Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing a quality of computed tomography (CT) images. In one embodiment, a CT system comprises an X-ray tube and an X-ray controller including one or more processors having executable instructions stored in a non-transitory memory of the CT system that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to, during a first view of a CT scan of an object, focus an electron beam at a first focal spot on a target of the X-ray tube, the first focal spot of a first size; during a second view of the CT scan, focus the electron beam at a second focal spot on the target, the second focal spot of a second size different from the first size; and reconstruct an image of the object from projection data including the first view and the second view.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating an X-ray tube is provided in which the X-ray tube includes an electronic storage medium associated with the X-ray tube on which calibration information for the X-ray tube is stored. The calibration information includes operating parameters for the focusing elements of the X-ray tube for desired focal spots, tolerance limits for variations in the focal spots and a number of gradient coefficient values corresponding to certain modulation transfer functions (MTF) for the X-ray tube that the imaging system can employ in an iterative manner to correct the operating parameters of the focusing elements to achieve the desired focal spot. This automatic iterative process significantly reduces the time required for the calibration of the X-ray tube. The system and method also employs scan sequencing to minimize the heat generated enabling the scans to be completed in a shorter amount of time than prior calibration processes.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating an X-ray tube is provided in which the X-ray tube includes an electronic storage medium associated with the X-ray tube on which calibration information for the X-ray tube is stored. The calibration information includes operating parameters for the focusing elements of the X-ray tube for desired focal spots, tolerance limits for variations in the focal spots and a number of gradient coefficient values corresponding to certain modulation transfer functions (MTF) for the X-ray tube that the imaging system can employ in an iterative manner to correct the operating parameters of the focusing elements to achieve the desired focal spot. This automatic iterative process significantly reduces the time required for the calibration of the X-ray tube. The system and method also employs scan sequencing to minimize the heat generated enabling the scans to be completed in a shorter amount of time than prior calibration processes.

Abstract: A fitting (22) for providing a substantially fluid-tight seal between an opening in a chamber wall (10) and a pipe passing through said opening, said fitting (22) comprising: a first portion (31) adapted to extend through the opening in the chamber wall and; a second portion (32) adapted to form a fluid-tight fit with the first portion (31), both the first portion (31) and the second portion (32) being adapted to allow the pipe to pass therethrough; characterized in that the first portion (31) is formed from a material adapted to bond to a fiber reinforced plastics material and that the second portion (32) is formed from an electrofusible polymeric plastics material.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a storage tank assembly comprising: (i) a storage tank; (ii) support means comprising at least one load bearing reinforcement means extending around and attached to at least a portion of the outer circumference of the storage tank, the support means further incorporating at least one mounting leg to enable the support means to be connected to a canopy.

Abstract: An electrofusion coupling for joining together two or more sections of pipe or for joining a section of pipe and a pipework fitting, said coupling comprising: (i) a first part (14) having a first internal diameter at a first end adapted to form a tight sliding fit with a first pipe section and a second internal diameter at a second end, larger than the first; (ii) a second part (14) having a first internal diameter at a frist end dadpted to form a tight sliding fit with a second pipe section and an outside diameter at a second end adapted to form a tight sliding fit with the second internal diameter of the first part such that the two parts can nest together tightly with an overlapping region; (iii) electrical heating elements (16, 17, 18) and electrical terminal connections being provided in the two parts such that the first part can be used independently of the second part to join a section of pipe to a pipework fitting or the first and second parts can be used in combination to join two adjacent sections o

Abstract: A fitting (21) for providing a substantially fluid-tight seal between an opening in a chamber wall (10) and a pipe (4) passing through said opening, said fitting comprising: (i) a tubular sleeve (22) adapted to pass through the opening in the chamber wall (10) and further adapted to allow the pipe (4) to pass through the sleeve (22); (ii) a flange (24), extending radially outwardly from the sleeve (22), a first surface (26) of the flange being configured to contact the chamber wall (10) around substantially the whole circumference of the opening and over substantially the whole first surface (26) of the flange; (iii) a first energy transfer means (28) incorporated in the flange (24) and situated at or near the first surface (26) of the flange, said energy transfer means (28) being adapted to heat the first surface (26) of the flange in order to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the wall (10) and the flange (24); characterised in that at least part of the tubular sleeve (22) is tight sliding fit wi

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a storage tank assembly comprising: (i) a storage tank; (ii) support means comprising at least one load bearing reinforcement means extending around and attached to at least a portion of the outer circumference of the storage tank, the support means further incorporating at least one mounting leg to enable the support means to be connected to a canopy.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method and apparatus for correcting the offset induced by Field Effect Transistor (FET) photo-conductive effects in a solid state X-ray detector. The method and apparatus include reading out twice as many rows (scan lines) as actually exist in the X-ray detector. The additional rows may be read out between the actuation of “real” scan lines on the X-ray detector. The additional row times may be used to measure the “signal” induced by FET photo-conductivity. In a preferred embodiment, the “real” rows may be actuated during odd lines, and even lines will be used to measure the signal induced by FET photo-conductivity. To correct for the offset induced by photo-conductive FETs, an even row signal may be subtracted from the preceding odd row signal. The correction for the offset induced by photo-conductive FETs may occur in addition to normal offset correction.