Patent US5661774A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5661774A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual energy power supply
Assignee: Analogic Corp
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Filing: 1996-06-27
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Granted: 1997-08-26
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Expires: 2016-06-27
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard M. Gordon
- 👤 Hans Weedon
- 👤 Iosif Izrailit
- 👤 Timothy R. Fox
- 👤 John F. Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:33
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05G; H05G1/00; H05G1/08; H05G1/26; H05G1/30; H05G1/34; G; G01; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/02; G01N23/04; G01N23/046; G01V; G01V5/00; G01V5/20; G01V5/22; G01V5/224; G01N2223/00; G01N2223/40; G01N2223/419
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A power supply for use in alternately powering a X-ray tube having a cathode and anode at high and low voltage levels at a predetermined rate so that the tube generates a dual energy X-ray beam, the power supply comprising: at least one high DC voltage supply for providing a stable, high DC voltage to 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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A power supply for use in alternately powering a X-ray tube having a cathode and anode at high and low voltage levels at a predetermined rate so that the tube generates a dual energy X-ray beam, the power supply comprising: at least one high DC voltage supply for providing a stable, high DC voltage to 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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A power supply according to claim 1, wherein said waveform generator is coupled to the high DC voltage supply through said transformer so that the transformer provides DC isolation between the waveform generator and the DC voltage supply.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
A power supply according to claim 2, wherein the coupling means provides a periodic time varying voltage across at least one output of the transformer between the cathode of said tube and the stable, high DC voltage output of said high DC voltage supply in response to the periodic time varying waveform provided by the waveform generator, and said high DC voltage supply provides said stable, high DC voltage between the transformer and system ground.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
A power supply according to claim 2, wherein the coupling means provides a periodic time varying voltage across at least one output of the transformer between the anode of said tube and system ground in response to the periodic time varying waveform provided by the waveform generator, and said high DC voltage supply provides said stable, high DC voltage between the cathode of said tube and system ground.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A power supply according to claim 2, wherein said high DC voltage supply provides said stable, high DC voltage between the cathode of said tube and the transformer, and the coupling means provides a periodic time varying voltage across at least one output of the transformer between the high DC voltage and system ground in response to the periodic time varying waveform provided by the waveform generator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A power supply according to claim 2, wherein said coupling means further includes a low voltage power amplifier providing a voltage output signal periodically varying at the predetermined rate in response to the periodic, time varying waveform provided by the waveform generator, and said transformer includes means for multiplying the amplitude of the voltage output signal of the power amplifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
A power supply according to claim 6, wherein the transformer further includes at least one primary winding having a first predetermined number of turns and at least one secondary winding having a second predetermined number of turns, and the means for multiplying the amplitude of the voltage includes the ratio of the number of secondary turns to the number of primary turns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A power supply according to claim 2, wherein the transformer includes a secondary winding coupled to a capacitor so as to provide an LC circuit tuned at a frequency determined by the predetermined rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A power supply according to claim 1, wherein the waveform generator includes a signal generating means for generating a periodic time varying signal at a periodic rate as a function of the predetermined rate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A power supply according to claim 1, wherein the periodic rate of the periodic time varying waveform is a function of the angular position of a rotating object.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A power supply according to claim 10, wherein the X-ray tube generates an alternately changing high and low energy X-ray beam in response to the high and low voltage levels provided to the tube by said power supply, and the rotating object is a rotating filter positioned in the beam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
95 words
A power supply according to claim 11, wherein the filter has at least two segments of greater and lesser X-ray absorption characteristics, wherein the segments are alternately rotated in the beam, said means for providing a periodic time varying waveform further including means for synchronizing the rotation of said filter so that the segment of greater absorption is positioned in the beam when the X-ray tube is powered by the high voltage level, and the segment of lesser absorption is positioned in the beam when the X-ray tube is powered by the low voltage level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A power supply according to claim 1, further including means for controlling the temperature of the cathode of said X-ray tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
A power supply according to claim 1, further including a second high DC voltage supply, and said coupling means further includes two transformers, wherein one of said DC voltage supplies and one of said transformers are connected in series with one another and to said cathode, and the other of said DC voltage supplies and the other of said transformers are connected in series with one another and to said anode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A power supply according to claim 14, wherein the transformers each have a primary winding coupled to said waveform generator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
158 words
In a CT system including an X-ray tube having a cathode and anode, a detector system for detecting X-rays emitted from said tube, means for rotating at least the tube about a rotation axis, and a power supply for use in alternately powering the X-ray tube at high and low voltage levels at a predetermined rate so that the tube generates a dual energy X-ray beam, the power supply comprising: at least one high DC voltage supply for providing a stable, high DC voltage to 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.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
158 words
In a CT system including an X-ray tube having a cathode and anode, a detector system for detecting X-rays emitted from said tube, means for rotating at least the tube about a rotation axis, and a power supply for use in alternately powering the X-ray tube at high and low voltage levels at a predetermined rate so that the tube generates a dual energy X-ray beam, the power supply comprising: at least one high DC voltage supply for providing a stable, high DC voltage to 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.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 16, wherein said waveform generator is coupled to the high DC voltage supply through said transformer so that the transformer provides DC isolation between the waveform generator and the DC voltage supply.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
75 words
A power supply according to claim 17, wherein the coupling means provides a periodic time varying voltage across at least one output of the transformer between the cathode of said tube and the stable, high DC voltage output of said high DC voltage supply in response to the periodic time varying waveform provided by the waveform generator, and said high DC voltage supply provides said stable, high DC voltage between the transformer and system ground.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
68 words
A power supply according to claim 17, wherein the coupling means provides a periodic time varying voltage across at least one output of the transformer between the anode of said tube and system ground in response to the periodic time varying waveform provided by the waveform generator, and said high DC voltage supply provides said stable, high DC voltage between the cathode of said tube and system ground.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system according to claim 17, wherein said high DC voltage supply provides said stable, high DC voltage between the cathode of said tube and the transformer, and the coupling means provides the periodic time varying voltage across at least one output of the transformer between the high DC voltage and system ground in response to the periodic time varying waveform provided by the waveform generator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
59 words
A system according to claim 17, wherein said coupling means further includes a low voltage power amplifier providing a voltage output signal periodically varying at the predetermined rate in response to the periodic, time varying waveform provided by the waveform generator, and said transformer includes means for multiplying the amplitude of the voltage output signal of the power amplifier.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system according to claim 21, wherein the transformer further includes at least one primary winding having a first predetermined number of turns and at least one secondary winding having a second predetermined number of turns, and the means for multiplying the amplitude of the voltage includes the ratio of the number of secondary turns to the number of primary turns.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 17, wherein the transformer includes a secondary winding coupled to a capacitor so as to provide an LC circuit tuned at a frequency determined by the predetermined rate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 16, wherein the waveform generator includes a signal generating means for generating a periodic time varying signal at a periodic rate as a function of the predetermined rate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 16, wherein the periodic rate of the periodic time varying signal is a function of the angular position of a rotating object.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 25, wherein the rotating object is the means for rotating at least the tube about the rotation axis.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system according to claim 25, wherein the X-ray tube generates an alternately changing high and low energy X-ray beam in response to the high and low levels of voltage provided to the tube by said power supply, and the rotating object is a rotating filter positioned in the beam.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
87 words
A system according to claim 27, wherein the filter has at least two segments of greater and lesser X-ray absorption characteristics, wherein the segments are alternately rotated in the beam, said waveform generator further including means for synchronizing the rotation of said filter so that the segment of greater absorption is positioned in the beam when the X-ray tube is powered by the high voltage level, and the segment of lesser absorption is positioned in the beam when the X-ray tube is powered by the low voltage.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 27, wherein the angular position of the rotating filter is a function of the angular position of the means for rotating at least the tube about the rotation axis.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 16, further including means for controlling the temperature of the cathode of said X-ray tube.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
74 words
A system according to claim 16, wherein the power supply further includes a second high DC voltage supply, and said coupling means further includes two transformers, wherein one of said DC voltage supplies and one of said transformers are connected in series with one another and to said cathode, and the other of said DC voltage supplies and the other of said transformers are connected in series with one another and to said anode.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 31, wherein the transformers each have a primary winding coupled to said waveform generator.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
185 words
A scanning system for scanning objects comprising a CT scanner having an X-ray tube having a cathode and anode, a detector system for detecting X-rays emitted from said tube, a conveyance system for successively moving said objects through the scanner, means for rotating at least the tube about a rotation axis around the objects as they are moved through the scanner, and a power supply for use in alternately powering the X-ray tube at high and low voltage levels at a predetermined rate so that the tube generates a dual energy X-ray beam, the power supply comprising: at least one high DC voltage supply for providing a stable, high DC voltage to 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.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
185 words
A scanning system for scanning objects comprising a CT scanner having an X-ray tube having a cathode and anode, a detector system for detecting X-rays emitted from said tube, a conveyance system for successively moving said objects through the scanner, means for rotating at least the tube about a rotation axis around the objects as they are moved through the scanner, and a power supply for use in alternately powering the X-ray tube at high and low voltage levels at a predetermined rate so that the tube generates a dual energy X-ray beam, the power supply comprising: at least one high DC voltage supply for providing a stable, high DC voltage to 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.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 33, wherein said waveform generator is coupled to the high DC voltage supply through said transformer so that the transformer provides DC isolation between the waveform generator and the DC voltage supply.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
75 words
A power supply according to claim 34, wherein the coupling means provides a periodic time varying voltage across at least one output of the transformer between the cathode of said tube and the stable, high DC voltage output of said high DC voltage supply in response to the periodic time varying waveform provided by the waveform generator, and said high DC voltage supply provides said stable, high DC voltage between the transformer and system ground.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
68 words
A power supply according to claim 34, wherein the coupling means provides a periodic time varying voltage across at least one output of the transformer between the anode of said tube and system ground in response to the periodic time varying waveform provided by the waveform generator, and said high DC voltage supply provides said stable, high DC voltage between the cathode of said tube and system ground.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system according to claim 34, wherein said high DC voltage supply provides said stable, high DC voltage between the cathode of said tube and the transformer, and the coupling means provides a periodic time varying voltage across at least one output of the transformer between the high DC voltage and system ground in response to the periodic time varying waveform generated by said waveform generator.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
59 words
A system according to claim 34, wherein said coupling means further includes a low voltage power amplifier providing a voltage output signal periodically varying at the predetermined rate in response to the periodic, time varying waveform provided by the waveform generator, and said transformer includes means for multiplying the amplitude of the voltage output signal of the power amplifier.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system according to claim 38, wherein the transformer further includes at least one primary winding having a first predetermined number of turns and at least one secondary winding having a second predetermined number of turns, and the means for multiplying the amplitude of the voltage includes the ratio of the number of secondary turns to the number of primary turns.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 34, wherein the transformer includes a secondary winding coupled to a capacitor so as to provide an LC circuit tuned at a frequency determined by the predetermined rate.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 33, wherein the waveform generator includes a signal generating means for generating a periodic time varying signal at a periodic rate as a function of the predetermined rate.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 33, wherein the periodic rate of the time periodic time varying signal is a function of the angular position of a rotating object.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 42, wherein the rotating object is the means for rotating at least the tube about the rotation axis.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system according to claim 42, wherein the X-ray tube generates an alternately changing high and low energy X-ray beam in response to the high and low voltage levels provided to the tube by said power supply, and the rotating object is a rotating filter positioned in the beam.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
87 words
A system according to claim 44, wherein the filter has at least two segments of greater and lesser X-ray absorption characteristics, wherein the segments are alternately rotated in the beam, said modulator further including means for synchronizing the rotation of said filter so that the segment of greater absorption is positioned in the beam when the X-ray tube is powered by the high voltage level, and the segment of lesser absorption is positioned in the beam when the X-ray tube is powered by the low voltage level.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 44, wherein the angular position of the rotating filter is a function of the angular position of the means for rotating at least the tube about the rotation axis.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 33, further including means for controlling the temperature of the cathode of said X-ray tube.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
74 words
A system according to claim 33, wherein the power supply further includes a second high DC voltage supply, and said coupling means further includes two transformers, wherein one of said DC voltage supplies and one of said transformers are connected in series with one another and to said cathode, and the other of said DC voltage supplies and the other of said transformers are connected in series with one another and to said anode.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 48, wherein the transformers each have a primary winding coupled to said waveform generator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-08-25 | 2001-02-24 | 2001-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-25 | 2005-02-24 | 2005-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-25 | 2009-02-24 | 2009-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |