US4278891A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Far field imaging
Assignee: Corning Netoptix Inc
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Filing: 1978-11-17
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Granted: 1981-07-14
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Expires: 1998-11-17
Abstract
Abstract Distant radiation sources are imaged using a collimator having a multiplicity of portions, the transmissivities of the portions to radiation reaching the collimator from a given source being different from portion-to-portion for a given orientation of the collimator; these transmissivities are varied over time, and radiation passing through each portion is detected for successive values of its transmissivity.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher H. Tosswill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/29; G01T1/2914; G01T1/2921; G21; G21K; G21K1/00; G21K1/02; G21K1/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
Apparatus for imaging distant radiation sources, comprising a collimator having a multiplicity of portions transmissive of radiation from a said source, the transmissivities of said portions to radiation reaching the collimator from a given said source being different from portion-to-portion for a given orientation of said collimator, means for varying said transmissivities over time, and means for detecting the radiation passing through each said portion for successive values of its transmissivity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus for imaging distant radiation sources, comprising a collimator having a multiplicity of portions transmissive of radiation from a said source, the transmissivities of said portions to radiation reaching the collimator from a given said source being different from portion-to-portion for a given orientation of said collimator, means for varying said transmissivities over time, and means for detecting the radiation passing through each said portion for successive values of its transmissivity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said collimator is a slit collimator, the slits of which are defined by spaced, radiation absorbing sheets, and adjacent pairs of said sheets are non-parallel to each other so as to provide said multiplicity of transmissivities.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said sheets lie along planes intersecting in a common focal line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein corresponding surfaces of each said pair of adjacent sheets have the same included angle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the plane bisecting any given slit is parallel to a boundary plane of an adjacent slit, a boundary plane being defined as extending from the forward edge of one sheet to the rear edge of an adjacent sheet.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claims 1 or 5 wherein said means for varying said transmissivities comprises means for moving said collimator relative to said source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for moving comprises means for rotating said collimator about an axis pointing toward the field of view of the collimator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for varying said transmissivities comprises means for rotating said collimator about an axis perpendicular to said focal line and pointing toward the field of view of the collimator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1984-07-13 | 1985-01-12 | 1985-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-13 | 1989-01-12 | 1989-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-13 | 1993-01-12 | 1993-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |