SMALL DIAMETER X-RAY TUBE
First Claim
1. An X-ray imaging system, comprising:
- an X-ray generator to generate X-rays;
a collimator to direct the X-rays into a direction of flow, a first end of the collimator operatively connected to the X-ray generator;
a small diameter tube operatively connected to a second end of the collimator opposite the X-ray generator, the small diameter tube to transmit the X-rays from the collimator along the direction of flow towards the inspection object; and
an end retainer coupled to an end of the small diameter tube opposite the X-ray generator, the end retainer to emit the X-rays to the area of inspection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for X-ray imaging enable inspection of an area of an object that is located separate and apart from a location of an X-ray generator. An X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray generator to generate X-rays. A collimator filters the generated X-rays to consolidate the generated X-rays and move the generated X-rays in a direction parallel to a centerline axis of the collimator. A small diameter tube transmits the directed X-rays and an end retainer emits the transmitted X-rays at an inspection object. A first filter of the collimator may initially filter the generated X-rays that are not parallel to the centerline axis of the collimator by passing the X-rays through a plurality of apertures. A second filter of the collimator may consolidate the generated X-rays and move the generated X-rays in a direction parallel to the centerline axis of the collimator by passing the generated X-rays through a channel.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An X-ray imaging system, comprising:
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an X-ray generator to generate X-rays; a collimator to direct the X-rays into a direction of flow, a first end of the collimator operatively connected to the X-ray generator; a small diameter tube operatively connected to a second end of the collimator opposite the X-ray generator, the small diameter tube to transmit the X-rays from the collimator along the direction of flow towards the inspection object; and an end retainer coupled to an end of the small diameter tube opposite the X-ray generator, the end retainer to emit the X-rays to the area of inspection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of inspecting an area of an object, the method comprising:
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generating X-rays using an X-ray generator; filtering the generated X-rays from the X-ray generator using a collimator to block unaligned X-ray beams and to allow aligned X-ray beams to pass through the collimator; transmitting the aligned X-rays through a small diameter tube; and emitting the aligned X-rays at the object. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A vehicle inspection system, comprising:
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an X-ray generator to generate X-rays; and a small diameter tube to transmit the X-rays, a first end of the small diameter tube connected to the X-ray generator and a second end of the small diameter tube to emit the X-rays at an object, the small diameter tube including; a collimator proximate the first end of the small diameter tube, and an end retainer proximate the second end of the small diameter tube, the collimator and the end retainer separated by a distance. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification