray contrast substance is injected into a sample of a porous material. Upon completion of the selective ion exchange reaction a non-contrast displacing agent is injected into the sample. The sample is scanned by computer X-ray microtomography and spatial distribution and concentration of the component in question is estimated by analysis of the obtained computer tomographic image of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dmitry Mikhailov, Alexander Nadeev, Vadim Khlebnikov, Pavel Zobov
  • Publication number: 20140314201
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for measuring an effective atomic number of an object are disclosed. The apparatus includes: a ray source configured to product a first X-ray beam having a first energy and a second X-ray beam having a second energy; a Cherenkov detector configured to receive the first X-ray beam and the second X-ray beam that pass through an object under detection, and to generate a first detection value and a second detection value; and a data processing device configured to obtain an effective atomic number of the object based on the first detection value and the second detection value. The Cherenkov detector can eliminate disturbance of X-rays below certain energy threshold with respect to the object identification, and thus accuracy can be improved for object identification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Shuwei LI, Zhiqiang Chen, Yuanjing Li, Ziran Zhao, Yinong Liu, Qingjun Zhang, Weibin Zhu, Yi Wang, Shuqing Zhao, Wenjian Zhang
  • Patent number: 8861675
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
  • Patent number: 8855809
    Abstract: Systems for sorting materials, such as those made of metal, are described. The systems may operate by irradiating the materials with x-rays and then detecting fluoresced x-rays, transmitted x-rays, or both. Detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be performed using an x-ray fluorescence detector array. The systems may be configured to provide high throughput sorting of small pieces of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Spectramet, LLC
    Inventors: David B. Spencer, Jeffrey J. Webster, Aldo M. Reti, Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Richard E. Hill, R. Lynn Conley
  • Patent number: 8853584
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of differences in x-ray linear absorption coefficients to process ore and remove elements with higher atomic number from elements with lower atomic numbers. Use of this dry method at the mine reduces pollution and transportation costs. One example of said invention is the ejection of inclusions with sulfur, silicates, mercury, arsenic and radioactive elements from coal. This reduces the amount and toxicity of coal ash. It also reduces air emissions and the energy required to clean stack gases from coal combustion. Removal of said ejected elements improves thermal efficiency and reduces the pollution and carbon footprint for electrical production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Mineral Separation Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Roos, Edward J. Sommer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8855263
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for measuring a composition of a multiphase fluid, including radiating a photon beam through the multiphase fluid and measuring radiation absorption by the multiphase fluid for at least three energy levels to obtain measured radiation absorption data, and providing the measured radiation absorption data to processing unit configured to calculate the composition of the multiphase fluid using the measured radiation absorption data, whereby an effect of an injected fluid on the absorption of the photon beam is taken into account during calculation of the composition of the multiphase fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gilles Roux, Roman Korkin, Lev Zakharov
  • Patent number: 8847094
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating mineral impurities from calcium carbonate-containing rocks by comminuting the calcium carbonate-containing rocks to a particle size in the range of from 1 mm to 250 mm, separating the calcium carbonate particles by means of a dual energy X-ray transmission sorting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Omya International AG
    Inventors: Bahman Tavakkoli, Thomas Mangelberger, Matthias Reisinger
  • Patent number: 8841571
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating mineral impurities from calcium carbonate-containing rocks by comminuting the calcium carbonate-containing rocks to a particle size in the range of from 1 mm to 250 mm, separating the calcium carbonate particles by means of a dual energy X-ray transmission sorting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Omya International AG
    Inventors: Bahman Tavakkoli, Thomas Mangelberger, Matthias Reisinger
  • Publication number: 20140270064
    Abstract: The X-ray imaging apparatus to form a phase contrast image includes an X-ray source that generates X-rays to emit the X-rays to an object; an X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays having passed through the object to acquire phase contrast image signals on a per energy band basis; and a quantitative data acquirer configured to calculate approximate quantitative data of two or more constituent substances of the object using a relation between the phase contrast image signals on the per energy band basis and quantitative data of the constituent substances, and estimate quantitative data of the constituent substances by iteratively applying a regularization function to the approximate quantitative data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Hwa OH, Sung Hoon KANG, Young Hun SUNG, Andrew Wesley STEVENSON, Stephen William WILKINS, Timur Eugenievich GUREYEV, Yakov NESTERETS
  • Patent number: 8835857
    Abstract: A device for a radiation detector includes a main body, which includes a material G and is at least partially provided with a coating. The coating has at least a first layer with a material A1. The material G of the main body can be excited by a primary radiation impinging on the coating, so that an x-ray fluorescence radiation is produced with an x-ray fluorescence spectrum, which has a maximum MG at an energy EG. Furthermore, at an energy E1, the material A1 has an absorption edge. In this case, the material A1 is chosen such that the relationships E1<EG and EG?E1?4 keV apply. Also specified is a radiation detector, which has the device and a detector element, which is suitable for the detection of the primary radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ketek GmbH
    Inventor: Tobias Eggert
  • Patent number: 8811569
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring dry mass flow rate for a biological material. The method steps include conveying the biological material through a measuring station, scanning the biological material with electromagnetic radiation of at least two different energy levels, determining the amount of radiation transmitted through the biological material at said two energy levels, and summing, for each of sad two energy levels, the radiation transmission values over a time frame to summed radiation transmission values. Further, a wet dry mass flow rate is estimated based on the summed radiation transmission values for said two energy level. The moisture content of the biological material is estimated based on the amounts of radiation transmitted through the biological material. The estimated wet dry mass flow rate is scaled in accordance with the estimated moisture content of the biological material, thereby providing an estimate of the dry mass flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Mantex AB
    Inventors: Ragner Kullenberg, Eric Landstrom, Fredrik Danielsson, Christian Bergstrand
  • Publication number: 20140219419
    Abstract: A method for monitoring objects for example for facilitating the identification and/or authentication of objects comprises: in a first recording phase: irradiating an object with a suitable source of radiation, collecting intensity information about radiation emergent from the object, resolving the intensity information spectroscopically between at least two energy bands, and storing the resultant dataset as a reference dataset; and in a second verification phase: irradiating an object with a suitable source of radiation, collecting intensity information about radiation emergent from the object, resolving the intensity information spectroscopically between at least two energy bands, and using the resultant dataset as a test dataset; identifying the object and retrieving its corresponding reference dataset; comparing the test dataset and the reference dataset within predetermined tolerance limits, and: in the event that the reference dataset and the test dataset correspond within the predetermined tolerance li
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Ian Radley, Ben Cantwell, David Edward Joyce, Paul Scott
  • Publication number: 20140211915
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for estimating breaking energy of a rubber material, in particular breaking energy of a surface of a rubber material. The present invention also provides to a rubber composition excellent in crack resistance. The present invention relates to a method for estimating breaking energy of a rubber material, including determining a carbon-carbon double bond content in the rubber material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Fusae KANEKO, Takanobu KAWAMURA
  • Publication number: 20140212982
    Abstract: Methods of selectively detecting the presence of at least one compound in a gaseous medium. A silicon substrate can be exposed to the gaseous medium under conditions to adsorb the at least one compound to the silicon substrate to form a modified silicon substrate. The modified silicon substrate can be analyzed to determine if the at least one compound was present in the gaseous medium. The step of analyzing can include using X-ray spectroscopy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: University of Saskatchewan
    Inventors: Alexander Moewes, John Anderson McLeod, Ernst Zagidovich Kurmaev, Igor Anatolievich Levitsky, Petr Sushko, Teak Dagan Boyko
  • Publication number: 20140198899
    Abstract: An inspection system that makes dual energy measurements with a detector array that has selective placement of filter elements adjacent a subset of detectors in the array to provide at least two subsets of detector elements sensitive to X-rays of different energies. Dual energy measurements may be made on objects of interest within an item under inspection by forming a volumetric image using measurements from detectors in a first of the subsets and synthetic readings computed from measurements made with detectors in the array, including those that are filtered. The volumetric image may be used to identify the objects of interest to and source points that, for each object of interest, provide a low interference path to one of the detectors in the second of the subsets. Measurements made with radiation emanating from those source points are used for dual energy analysis of the objects of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vitaliy Ziskin, Boris Oreper
  • Publication number: 20140185752
    Abstract: An imaging system used for material discrimination of an objet is provided. The imaging system includes an X-ray source and an imaging sensor. The X-ray source generates multienergy polychromatic X-ray, wherein there is an integral-multiple relationship between the multi-energy-band of the X-ray. The object is placed between the X-ray source and the imaging sensor. The X-ray is transmitted toward and imaged by the imaging sensor through the object. An imaging multi-energy-band of the imaging sensor corresponds to the multi-energy-band of the X-ray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hui-Hsin Lu, Jiun-Lin Guo, Wei-Hsin Wang, Ting-Hsuan Chen, Tsung-Ter Kuo
  • Patent number: 8761485
    Abstract: Provided is a method and system of processing a multi-energy X-ray image. Through the method and system, a plurality of target images may be acquired using an X-ray detector enabling an energy separation to be performed in a predetermined time interval, with respect to a target where a contrast agent is applied, and a signal processing may be performed on the acquired target images, thereby detecting and reading benign/malignant lesions or masses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang Eun Jang, Dong Goo Kang, Young Hun Sung, Jong Ha Lee, Sung Su Kim, Seok Min Han
  • Patent number: 8761334
    Abstract: A water-soluble salt of a metal with a high atomic weight is selected as an X-ray contrast substance providing a selective ion-exchange reaction with a clay. The salt has a general formula R+M?, where R+ is selected from a group consisting of Ba2+; Sr2+; Tl+; Rb+ . . . , and M? is selected from a group consisting of Cln; NOn; OHn; CH3COO, SO4; . . . . The X-ray contrast substance is injected into a core sample. Upon completion of the selective ion exchange reaction a non-contrast displacing agent is injected into the sample. The sample is scanned by computer X-ray microtomography. An area of interest and a reference cross-section are selected at the obtained computer tomography image. Grayscale histograms in cross-sections of the sample are obtained. Spatial distribution and concentration of the clay is estimated by means of histograms analysis starting from the reference cross-section histogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dmitry Mikhailov, Alexander Nikolaevich Nadeev, Valery Vasilievich Shako, Nikita Ilyich Ryzhikov