m Turbomachine blade By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A turbomachine including securing means that extend between the pressure wall and the suction surface and which includes an energy absorbing portion for absorbing energy after impact to the blade by a foreign object. The energy absorbing portion has a catch that provides the blade with an improved resistance to bursting. Full Article
m Casting method for manufacturing a work piece By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for manufacturing a work piece is provided. The method includes preparing fiberglass in a mold, preparing a closed mold cavity around the fiberglass, flushing the closed mold cavity with an oxygen-free gas, injecting resin in the closed mold cavity, and curing the casted work piece. Furthermore, a work piece manufactured by the above method is provided. Full Article
m Methods of manufacturing wind turbine blades By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An elongate web is attached to the root end of a spar of a wind turbine rotor blade to provide additional support along the width of the blade. The root end is formed by a winding operation, and a recess is then cut into the surface of the spar. The recess is defined by a relatively large first, cylindrical surface, which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the root end, and a relatively small second, conical surface. A tapered end of the elongate web is attached within the recess of the root end using a layer of suitable adhesive and an array of pins. Resilient spacer elements are arranged within the recess so as to surround the pins. The large area of the cylindrical surface causes the tensile and compressive stresses which arise along the elongate web in use to be transmitted to the spar as shear stresses. Full Article
m Method and system for monitoring bending strains of wind turbine blades By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides a method and system of monitoring bending strain on a wind turbine blade. The method in one aspect comprises: locating at least three strain sensors on the turbine blade, in use each strain sensor providing a strain measurement, the strain sensors located such that edgewise and flapwise bending can be determined from the strain measurements; calculating a plurality of resultant bending strains using the strain measurements; calculating an average resultant bending strain from the plurality of resultant bending strains; and calculating a confidence value for a first sensor based on a comparison of resultant bending strains derived from the strain measurement from the first sensor with the average resultant bending strain. Full Article
m Method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade having predesigned segment By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A blade for a rotor of a wind turbine is manufactured with a root region with a substantially circular or elliptical profile closest to the hub, an airfoil region with a lift generating profile furthest away from the hub and a transition region having a profile gradually changing the root region to the airfoil region. A first blade design is used for the first base part on a first longitudinal section of an airfoil region of a second blade, so that an induction factor of the first base part on the second blade deviates from a target induction factor. The first longitudinal section of the second blade is provided with flow altering devices so as to adjust the aerodynamic properties of the first longitudinal segment to substantially meet the target induction factor at the design point on the second blade. Full Article
m Method for operating a wind turbine, arrangement and system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method is provided for operating a wind turbine having an elongated stand apparatus, a generator rotatably mounted on the stand apparatus, and a rotor coupled to the generator via a rotor hub and the wind turbine also having an elongated rotor blade. A position of a radar system is determined with respect to the wind turbine and at least one area is determined for the rotational axis of the rotor as a function of the determined position which is not intended to be permanently assumed for alignment of the rotational axis of the rotor about the longitudinal axis of the stand apparatus. The wind turbine is operated with the at least one determined area not being permanently assumed for the alignment of the rotational axis of the rotor about the longitudinal axis of the stand apparatus. Full Article
m Rotor blade assembly for wind turbine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A rotor blade assembly is disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root. The rotor blade further defines a span and a chord. The rotor blade includes a skin layer that includes the exterior surfaces. The rotor blade assembly further includes a passive spoiler assembly operable to alter a flow past an exterior surface of the rotor blade. The spoiler assembly includes a spoiler feature movable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position. Movement of the spoiler feature from the non-deployed position to the deployed position is caused by a change in an applied force to the spoiler feature by the skin layer. Full Article
m Wind turbine rotor and method of calibrating rotor blade pitch By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A wind turbine rotor includes a hub with a rotor blade mounted to a bearing of the hub wherein the rotor blade has a longitudinal axis extending in a radial direction relative to an axis of rotation of the hub, and the rotor blade is rotatable about its longitudinal axis whereby the pitch of the rotor blade is adjustable. The rotor blade has a tag such as an RFID tag fixed on the rotor blade at a predetermined angular position about the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade; and a sensor is fixed on the hub for contactless sensing of the tag when the tag is in a predetermined angular position about the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade. Repeated and accurate calibration of rotor blade pitch is hereby made possible. Full Article
m Means for locking a sealing ring on a turbine disk By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mechanism compressing a sealing ring of a cooling circuit of blades of a turbine engine against a turbine wheel supporting the blades, the wheel supporting on a downstream surface thereof an annular flange positioned radially and defining with the surface a groove configured to house the sealing ring. The flange includes at least two cut-outs on the edge thereof located opposite the bottom of the groove, to form windows for axial insertion in the groove for claws supported by the circumference of the ring facing the groove of the wheel. The mechanism includes a bolt tab configured to be positioned in the groove between the surface of the wheel and the ring, and a clamping shaped to be supported by the surface of the wheel and to engage with the bolt to ensure that the ring is compressed against the flange. Full Article
m Impeller of centrifugal compressor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An impeller of a centrifugal includes, a plurality of full blades provided from the fluid inlet part to the fluid outlet part of the impeller; a plurality of splitter blades provided on the hub surface, wherein the geometry of a flow entering part of the splitter blade is compatible with the complicated flow inside the compressor so that the evenly distributed flow rate distribution, the increased pressure ratio and the enhanced efficiency are achieved. The leading edge blade angle θ in the tip end part of the flow entering front-end-part of the splitter blade 7 in the area of the higher height level from the hub surface is further inclined smoothly toward the blade suction surface side Sb of the full blade 5 in comparison with the inclination standard curve, the increased inclination angle becoming smoothly greater in response to the increase of the height level. Full Article
m Impeller By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A combined fan-compressor impeller comprises a single hub and a plurality of spaced main blades extending outwardly from the hub such that an air passage channel is defined between two of the main blades. Each of the main blades is a mixed flow blade which continuously extends from a fan section at an inlet end of a channel to a compressor section at an outlet end of the channel without any axial clearance between the fan section and the compressor section, providing aerodynamic matching of pressurized air flowing through the channel from the fan section to the compressor section. Full Article
m Rotating airfoil component with platform having a recessed surface region therein By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A rotating airfoil component of a turbomachine, in which the component has an airfoil aligned in a spanwise direction of the component, a shank, and a platform therebetween oriented transverse to the spanwise direction. The platform has an outer radial surface adjacent the airfoil, and at least one recessed region defined in its outer radial surface. The recessed region extends opposite the spanwise direction from a platform plane that contains portions of the outer radial surface that are upstream and downstream from the recessed region. The recessed region is contiguous with an end wall of the platform and extends therefrom toward the airfoil. The recessed region defines a surface shape whose boundary is contained by the platform plane, and has a profile shape that extends from the end wall toward the airfoil. The recessed region is sized and shaped to increase the stiffness of the platform. Full Article
m Axially-split radial turbines and methods for the manufacture thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of an axially-split radial turbine, as are embodiments of a method for manufacturing an axially-split radial turbine. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of joining a forward bladed ring to a forward disk to produce a forward turbine rotor, fabricating an aft turbine rotor, and disposing the forward turbine rotor and the aft turbine rotor in an axially-abutting, rotationally-fixed relationship to produce the axially-split radial turbine. Full Article
m Turbomachine blade or vane having complementary asymmetrical geometry By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A turbomachine blade or vane is made of composite material including fiber reinforcement obtained by three-dimensional weaving of yarns and densified by a matrix. The blade or vane includes a first portion constituting at least an airfoil exhibiting two faces each connecting a leading edge to a trailing edge, the first portion forming a single part with at least one second portion present only on one of the faces of the airfoil, the second portion constituting a portion of at least one of the following elements: a flowpath delimiting outer portion of an inner platform, an inner portion of an inner platform, a flowpath delimiting inner portion of an outer platform, and an outer portion of an outer platform, the portions of the fiber reinforcement corresponding to the first and the second portions of the blade being at least partially mutually imbricated, with yarns of the first portion of the fiber reinforcement penetrating into the second portion of the fiber reinforcement. Full Article
m Propeller fan and air conditioner having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a propeller fan including a hub having an oval shape in an axial direction, a plurality of wings that extend from the hub, and at least one reinforcement rib that extends from the hub and is formed closer to a leading edge of each of the plurality of wings. Through this configuration, the propeller fan has blowing efficiency and stiffness, and the weight and material cost of the propeller fan can be reduced. Full Article
m Seal assembly including grooves in a radially outwardly facing side of a platform in a gas turbine engine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A seal assembly between a disc cavity and a turbine section hot gas path includes a stationary vane assembly and a rotating blade assembly downstream from the vane assembly and including a plurality of blades that are supported on a platform and rotate with a turbine rotor and the platform during operation of the engine. The platform includes a radially outwardly facing first surface, a radially inwardly facing second surface, a third surface, and a plurality of grooves extending into the third surface. The grooves are arranged such that a space is defined between adjacent grooves. During operation of the engine, the grooves guide purge air out of the disc cavity toward the hot gas path such that the purge air flows in a desired direction with reference to a direction of hot gas flow through the hot gas path. Full Article
m Control of wind turbine blade lift regulating means By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention involves a wind turbine comprising at least one blade (5) in turn comprising a blade body (501), lift-regulating means (502) adapted for movement in relation to the blade body (501) so as to regulate the lift of the blade, and load sensing means (5022, 506) for determining a load acting on the lift-regulating means (502), the wind turbine further comprising an actuation control unit (6) adapted to control the movement of the lift-regulating means (502) based on output from the load sensing means (5022, 506). In addition to output from the load sensing means (5022, 506), the actuation control unit (6) is adapted to control the movement of the lift-regulating means (502) based on the movement of the lift-regulating means (502). Full Article
m Propeller windmill for small-sized power generator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a small-sized propeller windmill which can efficiently generate power even when a wing speed is low, has no possibility that the windmill is broken even when a strong wind blows, can stably ensure a weathercock direction of a base blade, and can suppress an environmental burden, in such a propeller windmill, the blade having a corrugated wing shape is supported in a cantilever manner by way of an elastic body, and the blade and the elastic body are made of paper or plastic. Further, to stably ensure the weathercock. direction of the base blade, a weathercock stabilizing mechanism is arranged behind the base blade. Full Article
m Trailing edge cooling using angled impingement on surface enhanced with cast chevron arrangements By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gas turbine engine component, including: a pressure side (12) having an interior surface (34); a suction side (14) having an interior surface (36); a trailing edge portion (30); and a plurality of suction side and pressure side impingement orifices (24) disposed in the trailing edge portion (30). Each suction side impingement orifice is configured to direct an impingement jet (48) at an acute angle (52) onto a target area (60) that encompasses a tip (140) of a chevron (122) within a chevron arrangement (120) formed in the suction side interior surface. Each pressure side impingement orifice is configured to direct an impingement jet at an acute angle onto an elongated target area that encompasses a tip of a chevron within a chevron arrangement formed in the pressure side interior surface. Full Article
m Blade-pitch control system with feedback lever By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present application includes a blade-pitch control system for controlling a pitch angle of each of a plurality of blades on an aircraft rotor. A feedback lever associated with each blade is pivotally mounted to the rotating portion of a swashplate assembly. A pitch link connects an output arm of a lever to a pitch horn of a corresponding blade, and a feedback link connects the input arm of the lever to a yoke. Flapping motion of the yoke causes motion of the feedback link, and this motion causes corresponding rotation of the lever. Rotation of the lever causes motion of the pitch link, which changes the pitch angle of the attached blade. This provides for selected pitch-flap coupling between flapping motion of the yoke and pitch motion of the blades. Full Article
m Non-axisymmetric airfoil platform shaping By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Turbine blade assemblies of a turbine include airfoils that are mounted on bases. The leading and/or trailing edges of the bases are provided with curved portions. Likewise, curved portions may be provided on leading and/or trailing edges of the angle wings of a turbine blade assembly. Also, curved portions may be provided on the leading and/or trailing edges of nozzle assemblies of a turbine. Full Article
m Support ring for a rotary assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A support ring for a rotary assembly such as a propeller assembly includes support cups for receiving blade roots of propeller blades. The support cups are interconnected by bridging structures. Each bridging structure includes bridging walls which extend radially from a bridging web. The bridging structures thus have a channel-shaped cross-section. The bridging walls have a scalloped configuration at their radially outer edges. As a result of this configuration, the neutral axes of the bridging structures are straight, so that the support ring behaves, in structural terms, as a polygon. Full Article
m Fan assemblies and methods for assembling same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to fan assemblies and methods for installing the same. For example, some embodiments of the present invention include a fan assembly that includes: (a) a rotational member; (b) a connection member structured for connection to the rotational member and including a body portion and a head portion; and (c) a blade arm defining an opening therein, such that the opening includes an open end portion and a closed end portion. In some embodiments, the connection member and the blade arm are configured such that, (a) when the blade arm is positioned in a support state, the head portion of the connection member rests against the blade arm to support the blade arm relative to the rotational member, and (b) when the blade arm is positioned in a secure state, the head portion of the connection member at least partially bears against the blade arm adjacent to the opening defined in the blade arm. Also, some of these embodiments of the present invention may be characterized as “easy install” fan assemblies because they include an “easy install” blade arm to motor connection, as described above, and/or an “easy install” blade arm to fan blade connection. Full Article
m Marine propeller structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A marine propeller has at least two blades each having a body, a vane and connection members that enable the blades to be fixed together. The blades are formed with a one-piece vane and the bodies are attached to one another and with the bodies form the central hub of the propeller that may be fitted on a ship's shaft after mounting. Full Article
m Retention device for a composite blade of a gas turbine engine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A liner for a composite blade of a gas turbine engine includes a metallic shoe, operable substantially to encase a blade root of a composite blade and defining an inner surface and an outer surface. The liner also includes a retention lug formed on the shoe and has inner and outer keys that project from opposed portions of the inner and outer surfaces. The keys engage corresponding recesses on a dovetail slot and a blade root to resist axial displacement of the composite blade. Full Article
m Wind turbine blade and method for manufacturing a wind turbine blade with vortex generators By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A wind turbine for generating electrical energy may include a wind turbine blade including a plurality of vortex generators integrally formed in the outer surface of the blade. The vortex generator includes a first component that defines a portion of the outer surface of the blade and a second component defining the shape of the vortex generator and at least partially surrounded by the first component. A method of manufacturing the wind turbine blade includes disposing a first plurality of layers of structural material over a mold main body and a removable insert member with a shaped cavity. A shaped plug is then pressed into the shaped cavity, and a second plurality of layers of structural material is disposed over the plug and the mold main body to complete manufacture of a wind turbine blade with a vortex generator. Full Article
m Wind turbine blade with lightning protection system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A wind turbine blade with a lightning protection for a blade with a shell body has at least one lightning receptor arranged freely accessible in or on a surface of the shell body surface, and a lightning down conductor electrically connected to the lightning receptor and comprising an inner conductor made of electrically conductive material imbedded in a bedding insulation made of an electrically non-conductive material. The lightning down conductor further includes a first conductive layer having a resistance in the range of 10 to 10,000 Mega Ohm per meter (MΩ/m). The first conductive layer is located in a transverse distance from the inner conductor and being electrically isolated from the inner conductor. Full Article
m Cooled turbine blade and method for cooling a turbine blade By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Sep 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cooled turbine blade comprises a root for fixing the blade to rotor, an airfoil extending along a radial axis from the root, and a tip shroud disposed at a radially outward end of the airfoil. The tip shroud extends in a circumferential direction from the airfoil and defines, within itself, a core plenum and a peripheral plenum. The airfoil defines an aft airfoil cooling passage that extends radially through the airfoil proximate a trailing edge portion of the airfoil. The airfoil also defines an aft cooling inlet for providing an aft stream of cooling fluid to the aft airfoil cooling passage. The airfoil also defines at least one aft cooling exit for discharging the aft stream of cooling fluid from the aft airflow cooling passage to the peripheral plenum. The tip shroud defines at least one peripheral plenum vent for discharging the aft stream of cooling fluid. Full Article
m Chemical liquid injector and CT apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Chemical liquid injector 100 includes two piston driving mechanisms 130 each moving a piston of a syringe forward, main injection condition determining section 171 determining injection conditions for a chemical liquid in main injection, test injection condition determining section 172 determining injection conditions for the chemical liquid in test injection performed prior to the main injection to inject a smaller injection amount of the chemical liquid than that in the main injection, and control section 161 creating an injection protocol in accordance with the injection conditions determined by test injection condition determining section 171 and main injection condition determining section 172 such that the chemical liquid is injected in a series of operations in which the test injection is performed, then a preset injection suspension time is present, and subsequently the main injection is performed, and further controlling operation of piston driving mechanisms 130 in accordance with the injection protocol. Full Article
m Arc-shaped medical imaging equipment By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Medical imaging equipment is provided. The medical imaging equipment comprises a support assembly, an arc-shaped member slidably mounted on the support assembly, a radiation source mounted on the arc-shaped member in the vicinity of a first distal end of the arc-shaped member and being oriented to radiate along the direction of an imaging axis, and a detector mounted on the arc-shaped member in the vicinity of the second distal end of the arc-shaped member and being oriented to face the source along the imaging axis, wherein the radiation source and the detector are respectively mounted on one side and the other of the mid plane of the arc-shaped member. Full Article
m Medical imaging system for accurate measurement evaluation of changes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for nodule boundary visualization superimposed on a scan image, including generating phantom image measurements of at least one synthetic calibration object in relation to a body to calibrate a scanner; acquiring a first image of a nodule on the calibrated scanner; computing and marking a boundary on the image; displaying the first image with the boundary superimposed over the first image; presenting the initial boundary to a user for modification where the user can add one or more modification points to the image to create a modified boundary that is encompassed by the one or more modification points; once the user has marked the one or more modification points on the image, computing an updated boundary that adapts to include the new points. Full Article
m Spatial derivative-based ray tracing for volume rendering By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A machine-implemented display method that, with respect to a volume dataset being rendered, enables a user to navigate to any position in space and look in any direction. Preferably, the volume dataset is derived from a computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. With the described approach, the user can see details within the dataset that are not available using conventional visualization approaches. The freedom-of-motion capability allows the user to go to places (positions) within the volume rendering that are not otherwise possible using conventional “orbit” and “zoom” display techniques. Thus, for example, using the described approach, the display image enables a user to travel inside physical structures (e.g., a patient's heart, brain, arteries, and the like). Full Article
m Method, arrangement, and computer program product for efficient production of tomographic images By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method is provided for constructing a tomographic reconstruction through the application of statistical inversion. Unknowns associated with points of a reconstruction grid are represented with components of a vector-valued variable. A next version of the vector-valued variable is repeatedly created by drawing for each component a value from a conditional distribution. The components of a so generated version of the vector-valued variable are used as the tomographic reconstruction. The components are divided into sets, so that components in a set represent unknowns associated with mutually independent points of the reconstruction grid, or into independent collections. For at least two components of a set or at least two collections, the drawing of values from a conditional distribution is performed in parallel in a computer-implemented process. Full Article
m Radio tomographic image generation method and device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A radio tomographic image generation device includes a reconstruction unit for generating a plurality of reconstructed images of different iteration numbers by a successive approximation process; a region segmentation unit for obtaining information about structure based on radiographic image signals, and segmenting, based on the information about structure, a region, of which the tomographic image is generated, into a plurality of segmented regions having different information about structure; and an image combining unit for generating partial tomographic images by using the reconstructed images of different iteration numbers for the individual segmented regions based on the information about structure of the individual segmented regions, and generating a tomographic image of a subject by using the generated partial tomographic images for the individual segmented regions. Full Article
m System and method for saving time and dose in computed tomography By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention pertains to a system and method for X-ray imaging wherein a targeted fluence at the detector for projection images can be achieved at a plurality of projection angles around the imaging subject by control of exposure times implemented during image acquisition. Exposure time for a second projection image may be determined by the fluence in a first projection image, and in a third projection image by the fluence in a second projection image, where projection images are acquired within two degrees of one another. An acquisition parameter calculation can be configured to calculate acquisition parameters, such as said exposure times, to achieve the targeted fluence in projection images and can be coupled to a rotation controller that implements the acquisition parameters by controlling a relative angle between the imaging subject and X-ray image acquisition device. Full Article
m System and method for denoising medical images adaptive to local noise By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method is provided for estimating the local noise of CT images and denoising the images using a modified non-local means (NLM) algorithm that is adaptive to local variations of noise levels. A strategy for efficiently estimating the local noise of CT images is also described. Full Article
m Mirror for the EUV wavelength range, projection objective for microlithography comprising such a mirror, and projection exposure apparatus for microlithography comprising such a projection objective By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mirror for the EUV wavelength range (1) having a layer arrangement (P) applied on a substrate (S), the layer arrangement having a periodic sequence of individual layers, where the periodic sequence has at least two individual layers—forming a period—composed respectively of silicon (Si) and ruthenium (Ru). Also disclosed are a projection objective for microlithography (2) including such a mirror, and a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography having such a projection objective (2). Full Article
m Method for X-ray phase contrast and dark-field imaging using an arrangement of gratings in planar geometry By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An X-ray arrangement is suitable to record absorption, phase contrast, and dark field images of an object. The visibility of low absorbing specimens is improved and required radiation dose is reduced. The assembly includes an X-ray source; two or more gratings; a position-sensitive detector with spatially modulated detection sensitivity; a recorder for recording the images; an evaluator for evaluating the intensities for each pixel to identify the characteristic of the object for each individual pixel as an absorption and/or a differential phase contrast and/or an x-ray scattering dominated pixel. Images are collected by rotating from 0 to n or 2n either the sample or the assembly. The gratings are produced with planar geometry. The X-rays pass through the gratings parallel to the substrate. The grating structures extend along the X-ray path which determines the phase shift. The attenuation of the X-rays caused by the grating structures is no longer given by the thickness, but by the length of the grating structures. Full Article
m Press plate and radiographic imaging apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A press plate that includes: a plate shaped press portion that is capable of resilient deformation; a first slit that is provided to a first wall portion of a support body with length direction along a first edge portion of the press portion, and that penetrates the first wall portion; second slits that are provided to a second wall portions of the support body with length direction along second edge portions of the press portion, and that penetrate the second wall portions; and a first corner portion slit that is provided straddling a corner portion between the first wall portion and the second wall portion and penetrating the corner portion, that is connected to the first slit, and that is disposed at a separation to the second slit. Full Article
m Medical image processing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A medical image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes: an imaging unit configured to image an affected area in two directions using X-rays; a fluoroscopic image generating unit configured to generate two X-ray fluoroscopic images corresponding to the two directions, on a basis of imaging signals outputted from the imaging unit; a rendering image generating unit configured to project the affected area contained in three-dimensional image data acquired in advance, in two directions according to a same X-ray geometry as that used for imaging the X-ray fluoroscopic images, to thereby generate two affected area rendering images; and an image combining unit configured to combine the X-ray fluoroscopic images with the affected area rendering images for each corresponding direction, to thereby generate combined parallax images in two parallax directions corresponding to the two directions, and to output the two generated combined parallax images to a 3D display apparatus. Full Article
m System and method for measuring the thickness of a zinc layer on steel and for measuring the iron concentration in a zinc layer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A Compton radiation detection device for determining of Compton radiation of iron, includes a sensor and a filter arrangement. The filter arrangement is adapted such that the radiation emitted by a test object due to Compton scattering passes a nickel layer and an iron layer before being detected by the sensor. A dispersive ionization chamber includes an ionization chamber having a plurality off ionization volumes and a window. Each ionization volume includes an electrode. Radiation can enter through the window. The ionization volumes are arranged in a beam propagation direction behind each other. Radiation having lower energy is statistically absorbed in ionization volumes located more proximal to the window. Radiation having higher energy is statistically absorbed in the ionization volumes located more distal from the window. Full Article
m Dual mode X-ray vehicle scanning system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A variable mode X-ray transmission system is provided that can be operated in low or high dose rate modes depending upon the area or portion of the vehicle to be screened. In one embodiment, variable dose rate is achieved by use of a novel collimator. The systems disclosed in this application enable the scanning of a vehicle cab portion (occupied by people, such as a driver) at low dose rate, which is safe for human beings, while allowing the scanning of the cargo portion (unoccupied by people) at a high dose rate. Rapid switching from low dose rate to high dose rate operating mode is provided, while striking a balance between high material penetration for cargo portion and low intensity exposure that is safe for occupants in the cab portion of the inspected vehicle. Full Article
m Method for recording a four-dimensional angiography data record By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for recording a four-dimensional angiography data record using an x-ray facility with a C-arm is proposed. Projection images are recorded from different projection directions at different time points of the cardiac cycle. A number of three-dimensional reconstruction image data records assigned respectively to a time segment of the cardiac cycle are reconstructed from the projection images and combined to form the four-dimensional angiography data record by temporal assignment in respect of the cardiac cycle. At least one recording parameter describing the temporal sequence is selected when recording the projection images as a function of cardiac stimulation performed to ensure a stable heart rate during recording so that the recording of the projection images takes place in such a manner that it is synchronized with the cardiac cycle. Full Article
m Amplified backscatter x-ray inspection system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for inspecting an object. A radiation generation system is configured to emit radiation. A detector system is configured to detect backscatter formed in response to the radiation encountering the object. A redirection system is positioned relative to the detector system and is configured to redirect the backscatter to the detector system. Full Article
m Gain calibration technique for digital imaging systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A computer-implemented method for gain calibration is provided. The method includes sorting the calibration data of each pixel location from the offset-corrected X-ray image data into a sequence. The method also includes removing part of the calibration data from one end or both ends of the respective sequence for each pixel location. The method further includes averaging the calibration data remaining within each respective sequence to obtain an average pixel value for each pixel location. The method yet further includes generating a gain map based on the average pixel value for each pixel location. Full Article
m Power converter, X-ray CT apparatus, and X-ray imaging apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power converter is configured to include an inverter which converts a DC output into an AC voltage of a predetermined frequency, and a high voltage generator which receives an output from output terminals of the inverter and boosts the output to a desired high DC voltage. The high voltage generator includes a transformer, and the primary windings of the transformer are connected to the output terminals of the inverter in parallel by conductive wires connected to both ends of each primary winding. Further, a current sensor is provided to detect a current flowing through each of the primary windings, and a control unit determines abnormalities of a path of the inverter and the primary windings on the basis of a value of the current sensor. Full Article
m High-voltage apparatus, and radiation source and radioscopic apparatus having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a high-voltage apparatus according to this invention, a predetermined voltage is applied to a rotating anode after waiting until the number of rotations increases to such an extent that the rotating anode is not damaged. That is, X-rays of desired intensity are already outputted from a point of time when the voltage is applied to the rotating anode. Therefore, diagnosis can be performed immediately after the voltage is applied to the rotating anode. That is, unlike the prior art, there is no need to wait until X-ray intensity becomes suitable for diagnosis after X-ray emission is started, and there is no need to irradiate the patient with unnecessary X-rays. Therefore, the patient can be inhibited from being irradiated with excessive X-rays (with an improvement made in a response from when the operator gives instructions for starting fluoroscopy until emission of X-rays suitable for diagnosis). Full Article
m Transmission type X-ray tube and reflection type X-ray tube By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a transmission type X-ray tube and a reflection type X-ray tube. The transmission type X-ray tube comprises a target and a filter material. The target has at least one element which produces X-rays as being excited. The X-rays comprise characteristic Kα and Kβ emission energies of the element for producing images of an object impinged by the X-rays. The filter material through which the X-rays pass has a k-edge absorption energy that is higher than the Kα emission energies and is lower than the Kβ emission energies. The thickness of the filter material is at least 10 microns and less than 3 millimeters. Full Article
m Mobile X-ray unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a mobile X-ray unit. The mobile X-ray unit may include a base and an arm associated with the base. The arm may be configured to support an X-ray applicator having an X-ray tube. The X-ray tube may be configured to generate an X-ray beam. The X-ray applicator may include an exit surface through which the X-ray beam passes in use. The X-ray unit may further include an applicator cap for covering at least the exit surface of the X-ray applicator. Full Article
m Radiation generating apparatus and radiation imaging apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a construction having a radiation tube in an envelope filled with an insulating liquid, a radiation generating apparatus which realizes a miniaturization of the apparatus, an improvement of a withstanding voltage between the envelope and the radiation tube, and a decrease in attenuation amount of the radiation and a radiation imaging apparatus using the radiation generating apparatus are provided. The radiation generating apparatus has an envelope 12 having a first window 27 for transmitting the radiation, a radiation tube 14 enclosed in the envelope 12 and having a second window 19 for transmitting the radiation at a position in opposition to the first window 27, and an insulating liquid 13 filled between the envelope 12 and the radiation tube 14. A solid-state insulating member 28 is placed between the first window 27 and its periphery and the second window 19 and its periphery. Full Article