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Title: Apparatus for monitoring X-ray beam alignment

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 anmore » audible sound of the maximum frequency.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. Arvada, CO
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Rockwell International Corp., Canoga Park, CA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
868022
Patent Number(s):
5056129
Application Number:
07/406,003
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
A - HUMAN NECESSITIES A61 - MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE A61B - DIAGNOSIS
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01T - MEASUREMENT OF NUCLEAR OR X-RADIATION
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-76DP03533
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
apparatus; monitoring; x-ray; beam; alignment; self-contained; hand-held; provided; minitoring; instrument; employing; source; transducer; assembly; containing; photoresistor; providing; range; electrical; signals; responsive; intensities; aligned; circuit; powered; vdc; power; supply; audio; frequency; pulse; generator; varies; resistance; generating; audible; sounds; portion; corresponds; intensity; layer; fluorescent; material; filter; transparent; x-rays; opaque; visible; light; undergoing; penetrate; excite; emitted; alters; including; speaker; complete; adjusting; produce; sound; maximum; circuit including; beam alignment; fluorescent material; beam intensity; x-ray source; electrical signals; dc power; x-ray beam; pulse generator; electrical signal; power supply; visible light; electrical circuit; light emitted; transducer assembly; assembly containing; audio frequency; frequency pulse; /378/

Citation Formats

Steinmeyer, Peter A. Apparatus for monitoring X-ray beam alignment. United States: N. p., 1991. Web.
Steinmeyer, Peter A. Apparatus for monitoring X-ray beam alignment. United States.
Steinmeyer, Peter A. Tue . "Apparatus for monitoring X-ray beam alignment". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/868022.
@article{osti_868022,
title = {Apparatus for monitoring X-ray beam alignment},
author = {Steinmeyer, Peter A},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Oct 08 00:00:00 EDT 1991},
month = {Tue Oct 08 00:00:00 EDT 1991}
}