Fluid Immersion Patents (Class 378/202)
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Patent number: 9373478Abstract: There is provided a radiation generating apparatus having a simple structure and capable of shielding unnecessary radiation, cooling a target, reducing the size and weight of the apparatus, and achieving higher reliability, and a radiation imaging apparatus having the same. A transmission type radiation tube is held inside a holding container filled with a cooling medium. The transmission type radiation tube includes an envelope having an aperture, an electron source arranged inside the envelope so as to face the aperture of the envelope, a target unit for generating a radiation responsive to an irradiation with an electron emitted from the electron source, and a shield member for shielding a part of the radiation emitted from the target unit. The cooling medium contacts at least a part of the shield member.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2011Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Miki Tamura, Kazuyuki Ueda, Takao Ogura, Yasue Sato, Ichiro Nomura, Shuji Aoki
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Patent number: 9151721Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a method and apparatus. The apparatus comprises a moveable platform, a housing connected to the moveable platform, a power supply located inside of the housing, and an x-ray tube located inside of the housing. The power supply and the x-ray tube are immersed in a coolant. The x-ray tube is configured to generate an x-ray beam.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2013Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Morteza Safai
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Patent number: 6604856Abstract: The useful life of x-ray tubes is extended by filtering metal particles and other decomposition products out of the coolant fluid by filter means permanently included in the closed loop cooling fluid circuit which also includes pump means and heat exchange means.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1997Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Charles Edward Baumgartner, James Day
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Patent number: 6592258Abstract: X-ray emission device comprising a casing opened by a window and an X-ray tube placed in the casing, the tube comprising an anode assembly equipped with an anode, a cathode assembly equipped with a cathode and an envelope containing the anode and the cathode, the anode assembly including a means of longitudinal positioning of the tube in the casing and the cathode assembly including a means of angular positioning of the tube in the casing on a longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLCInventors: Eric Chabin, Xavier Le Pennec
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Patent number: 6257762Abstract: An x-ray tube casing coating prevents lead contamination of oil. The aluminum casing housing an x-ray tube has a lead lining with a top surface and a bottom surface, and is exposed to a dielectric cooling oil. An electroplating material is applied to both the top and bottom surfaces of the lead lining, forming an electroplated layer between the lead lining and the casing to prevent lead contamination of the dielectric cooling oil.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1999Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Jadwiga B. Guzik
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Patent number: 6206565Abstract: In a radiographic apparatus having an x-ray tube, a method is provided for continuously conditioning the dielectric fluid in the x-ray tube during operation, thereby extending the service life of the x-ray tube. This is achieved by mounting a filter inside a filter housing, and mounting a replaceable gas reduction cartridge around the filter. The replaceable gas cartridge is filled with a material having a high affinity for the dielectric fluid. When the dielectric fluid enters at the filter outside diameter, the fluid moves radially inward so that the dielectric fluid flows over the high affinity material surfaces. The dielectric fluid then alloys with the high affinity material, thereby continuously conditioning the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1998Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Charles B. Kendall, Brian J. Graves, Hinhsomchay Phouybanhdyt
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Patent number: 6123456Abstract: The present invention deals with the catalytic hydrogenation of fluid used to cool and dielectrically insulate an x-ray generating device within an x-ray system. According to the present invention, a method and apparatus are provided for hydrogenating fluid that has been exposed to x-rays to reduce the amount of H.sub.2 gas, free hydrogen atoms and unsaturated molecules in the fluid. The method comprises exposing the fluid within the x-ray system to a catalytically effective amount of catalyst. The catalyst operates in temperatures in the range of about 10-300.degree. C. and pressures in the range of about 0.1-30 atmospheres. The catalyst may comprise a solid, non-soluble catalyst, a soluble catalyst, or a combination of both. A suitable solid, non-soluble catalyst comprises Group VIII elements and their compounds. Group VIII elements comprise iron, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum. The catalytically effective amount of solid catalyst ranges from about 1-100 cm.sup.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1998Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Robert J. Lyons
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Patent number: 6095684Abstract: An X-ray tube frame support assembly includes an annular support structure defining an interior chamber and having an interior surface surrounding and spaced radially outwardly from an X-ray tube frame disposed within the interior chamber, a quantity of cooling fluid contained in the interior chamber about the X-ray tube frame, and contact elements spaced from one another and mounted to the support structure so as to protrude radially inwardly from the interior surface into the interior chamber of the support structure and through the quantity of cooling fluid contained therein toward the X-ray tube frame such that the contact elements contact and hold the X-ray tube frame therebetween. Each contact element includes a body defining a hollow interior cavity and having apertures allowing passage of the cooling fluid into and from the interior cavity of the body for providing a passive damping of any vibrational movement of the X-ray tube frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rok Sribar, Brent Lyle Bristol
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Patent number: 6062731Abstract: The present invention provides for an adherent and durable coating for a lead-lined x-ray tube casing which is exposed to dielectric cooling oil. Electroplating lead radiation shield material with a corrosion resistant and nontoxic material having excellent solderability, softness and ductility, provides a clean corrosion resistant surface which is inert to the oil, independent of temperature and x-ray irradiation. The electroplating material preserves the lead surface from flaking and corroding to the oil. The electroplating material is preferably selected from the group consisting of tin, silver, copper and nickel, or various combinations of those or other materials capable of providing an adherent and durable coating for the x-ray tube casing.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1998Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Jadwiga B. Guzik
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Patent number: 5497410Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray source, comprising a housing, an X-ray tube which is arranged therein and which is surrounded by a liquid insulating medium, and a temperature sensor for determining the temperature within the liquid insulating medium. A simple embodiment of the temperature sensor consists in that it comprises a measuring element which is in thermal contact with a spatial zone in the insulating medium and which assumes a uniform temperature which is dependent on the temperature distribution in the zone during operation of the X-ray source, and a temperature transducer which is thermally coupled to the measuring element and which generates an electric signal which is dependent on the temperature of the measuring element.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1995Date of Patent: March 5, 1996Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventor: Rolf Behling
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Patent number: 5384821Abstract: A radiogenic unit comprising an X-ray tube with fixed anode made of copper and its circuit for high-voltage supply in single-pole mode, these elements being placed in two parts that are imperviously sealed against fixed against X-rays, secured to each other in a hermetically sealed way. The first part, made of an electrically insulating material, has cavities for the housing of the X-ray tube and its supply circuit. The second part, made of material with high thermal conductivity, comprises a cavity for the housing of the tube, the anode of which is connected to a thermal and electrical frame. It can be applied particularly to radiology instruments.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1994Date of Patent: January 24, 1995Assignee: GE Medical SystemsInventors: Hans Jedlitschka, Vincent Delacroix
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Patent number: 5357555Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for operating an x-ray installation having an x-ray radiator, which comprises an x-ray tube accepted in a housing filled with an electrically insulating liquid. The electrically insulating liquid is thereby degasified at intervals in order to prevent gases arising as a consequence of the decomposition of the electrically insulating liquid caused by the generated x-ray radiation from deteriorating the high-voltage strength of the x-ray radiator.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1993Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Heinz Gerth
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Patent number: 5313512Abstract: An X-ray tube device capable of reducing an amount of work required in the operation of its replacement, and of eliminating a wasteful replacement of a still operational part of the device. The device includes an X-ray tube; at least one heat exchanger for cooling the X-ray tube by using a circulation of insulating oil; a plurality of oil hoses for transmitting the insulating oil between the X-ray tube and the heat exchanger; and at least one coupler for connecting the X-ray tube and the heat exchanger through the oil hoses by being in a coupled state, and for disconnecting the X-ray tube and the heat exchanger through the oil hoses by being in a decoupled state.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1993Date of Patent: May 17, 1994Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Shigeru Tanaka
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Patent number: 5310361Abstract: A high-voltage cable connection (10) includes a standard terminal (12) which fits into a female receptacle in apower supply or x-ray tube to make an electrical connection. A cable (14) is routed through a proximal end (30) of the terminal (12). A clamp (18) secures a jacket (42) of the cable (14) to a cap (16) at the prominal end (30). A boot (20) envelops the cable (14) at a point where the cable (14) enters the terminal (12). A collar (22) which is split into halves or segments (22A, 22B) fits conformably about a boundary formed between the proximal end (30) of the terminal (12) and the boot (20). A ring (24) fits about the collar (22) to hold the segments (22A, 22B) together. A nut (26) having an external thread portion fits over the collar (22) and the ring (24), the nut (26) being rotatable about the collar (22) and the ring (24) and mating with internal threads which form a part of the female receptacle in the power supply or the x-ray tube.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1992Date of Patent: May 10, 1994Assignee: Eureka X-Ray Tube Corp.Inventors: Thomas J. Muchowicz, Arkady Kantor
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Patent number: 5303283Abstract: An X-ray tube is enclosed in a casing containing a cooling fluid. At least one terminal part of the casing is elongated to house a high-voltage power supply device comprising a high-voltage output terminal connected to the anode and/or the cathode and low-voltage input terminals connected to low-voltage contact elements for connection to a low-voltage supply source that is located outside the casing.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1992Date of Patent: April 12, 1994Assignee: General Electric CGR S.A.Inventors: Hans Jedlitschka, Jacques Sireul
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Patent number: 5222118Abstract: An x-ray radiator has a protective housing filled with liquid in which an x-ray tube is contained. Due to the interaction of the x-rays passing through the liquid from the x-ray tube out of the housing, gas is created in solution in the liquid. A degasifier is therefore provided within the protective housing, which includes a gas volume, a space accepting the liquid to be degasified, a liquid-impermeable wall separating the space from the gas volume, and which generates, in the space which accepts the liquid to be degasified, a partial gas pressure which is lower than the partial gas pressure of the gas to be eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1992Date of Patent: June 22, 1993Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Heinz Gerth
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Patent number: 5165093Abstract: An interstitial X-ray needle includes an elongated X-ray tube coupled to an electron emitter at one end of the tube, with a converter element being disposed at a tip of the other end of the tube for converting emitted electrons into X-ray; a solenoid coil wound around the tube for providing a magnetic field that confines the emitted electrons within a narrow beam; an elongated outer casing enclosing the tube and coil; and a pipe coaxially disposed between the casing and the tube for defining an inner annular flow chamber between the tip of the tube and a coolant inlet in the casing and an outer annular flow chamber between the tip of the tube and a coolant outlet in the casing.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1992Date of Patent: November 17, 1992Assignee: The Titan CorporationInventors: Robert B. Miller, John R. Smith, Carl A. Muehlenweg
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Patent number: 5090048Abstract: An assembly for an X-ray imaging apparatus has a vacuum tube with an envelope containing an anode, a cathode and a filament. The vacuum tube is enclosed in an electrically conductive casing along with a high voltage supply for the tube. Electrical current is supplied to components within the casing by one or more transformers that extend through openings in the casing. Each transformer has an annular core that is sealed to the casing by magnetically non-conductive material. Another magnetically non-conductive seal extends across the central opening in the core. Thus each transformer is mounted in a manner that hermetically seals the aperture through which it extends. Each transformer has a one winding magnetically coupled to the core outside the casing, and another winding magnetically coupled to the core inside the casing and connected to an internal component of the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1991Date of Patent: February 18, 1992Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: James A. Blake
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Patent number: 5083307Abstract: A radiator has an x-ray tube disposed in a coolant-filled housing formed by a tank and an insertable closure for the tank. The x-ray tube is provided with an asymmetrical cooling member disposed in the region of a heat exchanger. Guides are provided which effect circulation of the coolant heated at the cooling member and cooled in the heat exchanger. The coolant circulation is promoted by superimposing thermal convection in the coolant, thermal conduction in the asymmetrical cooling member, and heat flow induced by the electrical fields which are present during the normal operation of the radiator. The result is that the surface temperature of the entire x-ray radiator is substantially the same, independently of the orientation of the radiator.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1990Date of Patent: January 21, 1992Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Fred Meinel, Richard Eichhorn
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Patent number: 5067146Abstract: An x-ray radiator has an x-ray tube disposed in a coolant-filled housing formed by a tank and an insertable closure for the tank. The x-ray tube is held in a tube carrier, which is mounted to the insertable closure so that the position of the tube carrier, and thus of the x-ray tube, can be adjusted relative to the insertable closure.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1990Date of Patent: November 19, 1991Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Fred Meinel, Dorothea Wilke
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Patent number: 5060253Abstract: The invention relates to high-voltage power supplies for X-ray tubes in radiological apparatuses. The invention lies in the fact that the secondary windings of the transformer, the capacitors, and the diodes of the rectifier and voltage-doubler circuits, are all disposed in an enclosure made from two half-shells, whereas the primary winding and the magnetic circuit are disposed outside the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1990Date of Patent: October 22, 1991Assignee: General Electric CGR S.A.Inventors: Hans Jedlitschka, Jacques Sireul
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Patent number: 4995065Abstract: The disclosure concerns X-ray tubes. To obtain greater temperature stability of an X-ray tube, a substance is placed in the circulation space of the cooling fluid of the tube. The latent heat of fusion of this substance is used so that it melts during the examination stage in absorbing heat, and gets solidified during the resting stage. The disclosure is applicable to X-ray tubes.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1989Date of Patent: February 19, 1991Assignee: General Electric CGR S.A.Inventors: Serge Janouin, Philippe Masse, Bernard Pouzergues
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Patent number: 4984261Abstract: Cooling oil for an X-ray tube head assembly is contained within a resilient elastomeric envelope together with a high voltage assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1989Date of Patent: January 8, 1991Assignee: MDT CorporationInventors: Robert Maldonado, Jack H. Faude
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Patent number: 4920554Abstract: An X-ray emitting device of the X-ray unit type is disclosed, the arrangement of which simplifies maintenance problems. The emitting device has a metallic casing containing an X-ray tube and supply means. According to a feature of the invention, the X-ray tube and the supply means are contained in a first and second imperviously sealed chamber, filled with oil.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1988Date of Patent: April 24, 1990Assignee: General Electric CGR SAInventors: Emile Gabbay, Jacques Le Guen
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Patent number: 4546489Abstract: A single tank X-ray diagnostic generator has a double focus X-ray tube, two high voltage transformers feeding the X-ray tube, and two doubler circuits respectively connected to the secondaries of the high voltage transformers for doubling the output voltage thereof, each doubler circuit consisting of two high voltage rectifiers and two high voltage capacitors. All of the components are contained in a single oil-filled receptacle having a radiation exit window through which the X-rays are emitted. The transformers for supplying the filament voltages to the X-ray tube filaments are adjacently disposed in the receptacle at one end of the X-ray tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1982Date of Patent: October 8, 1985Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hermann Kuhnke, Manfred Rattner
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Patent number: 4433432Abstract: A rotary anode X-ray tube accommodated in a housing together with oil has a journal box fixed and inwardly extending inside the tube, an anode target fixed to a rotor supported by the journal box and a cathode member opposing the anode target and fixed at an end portion inside the tube opposing the journal box. The fixing portion between the rotary anode X-ray tube and the journal box is supported by a resilient support member on the housing and vibration damping means is disposed on the support member. The vibration damping means includes a moving member fixed at its center and a fixed member fixed to the housing so as to encompass the moving member with a predetermined gap, and oil is fully charged in the gap. Vibration of the rotation system is transmitted to the moving member and the operation of this member damps the vibration by means of the squeeze action of the oil.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1981Date of Patent: February 21, 1984Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Katsutoshi Nii, Kinpei Okano, Motomichi Doi, Minoru Kitsuya
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Patent number: 4400822Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the secondary parts of the high voltage transformers each are connected with a respective doubler circuit formed of rectifiers and capacitors. All components are arranged in a single oil-filled receptacle which has a radiation exit window for transmitting the x-radiation. The two high voltage transformers are disposed symmetrically relative to the radiation exit window in proximity to respective receptacle sidewalls and adjacent the x-ray tube. The rectifiers and capacitors are disposed above the x-ray tube and symmetrically relative to the radiation exit window.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1980Date of Patent: August 23, 1983Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hermann Kuhnke, Manfred Rattner
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Patent number: 4384360Abstract: An X-ray apparatus comprising a casing filled with an insulating gas, a high voltage transformer in said casing, an X-ray tube mounted to said casing and connected to said transformer, an X-ray shielding member attached to the wall of said X-ray tube and defining a window through which the X-rays radially emitted by said X-ray tube are released in a predetermined direction, and means defining an X-ray path through which said X-rays released through said window of said X-ray shielding member are directed so as not to be radiated on said insulating gas, whereby a reduction of the dielectric strength is prevented and the cooling efficiency is improved.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1981Date of Patent: May 17, 1983Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichiro Kitadate, Yoshinori Tanimoto, Hirosi Mizuguti