US4893015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual mode radiographic measurement method and device
Assignee: American Science and Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1987-04-01
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Granted: 1990-01-09
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Expires: 2007-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for detecting and measuring radiation is disclosed. The apparatus includes a scintillator crystal and a photodetector optically coupled to the scintillator crystal as well as first and second analyzing means. The first analyzing means is coupled to an output of the photodetector for counting discrete electronic pulses generated by the photodetector. The second analyzing means operates simultaneous with the first analyzing means and is coupled to another output of the photodetector for integrating current generated by the photodetector. The method includes the steps of irradiating a scintillator with x-ray energy, detecting light emitted from the scintillator and converting the light into a flow of electrons, detecting and counting discrete pulses of the flow of electronics and simultaneously integrating electronic current corresponding to the flow of electrons.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus Kubierschky
- 👤 Herbert L. Aronson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A radiation measuring device for measuring a wide range of X-ray intensities comprising: a scintillator crystal for emitting light in response to irradiation by X-rays; photodetector means optically coupled to said scintillator crystal for receiving the emitted light and converting said emitted light into electrical current, said photodetector means comprising first and second outputs; first and second analyzing means respectively responsive simultaneously to said first and second outputs; said first analyzing means coupled to said first output of said photodetector means for counting discrete electronic pulses generated by said photodetector means, said first analyzing means producing a first output signal; said second analyzing means operated simultaneously with said first analyzing means coupled to said second output of said photodetector means, said second analyzing means including integrating means for integrating current generated by said photodetector means, said second analyzing means producing a second output signal; receiving means responsive to said first and second output signals for measuring detected radiation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A radiation measuring device for measuring a wide range of X-ray intensities comprising: a scintillator crystal for emitting light in response to irradiation by X-rays; photodetector means optically coupled to said scintillator crystal for receiving the emitted light and converting said emitted light into electrical current, said photodetector means comprising first and second outputs; first and second analyzing means respectively responsive simultaneously to said first and second outputs; said first analyzing means coupled to said first output of said photodetector means for counting discrete electronic pulses generated by said photodetector means, said first analyzing means producing a first output signal; said second analyzing means operated simultaneously with said first analyzing means coupled to said second output of said photodetector means, said second analyzing means including integrating means for integrating current generated by said photodetector means, said second analyzing means producing a second output signal; receiving means responsive to said first and second output signals for measuring detected radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said photodetector means is a photomultiplier tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said second analyzing means comprises an integrator and a sample and hold circuit with an output of said integrator connected to said sample and hold circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said seond analyzing means further comprises means for counting any overflow of said integrating means during a data acquisition period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein said receiving means further comprises means for receiving an output from said means for counting any overflow of said integrating means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
A device according to claim 1 including plural measuring channels, with a scintillator crystal, photodetector means, first analyzing means and second analyzing means for each said channel, said device further comprising: a multiplexer with plural inputs and an output and an analog to digital converter coupled to said multiplexer output; said multiplexer including a different input coupled to outputs from each of said second analyzing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 6 wherein said receiving means comprises a data processor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein said first analyzing means comprises: a charge amplifier coupled to said first output and wherein said first output comprises an anode of said photomultiplier tube; a pulse discriminator coupled to an output of said charge amplifier; a binary counter with a clock input coupled to an output of said pulse discriminator; register means responsive to a control signal for transferring contents of said binary counter to said register and resetting said binary counter; and means connecting said register to said receiving means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein said means for counting overflow of said integrating means comprises: a discriminator coupled to an output of said integrating means for detecting an occurrence of said overflow, a binary counter coupled to an output of said discriminator for counting each said overflow occurrence, a register, means responsive to a control signal for transferring contents of said binary counter to said register and resetting said binary counter; and means connecting said register to said receiving means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 3 wherein said integrator is coupled to said second output and wherein said second output comprises a dynode of said photomultiplier operated at ground potential.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A radiation measuring device as recited in any one of claims 1-3 which include means for enabling said receiving means to respond to both said first and second output signals within a given data acquisition interval.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for measuring a wide range of X-ray intensities comprising the steps of: (a) irradiating a scintillator with X-ray energy; (b) detecting light emitted from the scintillator and converting said light into a flow of electrons; (c) detecting and counting discrete pulses in said flow of electrons; (d) simultaneous with said step (c), integrating electronic current corresponding to said flow of electrons; and (e) storing a representation of (1) a count of said pulses and (2) an integrated current value, for measuring said x-ray intensity.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for measuring a wide range of X-ray intensities comprising the steps of: (a) irradiating a scintillator with X-ray energy; (b) detecting light emitted from the scintillator and converting said light into a flow of electrons; (c) detecting and counting discrete pulses in said flow of electrons; (d) simultaneous with said step (c), integrating electronic current corresponding to said flow of electrons; and (e) storing a representation of (1) a count of said pulses and (2) an integrated current value, for measuring said x-ray intensity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 12 comprising a further step of selecting either said count representation or said integrated current value representation as a measurement of x-ray intensity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 12 or 13 comprising a further step of selecting said count representation or said integrated current value representation by comparing said integrated current value representation to a threshold.
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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) | 1993-01-08 | 1993-07-10 | 1994-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-08 | 1997-07-10 | 1998-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-08 | 2001-07-10 | 2002-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |