Abstract: DC power is converted to AC power and provided to AC loads and/or AC electrical utility grids. The amount of current and/or voltage provided by DC-DC converters to a DC bus is controlled to maintain a desired power level at an output of an AC-DC inverter that is coupled to the DC bus. These operations are automatically performed during system operation and automatically react or adapt to the addition or removal of AC loads and/or connection to the AC utility grid.

Abstract: A device includes at least one isolating transformer. An input is coupled to the at least one isolating transformer and configured to receive input from an energy source. At least one power switch is coupled to the isolating transformer. A diode is coupled to the at least one isolating transformer. An energy storage medium is coupled to the diode. An inverter includes one or more inverter switches, an inverter input, and an inverter output. The inverter input is coupled to the diode and the energy storage medium. The inverter output is configured to be coupled to the power network, and the inverter is configured to create AC power for distribution to the power network. A controller is configured to modulate the at least one power switch to control power flow from the input and to modulate the state of the inverter switches to control power flow to the power network.

Abstract: A power converter including a three-input direct current converter capable of performing maximum power point tracking on three power inputs, a step down converter capable of voltage step down of the three power inputs, a bus capacitor and a balance circuit utilizing switches and transformers utilized to balance voltages of the bus capacitor, a three-level inverter capable of creating alternating current voltages for the alternating current grid, an output filter electrically coupled to the three-level inverter, a contactor capable of disconnecting the bus capacitor and the balance circuit from the alternating current grid, and a parameter sensor and a field programmable gate array controller electrically coupled to the power converter, capable of controlling a plurality of power switches based on at least one sensed parameters.

Abstract: A device includes at least one isolating transformer. An input is coupled to the at least one isolating transformer and configured to receive input from an energy source. At least one power switch is coupled to the isolating transformer. A diode is coupled to the at least one isolating transformer. An energy storage medium is coupled to the diode. An inverter includes one or more inverter switches, an inverter input, and an inverter output. The inverter input is coupled to the diode and the energy storage medium. The inverter output is configured to be coupled to the power network, and the inverter is configured to create AC power for distribution to the power network. A controller is configured to modulate the at least one power switch to control power flow from the input and to modulate the state of the inverter switches to control power flow to the power network.

Abstract: A CT system includes a gantry having a rotatable base and having an opening for receiving an object to be scanned, and an AC-to-DC converter coupleable to a 3-phase AC facility power, and coupled through a DC bus to a gantry motor to rotationally drive the rotatable base using DC power from the AC-to-DC converter. Rotational energy in the rotatable base is converted to DC electrical energy in the gantry motor during gantry braking, and provided to the DC bus.

Abstract: A CT system includes an x-ray source, a high-voltage (HV) tank coupled to the x-ray source, and an inverter coupled to the HV tank. The inverter includes an H-bridge configuration of switches comprising a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first and second legs include respective upper and lower switches, and at least one additional leg of switches having respective upper and lower switches. The system includes a controller configured to interleave switch operation between the H-bridge configuration and the at least one additional leg of switches.

Abstract: A CT system includes an x-ray source, a high-voltage power supply (HVPS) coupled to the x-ray source, and a high-frequency power distribution unit (HFPDU) having an input bus that is coupleable to a three-phase source, and having an output bus. The HFPDU includes a three-phase rectifier coupled to the input bus and configured to output a DC current to an inverter, the inverter configured to convert the DC current to an AC current, and output the AC current to a primary winding of an isolation transformer, and the isolation transformer having a secondary output to an isolation transformer, that is coupled to a full bridge rectifier, to produce DC current to the output bus and to DC bus loads of the CT system.

Abstract: A CT system includes an x-ray source, a high-voltage power supply (HVPS) coupled to the x-ray source, and a high-frequency power distribution unit (HFPDU) having an input bus that is coupleable to a three-phase source, and having an output bus. The HFPDU includes a three-phase rectifier coupled to the input bus and configured to output a DC current to an inverter, the inverter configured to convert the DC current to an AC current, and output the AC current to a primary winding of an isolation transformer, and the isolation transformer having a secondary output to an isolation transformer, that is coupled to a full bridge rectifier, to produce DC current to the output bus and to DC bus loads of the CT system.

Abstract: A CT system includes an x-ray source, a high-voltage (HV) tank coupled to the x-ray source, and an inverter coupled to the HV tank. The inverter includes an H-bridge configuration of switches comprising a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first and second legs include respective upper and lower switches, and at least one additional leg of switches having respective upper and lower switches. The system includes a controller configured to interleave switch operation between the H-bridge configuration and the at least one additional leg of switches.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for minimizing output pulse jitters in a phase locked loop. The method includes pre-setting the digital phase locked loop to a desired frequency, locking the digital phase locked loop to the desired frequency to generate an output signal, and filtering the output signal of the digital phase locked loop to maintain undesirable jitter to an acceptable range. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a medical imaging device. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a baggage imaging device.

Abstract: A data transmission system that includes a transmitter; a receiver; and a magnetically coupled rotary transformer having a first portion and a second portion in moveable relationship with one another. The transmitter is electrically and mechanically coupled to the first portion of the rotary transformer, and the receiver is electrically and mechanically coupled to the second portion of the rotary transformer. The transmitter and the receiver are configured to wirelessly communicate data across the rotary transformer while the first and the second portions of the rotary transformer are in relative rotary motion.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a high voltage-high frequency electrical energy transformation apparatus comprising a frequency inverter capable of converting 60 Hz electrical energy into 40-100 KHz electrical energy; and a voltage transformer. The voltage transformer comprises a transformer housing; at least one soft magnetic core; a low voltage primary winding and a high voltage secondary winding; and a solid insulating material comprising polydicyclopentadiene. The solid insulating material is in contact with the high voltage secondary winding.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an imaging system are provided. The imaging system includes a gantry having a stationary member coupled to a rotating member. The rotating member has an opened area proximate an axis about which the rotating member rotates. An x-ray source provided on the rotating member. An x-ray detector may be disposed on the rotating member and configured to receive x-rays from the x-ray source. A rotary transformer having circumferentially disposed primary and secondary windings may form part of a contactless power transfer system that rotates the rotatable portion of the gantry at very high speeds, the primary winding being disposed on the stationary member and the secondary winding being disposed on the rotating member.

Abstract: An x-ray tube is disclosed herein. The x-ray tube includes an anode assembly adapted to rotate generally about a rotational axis. The anode assembly includes a first target surface at least partially disposed at a first angle greater than 70 degrees with respect to the rotational axis and a second target surface at least partially disposed at a second angle greater than 70 degrees with respect to the rotational axis. The first target surface is adapted to emit a first x-ray beam and the second target surface is adapted to emit a second x-ray beam. A CT system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an imaging system are provided. The imaging system includes a gantry having a stationary member coupled to a rotating member. The rotating member has an opened area proximate an axis about which the rotating member rotates. An x-ray source provided on the rotating member. An x-ray detector may be disposed on the rotating member and configured to receive x-rays from the x-ray source. A rotary transformer having circumferentially disposed primary and secondary windings may form part of a contactless power transfer system that rotates the rotatable portion of the gantry at very high speeds, the primary winding being disposed on the stationary member and the secondary winding being disposed on the rotating member.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an imaging system are provided. The imaging system includes a gantry having a stationary member coupled to a rotating member. The rotating member has an opened area proximate an axis about which the rotating member rotates. An x-ray source provided on the rotating member. An x-ray detector may be disposed on the rotating member and configured to receive x-rays from the x-ray source. A rotary transformer having circumferentially disposed primary and secondary windings may form part of a contactless power transfer system that rotates the rotatable portion of the gantry at very high speeds, the primary winding being disposed on the stationary member and the secondary winding being disposed on the rotating member.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a fixed computed tomography (CT) system including a storage device configured to share power delivery with an input power line in order to reduce peak load requirements of the input power line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for minimizing output pulse jitters in a phase locked loop. The method includes pre-setting the digital phase locked loop to a desired frequency, locking the digital phase locked loop to the desired frequency to generate an output signal, and filtering the output signal of the digital phase locked loop to maintain undesirable jitter to an acceptable range. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a medical imaging device. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a baggage imaging device.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a fixed computed tomography (CT) system including a storage device configured to share power delivery with an input power line in order to reduce peak load requirements of the input power line.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an imaging system are provided. The imaging system includes a gantry having a stationary member coupled to a rotating member. The rotating member has an opened area proximate an axis about which the rotating member rotates. An x-ray source provided on the rotating member. An x-ray detector may be disposed on the rotating member and configured to receive x-rays from the x-ray source. A rotary transformer having circumferentially disposed primary and secondary windings may form part of a contactless power transfer system that rotates the rotatable portion of the gantry at very high speeds, the primary winding being disposed on the stationary member and the secondary winding being disposed on the rotating member.