Patents by Inventor John E. Postman
John E. Postman 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: 8509386Abstract: In one example, an x-ray target comprises a target track, a substrate, and an optional backing. The target track includes a base material and a grain growth inhibitor to reduce or prevent microstructure grain growth in the base material. The target track can be included as part of an x-ray tube anode, either of a rotary form or a stationary form.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: David S. K. Lee, John E. Postman
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Patent number: 8165269Abstract: In one example, an x-ray target comprises a substrate, a target core, and a target track. The substrate and target core are attached together utilizing a carbide layer and a braze layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: David S. K. Lee, John E. Postman
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Publication number: 20120057681Abstract: One or more components of an x-ray target assembly are manufactured using an electroforming process. The electroforming is carried out by providing an electroforming apparatus that includes an electrolyte, a metal anode, and an electrically conductive cathode. The cathode includes an intermediate x-ray target assembly upon which the metal is to be deposited and/or an electrically conductive mold for forming a component of an x-ray target assembly. The x-ray target component (e.g., a substrate or focal track) is formed by submersing the cathode in the electrolyte and applying a voltage across the anode and the cathode to cause the metal from the anode to be electroformed on the intermediate target and/or the mold. The electroforming is continued until a desired thickness of metal is achieved. The electroforming process can be used to manufacture an x-ray target substrate, focal track, stem, barrier, or other metal layer of the target assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: David S.K. Lee, John E. Postman, Dennis Runnoe
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Publication number: 20110305324Abstract: In one example, an x-ray target comprises a target track, a substrate, and an optional backing. The target track includes a base material and a grain growth inhibitor to reduce or prevent microstructure grain growth in the base material. The target track can be included as part of an x-ray tube anode, either of a rotary form or a stationary form.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2010Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: David S. K. Lee, John E. Postman
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Patent number: 8059785Abstract: The x-ray target assemblies have an oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) refractory metal alloy substrate that is bonded to a carbon-containing heat sink. The x-ray target assemblies have excellent bonding between the substrate and the heat sink. The improved bonding is achieved by placing an oxide-free barrier layer between the ODS metal substrate and the heat sink. The oxide-free barrier layer minimizes or eliminates chemical reactions that would otherwise be possible between the dispersed oxides and the carbon-based heat sink during the manufacturing process. Preventing these undesired reactions while manufacturing the x-ray target assembly yields a device with improved bonding between the heat sink and the substrate, compared to devices manufactured without the barrier layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: David S. K. Lee, John E. Postman
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Publication number: 20100266102Abstract: The x-ray target assemblies have an oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) refractory metal alloy substrate that is bonded to a carbon-containing heat sink. The x-ray target assemblies have excellent bonding between the substrate and the heat sink. The improved bonding is achieved by placing an oxide-free barrier layer between the ODS metal substrate and the heat sink. The oxide-free barrier layer minimizes or eliminates chemical reactions that would otherwise be possible between the dispersed oxides and the carbon-based heat sink during the manufacturing process. Preventing these undesired reactions while manufacturing the x-ray target assembly yields a device with improved bonding between the heat sink and the substrate, compared to devices manufactured without the barrier layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2007Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: David S.K. Lee, John E. Postman
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Publication number: 20100080358Abstract: In one example, an x-ray target comprises a substrate, a target core, and a target track. The substrate and target core are attached together utilizing a carbide layer and a braze layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: David S.K. Lee, John E. Postman
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Publication number: 20090086920Abstract: One or more components of an x-ray target assembly are manufactured using an electroforming process. The electroforming is carried out by providing an electroforming apparatus that includes an electrolyte, a metal anode, and an electrically conductive cathode. The cathode includes an intermediate x-ray target assembly upon which the metal is to be deposited and/or an electrically conductive mold for forming a component of an x-ray target assembly. The x-ray target component (e.g., a substrate or focal track) is formed by submersing the cathode in the electrolyte and applying a voltage across the anode and the cathode to cause the metal from the anode to be electroformed on the intermediate target and/or the mold. The electroforming is continued until a desired thickness of metal is achieved. The electroforming process can be used to manufacture an x-ray target substrate, focal track, stem, barrier, or other metal layer of the target assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: David S.K. Lee, John E. Postman, Dennis Runnoe
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Patent number: 7343002Abstract: A bearing assembly suitable for use in conjunction with x-ray device having a rotating target anode and electron source disposed in an evacuated enclosure. The bearing assembly includes a shaft having a rotor hub to which the anode is mounted. The shaft cooperates with front and rear bearing rings to define front and rear races, and a spacer facilitates positioning of the bearing rings. Front and rear ball sets are confined in the front and rear races, respectively. A bearing housing receives the bearing rings, spacer, front and rear ball sets, and part of the shaft. Finally, a magnet is disposed near the front bearing ring to prevent escape of foreign matter from the bearings and to prevent ingress of foreign matter to the bearings. Consequently, the magnet serves to extend the life of the bearings and to prevent foreign matter related arcing of the target anode and electron source.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David S. K. Lee, John E. Postman
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Patent number: 7127034Abstract: A composite stator is disclosed for use with rotationally driven apparatus, particularly high voltage x-ray tubes. The composite stator generally comprises a core, a plurality of motor windings, and a retaining band. The core is comprised of two or more core sections having slots defined therein for receiving the motor windings. The motor windings are wound through and between the slots of the core sections, after which the core sections are joined together to form the core. The core sections are maintained in an assembled configuration by the retaining band. The motor windings are interconnected to comprise the electromagnetic pole pairs of the composite stator, thereby allowing the stator to induce the rotation of the rotor assembly of the high voltage x-ray tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David S. K. Lee, Paul D. Moore, John E. Postman