Abstract:
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which an impact absorbing material is affixed to a transportable device to protect the transportable device from impact with another object. In some embodiments, the impact absorbing material is a crumple zone material that has plastic deformation characteristics.
Abstract:
An X-ray tube assembly including a cathode having an electron emitting surface, a rotatable anode having an X-ray target surface, and a vacuum-enclosing rotatable frame surrounding, and spaced apart from, the electron emitting surface and the X-ray target surface. The frame is hermetically attached to the anode, and the frame includes a totally-annular and X-ray-transparent window ring. Load-carrying bearings are located outside the vacuum of the frame and rotatably support the frame and the anode.
Abstract:
A system for detecting motion and proximity by determining capacitance between a sensor and an object. The sensor includes sensing surfaces made of a thin film of electrically conductive material mounted on a non-conductive surface. In another embodiment, the sensor is a human body. The sensor senses the capacitance between a sensor's surface and an object in its vicinity and provides the capacitance to a control system that directs machine movement. Because the sensor does not require direct contact or line-of-sight with the object, a machine can be controlled before harm occurs to the object.
Abstract:
A method for performing design trade-off. A plurality of critical to quality parameters corresponding to features of the design are obtained. A plurality of design specifications, each design specification corresponding to one of the critical to quality parameters, are also obtained. A plurality of designs are obtained where each design includes a plurality of design values and each design value corresponds to one of the critical to quality parameters. The design values are compared to the design specifications for each of the plurality of designs. A total score is generated for each design in response to the comparison.
Abstract:
An X-ray tube bearing assembly has a first X-ray tube shaft with first and second ball-bearing raceway surfaces which are integral with (i.e., either monolithic portions of or fixedly attached to) the first shaft and has a second X-ray tube shaft with a third ball-bearing raceway surface which is integral with the second shaft. A ball-bearing race, which is non-integral with (i.e., neither a monolithic portion of nor fixedly attached to) the two shafts, has a fourth ball-bearing raceway surface. A first set of ball bearings is located between the first and third raceway surfaces, and a second set of ball bearings is located between the second and fourth raceway surfaces. Preferably, an anode target surface is attached to the first shaft, and a mechanism is provided to preload the ball-bearing race.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus for performing diagnostic radiology and a method of configuring such a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a diagnostic system for forming at least one image of an object having enhanced contrast. The system comprises a beam source adapted to produce an imaging beam and a masking member adapted to form at least one beam portion from the imaging beam and adapted to image the object. The system further comprises a flat panel detector positioned in a path of at least one beam portion penetrating the object and adapted to form at least one image of the object.
Abstract:
An X-ray tube assembly having bearings rotatably connecting a rotor shaft and a stator. A pair of circumferential protrusions each radially extend from the shaft and are spaced apart a first radial distance from the stator. In a first example, the protrusions are longitudinally outward of, and to one longitudinal side of, the pair of bearings, and one of the protrusions is longitudinally and radially proximate one of the bearings. In a second example, a line may be drawn which is parallel to the axis and which intersects each of the protrusions and each of the bearings. A substance, which includes metal (such as gallium) and which is liquid at the assembly's operating temperature, is located longitudinally between the circumferential protrusions. The substance radially extends a second radial distance between, and in conductive thermal contact with, the shaft and the stator.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus for performing diagnostic radiology and a method of configuring such a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a diagnostic system for forming at least one image of an object having enhanced contrast. The system comprises a beam source adapted to produce an imaging beam and a masking member adapted to form at least one beam portion from the imaging beam and adapted to image the object. The system further comprises a flat panel detector positioned in a path of at least one beam portion penetrating the object and adapted to form at least one image of the object.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus for performing diagnostic radiology and a method of configuring such a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a diagnostic system for forming at least one image of an object having enhanced contrast. The system comprises a beam source adapted to produce an imaging beam and a masking member adapted to form at least one beam portion from the imaging beam and adapted to image the object. The system further comprises a flat panel detector positioned in a path of at least one beam portion penetrating the object and adapted to form at least one image of the object.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus for performing diagnostic radiology and a method of configuring such a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a diagnostic system for forming at least one image of an object having enhanced contrast. The system comprises a beam source adapted to produce an imaging beam and a masking member adapted to form at least one beam portion from the imaging beam and adapted to image the object. The system further comprises a flat panel detector positioned in a path of at least one beam portion penetrating the object and adapted to form at least one image of the object.