# US 5,347,571 A · X-ray tube arc suppressor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,347,571 A - Document ID: US5347571A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/957,219 - Filed: 1992-10-06 - Granted: 1994-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 1992-10-06 - Assignees: Picker International, Inc. - Inventors: Avery D. Furbee; Lester Miller; Carl F. Bauer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5347571A ## CPC - H05G 1/10: Power supply arrangements for feeding the X-ray tube {(supply circuits with converters in general H02M; supply circuits for emitters and amplifiers H04B1/16 - H04B1/1623)} - H05G 1/54: Protecting {or lifetime prediction}(overload protection combined with control H05G1/46) - H02H 9/02: responsive to excess current {(current limitation for voltage regulators G05F1/573; disconnection after limiting H02H3/025)} - H05G: X-RAY TECHNIQUE (investigating or analysing materials by the use of X-rays G01N23/00; apparatus for X-ray photography G03B42/02; X-ray tubes H01J35/00; TV systems having X-ray input H04N5/321) - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) ## Abstract A high frequency voltage generator (10) produces a high positive voltage and a high negative voltage. A parallel connected coil (26) and diode (30) are connected between the high voltage supply and a target (44) of an x-ray tube (40). A second parallel connected coil (28) and diode (32) are connected between the negative voltage and an electron source (42) of the x-ray tube. The coils are preferably a multiple pancake design (FIG. 3 ). When the tube starts to arc, the sudden increase in current flow through the coil is converted and stored in a magnetic field leaving only a small current to contribute to arcing. The coils are sized such that the current which passes to the x-ray tube is sufficiently small that the arcing is usually extinguished without an avalanche phenomenon occurring. The diodes permit the energy stored in the magnetic field to be converted into a current flow through the coil and diode such that the energy is dissipated as heat by the inherent electrical resistance of the coil with only a minimal amount of the energy passing over time to the x-ray tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power supply for an x-ray tube of an x-ray diagnostic scanner, the power supply comprising: a high frequency voltage supply means for supplying a high frequency rectified voltage; an arc suppressor means connected with the high frequency voltage supply means, the arc suppressing means including: an inductive load which stores energy during a sudden current rise associated with x-ray tube arcing, the inductive load including a plurality of coils arranged at spaced intervals along a central axis, a means connected with the inductive load for dissipating the stored energy; an x-ray tube which is connected with the inductive load of the arc suppressing means. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The power supply as set forth in claim 1 further including a ferrite material disposed along the central axis of the coils. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The power supply as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the coils is wound from the central axis out. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The power supply as set forth in claim 1 wherein the energy dissipating means includes at least one diode disposed along the central axis of the coils and connected electrically in parallel therewith. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The power supply as set forth in claim 4 wherein the coil and diode assembly is potted in a dielectric material. ### Claim 6 A power supply comprising: a means for generating a high frequency voltage; an inductive load which stores energy during a sudden increase in current flow from the high frequency generator means associated with x-ray tube arcing, the inductive load including a plurality of coils arranged at spaced intervals along a central axis; and a means connected with the inductive load for dissipating the stored energy. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The power supply as set forth in claim 6 wherein the energy dissipating means includes at least one high voltage diode connected electrically in parallel with the inductive load. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The power supply as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of the coils is wound from the central axis out. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The power supply as set forth in claim 6 wherein the high frequency high voltage generator means has an anode output and a cathode output and wherein the energy storing means includes: a first inductive load connected between the anode output and a target of an x-ray tube, a second inductive load connected between the cathode output and an electron source of the x-ray tube, and a means for dissipating energy in the first and second coil assemblies connected therewith. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The power supply as set forth in claim 6 further including a ferrite material disposed along the central axis of the coils. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The power supply as set forth in claim 6 wherein the energy dissipating means includes at least one diode disposed along the central axis of the coils and connected electrically in parallel therewith. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The power supply as set forth in claim 11 wherein the coil and diode assembly is potted in a dielectric material.