Computed tomography scanner drive system and bearing
US6188743A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 26, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 26, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2223/419
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In an improved computed tomography scanner drive system and bearing configuration, a gantry disk (30) is sheaved about its perimeter (65) such that the gantry is operable as a driven pulley rotatable about an object to be scanned. A motor (46) assembles mounted to a stationary frame (33) includes a similar sheaved drive pulley (80). A belt (64) tensioned between the drive pulley (80) of the motor assembly and the driven pulley of the gantry disk (30) transfers rotational motion of the motor to drive the gantry rotationally about the object. In a preferred embodiment, the belt comprises a V-belt or poly-V-belt (64), and the bearing comprises a wire bearing (59) located proximal to the gantry center of mass. In this manner, the present invention provides a simple and effective technique for driving the gantry about the object, providing sufficiently accurate angular positioning in a reliable and cost effective drive system. Various embodiments of an improved bearing system are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.