Multiple grooved x-ray generator
First Claim
1. An x-ray tube comprising:
- an envelope;
a cathode mounted within the envelope; and
an anode target rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation within the envelope and spaced relative to the cathode, wherein the target includes an axially-extending peripheral portion defining first and second approximately v-shaped groove portions axially spaced adjacent to each other in an axial direction along the axis of rotation, the first and second groove portions are each defined by a base and first and second opposing side walls, respectively, that diverge outwardly relative to each other in an approximately v-shaped configuration and substantially radially relative to the axis of rotation, the first side walls intersect a common plane extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, the second side walls intersect said common plane, and at least one of the approximately v-shaped groove portions of the target cooperates with the cathode to define thereon at least one x-ray focal track.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An X-ray tube has a metal-ceramic envelope having rotatably mounted therein an anode disk, which may be axially translatable and provided with a peripheral rim surface wherein a focal track spiral groove (or multiple annular grooves) is disposed. The groove(s) include a focal spot(s) area spaced from an electron emitting cathode(s), which is associated with a beam-forming structure and an X-ray transparent window mounted within an insulating structure aligned with the focal spot area. The insulating structure incorporates a multiplicity of imbedded annular electrodes which control an accelerating electric field, and which are structurally and operationally integrated into a power-control assembly that provides the electrical power and control signals necessary for the functioning of the X-ray tube.
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Citations
69 Claims
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1. An x-ray tube comprising:
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an envelope; a cathode mounted within the envelope; and an anode target rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation within the envelope and spaced relative to the cathode, wherein the target includes an axially-extending peripheral portion defining first and second approximately v-shaped groove portions axially spaced adjacent to each other in an axial direction along the axis of rotation, the first and second groove portions are each defined by a base and first and second opposing side walls, respectively, that diverge outwardly relative to each other in an approximately v-shaped configuration and substantially radially relative to the axis of rotation, the first side walls intersect a common plane extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, the second side walls intersect said common plane, and at least one of the approximately v-shaped groove portions of the target cooperates with the cathode to define thereon at least one x-ray focal track. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. An x-ray tube comprising:
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an envelope; a cathode mounted within the envelope and including first means for transmitting at least one electron beam onto at least one focal spot; and an anode target rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation within the envelope and spaced relative to the cathode, and defining an annular, axially-extending peripheral portion, and second means extending annularly about the peripheral portion for defining at least one focal track corresponding to the at least one focal spot and emitting x-rays therefrom upon impingement of the at least one electron beam thereon, wherein the second means includes first and second base portions axially spaced adjacent to each other in an axial direction along the axis of rotation, and first and second pairs of opposing side wall portions wherein each of the first and second pairs of opposing side wall portions diverge outwardly relative to each other in an approximately v-shaped configuration and substantially radially relative to the axis of rotation, the first side wall portions intersect a common plane extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, and the second side wall portions intersect said common plane. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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65. A method comprising the following steps:
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providing an x-ray tube including a cathode, a rotatably mounted anode target spaced relative to the cathode and including an annular, axially-extending peripheral portion defining first and second approximately v-shaped groove portions, wherein the anode defines an axis of rotation, the first and second groove portions are axially spaced adjacent to each other along the axis of rotation, each of the first and second groove portions is defined by a base and a pair of opposing side walls that diverge outwardly relative to each other in an approximately v-shaped configuration and substantially radially relative to the axis of rotation., the first side walls intersect a common plane extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, and the second side walls intersect said common plane; and
further comprising at least one of the following steps;(i) transmitting an electron beam from the cathode onto a focal spot defined within at least one of the first and second v-shaped groove portions and emitting x-rays therefrom upon impingement of the electron beam thereon, and simultaneously both rotatably and axially moving the anode target while transmitting the electron beam thereon; and (ii) transmitting a first electron beam from the cathode onto a first focal spot defined within the first v-shaped groove portion and emitting a first x-ray beam therefrom upon impingement of the first electron beam thereon, and transmitting a second electron beam from the cathode onto a second focal spot defined within the second v-shaped groove portion and emitting a second x-ray beam therefrom upon impingement of the second electron beam thereon. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68, 69)
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Specification