Patents by Inventor James R. Boye
James R. Boye 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: 10109450Abstract: A cathode head can include: an insulating member on a base; an electron emitter with a planar emitter surface formed by a plurality of elongate rungs connected together through a plurality of turns from a first emitter end to a second emitter end so as to form a serpentine emitter pattern; a plurality of elongate legs extending from the plurality of turns at an angle relative to the planar emitter surface, each of the legs being coupled with the insulating member; an elongate first lead leg at the first emitter end and an elongate second lead leg at the second emitter end; a first electrical lead and a second electrical lead extending from the base; and a first electrical coupler coupling the first electrical lead to the first lead leg and a second electrical coupler coupling the second electrical lead to the second lead leg.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATIONInventors: Gary F. Virshup, James R. Boye, Michael C. Green, David H. Humber
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Publication number: 20170271116Abstract: A cathode head can include: an insulating member on a base; an electron emitter with a planar emitter surface formed by a plurality of elongate rungs connected together through a plurality of turns from a first emitter end to a second emitter end so as to form a serpentine emitter pattern; a plurality of elongate legs extending from the plurality of turns at an angle relative to the planar emitter surface, each of the legs being coupled with the insulating member; an elongate first lead leg at the first emitter end and an elongate second lead leg at the second emitter end; a first electrical lead and a second electrical lead extending from the base; and a first electrical coupler coupling the first electrical lead to the first lead leg and a second electrical coupler coupling the second electrical lead to the second lead leg.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2016Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Gary F. Virshup, James R. Boye, Michael C. Green, David H. Humber
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Patent number: 9472371Abstract: Embodiments include an X-ray cathode filament, filament system, process to manufacture the filament and process to use the filament, where the filament includes a planar substrate, such as of tungsten, having a top surface coated with a coating of carburized tungsten (e.g., W2C) and thoria (ThO2). A first electron beam is emitted from the coating through a thermionic effect at a first temperature, such as when the filament is heated to between 1700 and 1900 degrees Celsius by running an electrical current through the filament. At this temperature, a second electron beam may be caused by (1) a reaction that includes creating thorium (Th) in the coating, and (2) the thorium diffusing to uncoated surfaces of the substrate from which the second electron beam is emitted. The filament may also have slots forming a zipper shape, forming a square switchback shape, or forming a rectangular labyrinth shape to reduce the current required to heat the filament.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Gary F. Virshup, Stephen G. Bandy, Michael C. Green, Clifford K. Nishimoto, James R. Boye
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Publication number: 20160093462Abstract: Embodiments include an X-ray cathode filament, filament system, process to manufacture the filament and process to use the filament, where the filament includes a planar substrate, such as of tungsten, having a top surface coated with a coating of carburized tungsten (e.g., W2C) and thoria (ThO2). A first electron beam is emitted from the coating through a thermionic effect at a first temperature, such as when the filament is heated to between 1700 and 1900 degrees Celsius by running an electrical current through the filament. At this temperature, a second electron beam may be caused by (1) a reaction that includes creating thorium (Th) in the coating, and (2) the thorium diffusing to uncoated surfaces of the substrate from which the second electron beam is emitted. The filament may also have slots forming a zipper shape, forming a square switchback shape, or forming a rectangular labyrinth shape to reduce the current required to heat the filament.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Gary F. Virshup, Stephen G. Bandy, Michael C. Green, Clifford K. Nishimoto, James R. Boye
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Patent number: 7486776Abstract: A shield structure and focal spot control assembly is provided for use in connection with an x-ray device that includes an anode and cathode disposed in a vacuum enclosure in a spaced apart arrangement so that a target surface of the anode is positioned to receive electrons emitted by the cathode. The shield structure is configured to be interposed between the anode and the cathode and includes an interior surface that defines an aperture or other opening through which the electrons are passed from the cathode to the target surface of the anode. Additionally, fluid passageways defined in connection with the shield structure enable cooling of the shield structure. Finally, a magnetic device disposed proximate the cathode facilitates control of the location of the focal spot on the target surface of the anode.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Gregory C. Andrews, James R. Boye
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Patent number: 7476023Abstract: A multiple energy x-ray source device is disclosed. Embodiments include a dual x-ray source comprised of two x-ray tubes mounted in separate housings. Each x-ray tube operates at a different power level, and each produces a characteristic x-ray signal. The x-ray sources are mounted on a common support structure, and are adjustable with respect to one another and with respect to the support structure so as to provide the ability to precisely align the focal spot of the x-ray signal emitted by each. Interconnection of the x-ray sources is provided by way of interlocking beam shields affixed to each source.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2006Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Bradley Dee Canfield, James R. Boye
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Patent number: 7289603Abstract: A shield structure and focal spot control assembly is provided for use in connection with an x-ray device that includes an anode and cathode disposed in a vacuum enclosure in a spaced apart arrangement so that a target surface of the anode is positioned to receive electrons emitted by the cathode. The shield structure is configured to be interposed between the anode and the cathode and includes an interior surface that defines an aperture or other opening through which the electrons are passed from the cathode to the target surface of the anode. Additionally, fluid passageways defined in connection with the shield structure enable cooling of the shield structure. Finally, a magnetic device disposed proximate the cathode facilitates control of the location of the focal spot on the target surface of the anode.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gregory C. Andrews, James R. Boye
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Patent number: 7058160Abstract: A shield structure is provided that is suitable for use in connection with an x-ray device that includes an anode and cathode disposed in a vacuum enclosure in a spaced apart arrangement so that a target surface of the anode is positioned to receive electrons emitted by the cathode. The shield structure is configured to be interposed between the anode and the cathode and includes an interior surface that defines an aperture through which the electrons are passed from the cathode to the target surface of the anode. Additionally, the aperture includes an inlet and an outlet sized so that the area of the inlet is relatively smaller than the area of the outlet. Finally, the shield structure is situated in the x-ray device such that the inlet of the aperture is positioned near the cathode and the outlet of the aperture is positioned near the anode target surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.Inventor: James R. Boye
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Patent number: 6115454Abstract: An X-ray generation apparatus has a housing comprising an evacuated envelope with a rotatable anode target surrounded by an all metal grounded exterior structure and a cooling system. The cooling system comprises a coolant circulating system with heat exchanger and means for circulating a fluid coolant through an interior of the X-ray generating apparatus; a hollow shield structure with center aperture for passing and electron beam; and a cooling block which is disposed proximate to the rotatable anode target and comprises a disk with a plurality of concentric annular channels formed by concentric annular partitions. The shield structure and the disk of the cooling block are made of thermally conductive material. An interior of the shield structure is filled with structures such as pins, fins or pack bed which are made of thermally conductive materials.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1997Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Gregory C. Andrews, Dennis H. Runnoe, John E. Richardson, James R. Boye