Don L Warburton

US Patent:

6582531, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

Aug 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/934265

Inventors:

Don Warburton - Sandy UT

Assignee:

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

C23C 806

US Classification:

148280, 148282, 148286, 148553, 427328, 378119, 378140

Abstract:

The present invention relates to structures within an x-ray device including an x-ray can, an x-ray can window frame insert, a rotor sleeve, and a bearing support assembly for a rotor structure. The various structures are fabricated from a chromium alloy of copper that is essentially oxygen free copper having a minor amount of chromium, the combination of which imparts desirable qualities to the x-ray device structures, including efficient heat sink and emissivity qualities that are beneficial in an x-ray device environment. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, oxygen free high conductivity (OFHC) copper is melted in an RF furnace in the presence of a minor amount of chromium and is either ingot cast or powder metallurgically cast into a desired article and further fabricated into a finished article.

US Patent:

6829329, Dec 7, 2004

Filed:

Jan 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/052166

Inventors:

Don Warburton - West Jordan UT

Assignee:

Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01I 3506

US Classification:

378143, 378121, 378119

Abstract:

A target cap for preventing the production of contaminating secondary x-rays from a stationary anode x-ray tube is disclosed. The x-ray tube includes an evacuated enclosure in which is disposed a cathode and an anode. The target cap is useful in applications such as x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy for improving the spectral purity of the stream of primary x-rays produced by electron bombardment of the anode target surface by the cathode. In one embodiment, the target cap comprises a top target surface and a side wall covering a portion of the anode substrate. Electrons backscattered from the target surface are attracted to the anode substrate and impact the side wall of the target cap, producing secondary x-rays having characteristic wavelengths that are substantially identical to those of the primary x-rays produced by the target surface and are therefore not contaminating to the primary x-ray stream.

US Patent:

7616736, Nov 10, 2009

Filed:

Sep 28, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/864603

Inventors:

Don Lee Warburton - West Jordan UT, US

Assignee:

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01J 5/18

US Classification:

378140, 378141

Abstract:

Liquid cooled window assembly for an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube window assembly includes an x-ray tube window frame that defines an opening and an x-ray tube window configured to be attached to the x-ray tube window frame. When the x-ray tube window is attached to the x-ray tube window frame, the x-ray tube window substantially covers the opening defined by the x-ray tube window frame, and the x-ray tube window cooperates with the x-ray tube window frame to define a fluid passageway disposed about at least a portion of the opening. The fluid passageway includes an inlet and an outlet.

US Patent:

7658987, Feb 9, 2010

Filed:

Sep 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/668537

Inventors:

Don Warburton - West Jordan UT, US

Assignee:

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01J 35/16
B32B 15/04

US Classification:

428209, 428913, 428457, 378203, 378123, 378129, 252478, 252512, 2525181

Abstract:

A metal x-ray device component is provided that includes a high emissivity inorganically bonded ceramic coating that can be applied with minimal surface preparation and that provides good resistance to corrosion and oxidation of substrates in high temperature, vacuum environments. The coating has good dielectric properties, is stable in the high temperature, vacuum environment characteristic of x-ray devices, and provides effective and reliable performance over a wide range of operating temperatures.

US Patent:

7688949, Mar 30, 2010

Filed:

Feb 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/028698

Inventors:

Don Lee Warburton - West Jordan UT, US
Jason W. Davies - Cottonwood Heights UT, US
Gregory C. Andrews - Draper UT, US
Mark S. Jonaitis - Sandy UT, US

Assignee:

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01J 35/18

US Classification:

378140, 378141, 378200

Abstract:

X-ray tube cooling systems. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube includes a housing, a window frame attached to the housing, and a window attached to the window frame. The housing defines an aperture through which electrons can pass from a cathode to an anode. The housing also defines an inlet port and an outlet port. The window frame defines an opening through which x-rays can pass. The window covers the opening defined by the window frame. The housing and the window frame are configured such that a liquid can flow from the inlet port to the outlet port through either a first liquid path at least partially defined by the housing or a second liquid path cooperatively defined by the housing and the window frame. The second liquid path is disposed about at least a portion of the opening in the window frame.

US Patent:

20060157458, Jul 20, 2006

Filed:

Jan 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/039045

Inventors:

Don Warburton - West Jordan UT, US

International Classification:

B23K 1/002

US Classification:

219129000

Abstract:

A method for bonding components of a device, such as an x-ray tube, is disclosed. The method enables a secure bond to be formed between two or more components without the use of fusion welding or furnace heating techniques, which input excessive quantities of heat into the components to be joined, resulting in heat-related component failure. In one embodiment, surfaces defining an interface between first and second components are cleaned to remove any oxidation. The interface is then locally heated by an electric arc provided by an arc welding torch. Heat that is input by the arc into the interface region is not sufficient to melt the components. Then, a braze material is introduced into the interface. Heat absorbed by the components in the interface region is then transferred to the braze material, which melts and fills the interface region to bond the first and second components together.

US Patent:

20070291901, Dec 20, 2007

Filed:

Jun 15, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/424420

Inventors:

Don Lee Warburton - West Jordan UT, US

Assignee:

VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01J 35/18
H01J 5/18

US Classification:

378140

Abstract:

This disclosure is concerned with x-ray tube window bonding using a smooth bonding surface. In one example, an x-ray tube window assembly in the evacuated housing of an x-ray tube includes a window frame with a support flange surrounding an aperture, a window constructed to cover the aperture and overlap an area of the support flange of the window frame; and a bond layer connecting the window to the area of the support flange overlapped by the window. The surface of the bond layer in contact with the window is smooth. The bond layer substantially covers the area of the support flange of the window frame overlapped by the window.

US Patent:

62822624, Aug 28, 2001

Filed:

Nov 10, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/437943

Inventors:

Don Warburton - Sandy UT

Assignee:

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01J 3518

US Classification:

378119

Abstract:

The present invention relates to structures within an x-ray device including an x-ray can, an x-ray can window frame insert, a rotor sleeve, and a bearing support assembly for a rotor structure. The various structures are fabricated from a chromium alloy of copper that is essentially oxygen free copper having a minor amount of chromium, the combination of which imparts desirable qualities to the x-ray device structures, including efficient heat sink and emissivity qualities that are beneficial in an x-ray device environment. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, oxygen free high conductivity (OFHC) copper is melted in an RF furnace in the presence of a minor amount of chromium and is either ingot cast or powder metallurgically cast into a desired article and further fabricated into a finished article.