US3963924A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for taking x-ray pictures
Assignee: National Research Development Corp UK
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Filing: 1974-06-26
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Granted: 1976-06-15
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Expires: 1994-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for taking x-ray pictures by ionography wherein the object to be studied is radiated by x-rays which fall on an ionization chamber. The ionization chamber includes a pair of electrodes at least one of which is in the form of a flexible sheet which includes a conductive layer and an insulating layer for collecting on the surface thereof ions generated in the chamber. Both of the electrodes have substantially spherically curved surfaces with their respective centers of curvatures located at the source of ionizing radiation. The flexible sheet is formed into a spherically curved shape by establishing a differential gas pressure across the sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 John Wilson Boag
- 👤 Paul Nelson Jeffery
- 👤 Harold Elford Johns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:25
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/054; G03G15/0545
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for taking X-ray pictures of an object comprising: a source of ionizing radiation, a housing, a pair of electrodes in said housing defining an ionization chamber, at least one of said electrodes being in the form of a flexible sheet which includes a conductive layer and an insulating layer for collecting on the surface thereof ions generated in said chamber, both of said electrodes having substantially spherically curved surfaces with their respective centers of curvature being located at said source of ionizing radiation, means for establishing a differential gas pressure across said at least one flexible sheet for forming said at least one flexible sheet into a spherically curved shape having a center of curvature at said source of ionizing radiation, means for applying a potential difference across said electrodes, and means for introducing into said ionization chamber an ionizing radiation absorbing gas.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for taking X-ray pictures of an object comprising: a source of ionizing radiation, a housing, a pair of electrodes in said housing defining an ionization chamber, at least one of said electrodes being in the form of a flexible sheet which includes a conductive layer and an insulating layer for collecting on the surface thereof ions generated in said chamber, both of said electrodes having substantially spherically curved surfaces with their respective centers of curvature being located at said source of ionizing radiation, means for establishing a differential gas pressure across said at least one flexible sheet for forming said at least one flexible sheet into a spherically curved shape having a center of curvature at said source of ionizing radiation, means for applying a potential difference across said electrodes, and means for introducing into said ionization chamber an ionizing radiation absorbing gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure differential establishing means includes gas inlet means for introducing gas under pressure between said housing and said at least one flexible sheet to thereby form said at least one flexible sheet into spherically curved shape having a center of curvature at said source of ionizing radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein both of said electrodes are flexible and wherein a pressure differential is established across both of said flexible sheets to thereby form said flexible sheets into spherically curved shapes having a common center of curvature at said ionization source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the tension and hence the radius of curvature of said at least one flexible electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said tension adjusting means includes at least one annular bearing surface fixedly secured in said housing and a circular inflatable tube positioned between said housing and said bearing surface, said at least one flexible electrode being positioned between said inflatable tube and said bearing surface wherein when said inflatable tube is fully inflated, said flexible electrode is maintained in position within said housing and wherein when said inflatable tube is deflated, said at least one flexible electrode is capable of being removed from said housing.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of taking X-ray pictures of an object in an apparatus of the type including a source of ionizing radiation, a housing, a pair of electrodes in said housing defining an ionization chamber wherein at least one of said electrodes is in the form of a flexible sheet which includes a conductive layer and an insulating layer, and means for applying a potential difference across said electrodes, said method including the steps of: introducing an ionizing radiation absorbing gas between said electrodes to define therebetween an ionization chamber, and establishing a pressure differential across said at least one flexible sheet for forming said at least one flexible sheet into a spherically curved shape having a center of curvature at said source of ionizing radiation, the other of said electrodes having a spherically curved surface concentric with said flexible sheet.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of taking X-ray pictures of an object in an apparatus of the type including a source of ionizing radiation, a housing, a pair of electrodes in said housing defining an ionization chamber wherein at least one of said electrodes is in the form of a flexible sheet which includes a conductive layer and an insulating layer, and means for applying a potential difference across said electrodes, said method including the steps of: introducing an ionizing radiation absorbing gas between said electrodes to define therebetween an ionization chamber, and establishing a pressure differential across said at least one flexible sheet for forming said at least one flexible sheet into a spherically curved shape having a center of curvature at said source of ionizing radiation, the other of said electrodes having a spherically curved surface concentric with said flexible sheet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said apparatus includes a first annular bearing surface and an inflatable tube positioned between said housing and said bearing surface and further comprising the steps of: positioning said at least one flexible sheet between said bearing surface and said inflatable tubing, and inflating said tubing before said pressure differential is established to thereby maintain said flexible sheet in position, and after said insulating layer has been exposed to ions from said ionization chamber, deflating said inflatable tube to thereby release said at least one flexible sheet.
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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) | 1979-06-15 | 1979-12-15 | 1980-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-15 | 1983-12-15 | 1984-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-15 | 1987-12-15 | 1988-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |