Patents by Inventor Ethan James Westcot
Ethan James Westcot has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9251987Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to electron emitters for use in conjunction with X-ray devices. In one embodiment, the emitter features a round emission area capable of emitting electrons when heated, wherein the round emission area comprises at least one of a gap, a channel, or a combination thereof that separates a first portion of the round emission area from a second portion of the round emission area and permits thermal expansion of the first portion and the second portion within the at least one gap or channel without permitting the first portion and the second portion to touch one another. The two electrically conductive legs coupled to the surface at respective locations outside the round emission area and that are capable of supplying current to the round emission area.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xi Zhang, Carey Shawn Rogers, Ethan James Westcot, Mark Alan Frontera, Vance Scott Robinson, Yun Zou
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Publication number: 20140079187Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to electron emitters for use in conjunction with X-ray devices. In one embodiment, the emitter features a round emission area capable of emitting electrons when heated, wherein the round emission area comprises at least one of a gap, a channel, or a combination thereof that separates a first portion of the round emission area from a second portion of the round emission area and permits thermal expansion of the first portion and the second portion within the at least one gap or channel without permitting the first portion and the second portion to touch one another. The two electrically conductive legs coupled to the surface at respective locations outside the round emission area and that are capable of supplying current to the round emission area.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xi Zhang, Carey Shawn Rogers, Ethan James Westcot, Mark Alan Frontera, Vance Scott Robinson, Yun Zou
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Patent number: 8542801Abstract: The present embodiments relate to off-focal X-ray radiation attenuation within X-ray tubes, for example X-ray tubes used in CT imaging. In one embodiment, an X-ray tube for off-focal X-ray radiation attenuation is provided. The X-ray tube includes a cathode, a target, and a magnetic focal spot control unit having at least one electromagnet encased in a resin loaded with X-ray attenuating material.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ethan James Westcot, Thomas Dean Schaefer, Kalyan Koppisetty
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Patent number: 8515012Abstract: The present embodiments relate to efficient electron beam steering within X-ray tubes, for example X-ray tubes used in CT imaging. In one embodiment, and X-ray tube with enhanced electron beam steering is provided. The X-ray tube includes an electron beam source, a target configured to generate X-rays when impacted by an electron beam from the electron beam source, and a steering magnet assembly having a plurality of ferrite cores and a plurality of litz wire coils wound on the ferrite cores.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kalyan Koppisetty, Ethan James Westcot, Carey Shawn Rogers
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Apparatus and method for improved transient response in an electromagnetically controlled X-ray tube
Patent number: 8385507Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure that has a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion. The throat portion includes a metal bellows. An upstream end of the throat portion is coupled to the cathode portion and a downstream end of the throat portion is coupled to the target portion. The x-ray tube assembly also includes a target positioned within the target portion of the vacuum enclosure, and a cathode positioned within the cathode portion of the vacuum enclosure. The cathode is configured to emit a stream of electrons through the throat portion toward the target.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Mark Alan Frontera, Ethan James Westcot, Peter Andras Zavodszky -
Apparatus and method for improved transient response in an electromagnetically controlled x-ray tube
Patent number: 8284901Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure that includes a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion having a plurality of recesses formed therein to break up eddy currents generated in the throat portion. The throat portion has an upstream end coupled to the cathode portion and a downstream end coupled to the target portion. The x-ray tube assembly also includes a target positioned within the target portion of the vacuum enclosure, and a cathode positioned within the cathode portion of the vacuum enclosure. The cathode is configured to emit a stream of electrons through the throat portion toward the target.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Mark Alan Frontera, Ethan James Westcot, Peter Andras Zavodszky -
Apparatus and method for improved transient response in an electromagnetically controlled X-ray tube
Patent number: 8284900Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure including a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion. The throat portion includes a magnetic field section, upstream section, and downstream section. The magnetic field section has a first susceptibility to generate eddy currents in the presence of a magnetic field intensity. The upstream section is coupled to the cathode portion and the magnetic field section and has a second susceptibility to generate eddy currents in the presence of the magnetic field intensity. The downstream section is coupled to the magnetic field section and has a third susceptibility to generate eddy currents in the presence of the magnetic field intensity. The first susceptibility to generate eddy currents is less than the second and third susceptibilities to generate eddy currents. The assembly includes a target within the target portion, and a cathode within the cathode portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Mark Alan Frontera, Ethan James Westcot, Aparna Chakrapani Sheila-Vadde, Peter Andras Zavodszky -
Apparatus and method for improved transient response in an electromagnetically controlled X-ray tube
Patent number: 8280007Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure having a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion comprising a non-electrically conductive tube. The throat portion has an upstream end coupled to the cathode portion and a downstream end coupled to the target portion. The x-ray tube assembly also includes a target positioned within the target portion of the vacuum enclosure, and a cathode positioned within the cathode portion of the vacuum enclosure. The cathode is configured to emit a stream of electrons through the throat portion toward the target.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Mark Alan Frontera, Ethan James Westcot, Aparna Chakrapani Sheila-Vadde, Peter Andras Zavodszky -
Publication number: 20120177186Abstract: The present embodiments relate to off-focal X-ray radiation attenuation within X-ray tubes, for example X-ray tubes used in CT imaging. In one embodiment, an X-ray tube for off-focal X-ray radiation attenuation is provided. The X-ray tube includes a cathode, a target, and a magnetic focal spot control unit having at least one electromagnet encased in a resin loaded with X-ray attenuating material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ethan James Westcot, Thomas Dean Schaefer, Kalyan Koppisetty
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Publication number: 20120177185Abstract: The present embodiments relate to efficient electron beam steering within X-ray tubes, for example X-ray tubes used in CT imaging. In one embodiment, and X-ray tube with enhanced electron beam steering is provided. The X-ray tube includes an electron beam source, a target configured to generate X-rays when impacted by an electron beam from the electron beam source, and a steering magnet assembly having a plurality of ferrite cores and a plurality of litz wire coils wound on the ferrite cores.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kalyan Koppisetty, Ethan James Westcot, Carey Shawn Rogers
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APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED TRANSIENT RESPONSE IN AN ELECTROMAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED X-RAY TUBE
Publication number: 20120099701Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure having a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion comprising a non-electrically conductive tube. The throat portion has an upstream end coupled to the cathode portion and a downstream end coupled to the target portion. The x-ray tube assembly also includes a target positioned within the target portion of the vacuum enclosure, and a cathode positioned within the cathode portion of the vacuum enclosure. The cathode is configured to emit a stream of electrons through the throat portion toward the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Mark Alan Frontera, Ethan James Westcot, Aparna Chakrapani Sheila-Vadde, Peter Andras Zavodszky -
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED TRANSIENT RESPONSE IN AN ELECTROMAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED X-RAY TUBE
Publication number: 20120099708Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure that includes a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion having a plurality of recesses formed therein to break up eddy currents generated in the throat portion. The throat portion has an upstream end coupled to the cathode portion and a downstream end coupled to the target portion. The x-ray tube assembly also includes a target positioned within the target portion of the vacuum enclosure, and a cathode positioned within the cathode portion of the vacuum enclosure. The cathode is configured to emit a stream of electrons through the throat portion toward the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Mark Alan Frontera, Ethan James Westcot, Peter Andras Zavodszky -
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED TRANSIENT RESPONSE IN AN ELECTROMAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED X-RAY TUBE
Publication number: 20120099700Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure including a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion. The throat portion includes a magnetic field section, upstream section, and downstream section. The magnetic field section has a first susceptibility to generate eddy currents in the presence of a magnetic field intensity. The upstream section is coupled to the cathode portion and the magnetic field section and has a second susceptibility to generate eddy currents in the presence of the magnetic field intensity. The downstream section is coupled to the magnetic field section and has a third susceptibility to generate eddy currents in the presence of the magnetic field intensity. The first susceptibility to generate eddy currents is less than the second and third susceptibilities to generate eddy currents. The assembly includes a target within the target portion, and a cathode within the cathode portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Mark Alan Frontera, Ethan James Westcot, Aparna Chakrapani Sheila-Vadde, Peter Andras Zavodszky -
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED TRANSIENT RESPONSE IN AN ELECTROMAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED X-RAY TUBE
Publication number: 20120099707Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure that has a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion. The throat portion includes a metal bellows. An upstream end of the throat portion is coupled to the cathode portion and a downstream end of the throat portion is coupled to the target portion. The x-ray tube assembly also includes a target positioned within the target portion of the vacuum enclosure, and a cathode positioned within the cathode portion of the vacuum enclosure. The cathode is configured to emit a stream of electrons through the throat portion toward the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Mark Alan Frontera, Ethan James Westcot, Peter Andras Zavodszky -
Patent number: 7583791Abstract: An X-ray tube target assembly and method of manufacturing same is provided. The X-ray tube target assembly comprises an injection molded target disk. The injection molded target disk includes an injection molded hub member and an injection molded outer member. The injection molded outer member comprises a plurality of injection molded outer member segments that are removably attached together and removably attached to the hub member to form the injection molded target disk. A target track is formed on an outer surface on one side of an outer periphery of the injection molded outer member.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: General Electric Co.Inventors: Ron Kent Hockersmith, Michael Scott Hebert, Thomas Dean Schaefer, Ethan James Westcot