High Frequency Patents (Class 378/105)
  • Patent number: 11189389
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation logging tool, comprising a tool housing; a compact generator that produces radiation; a power supply coupled to the compact generator; and control circuitry. Embodiments of the compact generator comprise a generator vacuum tube comprising a source generating charged particles, and a target onto which the charged particles are directed; and a high voltage supply comprising a high voltage multiplier ladder located laterally adjacent to the generator vacuum tube. The high voltage supply applies a high voltage between the source and the target to accelerate the charged particles to a predetermined energy level. The compact generator also includes an electrical coupling between an output of the high voltage supply and the target of the generator vacuum tube to accommodate the collocated positions of the generator vacuum tube and the high voltage power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luke T. Perkins, Christian Stoller, Peter Wraight
  • Patent number: 10692684
    Abstract: A circuit assembly includes plural voltage control modules configured to be operably coupled in series to a connection and configured to control voltage delivered to an X-ray electrode. Each voltage module includes an on/off circuit portion, a balancing circuit portion, and a tuning circuit portion. The on/off circuit portion is configured to provide a voltage for activating or deactivating the X-ray electrode. The balancing circuit portion is coupled in parallel to the on/off circuit portion, and includes a capacitor and a resistor coupled in parallel. The tuning circuit portion is coupled in parallel to the balancing circuit portion and the on/off circuit portion, and is configured to adjust a voltage provided to the X-ray electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Antonio Caiafa, Philippe Ernest, Dominique Poincloux
  • Patent number: 10624604
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to medical diagnostic high-frequency X-ray machines and power supply devices thereof. One power supply device can convert an alternating current into a direct current, which is further raised by a boost circuit and stored by a capacitor module, so that the power supply device can provide high voltage and sufficient power to an inverter. Another power supply device can use a lithium iron phosphate battery to power the X-ray machine. Accordingly, the X-ray machine can be lighter, smaller, resistant to high temperature, fast in electrical charging and discharging, and safer, and the usage life of the X-ray machine can be prolonged due to the long cycle life of the lithium iron phosphate battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan Zhang, Xuedong Liu
  • Patent number: 10286788
    Abstract: On board charger for electric vehicles having an AC input and a DC power output and comprising a housing that contains a power electronic circuit, a control electronic circuit, capacitors, inverters, at least one transformer, input inductor and output inductor inside to allow the conversion of input AC power into output DC power, the base of the housing incorporating a cooling circuit, such that the at least one transformer, the at least one input inductor and the at least one output inductor are arranged in a compartment delimited by several side walls and the base of the housing of the on board charger and at least one internal wall, the compartment being at least partially filled with potting which at least partially covers the at least one transformer, the at least one input inductor and the at least one output inductor, these three elements constituting one magnetic block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: FICO TRIAD, S.A.
    Inventor: Guillem Rovira Masip
  • Patent number: 9992855
    Abstract: Rise times and fall times provided by a high voltage generator are controlled to maintain image quality during such scans. The rise and fall times are controlled by first measuring rise and fall times at each transition. Then, a closed-loop controller is used to adjust control parameters of the high voltage generator, based on an error determined from the measurement, to achieve substantially constant rise and fall times. This invention may be based on the implementation of two closed-loop controllers on rise and fall time of fast-kV exposures. As a result, image quality may be improved and system calibration time may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Larroux, Julien Bouhraoua, Aurelien Gadenne
  • Patent number: 9877694
    Abstract: According to on embodiment, an inverter high voltage generator includes a DC power supply, an inverter, a high voltage converter, a discharge detector, a controller. The DC power supply generates a direct current. The inverter converts the direct current from the DC power supply to an alternating current by switching. The high voltage converter converts an AC output pulse from the inverter to a high voltage. The discharge detector detects an electric discharge that has occurred in an X-ray tube. The controller controls, upon detection of the discharge, switching of the inverter to change a pulse width or a frequency of the AC output pulse from the inverter so as to gradually increase a measured tube voltage value of the X-ray tube up to a target tube voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Toyomasa Honda
  • Patent number: 9671506
    Abstract: A radiographic image detection device includes: an image pickup unit with plural radiation detection portions arrayed in a two-dimensional form and detect radiation, and that captures a radiographic image; a radiographic image generating unit having plural analog signal generating units that generate analog signals corresponding to radiation doses; a conversion unit that converts the generated analog signals into digital signals; a judging unit that judges whether or not level fluctuations of the generated analog signals are within a predetermined threshold value; and a control unit that controls the conversion unit such that an analog signal, at which it is judged that the level fluctuation is within the predetermined threshold value, is converted into a digital signal, and that controls the conversion unit such that an analog signal, at which it is judged that the level fluctuation has exceeded the predetermined threshold value, is not converted into a digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Ohta, Naoyuki Nishino
  • Patent number: 9268041
    Abstract: A radiographic image detection device includes: an image pickup unit with plural radiation detection portions arrayed in a two-dimensional form and detect radiation, and that captures a radiographic image; a radiographic image generating unit having plural analog signal generating units that generate analog signals corresponding to radiation doses; a conversion unit that converts the generated analog signals into digital signals; a judging unit that judges whether or not level fluctuations of the generated analog signals are within a predetermined threshold value; and a control unit that controls the conversion unit such that an analog signal, at which it is judged that the level fluctuation is within the predetermined threshold value, is converted into a digital signal, and that controls the conversion unit such that an analog signal, at which it is judged that the level fluctuation has exceeded the predetermined threshold value, is not converted into a digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Ohta, Naoyuki Nishino
  • Patent number: 9087670
    Abstract: A high voltage device includes a circuit board 12 surrounded by an enclosure 11, potting 13 to provide electrical insulation between the circuit board 12 and the enclosure 11, and a layer of material 14, having a different resistivity than a resistivity of the potting 13, dividing the potting into separate and discrete sections. The layer of material 14 can be multiple layers. Each layer 14 can have a voltage applied, and a voltage of any layer 14 closer to the circuit board 12 can have a higher absolute value than any layer 14 farther from the circuit board 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Motek, Inc.
    Inventor: Dongbing Wang
  • Patent number: 8995621
    Abstract: A compact x-ray source can include a circuit (10) providing reliable voltage isolation between low and high voltage sides (21, 23) of the circuit while allowing AC power transfer between the low and high voltage sides of the circuit to an x-ray tube electron emitter (43). Capacitors (11, 12) can provide the isolation between the low and high voltage sides of the circuit. The x-ray source (110) can utilize capacitors of a high voltage generator (67) to provide the voltage isolation. A compact x-ray source (110) can comprise a single transformer core (101) to transfer alternating current from two alternating current sources (104a, 104b) to an electron emitter (43) and a high voltage generator (107). A compact x-ray source (120) can comprise a high voltage sensing resistor (R1) disposed on a cylinder (41) of an x-ray tube (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Dongbing Wang, Dave Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20150085969
    Abstract: A CT system includes an x-ray source, a high-voltage power supply (HVPS) coupled to the x-ray source, and a high-frequency power distribution unit (HFPDU) having an input bus that is coupleable to a three-phase source, and having an output bus. The HFPDU includes a three-phase rectifier coupled to the input bus and configured to output a DC current to an inverter, the inverter configured to convert the DC current to an AC current, and output the AC current to a primary winding of an isolation transformer, and the isolation transformer having a secondary output to an isolation transformer, that is coupled to a full bridge rectifier, to produce DC current to the output bus and to DC bus loads of the CT system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ezana T. Mekonnen, Jason Stuart Katcha
  • Patent number: 8983026
    Abstract: An X-ray tube and an X-ray detector are arranged opposing one another. X-rays are irradiated from the X-ray tube by revolving around the subject. An X-ray image is obtained based on the X-rays that penetrate the subject and are detected by the X-ray detector. The high voltage generator has an inverter that supplies a voltage to the X-ray tube by switching to a predetermined operating frequency during revolution of the X-ray tube. Regarding the frequency adjustable part, the operating frequency of the inverter is adjustable such that it is a multiple of the collection rate, which is the number of X-ray images obtained per one revolution of the X-ray tube. The timing generator may adjust the voltage supplied to the X-ray tube at a timing synchronized with the operating frequency of the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Fumio Ishiyama
  • Publication number: 20150030134
    Abstract: A medical imaging device 10 comprises an inverter 12 with semiconductor switches 26 for generating an AC voltage to be supplied to a load 20, 22, a coil 32 inductively coupled to a conductor 34 of the inverter 12 connected with a semiconductor switch 26 of the inverter 12, and a monitoring circuit 60 for monitoring a current in the conductor 34 with a signal from the coil 32.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Helmut Mrusek
  • Publication number: 20140211923
    Abstract: Disclosed are an installation case for a radiation device, an oil-cooling circulation system and an X-ray generator which belong to the technical field of X-ray generator. This disclosure aims to solve the technical problems existing in the conventional X-ray generator, that is, the conventional X-ray generator provides bad sealing, the weight of the case body of the conventional X-ray generator is heavy, and the leakage dose of the X-ray in the conventional X-ray generator is large.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Chen, Ziran Zhao, Fuhua Ding, Wanlong Wu, Xilei Luo, Zhimin Zheng
  • Patent number: 8526574
    Abstract: A circuit providing reliable voltage isolation between a low and high voltage sides of a circuit while allowing AC power transfer between the low and high voltage sides of the circuit to an x-ray tube filament. Capacitors provide the isolation between the low and high voltage sides of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Dongbing Wang, Dave Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20120230471
    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: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Gongyin Chen, John Turner, Douglas W. Eaton
  • Patent number: 7936544
    Abstract: A power supply for a device which has a load, comprising a first resonant generator and a second resonant generator, coupled in parallel, each generator having a phase output. The power supply further comprises a control circuit coupled to the first and second generators controlling the first and second phase outputs, wherein the first phase output and the second phase output are summed to provide a variable power supply to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: EMD Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Beland
  • Patent number: 7933381
    Abstract: An HF frequency tuning device includes a resonance cavity in which an HF is introduced, a phase detecting section which generates a sign data representing a sign of a phase difference between a traveling wave and a reflected wave included in the HF in the resonance cavity. The frequency of the HF is repeatedly shifted by a first pitch. The direction of the shift is determined by the sign data for reducing the phase difference. When the sign is inverted, the frequency of the HF is repeatedly shifted to the opposite direction by a second pitch smaller than the first pitch until the sign is inverted again. By this tuning process, the fine tuning of HF can by achieved in a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Kamino, Kazuhiro Tsukuda, Sadao Miura
  • Patent number: 7688935
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus of multi-energy data acquisition. An imaging system is also provided and includes a number of HF electromagnetic energy filters. The filters include at least a first and a second filter wherein the first filter is positioned in a path of HF electromagnetic energy when an HF electromagnetic energy source is energized to a first voltage and the second filter is positioned in the path of HF electromagnetic energy when the HF electromagnetic energy source is energized to a second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas L. Toth
  • Patent number: 7688936
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus of multi-energy data acquisition. An imaging system is also provided and includes a number of HF electromagnetic energy filters. The filters include at least a first and a second filter wherein the first filter is positioned in a path of HF electromagnetic energy when an HF electromagnetic energy source is energized to a first voltage and the second filter is positioned in the path of HF electromagnetic energy when the HF electromagnetic energy source is energized to a second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas L. Toth
  • Publication number: 20090290683
    Abstract: A power supply for generating a high output voltage for supplying an X-ray generator system with at least one X-ray source (17), especially for computer tomography (CT) applications is disclosed, wherein the high output voltage comprises at least two different high output voltage levels (U1; U1±U2) which are fast switchable so that spectral CT measurements can be conducted with one conventional X-ray tube (17). Furthermore, an X-ray tube generator system comprising such a power supply and at least one X-ray tube (17), as well as a computer tomography (CT) apparatus comprising such a power supply is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N. V.
    Inventors: Christoph Loef, Gereon Vogtmeier, Guenter Zeitler
  • Patent number: 7254260
    Abstract: A plurality of radiation image signals respectively representing a plurality of radiation images of an object, which radiation images have been formed with several kinds of radiation having different energy distributions, are obtained. An energy subtraction image signal, which has been formed from the plurality of the radiation image signals, is also obtained. Compression processing is performed on the plurality of the radiation image signals and the energy subtraction image signal. The energy subtraction image signal is compressed with a compressibility higher than the compressibility with respect to each of the radiation image signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Funahashi
  • Patent number: 7079700
    Abstract: There are disclosed an image processing apparatus and method, and the like, which can obtain a high-quality image, the dynamic range or partial pixel value range of which has been changed while suppressing or avoiding collapse of the edge structure of an image or generation of overshoot. Also, there are disclosed an image processing apparatus and method, and the like, which can obtain a high-quality image, desired spatial frequency components of which have been emphasized or suppressed while suppressing or avoiding collapse of the edge structure of an edge portion contained in an objective image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shinbata
  • Patent number: 7076111
    Abstract: There are provided an image processing apparatus and method. In this apparatus and method, high-frequency components are converted by multiple-frequency transformation in accordance with tone conversion used to change the dynamic range, thereby obtaining a high-quality image. For example, an original image undergoes tone conversion on the basis of a tone conversion curve, and the converted image then undergoes discrete wavelet transformation. After that, subbands obtained by discrete wavelet transformation undergo a conversion process in correspondence with the slope of the tone conversion curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shinbata
  • Patent number: 7050539
    Abstract: A power supply for X-ray generators which includes at least one inverter (11, 12, 13), at least one transformer (111, 121, 131) and at least one voltage cascade (112, 122, 132) for generating a supply voltage for an X-ray tube (15). In order to increase the output power that can be achieved with a comparatively small weight and a low ripple or output capacitance, the voltage cascade is conceived in respect of its capacitances and the stray inductance of the transformers (111, 121, 131) in such a manner that it can be made to operate in the resonance mode by appropriate control of the inverter. In respect of the properties mentioned it is notably advantageous to integrate a two-phase embodiment or three-phase embodiment with an X-ray system so as to form a compact tank generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Loef, Arne Lunding, Heiko Osterholz, Heinz Van Der Broeck
  • Patent number: 6816573
    Abstract: The voltage applied to a first grid electrode 71 of an X-ray tube 11 by a grid voltage control section 110 is controlled with reference to a predetermined negative voltage from a negative voltage generating section 112 when an object 5 to be inspected does not exist in an imaging area (irradiation area of an X-ray from an X-ray source 1) so that the pulse outputted from a pulse generator 105 is in its OFF state, and is controlled with reference to a reference positive voltage from a reference voltage generating section 115 when the object 5 to be inspected exists in the imaging area in the X-ray image intensifier 2 (irradiation area of the X-ray from the X-ray source 1) so that the pulse outputted from the pulse generator 105 is in its ON state, whereby both of the cutoff voltage and grid operating voltage are applied in a stable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Masayuki Hirano, Hiroki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 6765987
    Abstract: An improved efficiency x-ray source comprised of a fluorescent x-ray tube and resonant high voltage power supply. The fluorescent x-ray tube is an arc discharge tube filled with a low-pressure vapor, xenon for example, that is excited by high-frequency, high-voltage pulses to produce x-rays. The power supply passes arcs through the tube that produce significantly more radiation per unit energy than equivalent conventional vacuum x-ray tubes. The power supply may be a high frequency resonant AC supply or it may be rectified to give resonant DC. The fluorescent tube is driven in cold cathode mode, avoiding a fragile filament. The arc gap may also be large or very small in order to serve as a broad beam source or point source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Safe Food Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Fleming, Constantin Popa
  • Publication number: 20020131555
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum arc discharge power supply. The power supply may be a high frequency resonant AC supply or it may be rectified to give resonant DC. The power supply of the present invention may be used in x-ray production, vacuum arc deposition equipment, vacuum metal refining, ion implantation devices, or other applications that perform vacuum arc discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Ray Fleming, Constantin Popa
  • Patent number: 6418191
    Abstract: X-ray apparatus has a d.c.-a.c. converter circuit supplied with energy that is connected via a line connection to a high-voltage transformer supplying the high-frequency operating voltage to an X-ray tube. The line connection has a first and a second conductors that are insulated from one another and are disposed close to one another for achieving a low line inductance. These conductors have ratio of radius to conductor thickness such that a low ohmic impedance is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jens Fehre, Werner Kuehnel
  • Patent number: 5978446
    Abstract: A high voltage power supply includes a high voltage high frequency generator (10) having outputs (12, 14). An arc limiting device (20) is connected in series to the outputs (12, 14) of the generator (10). The arc limiting device (20) includes two coils (22, 24) of a wound length of wire (50) that exhibit a skin effect. The skin effect forces higher frequency current components to flow at a surface of the wire (50) through a limited skin layer portion (62) of a cross section of the wire (50). In one preferred embodiment, the arc limiting device (20) is connected via high voltage cables (32, 34) with an x-ray tube (40). Suitable material for the wire (50) includes those materials with high permeability to resistivity ratios, for example iron, purified iron, 78 permalloy, 4-97 permalloy, mu metal, or supermalloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Picker International, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore A. Resnick
  • Patent number: 5914999
    Abstract: An arbitrary voltage distribution can be achieved in a high-voltage generator which supplied an X-ray tube having a metallic central part, wherein the anode voltage and the cathode voltage are generated in the high-voltage generator by two series-connected high-voltage rectifiers with respective preceding high-voltage transformers, whereby the high-voltage transformers being supplied by an inverse rectifier. A clocked switch, via which the average value of the anode current can be set and matched to the cathode current, lies in the lead to the high-voltage transformer at the anode side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Walter Beyerlein, Joerg Dorn, Werner Kuehnel
  • Patent number: 5737388
    Abstract: Intraoral dental radiography based on X-ray photography. The radiography is performed with either a conventional film or a picture plate, in which case the dimensions of the picture may be corrected by means of a computer program while viewing the picture on a monitor. Problems caused by a shallow palate because of the oblique position of the film holder may thus be eliminated, and the top of the roots of the tooth is also visible in the picture. The picture plate or film holder used in the method comprises three interlinked parts, namely a film holder, a bite portion, and an alignment rod, and one sliding part, i.e. the positioning block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Pauli Juhani Kossila
  • Patent number: 5694449
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for detecting and correcting an erroneous exposure generated during x-ray imaging of a patient. In the present invention, x-ray imaging settings for imaging the patient are selected. X-ray beam quality and x-ray quantity values are generated from the selected x-ray imaging settings. An exposure rate is predicted from the x-ray beam quality and x-ray quantity values. The patient is then exposed to an x-ray beam having the generated x-ray beam quality and x-ray quantity values. The total exposure is then determined and compared to the predicted exposure rate. The comparison is then used to determine if the patient is being exposed at an erroneous level. If the exposure is at a correct level, then the exposure is completed. However, if the exposure is not at a correct level, then the exposure is stopped and adjusted to a new exposure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James Kenneth Aragones
  • Patent number: 5661774
    Abstract: The disclosed dual energy baggage scanning assembly includes a CT scanning system, and a conveyor belt for transporting items through the CT scanning system, and an improved power supply for the X-ray source of the CT scanner so that a dual energy beam is provided. The power supply alternately powers the X-ray tube of the scanning system at high and low voltage levels at a predetermined rate and comprises at least one high voltage DC power supply for providing a stable, high DC voltage the X-ray tube; means, including at least one waveform generator, for providing a periodic time varying waveform; and coupling means, including a transformer, for coupling the waveform generator to said DC voltage supply so that the total voltage across the cathode and anode of the tube is periodically changed between the high and low voltage levels at the predetermined rate in response to the periodic time varying waveform provided by the waveform generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Analogic Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard M. Gordon, Hans Weedon, Iosif Izrailit, Timothy R. Fox, John F. Moore
  • Patent number: 5602897
    Abstract: An x-ray tube of a CT scanner is powered by a high-voltage power supply (26). The high-voltage power supply includes a plurality of sections (102) each having three straight-up transformers (48) which receive three 120.degree. phase shifted alternating current components as inputs. The straight-up transformers perform a direct voltage transformation with single or multiple transformers and with no capacitive multipliers. Each straight-up transformer has a primary winding (T1) and two secondary windings (T1-A, T1-B). The secondary windings are connected together in delta and wye configurations (84). The alternating current components have their voltage boosted and are rectified and summed to form a high-voltage output that is substantially ripple-free. A pulse-width modulated converter (34) generates a conditioned output current from an inputted direct current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Picker International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kociecki, Theodore A. Resnick
  • Patent number: 5444757
    Abstract: An x-ray generator has a power rectifier connected to a high-frequency inverse rectifier and having a high-voltage transformer supplied by the rectifier. In order to achieve low losses in the operation of the high-voltage transformer with a low internal capacitance, the electrical windings of the high-voltage transformer are provided with an insulation having a thickness which is greater than the thickness which would be required solely to accommodate the maximum voltage load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Walter Beyerlein, Peter Schweighofer
  • Patent number: 5363286
    Abstract: A high voltage generator comprises a transformer unit for boosting an inputted AC voltage and a rectifier unit for rectifying the AC voltage boosted by the transformer unit, the transformer unit and the rectifier unit being assembled as high voltage components, wherein the high voltage components are molded by a solid insulation material with the high voltage components being separated from each other by a predetermined distance to thereby form the high voltage components to a single block member. An electric conductive layer is formed on an outside surface of the block member. The high voltage generator is utilized for an X-ray generator and a DC high voltage output generated from the rectifier unit serves as a power supply for generating X-rays. A filament heating transformer is further disposed as a high voltage component for supplying an AC power for heating filaments of the X-ray tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Akira Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 5347571
    Abstract: A high frequency voltage generator (10) produces a high positive voltage and a high negative voltage. A parallel connected coil (26) and diode (30) are connected between the high voltage supply and a target (44) of an x-ray tube (40). A second parallel connected coil (28) and diode (32) are connected between the negative voltage and an electron source (42) of the x-ray tube. The coils are preferably a multiple pancake design (FIG. 3 ). When the tube starts to arc, the sudden increase in current flow through the coil is converted and stored in a magnetic field leaving only a small current to contribute to arcing. The coils are sized such that the current which passes to the x-ray tube is sufficiently small that the arcing is usually extinguished without an avalanche phenomenon occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Picker International, Inc.
    Inventors: Avery D. Furbee, Lester Miller, Carl F. Bauer
  • Patent number: 5257304
    Abstract: In a high-voltage power device for X-ray tubes, a single magnetic circuit is used to couple a primary circuit to two separate secondary circuits. Each of these secondary circuits comprises a series of secondary windings, each connected to a rectifier-doubler circuit constituted by diodes, borne by a printed circuit, and by capacitors, borne in a cellular compartment. This arrangement makes it possible notably to double the output high voltage or to obtain perfectly symmetrical high voltages in a device that occupies less space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric CGR S.A.
    Inventors: Jacques Sireul, Hans Jedlitschka, Dominique Poincloux
  • Patent number: 5210780
    Abstract: A high-frequency x-ray generator having low high-voltage ripple at the x-ray tube with a small amount stored energy in the high-voltage circuit and low drive frequency has a series of secondary windings each connected to a high-voltage rectifier having a capacitor connected in parallel. These capacitors are connected in series for forming the x-ray tube voltage. Each secondary winding has a primary winding allocated to it. The primary windings in combination with delay capacitors form a delay line in which a traveling wave is generated by a primary voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Schweighofer, Peter Tichy
  • Patent number: 5187737
    Abstract: A power supply device for an X-ray tube includes first and second capacitors connected in series at one ends thereof which are connected with a secondary winding of a high-tension transformer. Connectedly arranged between a positive output terminal and the ground are first and second diodes which are connected in series to assume the same polarity, each having a cathode as a positive output side, a connecting point of the first and second diodes being connected with the other end of the first capacitor. Also connectedly arranged between a negative output terminal and the ground are third and fourth diodes which are connected in series to assume the same polarity, each having an anode as a negative output side, a connecting point of said third and fourth diodes being connected with the other end of the second capacitor. First and second high-tension cables include a covering conductor connected with the ground, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Origin Electric Company, Limited
    Inventor: Kiyomi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5155754
    Abstract: A high-frequency supply for use with an x-ray tube having a central metallic tap includes two inverse rectifiers each having a high-voltage transformers, forming two series-connected high-voltage rectifiers. The tap of the x-ray tube is electrically connected between the two high-voltage rectifiers. Each inverse rectifier has a capacitor associated therewith, with the inverse rectifier connected at the cathode side of the x-ray tube having a capacitor with a higher capacitance than the inverse rectifier connected at the anode side of the x-ray tube. Current flowing in the line connected to the tap between the two high-voltage rectifiers is thus compensated, so that a shift in the center of the high-voltage is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Otto Ebersberger, Werner Brandstaetter
  • Patent number: 5148459
    Abstract: In a power source device for X-ray system, circuit units are mounted on chassises, respectively and chassises are fixed in a casing and are electrically insulated from the casing by insulative members. The circuit units are electrically connected through a cable to a ground terminal of the casing which is connected to the ground. The chassises are also connected through a cable to a ground terminal of a panel board which is connected to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Mitsuru Yahata
  • Patent number: 5111493
    Abstract: A small, hand held X-ray machine is constructed to be readily portable, including a portable power supply, yet is sufficiently powerful to take an X-ray of a human patient. The X-ray machine includes a ceramic X-ray tube which is resistant to shocks and vibrations, structurally strong, as well as light weight, further contributing to the convenient portability of the X-ray machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventor: Melvin P. Siedband
  • Patent number: 5034973
    Abstract: In a voltage generating system for an X-ray diagnosis apparatus, a smoothing filter is arranged between a rectifying circuit connected to an AC power source and a smoothing capacitor. In the smoothing filter, by a switching operation for a current from the rectifying circuit, a power source voltage and a current are of in-phase, and harmonic components included in the current can be eliminated. When a current limiting circuit and a smoothing capacitor are used in place of the smoothing filter, a voltage supplied to a DC-DC converter is set to be constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Fumio Ishiyama
  • Patent number: 5008913
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring and damping resistor arrangement for a high-voltage apparatus. The measuring resistor arrangement preferably includes several series-connected resistors which are arranged on a support and which are capacitively bridged and is electrostatically shielded by a damping resistor arrangement. Preferably, the damping resistor arrangement is formed by a resistance wire wound onto an insulating body which encloses a part of the measuring resistor arrangement at the high-voltage side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Negle
  • Patent number: 4839915
    Abstract: In an inverter type X-ray apparatus comprising an inverter including a plurality of switching elements operated alternately to generate an AC voltage having a rectangular waveform, a high voltage transformer transforming the AC voltage of rectangular waveform into a high AC voltage, a high voltage rectifier circuit rectifying the high AC voltage into a DC voltage, and an X-ray tube to which the DC voltage is applied as a tube voltage, the switching elements are driven to make chopping operation at a frequency high than the inverter drive frequency, and a pattern signal is generated for gradually increasing the duty cycle of the chopping operation in synchronism with the timing of switching over the switching elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corp.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kaneko, Takanobu Hatakeyama, Hirofumi Hino, Hideki Uemura, Kazuo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 4797908
    Abstract: A power supply circuit of voltage resonance type for supplying a high DC voltage to an X-ray tube includes a transformer, a capacitor for forming a resonance circuit in cooperation with a primary winding of the transformer, and a rectifier circuit coupled with a secondary winding of the transformer for supplying a high DC voltage to the x-ray tube. At the beginning of the operation of the power supply circuit, a great change of resonance conditions is offset to quicken the rise of the X-ray tube voltage. To this end, a power supply drive circuit to enable (turn on) the switches is arranged to prevent the switches from being enabled before one cycle of the resonance current in the resonance circuit is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shigeru Tanaka, Fumio Ishiyama
  • Patent number: 4783795
    Abstract: An X-ray generator system has first and second switching devices such as transistors which are complementarily turned on and off to intermittently apply a DC voltage to the primary winding of a transformer for thereby inducing a high voltage across secondary windings of the transformer for enabling an X-ray tube to emit X-rays. The X-ray generator has a control mode in which the first and second switching devices are simultaneously turned on immediately before they start being complementarily turned on and off, for allowing the high voltage to have a sharply rising positive-going edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Kabushikigaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Mitsuru Yahata
  • Patent number: 4768216
    Abstract: A dynamic calibration and self-check circuit for a mobile X-ray machine. A high voltage regulator circuit provides dynamic regulation of peak anode voltage and a tube current regulator circuit provides dynamic regulation of the X-ray filament current which controls the X-ray tube current. In the regulation of the anode voltage, a voltage sensor provides continuous feedback of the actual anode voltage of the tube to the regulation circuit. A processor selects a predetermined value for the pulse width duration of the high voltage regulator. When an exposure cycle commences, the preselective value is compared with the actual sensed value in an error amplifier. The error amplifier generates an error signal which varies the pulse width of the drive signal to control the peak high voltage to the anode. In the control of the tube current, a sensor which measures the actual tube current is compared with a predetermined value selected by the processor in a second error amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Diasonics Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Harvey, Karen M. Biesel, Richard L. Anderton