Patent US3752991A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3752991A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photo timer
Assignee: Philips Nuclear Medicine Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-28
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1991-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A phototimer for controlling a radiographic exposure includes a plurality of light transmitting panels each having a light accepting portion adjacent a separate area of fluorescent screen. The light transmitting panels have light emitting portions positioned adjacent a light responsive phototube. Movable shielding means selectively block the transmission of the light from the light transmitting panels to the phototube whereby light from selected portions of the fluorescent screen may be transmitted to the light responsive phototube.
Inventors
- 👤 E Slagle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:30
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21K; G21K4/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said movable shielding means comprises a separate shield for blocking the transmission of light from each one of said light emittting portions to the light responsive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 2 additionally including shield positioning means for selectively positioning each of said shields to control the transmission of light from said light emitting portions to the light responsive means.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
112 words
A device for use in combination with an electrical control system including a light responsive signal generating means for controlling an X-ray beam from an X-ray tube source, comprising: a. a fluorescent screen for transforming X-rays into visible light; b. three juxtaposed light transmitting panels each having a light accepting portion adjacent a separate area of said fluorescent screen and having a light emitting portion positioned adjacent the light responsive means for transmitting light to the light responsive means; c. movable shielding means for selectively blocking the transmission of light from said light emitting portions tO the light responsive means; and, d. shield positioning means for selectively positioning said movable shielding means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said movable shielding means includes three shields each adapted to selectively block the transmission of light from a separate one of said light emitting portions to the light responsive means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 5 additionally including adjustable light attenuation means positioned between said light emitting portions and the light responsive means for equalizing the output effect of each of said light emitting portions.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
133 words
A device for use in combination with a light responsive electrical signal generating means coupled to an electrical control system for controlling an X-ray beam from an X-ray tube source, comprising a. a fluorescent screen for transforming X-rays into visible light; b. a plurality of light transmitting panels each having at least one light accepting portion adjacent a separate area of said fluorescent screen and having a light emitting portion adjacent the light responsive means for transmitting light to the light responsive means; c. movable shielding means for selectively blocking the transmission of light from said light emitting portions to the light responsive means; d. shield positioning means for selectively positioning said movable shielding means; and, e. light attenuation means adapted to equalize the output effect of each of said light emitting portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device of claim 7 additionally including: a. cover means adapted to shield said light transmitting panels such that the only light received by said panels is light emanating from said fluorescent screen; and, b. masking means positioned between said fluorescent screen and said light transmitting panels to limit the transmission of light therebetween to the area of said light accepting portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said cover means includes: a. a first light-shielding cover positioned adjacent said light receiving panels on the side opposite said masking means; b. a second light-shielding cover positioned adjacent said fluorescent screen on the side opposite said masking means; and, c. a light-shielding peripheral enclosure receiving said first and second covers with said fluorescent screen, said masking means, and said panels sandwiched therebetween.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
176 words
A device for use in combination with a light responsive electrical signal generating means coupled to an electrical control system for controlling an X-ray beam from an X-ray tube source, comprising: a. an X-ray responsive light generating assembly positioned within the beam of X-rays comprising a fluorescent screen for transforming X-rays into visible light and plurality of light transmitting panels each having at least one light accepting portion adjacent a separate area of said fluorescent screen and having a light emitting portion adjacent the light responsive means for transmitting light to the light responsive means; b. said assembly including masking means positioned between said fluorescent screen and said light transmitting panels to limit the transmission of light therebetween to the area of said light accepting portions; c. movable shielding means for selectively blocking the transmission of light from said light emitting portions to the light responsive means; d. shield positioning means for selectively positioning said movable shielding means; and, e. light attenuation means adapted to equalize the output effect of each of said light emitting portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
108 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said light transmitting panels comprise three panels having abutting edge portions juxtaposed so as to form a contiguous surface, and an opaque substance is interposed between said abutting edge portions to prevent the transmission of light between said panels. 12. The device of claim 10 wherein said movable shielding means comprises a. a hoUsing surrounding said light responsive electrical control mean, said housing having at least one opening therethrough adjacent said light emitting protions; and b. a plurality of movable shutter means adapted to control the transmission of light from said light emitting portions through said opening to the light responsive means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 12 wherein said shield positioning means comprises a plurality of solenoids each connected to a separate one of said movable shutter means for selectively opening and closing said shutters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 13 wherein said light attenuation means comprises a plurality of adjustable light attenuators positioned within said housing to limit the amount of light transmitted from each of said light emitting portions to the light responsive means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
120 words
A phototimer adapted for use with a source of X-radiation and an electrical control system for controlling the emission of X-radiation from the source, comprising: a. fluorescent material for generating a light output in response to incident X-radiation; b. a light responsive electrical signal generating means adapted for connection to the electrical control system; c. a light transmitter interposed between said fluorescent material and said light responsive means, said light transmitter defining paths for the transmission of light from separate areas of said material to said light responsive means; and, d. light interruptor means disposed along selected ones of said paths for selectively blocking the transmission of light from at least one of said areas to said light responsive means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The phototimer of claim 15 wherein said light transmitter includes a plurality of light transmitting panels having light accepting portions adjacent separate ones of said areas.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The phototimer of claim 16 additionally including light opaque means interposed between adjacent ones of said panels for preventing the transfer of light between adjacent ones of said panels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The phototimer of claim 16 wherein said panels also have light emitting portions disposed near said light responsive means, and said light interruptor means is interposed between said light emitting portions and said light responsive means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The phototimer of claim 18 wherein said light interruptor means comprises a plurality of light-opaque shields each interposed between a separate one of said light emitting portions and said light responsive means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
140 words
An X-ray apparatus comprising: a. a source of X-radiation for emitting a beam of X-radiation along a path; b. image producing means disposed in the beam path at a position spaced from said source; c. a phototimer including: i. fluorescent means positioned within said beam path for generating a light output in response to incident X-radiation; ii. light responsive electrical signal generating means for generating an electrical signal in response to incident light; iii. light transmitting means interposed between said fluorescent means and said light responsive means and defining paths for the transmission of light from selected areas of said fluorescent means to said light responsive means; and iv. light interruptor means disposed along selected ones of said light transmission paths for selectively blocking the transmission of light from at least one of said areas to said light responsive means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The X-ray apparatus of claim 20 wherein said light transmitting means includes a plurality of light transmitting panels having light accepting portions near separate ones of said areas and having light emitting portions near said light responsive means, each of said panels defines one of said light transmission paths.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The X-ray apparatus of claim 21 wherein said light interruptor means comprises a plurality of movable light opaque shields disposed between said light emitting portions and said light responsive means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
165 words
An X-ray apparatus comprising: a. a source of X-radiation for emitting a beam of X-radiation along a path; b. film cassette positioning means for receiving and positioning an X-ray film cassette within the beam path at a position spaced from said source; and c. phototiming means comprising: i. fluorescent means positioned within the beam path at a position between said source and said positioning means for generating a light output in response to incident X-radiation; ii. light responsive electrical signal generating means positioned out of said beam path for generating an electrical signal in response to incident light; iii. light transmitting means interposed between said fluorescent means and said light responsive means and defining paths for the transmission of light from selected areas of said fluorescent means to said light responsive means; and, iv. light interruptor means disposed along selected ones of said light transmission paths for selectively blocking the transmission of light from at least one of said areas to said light responsive means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
74 words
The X-ray apparatus of claim 23 wherein: a. said light transmitting means includes a plurality of light transmitting panels each for transmitting light from a different one of said selected areas to said light responsive means; and, b. said light interruptor means includes movable light-opaque shields positioned along selected ones of said light transmission paths and being movable across their associated paths to selectively block the transmission of light to said light responsive means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |