X-ray generator and slip ring for a CT system
First Claim
1. An x-ray generator for a CT scanner, the generator comprising:
- a slip ring to transfer power to a rotating high voltage (HV) tank;
a rotatable x-ray tube operationally connected to the slip ring to receive power from the HV tank and project x-rays toward a subject to be scanned; and
a stationary inverter to provide AC power to the slip ring for transference to the HV tank, the stationary inverter having a number of power switches arranged in an H-bridge configuration, the configuration having a pair of outputs such that at least one output is connected to a resonant circuit that is connected to the slip ring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for supplying power to a rotatable x-ray tube for generation of an x-ray beam for acquisition of CT data. The apparatus includes a slip ring to transfer power from a stationary inverter to a rotatable HV tank. The HV tank conditions the transferred power and creates a voltage potential across the x-ray tube for x-ray generation. The inverter has a single or pair of series resonant circuits connected either directly to the slip ring or indirectly through a transformer to limit frequency content and reduce common-mode component of the voltage and current waveforms carried by the slip ring as well as reduce power losses.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An x-ray generator for a CT scanner, the generator comprising:
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a slip ring to transfer power to a rotating high voltage (HV) tank; a rotatable x-ray tube operationally connected to the slip ring to receive power from the HV tank and project x-rays toward a subject to be scanned; and a stationary inverter to provide AC power to the slip ring for transference to the HV tank, the stationary inverter having a number of power switches arranged in an H-bridge configuration, the configuration having a pair of outputs such that at least one output is connected to a resonant circuit that is connected to the slip ring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A CT imager comprising:
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a rotatable gantry having an imaging bore disposed therethrough, and a stationary base supporting the gantry; a slip ring disposed in the rotatable gantry and electrically connected to an x-ray tube and a HV tank, the HV tank designed to apply a HV potential to the x-ray tube; a power conditioner external to the gantry to receive a DC voltage and generate an AC voltage waveform that is applied to the HV tank through the slip ring, the power conditioner having an inverter connected to a series-resonant circuit that is connected to the slip ring; and a transformer connected between the series-resonant circuit and the slip ring. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A CT scanner comprising:
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a rotatable x-ray tube and a rotatable HV tank, the HV tank configured to apply a high voltage potential to the x-ray tube; a slip ring to transfer current to the HV tank; a stationary base having an inverter to supply AC power to the slip ring for transference to the HV tank; the inverter having at least one resonant circuit connected to the slip ring; and wherein the at least one resonant circuit includes a pair of resonant circuits. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A CT imager comprising:
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a rotatable gantry having an imaging bore disposed therethrough, and a stationary base supporting the gantry; a slip ring disposed in the rotatable gantry and electrically connected to an x-ray tube and a HV tank, the HV tank designed to apply a HV potential to the x-ray tube; a power conditioner external to the gantry to receive a DC voltage and generate an AC voltage waveform that is applied to the HV tank through the slip ring, the power conditioner having an inverter connected to a series-resonant circuit that is connected to the slip ring; and wherein the inverter is configured to supply an approximate 20 k–
1 MHz AC waveform to the slip ring. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification