With Solid Heat Conductor Or Shield Patents (Class 378/142)
  • Patent number: 11621139
    Abstract: An X-ray tube according to an embodiment of the inventive concept includes a cathode structure; an anode structure spaced vertically from the cathode structure, a gate electrode structure disposed between the cathode structure and the anode structure, an emitter array disposed between the cathode structure and the gate electrode structure, a tube sheath configured to connect the cathode structure and the anode structure, and a fixing unit connected with the gate electrode structure. The cathode structure includes a first rotation shaft and a cathode connected with the first rotation shaft as one body. The gate electrode structure includes a second rotation shaft and a gate electrode connected with the second rotation shaft through a bearing, and the second rotation shaft is connected with the first rotation shaft by a coupling unit. The gate electrode includes a gate electrode substrate and a protruding part that protrudes from the gate electrode substrate toward an emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Jin-Woo Jeong
  • Patent number: 11551903
    Abstract: An X-ray tube with an anode assembly and specially designed heat transfer element is described. The anode assembly includes an X-ray producing target and a substantially cylindrical electrode that stops or inhibits electrons that may back-scatter from the target. At least one heat transfer element is positioned proximate the anode assembly and in the region between a conducting enclosure and a non-conducting hollow housing or tube. The heat transfer element is positioned to thermally couple the hot anode assembly to an air-cooled conducting enclosure while maintaining an electric isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Rommel
  • Patent number: 11081311
    Abstract: An x-ray source can include an x-ray tube, and a heat sink for removal of heat from the x-ray tube. The heat sink can be thermally coupled to the anode and can extend away from the anode along a heat sink longitudinal axis. The heat sink can have a base and a fin extending from the base. The base can have a greater thickness nearer the anode, and a reduced thickness along the heat sink longitudinal axis to a smaller thickness farther from the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd S. Parker
  • Patent number: 10727023
    Abstract: An x-ray tube anode can include an electron hole extending from an electron entry at an exterior of the anode into a core of the anode, and an x-ray hole extending from an x-ray exit at the exterior of the anode into the core of the anode. The x-ray hole can intersect the electron hole at the core of the anode. In one embodiment, the electron hole and the x-ray hole can form a seamless bore from the electron entry to the x-ray exit. In another embodiment, the anode can be a single, integral, monolithic material with a single bore extending therethrough. In another embodiment, the core of the anode can include a target material located at a concave wall of the core of the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd S. Parker
  • Patent number: 9530528
    Abstract: An x-ray tube electron shield is disclosed for interposition between an electron emitter and an anode configured to receive the emitted electrons. The electron shield includes expansion joints to accommodate thermal expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory C. Andrews
  • Patent number: 9449779
    Abstract: An aperture cooling structure (a cooling structure used for the open X-ray source) 10 comprises an aperture unit 31 formed with an aperture 33, a holder 34 for holding the aperture unit 31, and a heat dissipator 36 connected to the holder 34. The aperture 33 restricts an electron beam E from passing therethrough on an electron path 4 of an X-ray generator (open X-ray source). The heat dissipator 36 has a heat dissipation member 37 including a coolant flow path constituent part 41 and a heat dissipation member 38 including a coolant flow path constituent part 42. The coolant flow path constituent part 41 and the coolant flow path constituent part 42 are combined with each other, so as to construct a coolant flow path 43.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Naonobu Suzuki, Kinji Takase
  • Patent number: 9234855
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus configured to irradiate an object with an X-ray and detect a transmission X-ray transmitted through the object, including: a chamber member defining a first space; and a first supply port arranged in the first space to supply a temperature-controlled gas to a part of an X-ray source configured to irradiate the object with the X-ray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9020101
    Abstract: There is provided a target for an X-ray generator, including: a holder part made of an electrically conductive material and having an opening part; a diamond plate air-tightly joined to the holder part so as to close the opening part; a thin film target provided on a surface of the diamond plate, with its outer peripheral part extending to the holder part to be electrically connected to the holder part, wherein the holder part is configured to be electrically connected to a power supply of the X-ray generator, and the diamond plate is incorporated into the X-ray generator with one side disposed in a vacuum atmosphere where the thin film target is formed, and an opposite side thereto disposed at a side where the diamond plate is brought into thermal contact with a refrigerant and cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Rigaku Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Omote, Kazuaki Shimizu, Naohisa Osaka
  • Patent number: 9008278
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an X-ray source is provided that includes one or more electron emitters configured to emit one or more electron beams and one or more source targets configured to receive the one or more electron beams emitted by the one or more electron emitters and, as a result of receiving the one or more electron beams, to emit X-rays. Each source target of the X-ray source includes a first layer having one or more first materials; and a second layer in thermal communication with the first layer and having one or more second materials. The first layer is positioned closer to the one or more emitters than the second layer, the first material has a higher overall thermal conductivity than the second layer, and the second layer produces the majority of the X-rays emitted by the source target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Susanne Madeline Lee, Raj Bahadur, Sudeep Mandal
  • Publication number: 20150098552
    Abstract: A modular x-ray source in which the x-ray tube is removably attached to a case and power supply by a removable cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Eric Draper, Jon Barron, Vince Jones, Eric Miller, Dustin Peterson
  • Publication number: 20150078533
    Abstract: An X-ray tube 10 with an anode 30 comprising at least a rod shaped body with a front wall having target area 32 as target for an electron beam 27 on its frontal side provides a high intensity of X-ray radiation if the anode 30 has at least one cavity extending to the front wall, the cavity having a coating 50 of at least one inorganic salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Ki CHAN
  • Publication number: 20150036804
    Abstract: A handheld x-ray analyzer, having an outer shell forming an inner cavity, the outer shell having at least one aperture; an x-ray engine positioned within the cavity; and a generally planar heat sink rigidly and thermally attached to the x-ray engine, and positioned in the aperture of the outer shell thereby substantially filling the aperture while providing thermal conduction between the engine and surrounding air. An outer face of the heat sink may be substantially conformal with the outer shell along one or both sides of the analyzer, and form a substantial portion of one or both sides of the analyzer. Longitudinal fins may be placed on an outer face of the heat sink to aid in thermal conduction from the engine to the surrounding air. Thermal handling, shock/vibration isolation, and moisture barriers are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: X-RAY OPTICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Dunham, Rory D. Delaney
  • Publication number: 20140321620
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray tube including an electron emission source which emits an electron, an anode target which comprises a target layer emitting an X-ray by the electron from the electron emission source, and a substrate supporting the target layer and composed from a carbide-strengthened molybdenum alloy, an evacuated outer surrounding envelope which contains the electron emission source and the anode target, a diffusion barrier layer which is integrally formed with the substrate by a powder metallurgy method on a part of a top surface of the substrate and is composed of a high-melting-point metal lacking of carbon-element content compared with carbon-element content in the substrate, and a thermal radiation film which is formed on at least a part of a top surface of the diffusion barrier layer and composed of metallic oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ELECTRON TUBES & DEVICES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidero ANNO, TETSUYA YONEZAWA
  • Patent number: 8861682
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Okunuki, Osamu Tsujii, Takeo Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20140270087
    Abstract: An x-ray generator includes a housing, a cathode block that is arranged in the housing and emits electrons via a field emission scheme, an anode block that is arranged in the housing and generates x-rays in response to the electrons emitted from the cathode block and collide with the anode block, and a heat sink block that contacts the cathode block and dissipates heat generated therein to an outside of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: SRI INTERNATIONAL, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shang-hyeun PARK, Paul R. SCHWOEBEL, Il-hwan KIM, Do-yoon KIM, Yong-chul KIM, Chang-soo LEE, Tae-won JEONG
  • Patent number: 8666024
    Abstract: A multi-X-ray generating apparatus which has a plurality of electron sources arranged two-dimensionally and targets arranged at positions opposite to the electron sources includes a multi-electron source which includes a plurality of electron sources and outputs electrons from driven electron sources by selectively driving a plurality of electron sources in accordance with supplied driving signals, and a target unit which includes a plurality of targets which generate X-rays in accordance with irradiation of electrons output from the multi-electron source and outputs X-rays with different radiation qualities in accordance with the generation locations of X-rays. The generation locations and radiation qualities of X-rays from the target unit are controlled by selectively driving the electron sources of the multi-electron source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Okunuki, Osamu Tsujii, Satoshi Shimizu, Takashi Ogura
  • Patent number: 8654927
    Abstract: The present invention relates to X-ray generating technology in general. Providing an electron collecting element of an X-ray generating device statically may allow for the manufacture of X-ray systems with reduced moving parts and actuating parts, possibly reducing manufacturing costs and sources for failure. Consequently, an electron collecting element with increased thermal loadability is presented. According to the present invention, an electron collecting element (28) is provided, comprising a surface element (22) and a heat conducting element (26). The heat conducting element (26) comprises a first thermal conductivity in a first direction and at least a second thermal conductivity in at least a second direction. The first thermal conductivity is greater than the second thermal conductivity. The first direction is substantially perpendicular to the surface element (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Rainer Pietig
  • Patent number: 8553841
    Abstract: A shielded, low-noise, high-voltage power supply having a plurality of voltage multipliers, each having a toroidal transformer, and collectively producing a high DC output voltage from an AC voltage. A main conductor carries the AC voltage, and is positioned proximate each toroidal transformer of the plurality of voltage multipliers. A conductive shell is conductively connected to the main conductor, and substantially encloses the plurality of voltage multipliers and the main conductor, the conductive shell providing a return path for the AC voltage in the main conductor and providing EMI shielding of the voltage multipliers and the main conductor. Other features are provided, including an intermediate transformer for conditioning/isolating the AC voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: X-Ray Optical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest Cooley, Sony Cheriyan, Daniel Dunham, Igor Ponomarev, Paul Quantock, Robert C. Tatar
  • Publication number: 20130235975
    Abstract: There is provided a radiation generating apparatus having a simple structure and capable of shielding unnecessary radiation, cooling a target, reducing the size and weight of the apparatus, and achieving higher reliability, and a radiation imaging apparatus having the same. A transmission type radiation tube is held inside a holding container filled with a cooling medium. The transmission type radiation tube includes an envelope having an aperture, an electron source arranged inside the envelope so as to face the aperture of the envelope, a target unit for generating a radiation responsive to an irradiation with an electron emitted from the electron source, and a shield member for shielding a part of the radiation emitted from the target unit. The cooling medium contacts at least a part of the shield member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Miki Tamura, Kazuyuki Ueda, Takao Ogura, Yasue Sato, Ichiro Nomura, Shuji Aoki
  • Patent number: 8475042
    Abstract: A thermal shield for an XRF measurement tool is formed from a heat shield and a heat shield cowling. These components protect the X-ray head assembly that includes the x-ray generation and detection columns and the head control electronics, communications and cooling systems. The heat shield is directly below the X-ray head, parallel to the x-ray head plane and plane of the PV substrate, and perpendicular to the primary beam output from the x-ray head. The heat shield is fabricated of machined copper with several ports machined through the shield. These ports provide a path for primary beam x-rays through the heat shield and for the return of fluoresced X-rays from the PV substrate back to the detector in the X-ray head, while preventing damage to the X-ray head due to the heat emitted from the PV substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ceres Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Reilly
  • Publication number: 20130148781
    Abstract: In a radiation generating apparatus of the present invention, a radiation tube in which a tubular side wall is arranged between a cathode and an anode is enclosed in an envelope filled with an insulating liquid. A thermally-conductive fin projecting to a side of a barrel portion of the radiation tube is provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the envelope, and the fin is provided on an area except for an area facing a position of the barrel portion at which potential of the barrel portion is higher than potential of the fin. Since a proper-shape cooling structure is provided on a proper position in the envelope, it is possible to secure withstand voltage and also made the entire apparatus compact in size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120213325
    Abstract: The present invention relates to X-ray generating technology in general. Providing an electron collecting element of an X-ray generating device statically may allow for the manufacture of X-ray systems with reduced moving parts and actuating parts, possibly reducing manufacturing costs and sources for failure. Consequently, an electron collecting element with increased thermal loadability is presented. According to the present invention, an electron collecting element (28) is provided, comprising a surface element (22) and a heat conducting element (26). The heat conducting element (26) comprises a first thermal conductivity in a first direction and at least a second thermal conductivity in at least a second direction. The first thermal conductivity is greater than the second thermal conductivity. The first direction is substantially perpendicular to the surface element (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Rainer Pietig
  • Patent number: 8233589
    Abstract: Scattered electron collector comprising a heat absorbing member having a first end, a second end, an outer periphery and a central bore (14, 16), wherein the central bore is formed in longitudinal direction through the heat absorbing member from the first end to the second end, and a cooling element (50) having an outer periphery and an inner periphery (52). The outer periphery (12) of the heat absorbing member is adapted to be in contact with the inner periphery of the cooling element. Further, at least one slot (20) is formed from the central bore in the direction to the outer periphery of the heat absorbing member to reduce compression stress within the heat absorbing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
    Inventor: Stefan Hauttmann
  • Patent number: 8139716
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Okunuki, Osamu Tsujii, Takeo Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8130910
    Abstract: A liquid-cooled aperture body in an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube is configured to be at least partially submerged in a liquid coolant. The x-ray tube includes a cathode at least partially positioned within a cathode housing, an anode at least partially positioned within a can, and an aperture body coupling the cathode housing to the can. The can is formed from a first material and the aperture body is formed from a second material. The aperture body defines an aperture through which electrons may pass between the cathode and the anode. The aperture body further defines at least two exterior surfaces that are each configured to be exposed to the liquid coolant in which the x-ray tube is at least partially submerged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Davies, Gregory C. Andrews, George Benjamin Naseath, Lincoln Curtis Jolley, Richard Alma Keyes, Ricky Burnett Smith
  • Patent number: 8000450
    Abstract: An x-ray tube electron shield is disclosed for interposition between an electron emitter and an anode configured to receive the emitted electrons. The electron shield is configured to withstand the elevated levels of heat produced by electrons backscattered from the anode and incident on the electron shield. This in turn equates to a reduced incidence of failure in the electron shield. In one embodiment the electron shield includes a body that defines a bowl-shaped aperture having a narrowed throat segment. The body of the electron shield includes a first body portion, a second body portion, and a disk portion. These portions cooperate to define the bowl and the throat segment. The throat segment and the lower portion of the bowl are composed of a refractory material and correspond with the regions of the electron shield that are impacted by relatively more backscattered electrons from the anode surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Andrews
  • Patent number: 7885386
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a compact X-ray generator having a cylindrical shape has a power supply located directly behind the cathode and/or anode inputs to the X-ray tube in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Senthil Kumar Sundaram
  • Patent number: 7848491
    Abstract: A lead shielding for a betatron in an X-ray generator is provided that includes at least four shielding parts of which two are semi-cylindrical and provided with recesses in the envelope surfaces thereof. The semi-cylindrical shielding parts are arranged in corresponding recesses of the remaining shielding parts by means of the envelope surfaces thereof, such that the recesses in the envelope surfaces form air channels between the semi-cylindrical shielding parts and the remaining shielding parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Bermuth, Georg Geus, Gregor Hess, Urs Viehboeck
  • Publication number: 20100278309
    Abstract: Scattered electron collector comprising a heat absorbing member having a first end, a second end, an outer periphery and a central bore (14, 16), wherein the central bore is formed in longitudinal direction through the heat absorbing member from the first end to the second end, and a cooling element (50) having an outer periphery and an inner periphery (52). The outer periphery (12) of the heat absorbing member is adapted to be in contact with the inner periphery of the cooling element. Further, at least one slot (20) is formed from the central bore in the direction to the outer periphery of the heat absorbing member to reduce compression stress within the heat absorbing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Stefan Hauttmann
  • Publication number: 20100111259
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical diagnostic X-rayapparatus (1) comprising an X-raysource (13), a hollow carrier (5) to which the X-raysource is connected, and a cooling mechanism (3) provided with a cooling means to cool the X-raysource (13) during use of the X-rayapparatus (1). The cooling means is in direct thermal contact with the carrier (5), thus providing an efficient cooling mechanism (3) for the X-raysource (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Adrianus Van Der Ende
  • Patent number: 7702077
    Abstract: A modular insulator assembly for an x-ray tube includes an annular insulator having a cylindrical perimeter wall, the insulator constructed of an electrically insulative material. A wall member is fixedly attached to and extending beyond the cylindrical perimeter wall, and a first shield positioned adjacent to the wall member and having an end extending proximate a corner formed by the wall member and the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yang Cao, Louis Paul Inzinna, Richard Michael Roffers, Daniel Qi Tan, Mark E. Vermilyea, Yun Zou
  • Patent number: 7668298
    Abstract: A system and method for collecting backscattered electrons within a substantially evacuated vessel containing both an electron-emitting cathode assembly and an electron-attracting anode assembly. The system and method comprises an electron collector assembly including a first plate, a second plate, an internal member, a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. The first plate is mounted within the vessel closest to the anode assembly. The second plate is mounted within the vessel closest to the cathode assembly. The internal member is positioned between the first plate and the second plate, and includes an internal conduit for conveying a heat absorbing cooling fluid therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Madhusudhana T. Subraya, Michael Scott Hebert, Gregory Alan Steinlage
  • Publication number: 20090080617
    Abstract: An x-ray tube electron shield is disclosed for interposition between an electron emitter and an anode configured to receive the emitted electrons. The electron shield is configured to withstand the elevated levels of heat produced by electrons backscattered from the anode and incident on the electron shield. This in turn equates to a reduced incidence of failure in the electron shield. In one embodiment the electron shield includes a body that defines a bowl-shaped aperture having a narrowed throat segment. The body of the electron shield includes a first body portion, a second body portion, and a disk portion. These portions cooperate to define the bowl and the throat segment. The throat segment and the lower portion of the bowl are composed of a refractory material and correspond with the regions of the electron shield that are impacted by relatively more backscattered electrons from the anode surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Andrews
  • Publication number: 20090060139
    Abstract: An x-ray tube having a coated x-ray tube frame inner surface and a coated anode assembly is provided. The x-ray tube includes an x-ray tube frame in which an anode assembly is disposed therein. A cathode assembly is also disposed within the x-ray tube frame that emits an electron beam to strike a target surface of the anode assembly and form x-rays. A plasma-sprayed tungsten coating is formed on an inner surface of the x-ray tube frame and on the anode assembly to dissipate heat created by the electron beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Madhusudhana T. Subraya
  • Patent number: 7416334
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the transmission of electromagnetic radiation generated in a radiation generator is provided. The apparatus includes a printed circuit board having a substrate layer and at least one medium layer bound to the substrate layer. The printed circuit board is configured to control the transmission of the electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Senthil Kumar Sundaram
  • Patent number: 7410296
    Abstract: A shield assembly for an x-ray device is disclosed herein. The shield assembly includes a radiation shielding layer comprised of a first material; and a thermally conductive layer attached the radiation shielding layer. The thermally conductive layer is comprised of a second material. The shield assembly also includes an electron absorption layer attached to the radiation shielding layer. The electron absorption layer is comprised of a third material. The electron absorption layer is configured to absorb backscattered electrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Carey Shawn Rogers
  • Patent number: 7410297
    Abstract: An apparatus to control transmission of an electromagnetic radiation generated by a radiation source of a radiation generator is provided. The radiation source includes an anode opposite a cathode. The apparatus comprises at least one printed circuit board assembly fastened at the anode of the radiation generator. The printed circuit board assembly comprises at least one first layer that includes a conduit to receive a mechanical device attaching the anode at the at least one first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Senthil Kumar Sundaram
  • Patent number: 7406156
    Abstract: An x-ray tube has a cathode and an anode produced from a first material, the anode having a heat conductor element on the first side thereof facing away from the cathode. To improve the performance of the x-ray tube, the heat conductor element is composed of graphite doped with titanium having a heat conductivity of at least 500 W/mK.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eberhard Lenz
  • Patent number: 7359486
    Abstract: A structure for collecting scattered electrons within a substantially evacuated vessel containing both an electron-emitting cathode and an electron-attracting anode is disclosed herein. The electron-collecting structure includes a two-sided first plate, a two-sided second plate, a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. The first plate is both electrically conductive and thermally emissive and is mountable within the vessel so that its first side at least partially faces the anode. The second plate is also thermally emissive and has a first side that is substantially conterminous with the second side of the first plate. Furthermore, the second plate additionally has an internal conduit for conveying a heat-absorbing fluid within. Both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication with the conduit in the second plate. During operation, the structure is able to attract scattered electrons and transfer thermal energy attributable to the electrons away from the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Madhusudhana T. Subraya, Michael Scott Hebert, Gregory Alan Steinlage
  • Publication number: 20080075229
    Abstract: A compact x-ray source includes an electron beam source with a metallic film on a diamond window. The metallic film, which may be copper or scandium, absorbs the electron beams and produces k-alpha x-rays. The diamond window is a single crystal of diamond with a crystallographic orientation to diffract the x-rays, thereby producing a monochromatic and well collimated x-ray beam. The orientation of the crystal lattice may be configured to produce multiple x-ray beams. A plurality of electron beam sources may also be used to generate multiple x-ray beams. A detector is used to receive the x-ray beam after it interacts with a sample to be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: NANOMETRICS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Thomas W. Ryan
  • Patent number: 7236571
    Abstract: An X-Ray tube is provided. The X-Ray tube includes a frame structure surrounding at least a portion of an electron beam source and an electron beam target. The frame structure has a cooling system integrated therein. The cooling system includes at least one air/fin layer; and a sub-cooled working fluid in thermal contact with the at least one air/fin layer, the sub-cooled working fluid being adapted to undergo a phase change in response to heat introduced to the frame structure by one or more of the electron beam source and the electron beam target, wherein the phase change facilitates transfer of the heat to the at least one air/fin layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric
    Inventors: Charles B. Kendall, Carey Shawn Rogers
  • Patent number: 7209546
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying an absorptive coating to a portion of the evacuated enclosure in an x-ray generating device is disclosed. The absorptive coating is applied to the inner surface of the evacuated enclosure to enhance its heat dissipation characteristics, which in turn assists in tube cooling during x-ray production. The absorptive coating is applied atop an intermediate bonding layer. Both the absorptive coating and the intermediate bonding layer are applied to the evacuated enclosure surface by electroplating processes. A plating apparatus comprising the evacuated enclosure portion, a plating fixture, and a base plate is used both to contain the electroplating solution during the plating process, as well as to facilitate its entry into and removal from the evacuated enclosure. A method of employing the plating apparatus to apply the intermediate bonding layer and the absorptive coating is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Derrick G. Arnold, Joshua N. Brown
  • Patent number: 7190765
    Abstract: An anode assembly (50) includes a thermally conductive bearing encasement (52) covering a portion of a bearing (64). An anode (56) rotates on the bearing (64) and has a target (58) with an associated focal spot (60). The thermally conductive bearing encasement (52) is configured and expansion limited to prevent displacement of the focal spot (60) of greater than a predetermined displacement during operation of the anode (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Liqin Wang, Gregory A. Steinlage, David E. Dean, Thomas D. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 7110506
    Abstract: A method and device for cooling and electrically-insulating a high-voltage, heat-generating component, for example, an x-ray tube (1105) for analyzing fluids by means of x-ray fluorescence. The device includes an x-ray source (1100) including an x-ray tube (1105) having improved heat-dissipating properties due to the thermal coupling of the x-ray tube with a thermally-conductive, dielectric material (1150). The device may include a base assembly (1135) mounted to the component for conducting heat away from the component while electrically isolating the component. In one aspect of the invention, the base assembly includes two copper plates (1140, 1145) separated by a dielectric plate (1150). The dielectric plate minimizes or prevents the leakage of current through the base assembly (1135). One aspect of the disclosed invention is most amenable to the analysis of sulfur in petroleum-based fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: X-Ray Optical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Radley, Thomas J. Bievenue, John H. Burdett, Jr., Brian W. Gallagher, Stuart M. Shakshober, Zewu Chen
  • Patent number: 7058160
    Abstract: A shield structure is provided that is suitable for use in connection with an x-ray device that includes an anode and cathode disposed in a vacuum enclosure in a spaced apart arrangement so that a target surface of the anode is positioned to receive electrons emitted by the cathode. The shield structure is configured to be interposed between the anode and the cathode and includes an interior surface that defines an aperture through which the electrons are passed from the cathode to the target surface of the anode. Additionally, the aperture includes an inlet and an outlet sized so that the area of the inlet is relatively smaller than the area of the outlet. Finally, the shield structure is situated in the x-ray device such that the inlet of the aperture is positioned near the cathode and the outlet of the aperture is positioned near the anode target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Boye
  • Patent number: 7056017
    Abstract: A cooling system for an imaging system includes a mounting plate having a first side and an opposing second side. The mounting plate further defines at least one opening. At least one heat conductor extends through the opening and through at least a portion of a dielectric fluid reservoir defined adjacent the second side of the mounting plate and adapted to enclose an X-Ray source. A heat sink is coupled to the first side of the mounting plate and receives at least a portion of the heat conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Premjit J. Daniel, Balasubramanian Kandankumarath
  • Patent number: 7050542
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generating X-rays (41). The device comprises a source (5) for generating an electron beam (35), and a carrier (7) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (15) and which is provided with a material (9) which generates the X-rays as a result of the incidence of the electron beam thereon. The device further comprises a heat absorbing member (45) which is arranged between the source and the carrier to catch electrons, which are scattered back from an impingement position (39) of the electron beam on the carrier, and to absorb a portion of the radiant heat generated by the carrier when heated during operation. The heat absorbing member is in thermal connection with a cooling system (51) of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Helmut Bathe, Wolfgang Chrost
  • Patent number: 7020244
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides an X-ray tube. The X-ray tube includes an anode assembly configured to emit X-ray beams and a cathode assembly configured to emit electrons towards the anode assembly. The cathode assembly includes an insulator and a cathode post. The insulator includes a side surface, wherein the side surface includes a recessed portion. The cathode post includes a hollow interior region having an interior surface, wherein the interior surface is configured to engage with the side surface of the insulator. The cathode post may also include a foot portion that extends away from the interior surface at the end of the cathode post. The cathode post adjacent to the recessed portion of the insulator is configured to shield a triple point to reduce electrical stresses on the triple point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Colin Richard Wilson, Yang Cao, Richard Michael Roffers, Claire Alexandra Arnott, Ian Strider Hunt
  • Patent number: 6922463
    Abstract: An HV connector for high power X-ray device consists of thermally conductive epoxy, cable terminal, faraday cup, spring-loaded contact, and lead lined housing. The thermally conductive epoxy includes fillers. The epoxy can also be loaded with gravels of similar materials. A Faraday cup is included in the center area to offer electric field relief. Spring-loaded contacts are included for the easiness of pin alignment and robustness of handling. An efficient thermal management solution is accomplished through proper selection of thermal conductivities of gasket and epoxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Liang Tang, Madhusudhana Talneru Subraya, Paul Neitzke