Compound optical coupler and support mechanism
A support mechanism for protecting an object is described. The support system includes at least one support or friction ring for providing dynamic protection to the object. One embodiment includes a support ring having corrugated bumps. Another embodiment includes multiple support rings axially separated by spacers. In another embodiment a support mechanism is provided having at least one friction ring in combination with O-rings. A compound optical coupler is also described, which has a self-wetting clear optical coupling gel and an elastomeric load ring.
1. A scintillation element package, comprising:
a scintillation element;
an outer housing encompassing said scintillation element; and
a support mechanism including at least one friction ring, said support mechanism being between said scintillation element and said outer housing.
2. The package of claim 1 , wherein said at least one friction ring has at least two peaks and a flat portion between said at least two peaks.
3. The package of claim 1 , wherein said support mechanism further comprises at least one O-ring.
4. The package of claim 1 , further comprising a liner between said at least one friction ring and said scintillation element.
5. The package of claim 4 , wherein said liner is a PEEK liner comprising grooves for accommodating each of said at least one friction ring.
6. A photo-multiplier tube package, comprising:
a photo-multiplier tube;
a outer housing encompassing said photo-multiplier tube; and
a support mechanism including at least one friction ring, said support mechanism being between said photo-multiplier tube and said outer housing.
7. The package of claim 6 , wherein said at least one friction ring has at least two peaks and a flat portion between said at least two peaks.
8. The package of claim 6 , wherein said support mechanism further comprises at least one O-ring.
9. The package of claim 6 , further comprising a liner between said at least one friction ring and said photo-multiplier tube.
10. The package of claim 9 , wherein said liner is a PEEK liner comprising grooves for accommodating each of said at least one friction ring.
11. A support mechanism comprising:
a photo-multiplier tube;
a scintillation element;
a liner disposed around said photo-multiplier tube and said scintillation element; and
at least one friction ring around said liner.
12. The support mechanism of claim 11 , wherein said at least one friction ring has at least two peaks and a flat portion between said at least two peaks.
13. The support mechanism of claim 11 , wherein said liner is a PEEK liner comprising a groove for accommodating each of said at least one friction ring.
14. The support mechanism of claim 11 , further comprising at least one O-ring.
15. A gamma detector assembly, comprising:
a photo-multiplier tube;
a scintillation element;
a liner disposed around said photo-multiplier tube and said scintillation element; and
at least one friction ring around said liner.
16. The gamma detector assembly of claim 15 , wherein said at least one friction ring has at least two peaks and a flat portion between said at least two peaks.
17. The gamma detector assembly of claim 15 , wherein said liner is a PEEK liner comprising a groove for accommodating each of said at least one friction ring.
18. The gamma detector assembly of claim 15 , further comprising at least one O-ring.
19. The gamma detector assembly of claim 15 , further comprising an optical coupler between said photo-multiplier tube and said scintillation element.
20. The gamma detector of claim 19 , wherein said optical coupler is a compound optical coupler.
21. The package of claim 4 , wherein said liner comprises grooves for accommodating each of said at least one friction ring.
22. The package of claim 9 , wherein said liner comprises grooves for accommodating each of said at least one friction ring.
23. The support mechanism of claim 11 , wherein said liner comprises a groove for accommodating each of said at least one friction ring.
24. The gamma detector assembly of claim 15 , wherein said liner comprises a groove for accommodating each of said at least one friction ring.