Linear Accelerator (linac) Patents (Class 315/505)
  • Publication number: 20130085702
    Abstract: A method and system is proposed for providing automated, electronic testing of a linear accelerator from a remote position. According to one aspect of the claimed subject matter, a system is described which includes a linear accelerator with a scope circuit board, a multiplexer printed circuit board and a computing device. The multiplexer printed circuit board is coupled to the linear accelerator at a plurality of signal sites or locations corresponding to common areas of interest. Signal data received by the multiplexer circuit board may be continuously streamed from the linear accelerator to the multiplexer through each “channel” of data. The multiplexer circuit board is configured to receive, as input, the data corresponding to the electrical activity. In a further embodiment, the multiplexer outputs a selection of signals corresponding to a user selection of one or more channels from a remote terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Bradley BURTON, Pierre MALLIA, Jay BROWN
  • Patent number: 8405056
    Abstract: The ion acceleration system or complex (T) for medical and/or other applications is composed in essence by an ion source (1), a pre-accelerator (3) and one or more linear accelerators or linacs (6, 8, 10, 13), at least one of which is mounted on a rotating mechanical gantry-like structure (17). The isocentrical gantry (17) is equipped with a beam delivery system, which can be either ‘active’ or ‘passive’, for medical and/or other applications. The ion source (1) and the pre-accelerator (3) can be either installed on the floor, which is connected with the gantry basement, or mounted, fully or partially, on the rotating mechanical structure (17). The output beam can vary in energy and intensity pulse-by-pulse by adjusting the radio-frequency field in the accelerating modules of the linac(s) and the beam parameters at the input of the linear accelerators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fondazione per Adroterapia Oncologica—TERA
    Inventors: Ugo Amaldi, Saverio Braccini, Giulio Magrin, Peter Pearce, Riccardo Zennaro
  • Patent number: 8405042
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to reduce the effect of the hysteresis of a scanning electromagnet so as to obtain a particle beam therapy system that realizes high-accuracy beam irradiation. There are included an irradiation management apparatus (32) that controls the scanning electromagnet (3), based on target irradiation position coordinates (Pi) of a charged particle beam (1b), and a position monitor (7) that measures measurement position coordinates (Ps) of the charged particle beam (1b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Taizo Honda, Hisashi Harada, Yuehu Pu, Yuichi Yamamoto, Takaaki Iwata
  • Publication number: 20130063052
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for interleaving operation of a standing wave linear accelerator (LINAC) for use in providing electrons of at least two different energy ranges, which can be contacted with x-ray targets to generate x-rays of at least two different energy ranges. The LINAC can be operated to output electrons at different energies by varying the power of the electromagnetic wave input to the LINAC, or by using a detunable side cavity which includes an activatable window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Accuray, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Hung Ho, Stephen Wah-Kwan Cheung, Roger Heering Miller, Juwen Wang
  • Patent number: 8384314
    Abstract: An electromagnetic wave having a phase velocity and an amplitude is provided by an electromagnetic wave source to a traveling wave linear accelerator. The traveling wave linear accelerator generates a first output of electrons having a first energy by accelerating an electron beam using the electromagnetic wave. The first output of electrons can be contacted with a target to provide a first beam of x-rays. The electromagnetic wave can be modified by adjusting its amplitude and the phase velocity. The traveling wave linear accelerator then generates a second output of electrons having a second energy by accelerating an electron beam using the modified electromagnetic wave. The second output of electrons can be contacted with a target to provide a second beam of x-rays. A frequency controller can monitor the phase shift of the electromagnetic wave from the input to the output ends of the accelerator and can correct the phase shift of the electromagnetic wave based on the measured phase shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Accuray, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Dennis Treas, Roger Heering Miller, Juwen Wang
  • Publication number: 20130038248
    Abstract: A drift-tube linear accelerator that passes an injected particle beam through inside a plurality of cylindrical drift-tube electrodes arranged in a cylindrical cavity in a particle beam traveling direction and accelerates the particle beam by a radio-frequency electric field generated between the plurality of cylindrical drift-tube electrodes, wherein at least part of a focusing device for focusing the particle beam is disposed inside an end drift-tube electrode that is arranged nearest the injection side of the cylindrical cavity among the plurality of cylindrical drift-tube electrodes, with the focusing device being positionally adjustable independently of the end drift-tube electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Kazuo Yamamoto, Hirofumi Tanaka, Hiromitsu Inoue, Sadahiro Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8373146
    Abstract: The invention comprises a radio-frequency accelerator method and apparatus used in conjunction with multi-axis charged particle radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. An RF synthesizer provides a low voltage RF signal, that is synchronized to the period of circulation of protons in the proton beam path, to a set of integrated microcircuits, loops, and coils where the coils circumferentially enclose the proton beam path in a synchrotron. The integrated components combine to provide an accelerating voltage to the protons in the proton beam path in a size compressed and price reduced format. The integrated RF-amplifier microcircuit/accelerating coil system is operable from about 1 MHz, for a low energy proton beam, to about 15 MHz, for a high energy proton beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Vladimir Balakin
  • Patent number: 8368043
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an irradiation unit for emitting a particle beam, a gantry including the irradiation unit, a squirrel cage structure located within and supported by the gantry, a frame arranged so as to be motionless, a moving floor including a plurality of elongated members forming a primary caterpillar, two moving floor guide units having a truncated circle shape, facing each other, attached to said squirrel cage structure and the motionless frame, respectively. Each of the two moving floor guide units includes at least a first rail, said the primary caterpillar being slidably arranged on the first rail. Each moving floor guide unit includes at least a second rail having a truncated circle shape and the moving floor includes at least one secondary caterpillar including elongated members flexibly connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ion Beam Applications S.A.
    Inventors: Yorick Havelange, Sëbastien De Neuter, Vincent Piret, Bernard Bleeckx
  • Publication number: 20130016814
    Abstract: An electromagnetic wave having a phase velocity and an amplitude is provided by an electromagnetic wave source to a traveling wave linear accelerator. The traveling wave linear accelerator generates a first output of electrons having a first energy by accelerating an electron beam using the electromagnetic wave. The first output of electrons can be contacted with a target to provide a first beam of x-rays. The electromagnetic wave can be modified by adjusting its amplitude and the phase velocity. The traveling wave linear accelerator then generates a second output of electrons having a second energy by accelerating an electron beam using the modified electromagnetic wave. The second output of electrons can be contacted with a target to provide a second beam of x-rays. A frequency controller can monitor the phase shift of the electromagnetic wave from the input to the output ends of the accelerator and can correct the phase shift of the electromagnetic wave based on the measured phase shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Paul Dennis TREAS, Roger Heering MILLER, Juwen WANG
  • Patent number: 8339071
    Abstract: A particle accelerator system for producing a charged particle beam having pulses of charged particles that have different energy levels from pulse to pulse. The system enables independent adjustment of the RF power delivered to first and second accelerating sections thereof without adjustment of the RF power generated by an RF source. Such independent adjustment enables the RF power provided to the first accelerating section to be maintained at a level appropriate for optimal particle capturing therein and for producing a tightly bunched beam of particles having different energy levels from pulse to pulse, while enabling the RF power provided to the second accelerating section to be varied in order to vary the energy levels of the charged particles of the charged particle beam from pulse to pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: ScanTech/IBS IP Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Alexandre A. Zavadtsev, Gary F. Bowser
  • Publication number: 20120313555
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for fast-switching operating of a standing wave linear accelerator (LINAC) for use in generating x-rays of at least two different energy ranges with advantageously low heating of electronic switches. In certain embodiments, the heating of electronic switches during a fast-switching operation of the LINAC can be kept advantageously low through the controlled, timed activation of multiple electronic switches located in respective side cavities of the standing wave LINAC, or through the use of a modified a side cavity that includes an electronic switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Ching-Hung HO, Stephen Wah-Kwan Cheung, Roger Heering Miller, Juwen Wang
  • Patent number: 8330372
    Abstract: A rapidly twisted electromagnetic accelerating structure includes a waveguide body having a central axis, one or more helical channels defined by the body and disposed around a substantially linear central axial channel, with central portions of the helical channels merging with the linear central axial channel. The structure propagates electromagnetic waves in the helical channels which support particle beam acceleration in the central axial channel at a phase velocity equal to or slower than the speed of light in free space. Since there is no variation in the shape of the transversal cross-section along the axis of the structure, inexpensive mechanical fabrication processes can be used to form the structure, such as extrusion, casting or injection molding. Also, because the field and frequency of the resonant mode depend on the whole structure rather than on dimensional tolerances of individual cells, no tuning of individual cells is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Yoon W. Kang, Aly E. Fathy, Joshua L. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8330397
    Abstract: An apparatus for regulating power in an accelerator system includes a directional coupler for sensing a power reflected from an accelerator towards a power source, and a power modulator for reducing an output of the power source based on the sensed power. A method for regulating power in an accelerator system includes sensing a power reflected from an accelerator towards a power source, and reducing an output of the power source based on the sensed power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gard Meddaugh
  • Patent number: 8324810
    Abstract: A two-beam accelerator device including a drive beam source and an accelerated beam source for providing a drive beam and accelerated beam, a detuned resonant cavity disposed in the path of the drive beam and the accelerated beam, and a two-beam focusing device and method of use thereof. The detuned resonant cavity may be rectangular, square, axisymmetrical, and/or cylindrical. The focusing device may include a modified quadrupole magnet having four magnets, a central opening, a channel in the central opening, an opening in one of the four magnets, the opening having a non-magnetic channel lined with a magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Omega-P, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey Yu Kazakov, Sergey V. Kuzikov, Jay L. Hirshfield, Vyachesav Yakovlev, Yong Jiang
  • Patent number: 8311187
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for interleaving operation of a linear accelerator that use a magnetron as the source of electromagnetic waves for use in accelerating electrons to at least two different ranges of energies. The accelerated electrons can be used to generate x-rays of at least two different energy ranges. In certain embodiments, the accelerated electrons can be used to generate x-rays of at least two different energy ranges. The systems and methods are applicable to traveling wave linear accelerators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Accuray, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Dennis Treas, Roger Heering Miller
  • Publication number: 20120280640
    Abstract: A method for pulsed operation of a linear accelerator includes generating pulses of charged particles. The generating includes emitting particles by a particle source and accelerating the particles in an accelerator device that includes a plurality of linked cavity resonators. The accelerator device is supplied with energy by an energy supply unit. Particle energy is changed solely by varying a number of particles emitted by the particle source per pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Marvin Möller, Sven Müller, Stefan Setzer
  • Patent number: 8299713
    Abstract: A method of accelerating charged particles using a laser pulse fired through a plasma channel contained in a capillary, wherein the plasma waveguide has deviations along its length that cause deviations in the plasma density contained therein, the deviations in plasma density acting to promote charged particle injection into a wake of a passing laser pulse. A radiation source based on a laser-driven plasma accelerator in a plasma waveguide in which the plasma waveguide and/or laser injection process is/are controlled so as to produce an undulating path for the laser pulse through the waveguide, the undulation exerting a periodic transverse force on charged particles being accelerated in the wake of the laser pulse, the resulting charged particle motion causing controlled emission of high frequency radiation pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Isis Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Simon Martin Hooker, Anthony Joseph Gonsalves, Dino Anthony Jaroszynski, Wim Pieter Leemans
  • Patent number: 8284898
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for interleaving operation of a standing wave linear accelerator (LINAC) for use in providing electrons of at least two different energy ranges, which can be contacted with x-ray targets to generate x-rays of at least two different energy ranges. The LINAC can be operated to output electrons at different energies by varying the power of the electromagnetic wave input to the LINAC, or by using a detunable side cavity which includes an activatable window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Accuray, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Hung Ho, Stephen Wah-Kwan Cheung, Roger Heering Miller, Juwen Wang
  • Publication number: 20120235603
    Abstract: An accelerator for accelerating charged particles includes at least two RF resonators which are arranged successively in a beam propagation direction and configured to accelerate a pulse train comprising a plurality of particle bunches, each RF resonator generating an RF field, and a control apparatus for actuating the RF resonators, wherein the control apparatus is configured to set the RF fields generated by the RF resonators independently of one another during the acceleration of the pulse train, such that the plurality of particle bunches of the pulse train experience different accelerations during the acceleration of the pulse train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Oliver Heid
  • Publication number: 20120235602
    Abstract: The present invention provides a linear accelerator in which a rotatable conductive vane is employed to vary the electromagnetic coupling between adjacent accelerating cells. The vane is sealed off from the rest of the linear accelerator by an insulating partition, so the pressure around the vane can be higher than in the rest of the accelerator. This greatly simplifies the mechanisms which may be used to control the rotation of the vane, allowing a higher bakeout temperature in manufacture and a higher rate of rotation in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Elekta AB (publ)
    Inventors: John Allen, Terry Arthur Large
  • Publication number: 20120229024
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electron gun comprising a cathode, for generating electrons; an anode; an intermediate electrode, located between the cathode and the anode; and a controller. The controller applies an electrical potential to said intermediate electrode, analysing a resultant electrical parameter to determine the integrity of said intermediate electrode; and controls the electron gun to emit a pulse of electrons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Elekta AB (publ)
    Inventor: Terry Arthur Large
  • Publication number: 20120229053
    Abstract: A photoelectron linear accelerator for producing a low emittance polarized electron beam. The linear accelerator includes a tube having a cylindrical wall, said wall being perforated to allow gas to flow to a pressure chamber containing ultra high vacuum pumps located outside the accelerator. The RF accelerator cavity comprises of two concentric cylindrical regions having different outside diameters and different lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: David U.L. Yu, Yan Luo
  • Publication number: 20120229054
    Abstract: An RF cavity includes a chamber, a conductive wall that encloses the chamber and has an inner side and an outer side, a switch arrangement comprising a plurality of solid-state switches arranged along a circumference of the wall around the chamber, wherein the solid-state switches are connected to the conductive wall such that RF currents are induced in the conductive wall when the switch arrangement is activated, as a result of which RF power is coupled into the chamber of the RF cavity, and a shielding device located on the outer side of the conductive wall, along a circumference of the RF cavity, the shielding device configured to increase the impedance of a propagation path of RF currents along the outer side of the wall such that the RF currents coupled into the wall are suppressed on the outer side of the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Arnd Baurichter, Oliver Heid, Timothy Hughes
  • Patent number: 8258725
    Abstract: A klystron has a hollow beam electron gun that has a circular planar electron emitting surface. A hollow electron beam is directed from the electron gun through a plurality of drift tubes, resonant chambers and magnetic fields to a collector. The hollow electron beam does not experience significant radial movement and can operate at a lower beam voltage which reduces the required length of the RF interaction circuit and lowers the risks of RF arcing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Patrick Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20120200238
    Abstract: A microwave device for accelerating electrons includes an electron gun providing an electron beam along an axis in a microwave structure for accelerating the electrons of the beam, an input for the electron beam, an output for accelerated electrons, and a series of coupled cavities along said axis, of central resonant frequency, an input for a microwave signal for excitation of the microwave structure by one of the cavities, a radiofrequency generator providing the excitation microwave signal to the acceleration microwave structure, and a central unit controlling the variation of energy of the electrons at the output of the microwave structure. The radiofrequency generator comprises a frequency control input for changing the frequency of the excitation microwave signal around the central resonant frequency, the change producing a variation of the energy of the accelerated electrons of the beam at the output of the microwave structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: THALES
    Inventor: Serge Sierra
  • Patent number: 8232747
    Abstract: A particle accelerator (100) comprises a power supply arrangement (110), a plurality of solid-state switched drive sections (120), a plurality of magnetic core sections (130) and a switch control module (140). The drive sections (120) are connected to the power supply arrangement (110) for receiving electrical power therefrom, and each drive section comprises a solid-state switch, electronically controllable at turn-on and turn-off, for selectively providing a drive pulse at an output of the drive section. The magnetic core sections (130) are symmetrically arranged along a central beam axis, and each magnetic core of the sections is coupled to a respective drive section (120) through an electrical winding connected to the output of the drive section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: ScandiNova Systems AB
    Inventors: Walter Frederick John Crewson, Mark H. Kaltenborn
  • Patent number: 8232749
    Abstract: A pair of cavities defined within a hollow elongate accelerator body include a first resonant cavity having a first resonant slot through an outer wall thereof, and a second resonant cavity having a second resonant slot through an outer wall thereof. The first resonant slot and the second resonant slot are separated by a void region that extends between the outer wall of the first cavity and the outer wall of the second cavity and is bounded in part by an inner surface of the hollow elongate member. The first and second cavities are coupled to each other through a dual slot coupling structure that includes the first resonant slot, the void region, and the second resonant slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Far-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolai Barov, Roger H Miller
  • Patent number: 8232748
    Abstract: An electromagnetic wave having a phase velocity and an amplitude is provided by an electromagnetic wave source to a traveling wave linear accelerator. The traveling wave linear accelerator generates a first output of electrons having a first energy by accelerating an electron beam using the electromagnetic wave. The first output of electrons can be contacted with a target to provide a first beam of x-rays. The electromagnetic wave can be modified by adjusting its amplitude and the phase velocity. The traveling wave linear accelerator then generates a second output of electrons having a second energy by accelerating an electron beam using the modified electromagnetic wave. The second output of electrons can be contacted with a target to provide a second beam of x-rays. A frequency controller can monitor the phase shift of the electromagnetic wave from the input to the output ends of the accelerator and can correct the phase shift of the electromagnetic wave based on the measured phase shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Accuray, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Dennis Treas, Roger Heering Miller, Juwen Wang
  • Publication number: 20120187872
    Abstract: The present invention is a system to improve fuel economy of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine or an electric engine. The system includes a base, a primary energy absorption mechanism to attract and store energy contained in a quantum vacuum and a plurality of fasteners that are utilized to removably secure the system to the vehicle hood or the electrical engine. The system also includes a pair of hybrid ceramic magnets that are disposed within the primary energy absorption mechanism, a pair of metal plates and a linear particle accelerator that has variable field strength and is positioned within the primary energy absorption mechanism that includes a signal transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Aida Camacho de Bermúdez
  • Publication number: 20120181456
    Abstract: Methods and devices enable shaping of a charged particle beam. A modified dielectric wall accelerator includes a high gradient lens section and a main section. The high gradient lens section can be dynamically adjusted to establish the desired electric fields to minimize undesirable transverse defocusing fields at the entrance to the dielectric wall accelerator. Once a baseline setting with desirable output beam characteristic is established, the output beam can be dynamically modified to vary the output beam characteristics. The output beam can be modified by slightly adjusting the electric fields established across different sections of the modified dielectric wall accelerator. Additional control over the shape of the output beam can be excreted by introducing intentional timing de-synchronization offsets and producing an injected beam that is not fully matched to the entrance of the modified dielectric accelerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventor: Yu-Jiuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8203289
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for fast-switching operating of a standing wave linear accelerator (LINAC) for use in generating x-rays of at least two different energy ranges with advantageously low heating of electronic switches. In certain embodiments, the heating of electronic switches during a fast-switching operation of the LINAC can be kept advantageously low through the controlled, timed activation of multiple electronic switches located in respective side cavities of the standing wave LINAC, or through the use of a modified a side cavity that includes an electronic switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Accuray, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Hung Ho, Stephen Wah-Kwan Cheung, Roger Heering Miller, Juwen Wang
  • Publication number: 20120146553
    Abstract: A blumlein assembly incorporating a solid-state switch is presented. In the exemplary embodiment, a semiconductor switch is placed between first and second conducting strips, with dielectric material filling in the space between the strips on either side of the switch. A third conductive strip, parallel to the other two strips, is separated from the middle one of the strips by another dielectric layer. Rather than having the switch attach directly to the dielectric material on either side, a holder or carrier structure is used, which may be formed of several pieces or of a monolithic structure. The holder is formed of a material whose dielectric constant is closer to that of the switch than the dielectric material on either side, but whose boundary with the dielectric on either side has at least a portion that extends in a non-orthogonal direction with respect to the conducting strips. The arrangement allows the structure to withstand higher electric field levels without breakdown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Vladimir Andreevich Joshkin, Antonios Zografos, Dave Pearson
  • Publication number: 20120134467
    Abstract: Man-portable radiation generation sources and systems that may be carried by hand to a site of interest by one or two people, are disclosed. Methods of use of such sources and systems are also disclosed. Battery operated radiation generation sources, air cooled radiation generation sources, and charged particle accelerators, are also disclosed. A radiation generation source, a radiation scanning system, and a target assembly comprising target material having a thickness of less than 0.20 mm are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: David Whittum, James E. Clayton, George Merdinian
  • Publication number: 20120126727
    Abstract: Sub-nanosecond single ion beam pulses are generated by means of one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, an ion source provides ions to a radio frequency quadrupole linear accelerator comprising electrodes. A power source is used to apply radio frequency alternating currents to the electrodes. A device is used to inject ions from the ion source to the accelerator, causing the accelerator to provide only a single sub-nanosecond output beam pulse at a time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Robert W. Hamm
  • Patent number: 8183801
    Abstract: Multi-energy radiation sources comprising charged particle accelerators driven by power generators providing different RF powers to the accelerator, capable of interlaced operation, are disclosed. Automatic frequency control techniques are provided to match the frequency of RF power provided to the accelerator with the accelerator resonance frequency. In one example where the power generator is a mechanically tunable magnetron, an automatic frequency controller is provided to match the frequency of RF power pulses at one power to the accelerator resonance frequency when those RF power pulses are provided, and the magnetron is operated such that frequency shift in the magnetron at the other power at least partially matches the resonance frequency shift in the accelerator when those RF power pulses are provided. In other examples, when the power generator is a klystron or electrically tunable magnetron, separate automatic frequency controllers are provided for each RF power pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gongyin Chen, John Turner, Douglas W. Eaton
  • Patent number: 8169166
    Abstract: This invention relates to continuous standing-wave linear electron accelerator (9) comprising a low-energy electron source (10), for example, within a range of 10-20 keV, an accelerating structure (1 or 1?) for accelerating low initial energy electrons to required values; at least, one high-frequency power supply (11) for the said accelerating structure (1 or 1?); a power supply (13) for said electron source (10) and high-frequency power supply (11); a receiving antenna (14), which is arranged in accelerating unit of accelerating structure (1 or 1?) and is used for emitting of high-frequency signal for controlling the amplitude and phase of accelerating field. Low-energy electron beam is directed to the first unit of accelerating structure (1 or 1?) contained successively accelerating units (2, 3, 4i). The first of them is embodied in the form of a bunch resonator (2), the second unit is embodied in the form of a buster resonator (3), and successive units (4i) are used for increasing the electron energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignees: Obschestvo S Ogranichennoi Otvetstvennostyu 'Nauka I Tekhnologii, Federalnoe Gosudarstvennoe Uchrezhdenie 'Federalnoe Agentstvo Po Pravovoi Zaschite Resultatov Intellektualnoi Deyatelnosti Voennogo, Spetsialnogo I Dvoinogo Naznachenia' Pri Ministertve Yustitsii Rossiyskoy Federatsii, Nauchno-Issledovatelski Institut Yadernoi Fiziki Imeni D.V. Skobeltsina Moskovskogo Gosudarstvennogo Universiteta Imeni M.V. Lomonosova
    Inventors: Andrei Sergeevich Alimov, Boris Sarkisovich Ishkhanov, Nikolai Ivanovich Pakhomov, Viktor Petrovich Sakharov, Vasily Ivanovich Shvedunov
  • Patent number: 8169167
    Abstract: Methods are described wherein the signals from various sensors that monitor parameters such as beam position, beam intensity at each turn, number of turns, extracted current, extracted beam profile in space and energy are used to determine the effect of the variation of different parameters that control the operation of an accelerator. The diagnostic measurements and adjustments may be based upon measuring and evaluating parameters as a function of turn, and are part of an automated feedback loop for achieving the proper automated operation. The methods can be used to establish proper operating values for the accelerator parameters for optimum beam operation. By the use of feedback the operation of the accelerator can be automatically controlled in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Passport Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William Bertozzi, Robert J. Ledoux
  • Patent number: 8159157
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a linear accelerator comprises a nanotube, a particle, and an energy source. The nanotube has a cylindrical shape, and the particle is disposed within the nanotube. The energy source is configured to apply energy to the nanotube to cause the particle to accelerate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Imholt
  • Publication number: 20120086364
    Abstract: Methods and devices enable coupling of a charged particle beam to a radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ). Coupling of the charged particle beam is accomplished, at least in-part, by relying on sensitivity of the RFQ to energies of the incoming charged particle beam. A portion of a charged particle beam, which has an initial energy outside a range of RFQ's acceptance energy values, is subjected to a field that modifies its energy to fall within the range of RFQ's acceptance energy values. Once the field is removed, the charged particle beam returns to the initial energy that is outside of the RFQ' range of acceptance energy values. In another configuration, a portion of a charged particle beam, which has an initial energy within the range of RFQ's acceptance energy values, is subjected to a field that modifies its energy to fall outside the range of acceptance energy values of the RFQ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Gary Guethlein
  • Publication number: 20120081041
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for operating a traveling wave linear accelerator to generate stable electron beams at two or more different intensities by varying the number of electrons injected into the accelerator structure during each pulse by varying the width of the beam pulse, i.e., pulse width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: ACCURAY, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Wah-Kwan Cheung, Roger Heering Miller, Juwen Wang
  • Publication number: 20120081042
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for operating a traveling wave linear accelerator to generate stable electron beams at two or more different intensities by varying the number of electrons injected into the accelerator structure during each pulse by varying the electron beam current applied to an electron gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: ACCURAY, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Wah-Kwan Cheung, Roger Heering Miller, Juwen Wang
  • Patent number: 8148923
    Abstract: Low-injection energy electrons are accelerated in a continuous standing wave linear accelerator. Electron flow is supplied directly from a low-energy electron source to subsequent sequential accelerating units interconnected via connection cells. By grouping electrons in the first bunch resonator at a determined gap voltage, increasing the electron energy in a booster resonator and accelerating the electron energy in the accelerating unit, the optimal phase of particles with respect to the electromagnetic field is ensured. The length of each accelerating structure segment, which is located between centers of the adjacent cells, is based on the equality between the relation of the length of each following segment to the length of the previous segment and the relation of the average electron speed in the previous segment to the average electron speed in the following segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignees: Obschestvo S Ogranichennoi Otvetstvennostyu 'Nauka I Tekhnologii, Federalnoe Gosudarstvennoe Uchrezhdenie 'Federalnoe Agentstvo PO Pravovoi Zaschite Resultatov Intellektualnoi Deyatelnosti Voennogo, Spetsialnogo I Dvoinogo Naznachenia'Pri Ministertve Yustitsii Rossiyskoy Federatsii, Nauchno-Issledovatelski Institut Yadernoi Fiziki Imeni D.V. Skobeltsina Moskovskogo Gosudarstennogo Universiteta Imeni M.V. Lomonosova
    Inventors: Andrei Sergeevich Alimov, Boris Sarkisovich Ishkhanov, Nikolai Ivanovich Pakhomov, Viktor Petrovich Sakharov, Vasily Ivanovich Shvedunov
  • Patent number: 8143816
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a process to regulate power for a particle accelerator includes a first circulator, a second circulator, a tee coupled between the first and the second circulator, and a tuner coupled to the tee. An apparatus for use in a process to regulate power for a particle accelerator includes a first circulator, a second circulator, a 3-dB coupler coupled between the first and the second circulator, and a tuner coupled to the 3-dB coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Clayton, Carsten Weil, Wolfgang Arnold, David Whittum
  • Patent number: 8111025
    Abstract: Man-portable radiation generation sources and systems that may be carried by hand to a site of interest by one or two people, are disclosed. Methods of use of such sources and systems are also disclosed. Battery operated radiation generation sources, air cooled radiation generation sources, and charged particle accelerators, are also disclosed. A radiation generation source with a target less than 0.20 mm is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Whittum, James E. Clayton, George Merdinian
  • Patent number: 8093840
    Abstract: A method of using off-axis particle beam injection in energy-recovering linear accelerators that increases operational efficiency while eliminating the need to merge the high energy re-circulating beam with an injected low energy beam. In this arrangement, the high energy re-circulating beam and the low energy beam are manipulated such that they are within a predetermined distance from one another and then the two immerged beams are injected into the linac and propagated through the system. The configuration permits injection without geometric beam merging as well as decelerated beam extraction without the use of typical beamline elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Jefferson Science Associates, LLC
    Inventor: David R. Douglas
  • Patent number: 8089224
    Abstract: Methods are described wherein the signals from various sensors that monitor parameters such as beam position, beam intensity at each turn, number of turns, extracted current, extracted beam profile in space and energy are used to determine the effect of the variation of different parameters that control the operation of an accelerator. The diagnostic measurements and adjustments may be based upon measuring and evaluating parameters as a function of turn, and are part of an automated feedback loop for achieving the proper automated operation. The methods can be used to establish proper operating values for the accelerator parameters for optimum beam operation. By the use of feedback the operation of the accelerator can be automatically controlled in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Passport Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William Bertozzi, Robert J. Ledoux
  • Publication number: 20110285283
    Abstract: A radiant tube (4) for guiding a charged particle stream (10) has a hollow cylindrical isolation core (6) directly encompassing a beam-guiding hollow volume (8). The isolation core (6) is formed from a dielectrically acting carrier substrate (14) and an electrical conductor (16) held therein. The conductor (16) is divided into a plurality of conductor loops (20) completely encompassing the circumference of the isolation core (6) at different axial positions of the isolation core (6). The conductor loops (20) are galvanically connected to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Oliver Heid
  • Patent number: 8063390
    Abstract: An electron cooling system and method for increasing the phase space intensity and overall intensity of ion beams in multiple overlap regions, including a vacuum chamber to allow a single electron beam to be merged and separated with multiple ion beams, an electron supply device including a cathode to generate the electron beam, an electron collector device including a collection plate to collect the electron beam, multiple magnetic field generation devices to guide the electrons on their desired trajectories, and multiple electrodes to set the velocity of the electron beam independently in each overlap region. By overlapping the electron and ion beams, thermal energy is transferred from the ion beams to the electron beam, which allows an increase in the phase space density and overall density of the ion beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Delbert J. Larson
  • Patent number: 8039819
    Abstract: A device and a method for creating a spatial dose distribution in a medium volume (22) are described. A laser system produces laser pulses (12) with a pulse length shorter than 200 fs (femtoseconds) and is capable to be focused to peak intensities greater than 10^18 W/cm^2 (watts per centimeter squared). An electron source (18) is capable of releasing a high-energy electron pulse (20), in particular the electrons having an energy greater than 100 MeV, upon irradiation with said laser pulses (12) propagating into the medium volume (22). The light paths (52, 56,58) of at least some of the laser pulses (12) are adjustable in such a way that high-energy electron pulses (20) are emitted from the irradiated at least one electron source on different trajectories (20,28,60,62) through the medium volume (22) thereby depositing their dose in the medium volume (22) according to a provided pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignees: Ecole Polytechnique, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
    Inventors: Jérôme Faure, Yannick Glinec, Victor Malka, Thomas Fuchs, Hanitra Szymanowski, Uwe Oelfke
  • Patent number: 8035321
    Abstract: An electron acceleration portion of a Betatron having a vacuum chamber with an interior wall spaced from an exterior wall with a main electron orbit located approximate to the exterior wall and the interior wall. An electron injector has an anode structured and arranged adjacent a wall selected from the group consisting of the interior wall and the exterior wall that is shaped so as to not impede the main electron orbit. There is at least one electron deflection plate disposed approximate an anode end of the anode and the main electron orbit. There can be two electron deflection plates spaced apart that form a gap of a width effective to receive emitted electrons from the electron injector. Such that, there is a voltage potential between the two electron deflection plates that is effective to deflect emitted electrons towards the main electron orbit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Felix Chen, Christian Stoller, Olivier Philip, Luke T. Perkins