Abstract: High voltage insulating materials in solid and liquid form which are provided in particular for use in high voltage generators for example for radiotechnology and computer tomography. The solid insulating materials are characterized in particular in that they have a high dielectric strength while having a relatively low weight. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of the insulating materials can be set relatively simply such that surface charges are reliably dissipated and voltage flashovers are avoided. Finally, with further embodiments, in particular in the case of hybrid insulating materials, it is possible to adapt or change the dielectric constant and/or the electrical conductivity of the insulating materials in a targeted manner such that the respective voltage drops over the insulting materials do not exceed the dielectric strength thereof.

Abstract: Vacuum filled hollow alveoles embedded in an insulation material in order to arrive at a light weight insulation material using the high breakdown voltage of evacuated cavities, i.e. alveoles at a vacuum lower than the minimum of the Paschen law. Pressurized hollow alveoles embedded in an insulation material in order to arrive at a light weight insulation material using the high breakdown voltage of pressurized cavities, i.e. alveoles at a pressure higher than the minimum of the Paschen law.

Abstract: A high field/high voltage unit comprising at least one electrical component (4) and a solid insulating material (20) in the form of a first and a second piece part (10, 11) which form, in particular, hard foam half bodies and a method of manufacturing same is disclosed. The piece parts (10, 11) each have an inner structure comprising a plurality of preformed cavities (3) in which electrical components (4) are fixed. After assembly, the piece parts (10, 11) form a closed casing of the high field/high voltage unit so that no extra steel vessel is necessary. Conductive paths (5, 6) for the interconnection of the components are integrated into the insulating material (20) using for example an insert technology. Since several functions can thus be integrated into the solid insulating material (20), a simple solution for assembling and disassembling an oil/gas filled high field/high voltage unit like a high voltage generator for an X-ray tube is realized.

Abstract: A method of preparing a rigid foam material is presented, the method comprising: providing a curable liquid matrix material; mixing the liquid matrix material with a plurality of microspheres; adding nanoparticles to the matrix material; and curing a mixture comprising the matrix material, the microspheres and the nanoparticles. The addition of nanoparticles to the matrix material may significantly reduce the viscosity of the mixture comprising the liquid matrix material and the microspheres. Thereby, even a mixture comprising a very high content of microspheres in access of 60 Vol.-% can still be handled and e.g. filled in a mould and/or be de-gassed. Thus, a rigid foam material having low specific weight and high electrically insulating properties can be produced. Furthermore, a method of preparing a liquid material with reduced viscosity is proposed, the method comprising: providing a liquid material; adding nanoparticles to the liquid material.

Abstract: A method and a device (1) for de-gassing a liquid-gas-mixture (3) is proposed. The method comprises: inserting the liquid-gas-mixture (3) into a chamber (5) wherein the chamber (5) is at a reduced gas pressure and arranging the liquid-gas-mixture (3) on a centre region (11) of a surface (13) of a rotating body (15) such that the liquid-gas-mixture (3) is subjected to a centrifugal force. Therein, the surface (13) of the rotating body (15) is adapted such that the liquid-gas-mixture (3) is spread over the surface (13) due to the centrifugal force and finally flows over a radially outward edge region (21) of the surface (13) of the rotating body (15). Due to the occurring centrifugal forces, even highly viscous or thixotropic liquids may be-spread over the rotating surface as a thin layer from which gas incorporated in the liquid can easily and effectively escape.

Abstract: An arrangement for magnetic particle imaging and a method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a region of action is disclosed, which arrangement comprises: magnetic particles in a region of action, the magnetic particles being influenceable and/or detectable, selection means for generating a magnetic selection field having a pattern in space of its magnetic field strength such that a first sub-zone having a low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone having a higher magnetic field strengthare formed in the region of action, drive means for changing the position in space of the two sub-zones in the region of action by means of a magnetic drive field so that the magnetization of the magnetic particles changes locally, wherein each magneticparticle comprises a non-magnetic substrate with a layer of stainless steel.

Abstract: Vacuum filled hollow alveoles embedded in an insulation material in order to arrive at a light weight insulation material using the high breakdown voltage of evacuated cavities, i.e. alveoles at a vacuum lower than the minimum of the Paschen law. Pressurized hollow alveoles embedded in an insulation material in order to arrive at a light weight insulation material using the high breakdown voltage of pressurized cavities, i.e. alveoles at a pressure higher than the minimum of the Paschen law.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a molded structure includes the provisioning of a first mixture which includes microparticles and a liquid-phase mixture of resin and curing agent. The first mixture is centrifuged to extract a volume of the liquid-phase resin and curing agent mixture from the first mixture, the centrifuging process resulting in the formation of a liquid-phase matrix of microparticles which are at least partially-coated with liquid-phase resin and curing agent. The liquid-phase matrix of at least partially coated microparticles is cured to form a solid-phase matrix of microparticles, thereby providing the molded structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a hard foam that can be used as a high-voltage insulating material in high-voltage generators and other high-voltage applications. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out such a method. In accordance with the method, a filling material (5) comprising substantially ball-shaped, preferably hollow particles is fed to a container (1). Subsequently, the filling material (5) is compressed by means of a high pressure (Pi). Subsequently, a liquid binder material is injected under high pressure (P2) into the compressed filling material (5) via an injection orifice (7) and is hardened. Preferably the filling material (5) comprises a mixture of relatively large particles having a diameter between 30 and 100 ?m and of relatively small particles having a diameter between 5 and 30 ?m. The method results in a hard foam having a relatively high density of the ball-shaped particles and a good binding between the ball-shaped parts.

Abstract: A high field/high voltage unit comprising at least one electrical component (4) and a solid insulating material (20) in the form of a first and a second piece part (10, 11) which especially form hard foam half bodies and a method for production the same is disclosed. The piece parts (10, 11) each have an inner structure comprising a plurality of preformed cavities (3) in which electrical components (4) are fixed. After assembly the piece parts (10, 11) form a closed casing of the high field/high voltage unit so that no extra steel vessel is necessary. Conductive paths (5, 6) for the interconnection of the components are integrated into the insulating material (20) using for example an insert technology. Since thus several functions can be integrated into the solid insulating material (20) a simple solution for assembling and disassembling an oil/gas filled high field/high voltage unit like a high voltage generator for an X-ray tube is realized.

Abstract: A description is given of a high-voltage connector having a plug with a rubber cone (13) for insertion into a coupling socket (20). Such a connector is also referred to as a rubber cone plug system and serves in particular to connect X-ray radiators with high-voltage generators. The connector is noteworthy in particular in that the length of the rubber cone (13) is dimensioned such that, in the inserted state, there remains an expansion space (25) between an end face of the rubber cone (13) and a bottom of the coupling socket (20), into which expansion space (25) the rubber cone (13) can thermally expand. A particular advantage of this design lies in the fact that, by virtue of the thermal changes on account of highly fluctuating operating temperatures of the connected devices, the high-voltage strength is not impaired even after a large number of such temperature cycles.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray tube which includes a device for at least substantially protecting an object to be examined against the incidence of undesirable X-rays (E) which can be produced notably by the decay of a residual or surplus charge present in a high-voltage circuit after an X-ray exposure. To this end there is provided at least one device (341, 342) for deflecting and/or defocusing the electron beam (E) produced by the residual and/or surplus charge in such a manner that at least it is not incident to a significant extent on a region (22) of an anode (2) wherefrom X-rays excited thereby are directed towards an object to be examined.

Abstract: A description is given of a high-voltage connector having a plug with a rubber cone (13) for insertion into a coupling socket (20). Such a connector is also referred to as a rubber cone plug system and serves in particular to connect X-ray radiators with high-voltage generators. The connector is noteworthy in particular in that the length of the rubber cone (13) is dimensioned such that, in the inserted state, there remains an expansion space (25) between an end face of the rubber cone (13) and a bottom of the coupling socket (20), into which expansion space (25) the rubber cone (13) can thermally expand. A particular advantage of this design lies in the fact that, by virtue of the thermal changes on account of highly fluctuating operating temperatures of the connected devices, the high-voltage strength is not impaired even after a large number of such temperature cycles.

Abstract: High voltage insulating materials in solid and liquid form which are provided in particular for use in high voltage generators for example for radiotechnology and computer tomography. The solid insulating materials are characterized in particular in that they have a high dielectric strength while having a relatively low weight. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of the insulating materials can be set relatively simply such that surface charges are reliably dissipated and voltage flashovers are avoided. Finally, with further embodiments, in particular in the case of hybrid insulating materials, it is possible to adapt or change the dielectric constant and/or the electrical conductivity of the insulating materials in a targeted manner such that the respective voltage drops over the insulting materials do not exceed the dielectric strength thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray tube which includes a device for at least substantially protecting an object to be examined against the incidence of undesirable X-rays (E) which can be produced notably by the decay of a residual or surplus charge present in a high-voltage circuit after an X-ray exposure. To this end there is provided at least one device (341, 342) for deflecting and/or defocusing the electron beam (E) produced by the residual and/or surplus charge in such a manner that at least it is not incident to a significant extent on a region (22) of an anode (2) wherefrom X-rays excited thereby are directed towards an object to be examined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-voltage generator which is proportioned so as to realize a particularly low weight in combination with a high output power and is suitable notably for use in rotating X-ray systems such as computed tomography apparatus. To this end, the high-voltage generator is provided with a hybrid insulation which is formed as far as possible by a high resistance foam (30 to 35) and an insulating liquid (50). The foam is shaped and arranged in such a manner that there are formed channels (40 to 45) wherethrough the insulating liquid (50) can flow in areas requiring a discharge of heat or an electric strength stronger than can be endured by the high- resistance foam alone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-voltage generator which is proportioned so as to realize a particularly low weight in combination with a high output power and is suitable notably for use in rotating X-ray systems such as computed tomography apparatus. To this end, the high-voltage generator is provided with a hybrid insulation which is formed as far as possible by a high resistance foam (30 to 35) and an insulating liquid (50). The foam is shaped and arranged in such a manner that there are formed channels (40 to 45) wherethrough the insulating liquid (50) can flow in areas requiring a discharge of heat or an electric strength stronger than can be ensured by the high- resistance foam alone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-voltage connector, consisting of a plug member and a receptacle member receiving the plug member, the area of the plug member facing the receptacle member and/or the area of the receptacle member facing the plug member being provided with a layer of an elastomer. A particularly high high-voltage strength is achieved in that the elastomer is made to swell by means of a swelling medium. The invention also relates to an X-ray generator comprising such a high-voltage connector and to a method of manufacturing such a high-voltage connector.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes an X-ray source with an X-ray tube (2) arranged in a protective tube housing (1) and a filament converter which is connected to the cathode (3) of the X-ray tube (2) and accommodated in the protective tube housing (1). Because of its volume, the filament converter usually cannot be accommodated in the protective tube housing (1) of conventional X-ray apparatus unless major structural modifications are made. However, the use of attenuated high-voltage cables at the cathode side is then impossible still. The invention utilizes a filament converter in the form of a coreless filament transformer (14, 15, 16, 17) and the primary coil (14, 16) of the filament transformer is arranged so as to be coaxial with the secondary coil (15, 17) of the filament transformer. Moreover, the two coils are arranged around a carrier (5, 10), which is preferably the high-voltage connection socket (10) or the tube neck (5).

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus, includes a power supply section for powering an X-ray tube (4) with a high-voltage transformer (3) which has two groups of primary and secondary windings provided on the same transformer core, the coupling between the primary windings (16, 26) belonging to different groups being weaker than the coupling between primary and secondary windings (for example, 16, 31) belonging to the same group, the primary windings of the two groups being connected to two inverters (1, 2) which operate at the same frequency. Control of the power at the secondary side is improved in that the inverters are operated at a fixed frequency and with a duty cycle which can be independently controlled.