General Electric Company

Other

Bret David Nicholson

David Ellis Barker

John Matthew Simmons

Samuel Lee Alder

Robert Bruce Spratt, Jr

A target is described that includes a plurality of clay targets and a clay target connector having a plurality of clamping ends. Each clamping end is releasably connected to a clay target. A target support structure is described that includes a tension line and a first and second support leg. The tension line is suspended between the first and second support leg with a horizontal tension. First and second guy lines are connected to first and second support legs. A target is suspended from the tension line. The target includes a plurality of clay targets and a clay target connector. The clay target connector includes a plurality of clamping ends. Each clamping end of the plurality of clamping ends is releasably connected to a clay target of the plurality of clay targets. A method to suspend a target is also described.

Clay target shooting system

Systems and methods for controlling an X-ray imaging system are described. The systems and methods typically include a support arm with a first end and a second end. The first end of the support arm connects to an articulating arm assembly and the second end of the support arm pivotally attaches to an X-ray imaging arm at a pivot joint so that the pivot joint functions as an axis of orbital rotation for the X-ray imaging arm. One or more controls for the X-ray imaging system are disposed on the support arm for the X-ray imaging arm. The controls can therefore remain stationary while the X-ray imaging arm rotates orbitally. The support arm can include a single member or a double member and one or more controls can be disposed on each member of the support arm. Other embodiments are also described.

Systems and methods for controlling X-ray imaging systems

Systems and methods for obtaining and displaying a collimated X-ray image are described. The methods can include providing an X-ray device having an X-ray source, a square or rectangular X-ray detector, and a collimator. The collimator can be sized and shaped to collimate an X-ray beam from the X-ray source that exposes a receptor region on the detector. The collimator can allow the X-ray image received by the X-ray detector to have any suitable shape that allows a relatively large view of the image to be displayed and rotated on the display device without changing the shape or size of the image as it rotated. In some instances, the collimator provides the image with superellipse shapes or cornerless shapes having four substantially straight edges with a 90 degree corner missing between at least two edges that run substantially perpendicular to each other. Other embodiments are described.

Systems and methods for obtaining and displaying an X-ray image

Systems and methods for making and using a multi-blade collimator device are described herein. The collimator device can include a base member, a rotational member, and multiple X-ray-attenuating blades that fit together to define an aperture. The blades are typically disposed between the base member and rotational member. Additionally, the blades can be mechanically connected to or interfaced with the base member and the rotational member so that when the rotational member is rotated with respect to the base member, the blades move and cause the aperture to change in size. The aperture can be any shape, including polygonal, square, or rectangular. While the aperture's size can be increased and decreased, the shape and orientation of the aperture can remain substantially constant. The collimator can contain a single layer of blades or multiple layers of blades. Other embodiments are described.

Growing community of inventors

Tooele, UT, United States of America

Bret David Nicholson