Patents by Inventor Vance Scott Robinson

Vance Scott Robinson 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).

  • Publication number: 20240071707
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an x-ray device comprising: an access port configured to receive a cathode within an interior volume of an enclosure of the x-ray device; a first vacuum seal configured to seal a cover over the access port; and a second seal configured to seal the cover over the access port, the second seal maintained between the first vacuum seal and the interior volume of the enclosure during removal of the first vacuum seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Varex Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Dave Kirkham, Vance Scott Robinson, Colton B. Woodman, Jake Riggle
  • Publication number: 20230363073
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an x-ray source, comprising: an anode; a field emitter configured to generate an electron beam; a first grid configured to control field emission from the field emitter; a second grid disposed between the first grid and the anode; a third grid disposed between the first grid and the anode; and a middle electrode disposed between the first grid and the anode wherein the second grid is either disposed between the first grid and middle electrode or between the middle electrode and the anode; wherein the third grid is a mesh grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicants: VEC IMAGING GMBH & CO. KG, Varex Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Houman Jafari, Bo Gao, Vance Scott Robinson, Colton B. Woodman, Mohamed Zaza
  • Publication number: 20230352261
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system, comprising: a vacuum enclosure; an anode support structure penetrating the vacuum enclosure and including a plurality of first cooling passages; and an anode disposed within the vacuum enclosure, coupled to and supported by the anode support structure, and including: a target; and a plurality of second cooling passages; wherein: each of the second cooling passages is coupled to a corresponding first cooling passage; the anode is coupled to the anode support structure on a side of the anode different from a side of the anode including the target and different from axial ends of the anode on a major axis of the anode; and the anode is a linear anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Varex Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Dave Kirkham, Vance Scott Robinson
  • Patent number: 11778717
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an x-ray source, comprising: an anode; a field emitter configured to generate an electron beam; a first grid configured to control field emission from the field emitter; a second grid disposed between the first grid and the anode; and a middle electrode disposed between the first grid and the anode wherein the second grid is either disposed between the first grid and middle electrode or between the middle electrode and the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: VEC Imaging GmbH & Co. KG, Varex Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Houman Jafari, Bo Gao, Vance Scott Robinson, Colton B. Woodman, Mohamed Zaza
  • Patent number: 11749489
    Abstract: A system, comprising: a vacuum enclosure; an anode support structure penetrating the vacuum enclosure and including a plurality of first cooling passages; and an anode disposed within the vacuum enclosure, coupled to and supported by the anode support structure, and including: a target; and a plurality of second cooling passages; wherein: each of the second cooling passages is coupled to a corresponding first cooling passage; and the anode is coupled to the anode support structure on a side of the anode different from a side of the anode including the target and different from axial ends of the anode on a major axis of the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Varex Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Dave Kirkham, Vance Scott Robinson
  • Patent number: 11413698
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and controlling build quality during electron beam manufacturing of a build part. The system may include at least one electron beam source to direct at least one electron beam onto a plurality of deposited layers of metallic powder to form a melt pool, a detector to detect in real-time backscattered energy ejected from the melt pool and indicative of a defect in the build part and generate a detection signal representative of the defect. A controller receives and analyzes the detection signal and generates a corrective signal for control of at least one of the actuator and the at least one electron beam source to direct the at least one electron beam onto the plurality of deposited layers of metallic powder to sequentially consolidate patterned portions of the plurality of deposited metallic powder layers to adaptively form the three-dimensional build part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Vladimir Anatolievich Lobastov, Vincent Scott Smentkowski, John Scott Price, Vance Scott Robinson
  • Publication number: 20220208503
    Abstract: A system, comprising: a vacuum enclosure; an anode support structure penetrating the vacuum enclosure and including a plurality of first cooling passages; and an anode disposed within the vacuum enclosure, coupled to and supported by the anode support structure, and including: a target; and a plurality of second cooling passages; wherein: each of the second cooling passages is coupled to a corresponding first cooling passage; and the anode is coupled to the anode support structure on a side of the anode different from a side of the anode including the target and different from axial ends of the anode on a major axis of the anode
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: VEC Imaging GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dave Kirkham, Vance Scott Robinson
  • Publication number: 20220210900
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a system, comprising: a plurality of x-ray sources, each x-ray source including: an electron source configured to generate an electron beam; and a target configured to receive the electron beam and convert the electron beam into an x-ray beam; wherein: at first x-ray source of the x-ray sources is different from a second x-ray source of the x-ray sources; and the targets of the x-ray sources are part of a linear target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: VEC Imaging GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Houman Jafari, Bo Gao, Vance Scott Robinson
  • Publication number: 20210410258
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an x-ray source, comprising: an anode; a field emitter configured to generate an electron beam; a first grid configured to control field emission from the field emitter; a second grid disposed between the first grid and the anode; and a middle electrode disposed between the first grid and the anode wherein the second grid is either disposed between the first grid and middle electrode or between the middle electrode and the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: VEC Imaging GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Houman Jafari, Bo Gao, Vance Scott Robinson, Colton B. Woodman, Mohamed Zaza
  • Publication number: 20210350997
    Abstract: An X-ray source includes a target configured to generate X-rays when impacted by an electron beam. The target includes one or more thermally conductive layers; and one or more X-ray generating layers interleaved with the thermally conductive layers, wherein at least one X-ray generating layer comprises regions of X-ray generating material separated by thermally conductive material within the respective X-ray generating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Yong Liang, Vance Scott Robinson, Uwe Wiedmann
  • Patent number: 11094497
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an X-ray source includes a source target configured to generate X-rays when impacted by an electron beam. The source target includes one or more thermally conductive layers; and one or more X-ray generating layers interleaved with the thermally conductive layers, wherein at least one X-ray generating layer comprises regions of X-ray generating material separated by thermally conductive material within the respective X-ray generating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yong Liang, Vance Scott Robinson, Uwe Wiedmann
  • Patent number: 10916400
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multi-layer X-ray sources having decreased hydrogen within the layer stack and/or tungsten carbide inter-layers between the primary layers of X-ray generating and thermally-conductive materials. The resulting multi-layer target structures allow increased X-ray production, which may facilitate faster scan times for inspection or examination procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, A GE Company, LLC
    Inventors: Yong Liang, Vance Scott Robinson
  • Patent number: 10804063
    Abstract: Fabrication of a multi-layer X-ray source is disclosed using bulk structures to fabricate a multi-layer target structure. In one implementation, layers of X-ray generating material, such as tungsten, are interleaved with thermally conductive layers, such as diamond layers. To prevent delamination of the layers, various mechanical, chemical, and/or structural approaches may also be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE Company, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Raber, Vance Scott Robinson, Yong Liang
  • Patent number: 10692685
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the production and use of a multi-layer X-ray source target. In certain implementations, layers of X-ray generating material may be interleaved with thermally conductive layers. To prevent delamination of the layers, various mechanical, chemical, and structural approaches are related, including approaches for reducing the internal stress associated with the deposited layers and for increasing binding strength between layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Vance Scott Robinson, Yong Liang, Thomas Robert Raber, George Theodore Dalakos, Christoph Wild
  • Patent number: 10672585
    Abstract: In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray source. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to an anode and configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a coupling portion extending between an interior of a vacuum envelope and an exterior of the vacuum envelope and a winding portion coupled to the coupling portion. Windings may at least partially surround the winding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vance Scott Robinson, Kasey Otho Greenland, Neil Bostrom, Jonathan Miller
  • Patent number: 10636612
    Abstract: In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray tube. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to the anode and may be configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a first pole and a second pole oriented towards the lift shaft. Windings may be positioned around the first pole. The lift assembly may include a heat dissipating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Varex Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Vance Scott Robinson, Kasey Otho Greenland, Neil Bostrom
  • Patent number: 10629403
    Abstract: In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray source. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to the anode and configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a curved surface that contours around at least a portion of the shaft wall. A radius of curvature of the curved surface of the lift electromagnet may be greater than a radius of curvature of the lift shaft, and the spacing between the curved surface of the lift electromagnet and the shaft wall may be non-uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Varex Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Bostrom, Vance Scott Robinson, Kasey Otho Greenland, Santosh Ramachandran
  • Publication number: 20200105495
    Abstract: In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray tube. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to the anode and may be configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a first pole and a second pole oriented towards the lift shaft. Windings may be positioned around the first pole. The lift assembly may include a heat dissipating structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Vance Scott Robinson, Kasey Otho Greenland, Neil Bostrom
  • Publication number: 20200105493
    Abstract: In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray source. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to an anode and configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a coupling portion extending between an interior of a vacuum envelope and an exterior of the vacuum envelope and a winding portion coupled to the coupling portion. Windings may at least partially surround the winding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Vance Scott Robinson, Kasey Otho Greenland, Neil Bostrom, Jonathan Miller
  • Publication number: 20200105494
    Abstract: In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray source. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to the anode and configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a curved surface that contours around at least a portion of the shaft wall. A radius of curvature of the curved surface of the lift electromagnet may be greater than a radius of curvature of the lift shaft, and the spacing between the curved surface of the lift electromagnet and the shaft wall may be non-uniform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Neil Bostrom, Vance Scott Robinson, Kasey Otho Greenland, Santosh Ramachandran