Electron Tube Patents (Class 378/121)
  • Publication number: 20130195246
    Abstract: A radiation-transmissive type target structure includes a target layer formed on a substrate. The target layer has a thickness equal to or less than 20 ?m, and is configured to generate radiation in response to irradiation of electrons. A surface of the target layer is formed with projecting portions and depressed portions, the depressed portions have a depth of at least half the thickness of the target layer. Advantageously, separation of the target layer at an interface between the substrate and the target layer is substantially prevented. A radiation generating apparatus and a radiography system equipped with the target structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
  • Publication number: 20130195252
    Abstract: A radiation unit for generating bremsstrahlung includes an electron accelerator producing the bremsstrahlung, a supply unit disposed in a main unit, and at least one supply line connecting the supply unit and the electron accelerator. The at least one supply line is a waveguide. The at least one supply line has a first longitudinal section running from the supply unit to a terminal disposed on the main unit. The electron accelerator is disposed outside the main unit and is connected to the terminal via a second longitudinal section of the at least one supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Martin Koschmieder, Sven Müller, Stefan Willing
  • Publication number: 20130188774
    Abstract: Provided are a radiation emission target and a radiation generating apparatus that reduce the variation in the output due to operation and temperature history by maintaining stable adhesion of the layered radiation target and achieve stable radiation emission characteristics. The radiation target includes a supporting substrate, a target layer that emits a radiation when irradiated with an electron beam, and an interlayer located between the supporting substrate and the target layer. The interlayer has a thickness of 1 ?m or less and contains titanium as a main component. At least part of the titanium shows the ?-phase at 400° C. or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
  • Publication number: 20130184853
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of sorting coal into multiple fractions based upon x-ray absorption and size characteristics in order to remove rocks and other contaminants of various sizes from coal. The use of such dry processing of coal is desirable as it reduces pollution and transportation costs. The multi-fractional sorting of coal is a more efficient manner for identifying and removing rock and contaminants from coal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: MINERAL SEPARATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Mineral Separation Technolgies, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130170623
    Abstract: An x-ray tube comprising an anode and a cathode disposed at opposing ends of an electrically insulative cylinder. The x-ray tube includes an operating range of 15 kilovolts to 40 kilovolts between the cathode and the anode. The x-ray tube has an overall diameter, defined as a largest diameter of the x-ray tube anode, cathode, and insulative cylinder, of less than 0.6 inches. A direct line of sight exists between all points on an electron emitter at the cathode to a target at the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: David Reynolds, Eric J. Miller, Sterling W. Cornaby, Derek Hullinger, Charles R. Jensen
  • Patent number: 8472586
    Abstract: An X-ray source includes an electron-beam generating unit that generates an electron beam, and a transmission type target electrode to be irradiated with the electron beam to generate X-ray radiation. A plurality of convex portions each having an inclined surface with respect to an incident direction of the electron beam is formed on a surface of the transmission type target electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Ueda, Osamu Tsujii, Takao Ogura, Ichiro Nomura
  • Publication number: 20130136237
    Abstract: A high voltage sensing resistor disposed on a cylinder that at least partially surrounds an evacuated enclosure of an x-ray tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventor: Moxtek, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130129054
    Abstract: In an X-ray generator using an ultraviolet laser, the generation of the X-ray is stabilized. In an X-ray generation method for irradiating an ultraviolet laser beam emitted from an ultraviolet laser beam generator on an ultraviolet laser beam receiving surface of an electron beam emitting device, irradiating an electron beam emitted from an electron beam emitting surface of the electron beam emitting device distinguished from the ultraviolet laser beam receiving surface on a metal piece and generating an X-ray from the metal piece, denaturalization of substance of the ultraviolet laser beam receiving surface is prevented by controlling the ultraviolet laser beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: BSR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Ishida
  • Publication number: 20130129046
    Abstract: A radiation generating tube, which includes: a cathode connected to an electron gun structure; an anode including a target and configured to generate radiation; and a tubular side wall disposed between the cathode and the anode to surround the electron gun structure; and an electrical potential defining member disposed at an intermediate portion of the tubular side wall between the anode and the cathode. The electrical potential defining member is electrically connected to an electrical potential defining unit via an electrical resistance member or an inductor, and a potential of the electrical potential defining member is defined to be a higher potential than a potential of the cathode and to be a lower potential than a potential of the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130121473
    Abstract: A radiation generating tube includes a cathode connected to an electron emitting member; an anode including a target; and an insulating tube disposed between the cathode and the anode to surround the electron emitting member. The insulating tube includes an electrical potential defining member at an intermediate portion of the insulating tube in a longitudinal axis direction of the insulating tube. The electrical potential defining member is electrically connected to an electrical potential defining unit. The potential of the electrical potential defining member is controlled to be higher than that of the cathode and lower than that of the anode. A boundary of the electrical potential defining member and the insulating tube does not face a portion of the anode exposed to the inside of the radiation generating tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130121472
    Abstract: A high voltage sensing circuit with temperature compensation comprises a first series of resistors in parallel with a second series of resistors. The first series includes a material with a different temperature coefficient of resistance than in the second series. A voltage measurement circuit calculates a high voltage by use of a voltage across a resistor in the first series and a voltage differential between the series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: Dongbing Wang
  • Publication number: 20130108024
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transmission type X-ray tube and a reflection type X-ray tube. The transmission type X-ray tube comprises a target and a filter material. The target has at least one element which produces X-rays as being excited. The X-rays comprise characteristic K? and K? emission energies of the element for producing images of an object impinged by the X-rays. The filter material through which the X-rays pass has a k-edge absorption energy that is higher than the K? emission energies and is lower than the K? emission energies. The thickness of the filter material is at least 10 microns and less than 3 millimeters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: GAMC BIOTECH DEVELOPMENT CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Bruce Briant Parsons, Chi-Chieh Cheng
  • Patent number: 8406378
    Abstract: This invention relates to the use of thick target materials 50 microns and thicker for an x-ray transmission tube; to possible target material compositions including various elements and their alloys, eutectic alloys, compounds, or intermetallic compounds; and applications for utilizing such thick target transmission x-ray tubes. The target comprises at lease one portion of the target with a thickness of 50 microns or greater. The target can be optionally attached to a substrate end-window essentially transparent to x-rays or be thick enough so that no such substrate is required. Applications include producing a high percentage of monochromatic line mission x-rays of said thick target for use in reduced dose medical imaging and other non-destructive testing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: GAMC Biotech Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Gee Wang, Bruce Briant Parsons
  • Patent number: 8385507
    Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure that has a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion. The throat portion includes a metal bellows. An upstream end of the throat portion is coupled to the cathode portion and a downstream end of the throat portion is coupled to the target portion. The x-ray tube assembly also includes a target positioned within the target portion of the vacuum enclosure, and a cathode positioned within the cathode portion of the vacuum enclosure. The cathode is configured to emit a stream of electrons through the throat portion toward the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Mark Alan Frontera, Ethan James Westcot, Peter Andras Zavodszky
  • Patent number: 8379799
    Abstract: Electrically insulating x-ray shielding devices in an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube includes an evacuated enclosure, a cathode and an anode at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure, and an electrically insulating x-ray shielding device proximate to the evacuated enclosure. The electrically insulating x-ray shielding device includes an oxide or nitride material having an atomic number from 57 to 74.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd S. Parker, James E. Burke
  • Patent number: 8362717
    Abstract: A betatron magnet, the betatron magnet comprising at least one electron injector positioned approximate an inside of a radius of an betatron orbit, such that electrons are injected into the betatron orbit with the at least one electron injector positioned within an electron acceleration passageway, whereby the electron acceleration passageway is located within a vacuum chamber; and wherein the at least one electron injector is driven with an inductive means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Felix K. Chen
  • Publication number: 20130016814
    Abstract: An electromagnetic wave having a phase velocity and an amplitude is provided by an electromagnetic wave source to a traveling wave linear accelerator. The traveling wave linear accelerator generates a first output of electrons having a first energy by accelerating an electron beam using the electromagnetic wave. The first output of electrons can be contacted with a target to provide a first beam of x-rays. The electromagnetic wave can be modified by adjusting its amplitude and the phase velocity. The traveling wave linear accelerator then generates a second output of electrons having a second energy by accelerating an electron beam using the modified electromagnetic wave. The second output of electrons can be contacted with a target to provide a second beam of x-rays. A frequency controller can monitor the phase shift of the electromagnetic wave from the input to the output ends of the accelerator and can correct the phase shift of the electromagnetic wave based on the measured phase shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Paul Dennis TREAS, Roger Heering MILLER, Juwen WANG
  • Publication number: 20130003935
    Abstract: New configurations of lasers and electron beams efficiently and robustly produce high flux beams of bright, tunable, polarized quasi-monoenergetic x-rays and gamma-rays via laser-Compton scattering. Specifically, the use of long-duration, pulsed lasers and closely-spaced, low-charge and low emittance bunches of electron beams increase the spectral flux of the Compton-scattered x-rays and gamma rays, increase efficiency of the laser-electron interaction and significantly reduce the overall complexity of Compton based light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. Barty
  • Publication number: 20120314837
    Abstract: A radiation transmission type target to be used for a radiation tube has a target metal 12 placed on a substrate 13, and has an antistatic member 14 placed on a surface of the substrate 13 opposite to a surface on which the target metal 12 is placed. The target suppresses its electrostatic charge, and enables the radiation tube to stable operate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Noriaki Oguri, Takashi Ogura
  • Publication number: 20120307978
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation generating tube which suppresses electrical charging of an inner wall of an insulating tube attributable to electron emission from a junction between the insulating tube and a cathode and which has improved voltage withstand capability. The radiation generating tube comprising: a hollow insulating tube; a cathode and an anode respectively bonded to both ends of the insulating tube; and an electron emission source provided on the cathode, the radiation generating tube having a vacuum interior space. The electron emission source includes an electron emitting portion in the interior space, and the insulating tube includes a protrusion that protrudes into the interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Yamazaki, Kazuyuki Ueda
  • Publication number: 20120307974
    Abstract: An X-ray tube comprises: an envelope which has a cathode at one end and an anode at another end of a barrel of a tubular insulating tube and which has a sealed interior; an electron gun which is arranged inside the envelope and has a shape that protrudes from the cathode; and a target which is electrically connected to the anode and generates X-rays when being irradiated with electrons emitted from the electron gun. With reference to an end position that is a projection of a position of an end on the anode side of the electron gun onto an inner wall of the insulating tube, a mean wall thickness of the barrel is greater on the cathode side than on the anode side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Yamazaki, Ichiro Nomura, Shuji Aoki, Takao Ogura, Yasue Sato, Yoshihiro Yanagisawa, Kazuyuki Ueda, Miki Tamura
  • Publication number: 20120294412
    Abstract: In an arrangement and method for active vibration compensation of an x-ray radiator, a counter-vibration generation unit is arranged within the x-ray radiator to reduce a vibration arising during operation of the x-ray radiator. The counter-vibration generating unit is engaged in an active connection with the x-ray radiator and generates a counter-vibration that is phase-shifted by 180 degrees relative to the operational vibration. Operational vibrations generated by the x-ray radiator can be directly reduced at the point of origin by the application of active counter-vibrations in the immediate proximity of the vibration generator. Additional vibration transmission to other system parts (for example a C-arm) is thereby reduced or prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Berthold Baumann, Andreas Koerner, Christian Obst
  • Patent number: 8300768
    Abstract: An X-ray tube includes: a Wehnelt electrode having a dent inside; a filament arranged in the dent of the Wehnelt electrode and configured to emit an electron beam when electricity is passed therethrough; an anode configured to emit an X-ray in response to the incident electron beam; an electrode part configured by at least one pair of electrode members, the electrode members facing each other across a path of the electron beam, a voltage being applied to each of the electrode members; a voltage controller configured to control the voltage applied to the electrode part; and a shield member arranged in contact with the Wehnelt electrode and configured to cover part of the dent by a projecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Hashimoto, Toyomasa Honda, Sanae Harada, Hiroaki Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20120269321
    Abstract: The present invention relates to X-ray generating technology in general. Providing X-radiation having multiple photon energies may help differentiating tissue structures when generating X-ray images. Consequently, an X-ray generating device that allows the switching of a potential of an electron collecting element versus an electron emitting element for providing different energy modes is presented. According to the present invention, an X-ray generating device is provided, comprising an electron emitting element (16) and electron collecting element (20). The electron emitting element (16) and the electron collecting element (20) are operatively coupled for the generation of X-radiation (14). A potential is arranged between the electron emitting element (16) and the electron collecting element (20) for acceleration of electrons from the electron emitting element 16 to the electron collecting element (20), the electrons constituting an electron beam (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Rolf Karl Otto Behling
  • Publication number: 20120263277
    Abstract: Ceramic metallization in an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, a metalized ceramic plate for an x-ray tube includes a first side configured to reside inside an evacuated enclosure of an x-ray tube, a second side configured to reside outside the evacuated enclosure, a recess formed in the second side, feedthru openings that extend through the plate between the first side and the recess, and metallization formed around the perimeter of the recess and electrically connected to one of the feedthru openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Steven Wassom
  • Patent number: 8284901
    Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure that includes a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion having a plurality of recesses formed therein to break up eddy currents generated in the throat portion. The throat portion has an upstream end coupled to the cathode portion and a downstream end coupled to the target portion. The x-ray tube assembly also includes a target positioned within the target portion of the vacuum enclosure, and a cathode positioned within the cathode portion of the vacuum enclosure. The cathode is configured to emit a stream of electrons through the throat portion toward the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Mark Alan Frontera, Ethan James Westcot, Peter Andras Zavodszky
  • Patent number: 8284900
    Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure including a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion. The throat portion includes a magnetic field section, upstream section, and downstream section. The magnetic field section has a first susceptibility to generate eddy currents in the presence of a magnetic field intensity. The upstream section is coupled to the cathode portion and the magnetic field section and has a second susceptibility to generate eddy currents in the presence of the magnetic field intensity. The downstream section is coupled to the magnetic field section and has a third susceptibility to generate eddy currents in the presence of the magnetic field intensity. The first susceptibility to generate eddy currents is less than the second and third susceptibilities to generate eddy currents. The assembly includes a target within the target portion, and a cathode within the cathode portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Mark Alan Frontera, Ethan James Westcot, Aparna Chakrapani Sheila-Vadde, Peter Andras Zavodszky
  • Patent number: 8280007
    Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure having a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion comprising a non-electrically conductive tube. The throat portion has an upstream end coupled to the cathode portion and a downstream end coupled to the target portion. The x-ray tube assembly also includes a target positioned within the target portion of the vacuum enclosure, and a cathode positioned within the cathode portion of the vacuum enclosure. The cathode is configured to emit a stream of electrons through the throat portion toward the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Mark Alan Frontera, Ethan James Westcot, Aparna Chakrapani Sheila-Vadde, Peter Andras Zavodszky
  • Patent number: 8280006
    Abstract: The present invention provides an X-ray tube that improves and stabilizes a withstanding voltage performance and thus ensures the reliability of a product. The present invention is an X-ray tube comprising a cathode for emitting electrons, an anode for emitting an X-ray which an irradiation of the electrons emitted from the cathode causes, and a glass tube for confining the cathode and the anode in a vacuum, wherein an inside surface of the glass tube is covered with a glass thin film having a melting point lower than that of a glass of the glass tube and particles adhered to the glass tube by the glass thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Ryozo Takeuchi, Hiroshi Morita, Yoshitaka Seki, Yoshiaki Tsumuraya
  • Publication number: 20120230472
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating X-ray may include: a plasma chamber; a magnet unit for applying a magnetic field to the plasma chamber, the magnet unit configured to allow the control of the magnitude of the minimum magnetic field in the plasma chamber without change in structure; a microwave generator for applying microwaves to the plasma chamber; a reaction gas injected into the plasma chamber for generating X-ray through electron cyclotron resonance by the magnetic field and the microwaves; a variable guide for focusing the generated X-ray; and a variable extractor for outputting the focused X-ray from the plasma chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Byoung Seob Lee, Mi Sook Won, Jang Hee Yoon, Jin Yong Park, Se Yong Choi
  • Publication number: 20120207269
    Abstract: The present invention relates to X-ray generating technology in general. Providing X-ray generating device internal voltage sources or potentials may help reduce necessary feed-throughs into an evacuated envelope of an X-ray generating device. Consequently, an X-ray generating device comprising an electron scattering element is presented. According to the present invention, an X-ray generating device is provided, comprising an electron emitting element 16, an electron collecting element 20 and an electron scattering element 42. A primary electron beam 17a is arrangeable between the electron emitting element 16 and the electron collecting element 20. The electron emitting element 16 and the electron collecting element 20 are operatively coupled for generating X-radiation 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Rolf Karl Otto Behling
  • Publication number: 20120170715
    Abstract: An x-ray tube has a backscatter electron trap to prevent extra focal radiation caused by backscattered electrons from the focal spot from passing through the beam exit window to an exterior of the x-ray tube. The backscatter electron trap has a surface that faces the x-ray beam in the x-ray tube. No portion of that surface is visible both from an arbitrary point in the x-ray beam outside of the x-ray tube and from an arbitrary point at the focal spot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Jörg Freudenberger, Lothar Werner
  • Publication number: 20120163538
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a mobile X-ray unit. The mobile X-ray unit may include a base for accommodating a control unit, a power supply, and a cooler. The mobile X-ray unit further including an articulated arm associated with the base and coupled to an X-ray applicator. The X-ray applicator including an X-ray tube having an anode for generating an acceleration field and a target element for generating an X-ray beam, wherein a longitudinal axis of the anode is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the X-ray tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Johan HENNING
  • Publication number: 20120148027
    Abstract: Provided is a field emission X-ray tube. The field emission X-ray tube includes a cathode electrode provided to one end of a vacuum vessel and including a field emission emitter, an anode electrode provided to the other end of the vacuum vessel in an extending direction of the vacuum vessel, and a gate electrode provided on an outer surface of the vacuum vessel adjacent to the cathode electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jin Woo Jeong, Yoon-Ho Song, Juntae Kang, Jae-Woo Kim
  • Publication number: 20120140895
    Abstract: A compact apparatus can form multi-X-ray beams with good controllability. Electron beams (e) emitted from electron emission elements (15) of a multi-electron beam generating unit (12) receive the lens effect of a lens electrode (19). The resultant electron beams are accelerated to the final potential level by portions of a transmission-type target portion (13) of an anode electrode (20). The multi-X-ray beams (x) generated by the transmission-type target portion (13) pass through an X-ray shielding plate (23) and X-ray extraction portions (24) in a vacuum chamber and are extracted from the X-ray extraction windows (27) of a wall portion (25) into the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiko Okunuki, Osamu Tsujii, Takeo Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8184774
    Abstract: An x-ray tube disclosed here in includes an emitter arranged to emit electrons on to a focal spot on a rotatable anode. The x-ray tube also includes a hollow tube arranged to receive electromagnetic radiation from the focal spot at one end of the hollow tube and transmit it to another end. The x-ray tube also includes two or more sensors arranged to detect the electromagnetic radiation through the hollow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Pietig, Christoph Martiny
  • Publication number: 20120121065
    Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a casing having a cathode and an anode enclosed therein, and a separator attached to an inner wall of the casing and having a conductance limiter therein, the separator positioned to separate the anode from the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Richard Michael Roffers
  • Publication number: 20120106713
    Abstract: Electrically insulating x-ray shielding devices in an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube includes an evacuated enclosure, a cathode and an anode at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure, and an electrically insulating x-ray shielding device proximate to the evacuated enclosure. The electrically insulating x-ray shielding device includes an oxide or nitride material having an atomic number from 57 to 74.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC
    Inventors: Todd S. Parker, James E. Burke
  • Publication number: 20120099708
    Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure that includes a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion having a plurality of recesses formed therein to break up eddy currents generated in the throat portion. The throat portion has an upstream end coupled to the cathode portion and a downstream end coupled to the target portion. The x-ray tube assembly also includes a target positioned within the target portion of the vacuum enclosure, and a cathode positioned within the cathode portion of the vacuum enclosure. The cathode is configured to emit a stream of electrons through the throat portion toward the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Mark Alan Frontera, Ethan James Westcot, Peter Andras Zavodszky
  • Publication number: 20120099701
    Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure having a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion comprising a non-electrically conductive tube. The throat portion has an upstream end coupled to the cathode portion and a downstream end coupled to the target portion. The x-ray tube assembly also includes a target positioned within the target portion of the vacuum enclosure, and a cathode positioned within the cathode portion of the vacuum enclosure. The cathode is configured to emit a stream of electrons through the throat portion toward the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Mark Alan Frontera, Ethan James Westcot, Aparna Chakrapani Sheila-Vadde, Peter Andras Zavodszky
  • Publication number: 20120099707
    Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure that has a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion. The throat portion includes a metal bellows. An upstream end of the throat portion is coupled to the cathode portion and a downstream end of the throat portion is coupled to the target portion. The x-ray tube assembly also includes a target positioned within the target portion of the vacuum enclosure, and a cathode positioned within the cathode portion of the vacuum enclosure. The cathode is configured to emit a stream of electrons through the throat portion toward the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Mark Alan Frontera, Ethan James Westcot, Peter Andras Zavodszky
  • Publication number: 20120093296
    Abstract: The present invention relates to X-ray generating technology in general, in particular, it relates to an anode disk element (1) for an X-ray generating device (21). The generation of electromagnetic radiation may be considered to be quite inefficient, since a substantial part of energy applied to a focal track is converted to heat rather than X-radiation. Thus, a limiting factor in the operation of X-ray tubes is the cooling of the anode element and more specifically the focal track. In the present invention, an anode disk element is provided, with an improved dissipation of heat from the focal track. Thus, the anode disk element may sustain increased heat while maintaining structural integrity. The anode disk element (1) comprises at least a first surface (2) and a second surface (3), with the first surface (2) comprising a focal track (4) and the second surface (3) comprising a conductive coating (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Kevin Kraft, Gerald James Carlson, Paul Xu
  • Publication number: 20120087475
    Abstract: A method for generating an X-ray includes the steps of: disposing at least a target in a chamber; irradiating an electron beam onto the target from an electron beam source disposed in or outside the chamber so as to satisfy a relation of ??60 degrees if an incident angle of the electron beam is defined as “?”; and generating and taking an X-ray out of the target so as to satisfy a relation of ?30 degrees?????60 degrees if an output angle of the X-ray relative to a surface of the target is defined as “?”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Noriyoshi SAKABE, Kiwako SAKABE
  • Publication number: 20120076276
    Abstract: A circuit providing reliable voltage isolation between a low and high voltage sides of a circuit while allowing AC power transfer between the low and high voltage sides of the circuit to an x-ray tube filament. Capacitors provide the isolation between the low and high voltage sides of the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: MOXTEK, INC.
    Inventors: Dongbing Wang, Dave Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20120063558
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices with improved electrode configuration for downhole nuclear radiation generators are provided. For example, one embodiment of a nuclear radiation generator capable of downhole operation may include a charged particle source, a target material, and an acceleration column between the charged particle source and the target material. The acceleration column may include an intermediate electrode that remains floating at a variable potential, being electrically isolated from the rest of the acceleration column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Jani Reijonen, Joel L. Groves
  • Publication number: 20120027181
    Abstract: Disclosed is an X-ray generator (1) comprised of an electron emission element (10) which receives energy to emit electrons; a metal piece (20) which receives the electrons emitted from the electron emission element (10) to emit an X-ray; and energy supply portions (3, 5) which supply energy to the electron emission element (10), wherein the energy supply portions (3, 5) irradiate a pyroelectric element functioning as an electron emission element with, for example, ultraviolet pulsed light, and a high-energy local portion is formed in the pyroelectric element. Thus, the X-ray generator wherein the size thereof can be reduced, and an on/off control for the generation of X-ray can be easily performed, can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicants: ADTECH SENSING RESEARCH INC.
    Inventors: Mikio Takai, Toshiyuki Ishida
  • Patent number: 8081734
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a novel, low-power X-ray tube and X-ray generating system. Embodiments of the invention use a multichannel electron generator as the electron source, thereby increasing reliability and decreasing power consumption of the X-ray tube. Unlike tubes using a conventional filament that must be heated by a current power source, embodiments of the invention require only a voltage power source, use very little current, and have no cooling requirements. The microchannel electron generator comprises one or more microchannel plates (MCPs), Each MCP comprises a honeycomb assembly of a plurality of annular components, which may be stacked to increase electron intensity. The multichannel electron generator used enables directional control of electron flow. In addition, the multichannel electron generator used is more robust than conventional filaments, making the resulting X-ray tube very shock and vibration resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Wm. Timothy Elam, Warren C. Kelliher, William Hershyn, David P. DeLong
  • Publication number: 20110305324
    Abstract: In one example, an x-ray target comprises a target track, a substrate, and an optional backing. The target track includes a base material and a grain growth inhibitor to reduce or prevent microstructure grain growth in the base material. The target track can be included as part of an x-ray tube anode, either of a rotary form or a stationary form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: David S. K. Lee, John E. Postman
  • Patent number: 8073108
    Abstract: An X-ray generator having a housing and having components located inside the housing for generating one or more X-ray beams, wherein the housing is composed of a tube body that is made of ceramic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Kilian, Joerg Bermuth, Georg Geus
  • Patent number: 8059787
    Abstract: It is described a filter (300) for at least partially compensating for an X-ray tube (10) the target angle heel effect and preserving the tungsten spectrum of the X-rays. The filter (300) has an anode side (302) and a cathode side (304), wherein the cathode side (304) has a higher attenuation coefficient than the anode side (302). The attenuation coefficient is determined to at least partially compensate for the target angle heel effect. The filter (300) is from the same material as an anode plate (110) or the anode (108) of the X-raysource (10) which is usually tungsten or a tungsten alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Forthmann, Roland Proksa