X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices – Beam control – Filter
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-05
2001-09-11
Kim, Robert H. (Department: 2882)
X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices
Beam control
Filter
C378S158000, C378S159000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289081
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a filter which is provided with a number of ducts, wherein:
a number of deformable foils is provided, on electrically insulating outer sides, with electrically conductive bands which are separated from one another by electrically insulating bands,
the electrically conductive bands on a first outer side of the foil are arranged so as to be offset relative to the electrically conductive bands on the second outer side of the foil;
the foils are stacked;
oppositely situated electrically insulating bands of the oppositely situated foils are interconnected;
the foils are ultimately moved away from one another in a direction transversely of the foils in order to form the ducts between the interconnected foils.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention also relates to a filter manufactured by means of such a method and to an X-ray examination apparatus provided with such a filter.
In the context of the present patent application a filter is to be understood to mean any system of ducts comprising a number of ducts.
In such a filter of an X-ray examination apparatus as described in the not previously published European patent application 98203898.6, each of the electrically conductive bands is connected, near the upper side, to an electrically conductive strip which extends transversely of the electrically conductive bands. Adjacent the filter the electrically conductive strips are connected to electronic members for applying a desired potential to the relevant electrically conductive strips and the electrically conductive bands connected thereto. When a given potential is applied to an electrically conductive band, the associated duct is filled with a given, desired quantity of, for example, an X-ray absorbing liquid. In order to enable different potentials to be applied to the electrically conductive bands, each electrically conductive strip is connected to only one band or a few bands and is situated at a distance from the other electrically conductive strips and bands. The electrically conductive strips are separated from the other electrically conductive bands by electrically insulating sections.
A problem that has not yet been recognized in the cited European patent application is that when the foils are pressed against one another in order to realize a bond between the electrically insulating bands between the electrically conductive bands, for example, by means of thermocompression, a bond is also established between the electrically insulating sections of oppositely situated foils.
Consequently, the ducts to be formed between the foils are closed near such electrically insulating sections; this is undesirable.
It is an object of the invention to provide a method wherein the ducts are not closed.
The method according to the invention achieves this object in that in a prolongation of at least one electrically conductive band there is provided at least one detached, electrically insulating section which is not connected to an oppositely situated foil.
The closing of the ducts is prevented simply by preventing the electrically insulating sections which are situated in the prolongation of electrically conductive bands are bonded together.
In the context of the present patent application the term “detached” is to be understood to mean any electrically insulating section which is not mechanically connected to an oppositely situated foil in the finished filter.
A version of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the foils outside the detached, electrically insulating section are pressed against one another and bonded to one another by thermocompression.
The foils, being made of, for example a synthetic material, can be simply bonded to one another in the desired locations by thermocompression. The formation of a bond with the oppositely situated, detached, electrically insulating section of another foil can be prevented by locally controlling the pressure and/or temperature near the detached, electrically insulated section.
A further version of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the thickness of the foil is reduced at the area of the detached, electrically insulating section.
As a result of the reduction of the thickness of the detached sections, hardly any force will be exerted on the detached section when the foils are pressed against one another, so that the detached sections will not be interconnected.
A further version of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the foils are pressed against one another by means of a die which is provided with at least one recess which corresponds to the detached section.
This again prevents the detached sections from being interconnected upon the pressing together of the foils.
REFERENCES:
patent: WO 93 01048-A (1993-01-01), None
patent: WO 98 52468-A (1996-11-01), None
patent: WO 00 30125-A (2000-05-01), None
patent: WO 00 46814-A (2000-08-01), None
Giesbers Jacobus Bernardus
Prins Menno Willem Jose
Van Kasteren Adrainus Cornelius
Van Nunen Bartholomeus Peter Hendricus
Weekamp Johannus Wilhelmus
Kim Robert H.
U.S. Philips Corporation
Vodopia John F.
Yun Juric
LandOfFree
Method of manufacturing a filter, a filter thus manufactured... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method of manufacturing a filter, a filter thus manufactured..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of manufacturing a filter, a filter thus manufactured... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2546421