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US5056129A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for monitoring X-ray beam alignment

Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1989-09-12
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Granted: 1991-10-08
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Expires: 2009-09-12
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Abstract

Abstract A self-contained, hand-held apparatus is provided for minitoring alignment of an X-ray beam in an instrument employing an X-ray source. The apparatus includes a transducer assembly containing a photoresistor for providing a range of electrical signals responsive to a range of X-ray beam intensities from the X-ray beam being aligned. A circuit, powered by a 7.5 VDC power supply and containing an audio frequency pulse generator whose frequency varies with the resistance of the photoresistor, is provided for generating a range of audible sounds. A portion of the audible range corresponds to low X-ray beam intensity. Another portion of the audible range corresponds to high X-ray beam intensity. The transducer assembly may include an a photoresistor, a thin layer of X-ray fluorescent material, and a filter layer transparent to X-rays but opaque to visible light. X-rays from the beam undergoing alignment penetrate the filter layer and excite the layer of fluorescent material. The light emitted from the fluorescent material alters the resistance of the photoresistor which is in the electrical circuit including the audio pulse generator and a speaker. In employing the apparatus, the X-ray beam is aligned to a complete alignment by adjusting the X-ray beam to produce an audible sound of the maximum frequency.

Inventors

  • 👤 Peter A. Steinmeyer

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 22:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/08; G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/29; G21; G21K; G21K1/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 168 words
An apparatus for monitoring alignment of an X-ray beam, comprising: a housing means for providing electrical signals responsive to X-ray beam intensities during alignment of the X-ray beam, comprising a protective filter layer transparent to X-rays but opaque to visible light, a layer of X-ray fluorescent material, adjacent to said filter layer, and a photoresistor in close proximity to said X-ray fluorescent material, for providing variable resistance responsive to said X-ray beam intensities, audio frequency generating means, electrically connected to said photoresistor, for generating variable frequencies corresponding to said variable resistance, sound generating means, electrically connected to said audio frequency generating means, for generating sounds corresponding to said variable frequencies, and low voltage power supply means connected to said monitoring apparatus by a switching means, for enabling said apparatus, whereby, by monitoring the frequency of the sounds emitted by said sound generating means, an X-ray beam is aligned to a desired alignment by adjusting the X-ray beam to produce a sound corresponding to a desired X-ray beam intensity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 168 words
An apparatus for monitoring alignment of an X-ray beam, comprising: a housing means for providing electrical signals responsive to X-ray beam intensities during alignment of the X-ray beam, comprising a protective filter layer transparent to X-rays but opaque to visible light, a layer of X-ray fluorescent material, adjacent to said filter layer, and a photoresistor in close proximity to said X-ray fluorescent material, for providing variable resistance responsive to said X-ray beam intensities, audio frequency generating means, electrically connected to said photoresistor, for generating variable frequencies corresponding to said variable resistance, sound generating means, electrically connected to said audio frequency generating means, for generating sounds corresponding to said variable frequencies, and low voltage power supply means connected to said monitoring apparatus by a switching means, for enabling said apparatus, whereby, by monitoring the frequency of the sounds emitted by said sound generating means, an X-ray beam is aligned to a desired alignment by adjusting the X-ray beam to produce a sound corresponding to a desired X-ray beam intensity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
The monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises at least one strip of tape placed at the edges of said electrical signalling means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 15 words
The monitoring apparatus of claim 2, wherein said at least one tape strip is lead.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 44 words
The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the frequency variation of said audio frequency generating means is proporitonal to the X-ray beam intensity, such that the pitch of the sound produced by said sound generating means varies with the intensity of the X-ray beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said X-ray fluorescent material is comprised of a layer of zinc sulfide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said filter layer is comprised of a layer of beryllium foil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said audio frequency generating means includes an audio frequency pulse generator whose frequency varies with signals from said electrical signalling means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said low voltage power supply means is a 7.5 volt DC power supply.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 40 words
The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said housing contains said electrical signalling means, said audio frequency generating means, said sound generating means, and said power supply means, so that the monitoring apparatus is self-contained and dimensioned to be hand-held.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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US3935450A Cited
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US4532646A Cited
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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) 1994-10-07 1995-04-08 1995-10-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-10-07 1999-04-08 1999-10-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-10-07 2003-04-08 2003-10-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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