Voltage Regulated Patents (Class 378/111)
  • Patent number: 11963284
    Abstract: An imaging system (202) includes an X-ray radiation source (210) configured to emit radiation that traverses an examination region. The imaging system further includes a controller (220). The controller is configured to control an X-ray tube peak voltage of the X-ray radiation source to switch between at least two different X-ray tube peak voltages during a kVp switched spectral scan. The controller is further configured to control a grid voltage of the X-ray radiation source to follow the X-ray tube peak voltage during the spectral scan. The controller adjusts the grid voltage based on a predetermined mapping between a currently applied X-ray tube peak voltage and a corresponding grid voltage for a given focal spot size, thereby maintaining the given focal spot size throughout the spectral scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Heiner Daerr, Bernd Rudi David
  • Patent number: 11944483
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising: determining doses of radiation received by a first set of pixels of a radiation detector; determining that the doses satisfy a criterion; adjusting exposure of the radiation detector to the radiation in response to the doses satisfying the criterion; and forming an image based on radiation received by a second set of pixels of the radiation detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: SHENZHEN XPECTVISION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peiyan Cao, Yurun Liu
  • Patent number: 11555694
    Abstract: A method for controlling a laser profiler, the laser profiler being configured for generating a laser line on a surface to be inspected, the method comprising: receiving an image of the laser line; determining an actual intensity of the laser line; calculating an amplification factor for the laser line based on the actual intensity of the laser line, a target intensity for the laser line, a power of the laser, a camera gain of the camera and an exposure time of the laser line on the surface to be inspected, the amplification factor allowing the actual intensity of the laser line to reach the target intensity while minimizing the power of the laser; and based on the calculated amplification factor, adjusting at least one parameter of the laser profiler so that the actual intensity of the laser line corresponds to the target intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: SYSTEMES PAVEMETRICS INC.
    Inventors: Eric Samson, Jean-François Hebert, Richard Habel, Daniel Lefebvre
  • Patent number: 11402536
    Abstract: A downhole tool may include a voltage multiplier within a housing. The voltage multiplier may transform input power to the downhole tool from a first voltage to a second voltage higher than the first. The downhole tool may also include multiple shielding rings surrounding at least the voltage multiplier to reduce electric field stresses within the downhole tool. Additionally, the downhole tool may include an insulator located between the shielding rings and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthieu Simon, Jani Reijonen
  • Patent number: 10743396
    Abstract: An X-ray generation apparatus includes an X-ray generation tube including a cathode having an electron emitting portion, and an anode having a target, a voltage supply supplying voltage to the X-ray generation tube via a conductive line, a storage container having a first portion forming a first space storing the voltage supply, a second portion forming a second space storing the X-ray generation tube, and a connecting portion connecting the first portion and the second portion, and an insulating liquid filling internal space of the storage container. The connecting portion includes a convex portion pointed toward the internal space. The cathode is arranged between the convex portion and the anode, and an insulating member is arranged to surround portion of the conductive line and block shortest path between the conductive line and the convex portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: CANON ANELVA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junya Kawase
  • Patent number: 9970889
    Abstract: The present inventors have recognized that fall times between high-kV to low-kV levels (during a “dual energy” or “fast-kV” energy scan) are linked to the discharge of HV (high voltage) capacitance. In an embodiment of the invention, a high voltage generator may be activated during fall transitions from first to second energy levels in order to substantially maintain a predetermined fall transition time. Accordingly, substantially equal energy distributions between high-kV and low-kV levels may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Larroux, Julien Bouhraoua, Aurelien Gadenne, Uwe Wiedmann, Mark Frontera
  • Patent number: 9954377
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer circuit comprises an inductive rotary coupling with a primary side rotatably arranged a secondary side. The primary side has a primary winding and the secondary side has at least two secondary windings. The secondary windings deliver a signal with the same phase and are connected at one end to a pair of capacitors, being further connected to a positive output and a negative output. The other ends of the secondary windings each are separately connected to a pair of rectifiers connected in forward direction to the positive output and in reverse direction to the negative output. By paralleling multiple secondary windings and rectifier circuits, the stray inductances and capacitances can be reduced which further leads to a reduced base load which helps to reduce total energy consumption of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLEIFRING UND APPARATEBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Herrmann, Arno Zimpfer
  • Patent number: 9048058
    Abstract: A radiation generating tube, which includes: a cathode connected to an electron gun structure; an anode including a target and configured to generate radiation; and a tubular side wall disposed between the cathode and the anode to surround the electron gun structure; and an electrical potential defining member disposed at an intermediate portion of the tubular side wall between the anode and the cathode. The electrical potential defining member is electrically connected to an electrical potential defining unit via an electrical resistance member or an inductor, and a potential of the electrical potential defining member is defined to be a higher potential than a potential of the cathode and to be a lower potential than a potential of the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Yamazaki, Nobuhiro Ito, Kazuyuki Ueda
  • Publication number: 20150124932
    Abstract: A method of controlling a power system of an X-ray tube is provided to supply power to the X-ray tube and control the emission operation of the X-ray tube. The method includes following steps: First, it is to judge whether a high voltage operation of the X-ray tube is started up. Afterward, a high voltage reference signal is gradually increased when the high voltage operation of the X-ray tube is started up. Afterward, it is to judge whether the high voltage reference signal is increased to an upper limit voltage level. Finally, the emission operation of the X-ray tube is executed when the high voltage reference signal is increased to the upper limit voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Whang WANG, Hong-Wen CHEN, Chung-Heng LEE
  • Publication number: 20150078511
    Abstract: A x-ray apparatus of the present application comprises: a vacuum box which is sealed at its periphery, and the interior thereof is high vacuum; a plurality of electron transmitting units arranged in a linear array and installed on the wall at one end within the vacuum box, each electron transmitting unit is independent to each other; the electron transmitting unit having: a heating filament; a cathode connected to the heating filament; a grid arranged above the cathode opposing the cathode; anode made of metal and installed at the other end of the vacuum box, and in the direction of length, the anode is parallel to the plane of the grid of the electron transmitting unit, and in the direction of width, the anode has a predetermined angle with respect to the plane of the grid of the electron transmitting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Chuanxiang TANG, Huaping TANG, Huaibi CHEN, Wenhui HUANG, Huayi ZHANG, Shuxin ZHENG, Yaohong LIU, Jinsheng LIU
  • Publication number: 20150055748
    Abstract: A well-logging tool may include a sonde housing and a radiation generator carried by the sonde housing. The radiation generator may include a generator housing, a target carried by the generator housing, a charged particle source carried by the generator housing to direct charged particles at the target, and at least one voltage source coupled to the charged particle source. The at least one voltage source may include a voltage ladder comprising a plurality of voltage multiplication stages coupled in a uni-polar configuration, and at least one loading coil coupled at at least one intermediate position along the voltage ladder. The well-logging tool may further include at least one radiation detector carried by the sonde housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthieu Simon, Anthony Durkowski, Christian Stoller
  • Publication number: 20150055747
    Abstract: A well-logging tool may include a sonde housing, and a radiation generator carried by the sonde housing. The radiation generator may include a generator housing, a target carried by the generator housing, a charged particle source carried by the generator housing to direct charged particles at the target, and at least one voltage source coupled to the charged particle source. The at least one voltage source may include a voltage ladder comprising a plurality of voltage multiplication stages coupled in a bi-polar configuration, and at least one loading coil coupled at at least one intermediate position along the voltage ladder. The well-logging tool may further include at least one radiation detector carried by the sonde housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthieu Simon, Anthony Durkowski, Christian Stoller
  • Patent number: 8964940
    Abstract: An x-ray beam control system includes a feedback control loop circuit having a modulation circuit. The feedback control loop circuit generates a control signal. A x-ray tube, has a filament response profile of tube current versus filament temperature that is non-linear. A compensation circuit receives the control signal and modifies the control signal according to a compensating function that is matched to the filament response profile. The modulation circuit receives the modified control signal and generates a drive signal. The x-ray tube receives the drive signal at a filament thereof, and outputs a tube current signal having a linear response to the control signal. The feedback control loop circuit receives the tube current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Caruso, Mark T. Dinsmore
  • Publication number: 20150030127
    Abstract: In a multi-source radiation generating apparatus including a plurality of combinations of a cathode and a target, an extraction electrode is disposed for a plurality of cathodes in common. When a potential of the extraction electrode is constant, potentials for the cathodes are selectively switched between a cutoff potential which is higher than the potential of the extraction electrode and an emission potential which is lower than the potential of the extraction electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Shuji Aoki, Kazuyuki Ueda
  • Patent number: 8861681
    Abstract: Methods and systems for active resonant voltage switching are provided. One active resonant switching system includes a voltage switching system having one or more active resonant modules to provide a switching voltage output. Each of the resonant modules includes a plurality of switching devices configured to operate in open and closed states to produce first and second voltage level outputs from a voltage input. The resonant modules also include a capacitor connected to the switching devices and configured to receive a discharge energy during a resonant operating cycle when switching an output voltage from the first voltage level to the second voltage level, wherein the capacitor is further configured to restore system energy when switching from the second to first voltage level. The resonant modules further include a resonant inductor configured to transfer energy to and from the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Antonio Caiafa, Peter Michael Edic, Colin Richard Wilson
  • Patent number: 8848873
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system can include an X-ray tube, an X-ray generator, a precharging module and a triaxial cable. The X-ray tube can be configured to generate an X-ray emission and include an anode, a cathode and a filament. The X-ray generator can be coupled with the X-ray tube and include a high voltage module and a low voltage module. The high voltage module can be being configured to supply a dosing voltage across the X-ray tube and the low voltage module can be configured to supply a dosing current to the filament. The precharging module can be configured to supply a precharge voltage. The triaxial cable can electrically connect the X-ray generator to the X-ray tube. The outer shield conductor of the triaxial cable can carry a ground voltage, the inner shield conductor can carry the precharge voltage and the center conductor can carry the dosing voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric V. Duhamel
  • Publication number: 20140270081
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems for selectively inhibiting radiation from being generated by a radiation source are provided. A radiation source comprises an electrically conductive gate situated between a cathode and an anode. When a voltage potential is created between the gate and the cathode, a flow of electrons between the cathode and the anode is mitigated, thus inhibiting radiation from being generated by the radiation source. When the voltage potential is removed or lessened, electrons may more freely flow between the cathode and the anode to generate radiation. In some embodiments, a calibration, such as a dark calibration, may be performed while the gate mitigates the flow of electrons. Moreover, in some embodiments, an accelerating voltage applied to the radiation source may be held substantially constant when radiation is generated as well as when radiation generation is inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: Smiths Heimann GmbH, Analogic Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Neil Urchuk, Stephen J. Quigley, Hans Weedon, Aissa Abdulmagid, Knut Beneke, Claus Meder, Dirk Naumann
  • Publication number: 20140205071
    Abstract: A transmission-type X-ray target includes a flat plate-shaped diamond substrate having a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface and a target layer that is located on the first surface. A residual stress of the first surface is lower than a residual stress of the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichi Ikarashi, Takao Ogura, Takeo Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20140192957
    Abstract: In an X-ray generation apparatus of transmission type including an electron emission source, and a target generating an X-ray with collision of electrons emitted from the electron emission source against the target, the X-ray generation apparatus further includes a secondary X-ray generation portion generating an X-ray with collision of electrons reflected by the target against the secondary X-ray generation portion, and the secondary X-ray generation portion and the target are arranged such that the X-ray generated with the direct collision of the electrons against the target and the X-ray generated with the collision of the electrons reflected by the target against the secondary X-ray generation portion are both radiated to an outside. X-ray generation efficiency is increased by effectively utilizing the electrons reflected by the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Miki Tamura, Tamayo Hiroki, Shigeki Matsutani, Takao Ogura, Kazuyuki Ueda, Yoshihiro Yanagisawa, Ichiro Nomura
  • Patent number: 8774365
    Abstract: A high voltage sensing circuit with temperature compensation comprises a first series of resistors in parallel with a second series of resistors. The first series includes a material with a different temperature coefficient of resistance than in the second series. A voltage measurement circuit calculates a high voltage by use of a voltage across a resistor in the first series and a voltage differential between the series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventor: Dongbing Wang
  • Patent number: 8755488
    Abstract: A system comprises a radiation source (110), including a anode (112) and a cathode (114), a high voltage generator (202) that generates a source voltage that is applied across the anode (112) and cathode (114), wherein the source voltage accelerates electrons from the cathode (114) towards the anode (112), and a modulation wave generator (204) that generates a modulation voltage wave having a non-zero amplitude, which is combined with and modulates the source voltage between at least two different voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Simha Levene, Amiaz Altman
  • Patent number: 8750457
    Abstract: An X-ray generating apparatus controls driving of an X-ray tube. The X-ray tube includes an electron source emitting electrons due to application of a voltage, a transmission-type target generating an X-ray due to collision of electrons emitted from the electron source, and a shield member disposed between the electron source and the transmission-type target, the shield member having an opening that electrons emitted from the electron source pass through, and blocking an X-ray that scatters toward the electron source. When generating the X-ray, application of a voltage to the transmission-type target is started, and emission of electrons from the electron source is caused after passage of a predetermined period indicating a time period from starting voltage application until the transmission-type target reaches a predetermined voltage. When stopping X-ray generation, application of the voltage to the transmission-type target is stopped after stopping the emission of electrons from the electron source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Ogura, Ichiro Nomura, Kazuyuki Ueda, Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 8687768
    Abstract: Methods and systems for passive resonant voltage switching are provided. One passive resonant switching system includes a voltage switching system having one or more passive resonant modules to provide a switching voltage output. Each of the passive resonant modules include switching devices configured to operate in open and closed states to produce first and second voltage level outputs from a voltage input. The passive resonant modules also include a capacitor connected to the one or more switching devices and configured to receive a system discharge energy during a resonant operating cycle when switching an output voltage from the first voltage level to the second voltage level, and to be recharged when switching from the second to first voltage level. The passive resonant modules further include a resonant inductor and an additional switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Antonio Caiafa, Peter Michael Edic, Colin Richard Wilson
  • Patent number: 8654918
    Abstract: A method is provided to select a value of a voltage to be set at an x-ray tube of a computer tomography for scanning a patient before an acquisition of x-ray projections of a body region of the patient so as to reduce the dose of x-ray radiation to be applied to the patient in the course of the scan. According to the method, the selection of the value of the voltage takes place under consideration of at least one item of information that can be learned from a topogram of the patient and at least one item of information about the patient that can be learned from a patient file of the patient. The invention also encompasses a computer tomography apparatus with a computer for the execution of the method, as well as a data medium on which is stored a computer program that can be executed on a computer device to perform the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Eusemann, Berhnard Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20130294578
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for varying a voltage applied to a radiation source of an imaging modality to vary an energy of emitted radiation. A power supply comprises at least two rectifiers, with a first rectifier being electrically separated from a second rectifier via a switching component. When the switching component is opened, the first and second rectifiers are effectively arranged in parallel, and when the switching component is closed, the first and second rectifiers are effectively arranged in series. The voltage applied by the power supply may be different based upon whether the rectifiers are arranged in parallel or in series, but the power output by the power supply may remain substantially constant regardless of the rectifier arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Analogic Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Hanlon, Stephen J. Quigley
  • Publication number: 20130266119
    Abstract: A transmission type micro-focus X-ray generation apparatus includes an electron reflector, an electron passage surrounded by the electron reflector, an electron source, and a target. X-rays are generated by irradiating the target with electrons that have been emitted from the electron source and that have passed through the electron passage. The electron passage has a conical shape having a cross-sectional area that increases from an outlet on the target side toward an inlet on the electron source side. A material of the target is molybdenum, tantalum, or tungsten. The atomic number of a material of the electron reflector is greater than or equal to the atomic number of the material of the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Osamu Taniguchi, Takao Ogura
  • Patent number: 8472585
    Abstract: An X-ray generating apparatus controls driving of an X-ray tube. The X-ray tube includes an electron source emitting electrons due to application of a voltage, a transmission-type target generating an X-ray due to collision of electrons emitted from the electron source, and a shield member disposed between the electron source and the transmission-type target, the shield member having an opening that electrons emitted from the electron source pass through, and blocking an X-ray that scatters toward the electron source. When generating the X-ray, application of a voltage to the transmission-type target is started, and emission of electrons from the electron source is caused after passage of a predetermined period indicating a time period from starting voltage application until the transmission-type target reaches a predetermined voltage. When stopping X-ray generation, application of the voltage to the transmission-type target is stopped after stopping the emission of electrons from the electron source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Ogura, Ichiro Nomura, Kazuyuki Ueda, Osamu Tsujii
  • Publication number: 20130142311
    Abstract: A method of operating an x-ray unit that supplies the maximum power at all times, for which the supply or input voltage at the x-ray tube must be half the power supply voltage ((Vbat)/2 or (Vline)/2), which will be termed the reference voltage (Vref). In case of a deviation from the reference voltage, the method modifies the current supplied, changing the exposure time so that the maximum power is delivered at all times. In short, it is based on a method that regulates the tube current as a function of the supply voltage (of the batteries or the grid).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Angel Diaz Carmena, Anibal Gomez Rodriguez, Francisco Diaz Carmena
  • Publication number: 20130070901
    Abstract: A method for the generation of drive signals for a multilevel generator comprising a number of cells that may be switched independently of each other is provided. Each of the cells is provided to output a cell voltage based on a respective drive signal. The drive signals of the cells overall output a multilevel quantized reference signal. The method includes splitting the multilevel quantized reference signal such that at least two drive signals of different cells contribute to a quantization level of the quantized reference signal in a predetermined period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Tobias Grassl
  • Publication number: 20130016810
    Abstract: In a radiation imaging apparatus which comprises an envelope which has a first window for transmitting a radiation and is filled with an insulating liquid, a radiation tube in the envelope which has, at a position facing the first window, a second window for transmitting the radiation, and a shielding member, a solid insulating member is arranged between the shielding member and the inner wall of the envelope, an opening is formed at a position on the insulating member corresponding to the first window, and a shortest distance from the shielding member to the first window or the inner wall of the envelope through the opening of the insulating member without the insulating member is made longer than a shortest distance from the shielding member to the first window or the inner wall of the envelope through the insulating member, thereby improving withstand voltage performance without reducing an radiation amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Miki Tamura, Shuji Aoki, Yoshihiro Yanagisawa, Kazuyuki Ueda
  • Patent number: 8311185
    Abstract: A system for generating image data includes a voltage supply configured for applying a first voltage to generate radiation at a first energy level, and for applying a second voltage to generate radiation at a second energy level, an imager for generating a first set of image data based at least in part on the radiation at the first energy level, and for generating a second set of image data based at least in part on the radiation at the second energy level, and a processor for creating composite image data using the first and the second sets of image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Seppi, Gary Virshup
  • Patent number: 8265227
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating an x-ray tube include a computer programmed to acquire a starter voltage/current value corresponding to a width, a length, or a position of a target focal spot capable of being generated by the x-ray tube. The computer is programmed to generate an electron beam and to steer the electron beam based on the starter voltage/current value. The computer is also programmed to steer the electron beam based on a value adjusted from the starter voltage/current value. The computer is programmed to calculate a final voltage/current value that is configured to generate the width, length, or position of the target focal spot based on the starter voltage/current value and the adjusted starter voltage/current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Moore Boudry, Sergio Lemaitre, Naveen Chandra
  • Publication number: 20120189103
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system can include an X-ray tube, an X-ray generator, a precharging module and a triaxial cable. The X-ray tube can be configured to generate an X-ray emission and include an anode, a cathode and a filament. The X-ray generator can be coupled with the X-ray tube and include a high voltage module and a low voltage module. The high voltage module can be being configured to supply a dosing voltage across the X-ray tube and the low voltage module can be configured to supply a dosing current to the filament. The precharging module can be configured to supply a precharge voltage. The triaxial cable can electrically connect the X-ray generator to the X-ray tube. The outer shield conductor of the triaxial cable can carry a ground voltage, the inner shield conductor can carry the precharge voltage and the center conductor can carry the dosing voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric V. Duhamel
  • Publication number: 20120155614
    Abstract: Methods and systems for passive resonant voltage switching are provided. One passive resonant switching system includes a voltage switching system having one or more passive resonant modules to provide a switching voltage output. Each of the passive resonant modules include switching devices configured to operate in open and closed states to produce first and second voltage level outputs from a voltage input. The passive resonant modules also include a capacitor connected to the one or more switching devices and configured to receive a system discharge energy during a resonant operating cycle when switching an output voltage from the first voltage level to the second voltage level, and to be recharged when switching from the second to first voltage level. The passive resonant modules further include a resonant inductor and an additional switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Antonio Caiafa, Peter Michael Edic, Colin Richard Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120155613
    Abstract: Methods and systems for active resonant voltage switching are provided. One active resonant switching system includes a voltage switching system having one or more active resonant modules to provide a switching voltage output. Each of the resonant modules includes a plurality of switching devices configured to operate in open and closed states to produce first and second voltage level outputs from a voltage input. The resonant modules also include a capacitor connected to the switching devices and configured to receive a discharge energy during a resonant operating cycle when switching an output voltage from the first voltage level to the second voltage level, wherein the capacitor is further configured to restore system energy when switching from the second to first voltage level. The resonant modules further include a resonant inductor configured to transfer energy to and from the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Antonio Caiafa, Peter Michael Edic, Colin Richard Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120140894
    Abstract: In a method and x-ray device to determine the value of an x-ray tube voltage to generate at least one image of defined tissue to be examined, at least one provided parameter is used that establishes or describes the desired image quality; based on the dependency of the contrast of the defined tissue to be examined on the spectrum of the x-ray radiation or on the value of the tube voltage of the x-ray tube. The tube voltage is determined also based on a contrast-to-noise ratio that is constantly maintained under consideration of the aforementioned parameter such that the dose of x-ray radiation applied to the patient is optimally low upon setting the value of the tube voltage at the x-ray tube and the acquisition of at least one x-ray projection of the defined tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Ute Feuerlein, Sebastian Gehrsitz, Christiane Koch, Gerd Mayer, Stefan Muehleck, Rainer Raupach
  • Publication number: 20120027164
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for an electron beam manipulation coil for an x-ray generation system includes the use of a control circuit. The control circuit includes a first low voltage source, a second low voltage source, and a first switching device coupled in series with the first low voltage source and configured to create a first current path with the first low voltage source when in a closed position. The control circuit also includes a second switching device coupled in series with the second low voltage source and configured to create a second current path with the second low voltage source when in a closed position and a capacitor coupled in parallel with an electron beam manipulation coil and positioned along the first and second current paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Antonio Caiafa, Maja Harfman Todorovic, Joseph Leclaire Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20110311027
    Abstract: The present invention refers to high-voltage generators, in particular to a step-down DC-to-DC converter circuit (buck converter) for supplying a DC output voltage out which may e.g. be used in a voltage supplying circuitry of an X-ray radiographic imaging system. According to the invention, the peak value of the buck converter's storage inductor current L is controlled by a control circuit ?C? which regulates the on-time ?ton of a semiconductor switch S in the feeding line of this storage inductor L. As a result thereof, an output current sensor CS, which is commonly used in today's buck converter designs, becomes redundant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rexhausen, Marc Maria Alex Bleukx
  • Publication number: 20110286580
    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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Beland
  • Publication number: 20110280363
    Abstract: An X-ray tube includes a target and a cathode assembly. The cathode assembly includes a first filament configured to emit a first beam of electrons toward the target, a first gridding electrode coupled to the first filament, a second filament configured to emit a second beam of electrons toward the target, and a second gridding electrode coupled to the second filament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Yun Zou, Brian Lounsberry, Carey Shawn Rogers, Sergio Lemaitre, Xiaoye Wu, Jizhong Chen, Floribertus P. Heukensfeldt Jansen
  • Patent number: 8036340
    Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes a converter into which there is integrated a control logic circuit configured to regulate the supply voltage of a high-voltage power supply source of the X-ray apparatus. To this end, the intelligent voltage-voltage, converter is placed between the power battery and the capacitor bank. This intelligent converter is capable of determining the optimum voltage to be delivered to the generator for the radiology examination to be undertaken in regulating the current of the power battery at the necessary level of current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jose-Emilio Soto Santos
  • Patent number: 8031831
    Abstract: To prevent patients from being overexposed or underexposed, it has been attempted to modulate either voltage or current in conventional single energy CT systems. The voltage modulation causes incompatibility in projection data among the views while the current modulation reduces only noise. To solve these and other problems, dual energy CT is combined with voltage modulation techniques to improve the dosage efficiency. Furthermore, dual energy CT has been combined with both voltage modulation and current modulation to optimize the dosage efficiency in order to minimize radiation to a patient without sacrificing the reconstructed image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Yu Zou
  • Patent number: 7978823
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cascade voltage amplifier for producing an amplified output in pulse or continuous wave form comprises at least one non-final stage with an electron tube configured as a switching and Class A or C amplifying structure. A final stage comprises an electron tube configured as a Class A or C amplifying structure. The at least one non-final stage and the final stage are connected in series, and the amplified output has a voltage of at least 1000 volts. Further disclosed is a method of activating a plurality of cascaded electron tube stages within a common vacuum enclosure. Beneficially, a sufficient amount of energy supplied to the first stage serially propagates through any intervening stage to the final stage so as to facilitate activation of all tube stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems LLC
    Inventor: Curtis A. Birnbach
  • Patent number: 7974383
    Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a frame, an anode for generating x-rays disposed within the frame, a cathode disposed within the frame, where the cathode is configured to selectively emit an electron beam toward the anode, and at least one heating element disposed within the frame and configured to heat a portion of the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ryan Paul August
  • Publication number: 20110122996
    Abstract: A system comprises a radiation source (110), including a anode (112) and a cathode (114), a high voltage generator (202) that generates a source voltage that is applied across the anode (112) and cathode (114), wherein the source voltage accelerates electrons from the cathode (114) towards the anode (112), and a modulation wave generator (204) that generates a modulation voltage wave having a non-zero amplitude, which is combined with and modulates the source voltage between at least two different voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Simha Levene, Amiaz Altman
  • Publication number: 20110075797
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for a computer tomography gantry (91) for transferring contactlessly electrical energy from a stationary part of the gantry (92) to a rotary part of the gantry (93), wherein the device comprises a first power transformer, a second power transformer, wherein the first and the second power transformers are adapted for transferring the electrical energy, wherein the first power transformer comprises a first winding (506, 507, 542, 602, 601, 1202, 1301, 1401) out of the group consisting of a first set of primary windings and a first set of secondary windings of the first power transformer, wherein the second power transformer comprises a second winding (508, 509, 543, 603, 604, 1204, 1302, 1402) out of the group consisting of a second set of primary windings and a second set of secondary windings of the second power transformer, wherein the first set of primary windings and the second set of primary windings being adapted to be mounted on the stationary part of the gantry, wherein
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Loef, Peter Luerkens, Bernd Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20110075796
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a high-voltage power supply circuit for inductively transmitting electrical energy from a stationary part to a load on a rotary part which requires a non-symmetrical voltage transfer, for example, an X-ray tube of an X-ray computed tomography device. The circuit may be realized as a resonant-type power converter circuit with a single rotary power transformer (500) or more than one such power transformer, where at least two separate DC/AC power inverter stages provide two individually controllable AC input voltages (U1, U2) to different windings (511, 512) of a multi-primary coil belonging to the rotary power transformer. Two output voltages supplied by the multi-secondary coil (521, 522, 523, 524) of said transformer which are derived from the two individually controllable AC input voltages are fed to the tube electrodes for powering the X-ray tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Loef, Peter Luerkens
  • Patent number: 7885386
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a compact X-ray generator having a cylindrical shape has a power supply located directly behind the cathode and/or anode inputs to the X-ray tube in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Senthil Kumar Sundaram
  • Publication number: 20110002446
    Abstract: A power delivery system for computed tomography includes at least one transformer (e.g., an isolation transformer, a coupling transformer, an adaptation transformer), a rotary transformer, and at least two power inverters. The rotary transformer includes a stationary winding disposed on a stationary side and a rotational winding disposed on a rotating side. The isolation or adaptation transformer is coupled to the stationary winding or the rotating winding of the rotary transformer. At least two power inverters are constructed and arranged to provide power to the primary winding of the rotary transformer. The high-voltage unit is disposed on the rotating side and connected to receive power from the rotational winding and constructed to provide power to an X-ray source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Beland
  • Patent number: 7852986
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Loef, Gereon Vogtmeier, Günter Zeitler