Patents by Inventor Ron Kent Hockersmith
Ron Kent Hockersmith 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: 9271689Abstract: A tube for generating x-rays includes a cathode adapted to emit electrons, a target positioned to receive the electrons from the cathode on a surface thereof, an anode adapted with an aperture and positioned between the cathode and the target and configured to accelerate the electrons toward the target, and a rotating system adapted to rotate the target about an axis, the rotating system located in a position facing the surface of the target.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Richard Michael Roffers, Edwin L. Legall, Ron Kent Hockersmith, Ethan Westcot, Kenwood Dayton
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Patent number: 8971480Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting an x-ray tube on a CT rotatable gantry is disclosed. The mounting structure includes base plates that are boltable to the CT rotatable gantry and have bearing strut connections formed thereon. Spherical bearing struts are provided in the mounting structure to mechanically couple the x-ray tube to the base plates, with the spherical bearing struts each having a first end secured in a respective bearing strut connection of the x-ray tube casing and a second end secured in a respective bearing strut connection of the base plates. The spherical bearing struts constrain a gantry-load direction displacement of the x-ray tube and enable rotation and displacement of the x-ray tube around at least one axis of rotation or in one direction other than a gantry load direction, so as to accommodate thermal displacements in the x-ray tube created during operation thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ron Kent Hockersmith, Michael Scott Hebert, Kenwood P. Dayton, Alexander Thomas Ryan
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Publication number: 20140362969Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting an x-ray tube on a CT rotatable gantry is disclosed. The mounting structure includes base plates that are boltable to the CT rotatable gantry and have bearing strut connections formed thereon. Spherical bearing struts are provided in the mounting structure to mechanically couple the x-ray tube to the base plates, with the spherical bearing struts each having a first end secured in a respective bearing strut connection of the x-ray tube casing and a second end secured in a respective bearing strut connection of the base plates. The spherical bearing struts constrain a gantry-load direction displacement of the x-ray tube and enable rotation and displacement of the x-ray tube around at least one axis of rotation or in one direction other than a gantry load direction, so as to accommodate thermal displacements in the x-ray tube created during operation thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Ron Kent Hockersmith, Michael Scott Hebert, Kenwood P. Dayton, Alexander Thomas Ryan
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Patent number: 8512059Abstract: The present embodiments relate to off-focal X-ray radiation attenuation within a connector. In one embodiment, a connector X-ray shielding capabilities is provided. The connector includes a housing with openings for an electrical cable as well as an electrical connection. The connector further includes an X-ray shielding liner made of moldable synthetic material doped with an X-ray attenuating material. The X-ray shielding liner is disposed within the housing, and also includes openings for the electrical cable and electrical connection.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Dean Schaefer, Ron Kent Hockersmith, Edward Emaci
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Patent number: 8503615Abstract: The present embodiments relate to active thermal control of X-ray tubes. In one embodiment, a system includes an X-ray tube having an electron beam target, a rotary bearing supporting the target in rotation, and a coolant flow passage, at least a portion of the coolant flow passage being disposed in the center of the rotary bearing, and the coolant flow passage is configured to receive a coolant. The system also includes a coolant circulating system coupled to the coolant flow passage and configured to circulate the coolant thorough the coolant flow passage, and a control circuit coupled to the coolant circulating system and the rotary bearing, the control circuit being configured to control heat flow between components of the X-ray tube by regulating extraction of heat from the X-ray tube via the coolant and by regulating a rotation rate of the rotary bearing.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ron Kent Hockersmith, Michael Hebert, Ian Strider Hunt, David Bateman
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Patent number: 8270562Abstract: An imaging system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening therein to receive a subject to be scanned and configured to rotate about a central axis in a rotation direction. The imaging system also includes a first x-ray source coupled to the rotatable gantry at a first position, wherein the first position is offset from the central axis of the rotatable gantry by a first distance. Further, the imaging system includes a second x-ray source coupled to the rotatable gantry at a second position, wherein the second position is offset from the central axis of the rotatable gantry by a second distance, wherein the second position is offset from the first position in a direction coincident with the rotation direction, and wherein the second position is offset from the first position in a direction parallel to the central axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paavana Sainath, Peter Crandall, Abdelaziz Ikhlef, Chad Smith, Ron Kent Hockersmith, Baojun Li
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Publication number: 20120178297Abstract: The present embodiments relate to off-focal X-ray radiation attenuation within a connector. In one embodiment, a connector X-ray shielding capabilities is provided. The connector includes a housing with openings for an electrical cable as well as an electrical connection. The connector further includes an X-ray shielding liner made of moldable synthetic material doped with an X-ray attenuating material. The X-ray shielding liner is disposed within the housing, and also includes openings for the electrical cable and electrical connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Dean Schaefer, Ron Kent Hockersmith, Edward Emaci
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Publication number: 20120106709Abstract: The present embodiments relate to active thermal control of X-ray tubes, for example X-ray tubes used in CT imaging. In one embodiment, a system for thermal control of an X-ray tube is provided. The system includes an X-ray tube having an electron beam target, a rotary bearing supporting the target in rotation, and a coolant flow passage, at least a portion of the coolant flow passage being disposed in the center of the rotary bearing, and the coolant flow passage is configured to receive a coolant. The system also includes a coolant circulating system coupled to the coolant flow passage and configured to circulate the coolant thorough the coolant flow passage, and a control circuit coupled to the coolant circulating system and the rotary bearing, the control circuit being configured to control heat flow between components of the X-ray tube by regulating extraction of heat from the X-ray tube via the coolant and by regulating a rotation rate of the rotary bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ron Kent Hockersmith, Michael Hebert, Ian Strider Hunt, David Bateman
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Publication number: 20110176659Abstract: A tube for generating x-rays includes a cathode adapted to emit electrons, a target positioned to receive the electrons from the cathode on a surface thereof, an anode adapted with an aperture and positioned between the cathode and the target and configured to accelerate the electrons toward the target, and a rotating system adapted to rotate the target about an axis, the rotating system located in a position facing the surface of the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2010Publication date: July 21, 2011Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Richard Michael Roffers, Edwin L. Legall, Ron Kent Hockersmith, Ethan Westcot, Kenwood Dayton
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Publication number: 20110150174Abstract: An imaging system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening therein to receive a subject to be scanned and configured to rotate about a central axis in a rotation direction. The imaging system also includes a first x-ray source coupled to the rotatable gantry at a first position, wherein the first position is offset from the central axis of the rotatable gantry by a first distance. Further, the imaging system includes a second x-ray source coupled to the rotatable gantry at a second position, wherein the second position is offset from the central axis of the rotatable gantry by a second distance, wherein the second position is offset from the first position in a direction coincident with the rotation direction, and wherein the second position is offset from the first position in a direction parallel to the central axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Paavana Sainath, Peter Crandall, Abdelaziz Ikhlef, Chad Smith, Ron Kent Hockersmith, Baojun Li
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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
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Patent number: 7558375Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a stationary base and a passage therein. The x-ray tube includes an anode frame having an anode positioned adjacent to a first end and having a neck at a second end, the neck extends into the passage, wherein the anode frame is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the passage. A hermetic seal is positioned about the neck between the neck and the stationary base.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas D. Schaefer, Ron Kent Hockersmith
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Patent number: 7519157Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments, a wrap-around capture device of an X-ray collimator frame limits movement of an X-ray tube mounting bracket away from the X-ray collimator. In some embodiments, a C-shaped passive capture device is attached or mounted on the wrap-around capture device, having a portion that is positioned in between the wrap-around capture device and the X-ray collimator frame, which further limits movement of the X-ray tube mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2005Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ron Kent Hockersmith, Edward Emaci, James Lorne Dodge, Eric Matthew Plate
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Publication number: 20090060140Abstract: An x-ray tube includes an anode comprising a focal track and a cathode assembly configured to emit an electron beam toward a focal spot on the focal track. The x-ray tube also includes a controller configured to wobble the electron beam among a plurality of focal points in a direction tangent to the focal track. The plurality of focal points includes at least one focal point that is bounded by a pair of boundary focal points. The controller is further configured to delay a wobble of the electron beam away from the at least one focal point for a pre-determined amount of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Madhusudhana T. Subraya, Ron Kent Hockersmith
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Patent number: 7496180Abstract: An x-ray tube includes an anode comprising a focal track and a cathode assembly configured to emit an electron beam toward a focal spot on the focal track. The x-ray tube also includes a controller configured to wobble the electron beam among a plurality of focal points in a direction tangent to the focal track. The plurality of focal points includes at least one focal point that is bounded by a pair of boundary focal points. The controller is further configured to delay a wobble of the electron beam away from the at least one focal point for a pre-determined amount of time.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Madhusudhana T. Subraya, Ron Kent Hockersmith
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Patent number: 7450690Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly is provided comprising a tube casing assembly including a plurality of vertical mount posts. An insulator plate is mounted to the plurality of vertical mount posts such that the insulator plate can translate vertically on the posts. A cathode assembly is mounted to the insulator plate and generates both an eccentric moment and a vertical expansion in response to a cathode power load. A semi-compressible element is positioned between at least one of the vertical mount posts and the insulator plate. The semi-compressible element becomes incompressible at a cathode power threshold such that the vertical expansion is translated into a correction moment countering the eccentric moment.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Wayne Frederick Block, Edward Emaci, Sergio Lemaitre, Ron Kent Hockersmith
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Publication number: 20080260105Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a stationary base and a passage therein. The x-ray tube includes an anode frame having an anode positioned adjacent to a first end and having a neck at a second end, the neck extends into the passage, wherein the anode frame is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the passage. A hermetic seal is positioned about the neck between the neck and the stationary base.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: Thomas Dean Schaefer, Ron Kent Hockersmith
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Patent number: 6980628Abstract: A slotted window collector assembly for an x-ray tube having an anode and a cathode includes a collector having an anode side and a cathode side, which opposes the anode side. The anode side and the cathode side define an internal bore there between for receiving x-rays from the anode. The slotted collector further includes a window side common to both the anode side and the cathode side and having a window coupled thereto, wherein a window aperture is defined extending from the window to the internal bore. Within the collector assembly, a slot is defined intersecting the window aperture and extending trans-axially thereto and beyond a set length. The slot also extends circumferentially with the window such that plastic strain on the window and heat transferred to the window are reduced.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Liqin Wang, Michael Scott Hebert, Mark Derakhshan, Ron Kent Hockersmith