General Electric Company

Ge Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC

Michael R Eggleston

Melvin Robert Jackson

Mark Gilbert Benz

Robert John Zabala

Herman A Nied

Stephen R Elgin, Ii

Marshall Gordon Jones

Minfeng Xu

Louis F Coffin

Robert J Schwabe

Thomas Robert Raber

John R Hughes

Jinhua Huang

Somanath Nagendra

Stephen Randolph Elgin, Ii

Richard Thomas Hackett

Michael L Allford

A superconducting magnet coil support structure () includes a solid body () having an exterior side (), an interior portion (), and an interior side (). The interior portion has a base () that is formed of a first resin material. The exterior side () has multiple spacers () and multiple pockets () with dimensions that correspond to dimensions of a superconducting magnet (). The spacers () are coupled to the base () and are formed of a second resin material. The exterior side (), the interior portion (), and the interior side () include varying width material.

Superconducting magnet coil support structure

A method for winding on embedded b-zero coil maintains the integrity of superconducting main coil and the b-zero wire during coil winding and during normal operation of a superconducting MRI magnet. The b-zero coil is co-wound with an aluminum overwrap while the aluminum overwrap is being wound onto the superconducting MRI coil. The two-wire geometries are selected such that the height or thickness of the aluminum overwrap is greater than or equal to the height or thickness of the b-zero coil wire. The b-zero coil wire sits in a cavity that is created by adjacent turns.

Method for winding an embedded b-zero coil

The present invention provides a magnet support structure. A cylindrical portion comprises a plurality of laminated composite layers concentrically assembled to one another along a longitudinal axis. An integral left flange is comprised of the laminated composite layers concentrically assembled with respect to a left flange axis. The left flange axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. An integral right flange is comprised of the laminated composite layers concentrically assembled with respect to a right flange axis. The right flange axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A method for fabricating the magnet support structure comprises concentrically assembling the plurality of laminated composite layers along the longitudinal axis forming the cylindrical portion. Concentrically assembling the laminated composite layers with respect to the left flange axis forming the integral left flange. Concentrically assembling the laminated composite layers with respect to the right flange axis forming the integral right flange.

Apparatus and method for fabricating magnet support structure

A superconducting magnetic resonance imaging magnet assembly is provided. The assembly includes an axial imaging bore to receive patients and a coil housing surrounding the axial bore. A main magnet coil assembly is disposed within the housing. The main magnet coil assembly includes a plurality of main magnet coils to produce a magnetic field. At least three pairs of superconductive coils are provided. In one aspect, each of the coils in at least one of the pairs comprises a superconductor wire carrying an electric current in a direction opposite to the direction of current carried by the coils of another of the superconductive pairs. The superconductor wire comprises a superconductor core and a stabilizer having a channel. The wire is wound so that the channel has a radially outward facing opening. In another embodiment, low-aspect-ratio coils are used for at least one of the pairs of superconductive coils with the outer diameter coil portion comprising a superconductor core and a stabilizer channel having a radially outward facing opening.

Superconducting magnetic resonance imaging magnet assembly and method with reverse wire channel orientation

A new method for forming a joint between a molybdenum-based alloy structure and a structure formed from a more ductile alloy is disclosed. The method involves the solid-state bonding of the two structures, which can be carried out by a variety of techniques, such as inertia-welding or explosive-welding. The molybdenum-based alloy may be a TZM-type material, while the more ductile alloy may be tantalum-based, niobium-based, or nickel-based, for example. This method is especially useful in the manufacture of x-ray devices, such as those which include rotary anode assemblies. As one illustration, the method can be used to provide a very strong joint between a target formed from a molybdenum alloy and an insert formed from a tantalum alloy. Related x-ray assemblies are also described.

Method for connecting a molybdenum-based alloy structure to a structure

An improved anode assembly for an x-ray tube is described herein. The assembly includes:

Anode assembly for use in x-ray tubes, and related articles of

An improved high performance x-ray system having a rotating anode therein which includes an improved target/stem assembly comprising a metallic target and a large bore, thin-walled tubular metal stem which, when connected to a rotor body assembly, provides a rotating x-ray tube anode assembly is disclosed. An insert of an alloy, for example, tantalum alloy, is placed between the target layer and the large bore, thin-walled tubular niobium or niobium alloy stem and then bonded thereto to produce a composite x-ray tube target/stem assembly. The target/stem assembly is then connected to a rotor body assembly by fasteners, preferably threaded, to produce a rotating anode assembly having high bond strength that provides acceptable balance during x-ray tube operations.

Target/rotor connection for use in x-ray tubes

Methods of making an improved high performance x-ray system having a rotating anode therein are available. The anode includes an improved target/stem connection which reduces tube failure due to anode assembly imbalance. Methods of bonding a metallic target and a metal stem to form a composite rotating x-ray tube target are also available. In these procedures an insert of an alloy, for example, tantalum or its alloys , is placed between the target and the niobium-alloy stem and then bonded thereto to produce a composite x-ray tube target/stem having a high remelt temperature and bond strength which retains its balance throughout the manufacturing process and during x-ray tube operations.

Method of making an improved target/stem connection for x-ray tube anode

An improved high performance x-ray system having a rotating anode therein which includes an improved target/stem assembly comprising a metallic target and a large bore, thin-walled tubular metal stem which, when connected to a rotor body assembly, provides a rotating x-ray tube anode assembly is disclosed. An insert of an alloy, for example, tantalum alloy, is placed between the target layer and the large bore, thin-walled tubular stem and then bonded thereto to produce a composite x-ray tube target/stem assembly. The target/stem assembly is then connected to a rotor body assembly by fasteners, preferably threaded, applied through a plate connected to the tubular stem and preferably through a thermal washer to produce a rotating anode assembly having high bond strength that provides acceptable balance during x-ray tube operations.

Target/rotor connection for use in x-ray tube rotating anode assemblies

An improved high performance x-ray system having a rotating anode therein which includes an improved target/stem connection and a coating, operatively positioned between the target and the stem, for enhancing the diffusion therebetween to reduce tube failure due to anode assembly imbalance comprising a metallic target and a metal stem bonded to provide a composite rotating x-ray tube target is disclosed. An insert of an alloy, for example, titanium alloy, is placed between the target layer, the stem and a coating, operatively positioned between the target and the stem, for enhancing the diffusion therebetween and then bonded thereto to produce a composite x-ray tube target/stem having a high remelt temperature and bond strength which retains its balance throughout the manufacturing process and during x-ray tube operations is also disclosed.

Target/stem connection utilizing a diffusion enhancer for x-ray tube

A method of making a high performance x-ray system having a rotating anode includes making target/tubular stem assembly and then assembling it to a rotor body assembly. This particular method reduces tube failure due to anode assembly imbalance and provides an improved rotating x-ray tube anode assembly.

Method of making an improved target/stem assembly - rotor body assembly

Methods of making an improved high performance x-ray system having a rotating anode therein which includes an improved target/tubular stem combination which, when combined with a rotor body assembly, reduces tube failure due to anode assembly imbalance and methods of bonding a metallic target and a metal tubular stem and connecting the combination to a rotor body assembly to provide a rotating x-ray tube target are disclosed. An insert of an alloy, for example, tantalum or its alloys, is placed between the target and the niobium-alloy tubular stem and then bonded thereto to produce the x-ray tube target/tubular stem assembly having a high remelt temperature and bond strength which, when connected, such as by bolting to the rotor body assembly, the resulting anode assembly retains proper balance during x-ray tube operations.

A method and system for rapidly connecting and rapidly disconnecting a large number of point contacts onto a pipe surface for detecting defects in pipe and other structures is taught. The method and system involve independently pressing a plurality of sharply pointed pin contacts onto the pipe surface by a means, such as a spring. The system comprises a plurality of electrodes each having a plurality of pins, as illustrated seventeen (17) pins, arranged in a pattern. Each of the plurality of pins is held in a conforming opening in the electrode and is urged by springs means, such as a coil spring, against the surface of the structures. Each of the plurality of pins (sixteen (16) current pins and one voltage pin) are individually connected to a power supply and sensing apparatus. This system and method has proved operable for detecting defects in structures, such as pipe.

Method and system for detecting defects in pipes or other structures

A scheme for rapidly connecting and rapidly disconnecting a large number of point contacts onto a pipe surface is taught. The scheme involves pressing sharply pointed pin contacts onto the pipe surface by gas pressure. Each pin is held in a conforming opening in an annular ring structure. The ring forms the inner wall of an annulus capable of holding gas pressure to urge the many needles inward against the pipe surface. Each pin is individually connected to a power supply and sensing apparatus.

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Scotia, NY, United States of America

Michael R Eggleston