Reduced power consumption X-ray source
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An x-ray tube comprising:
- a) an evacuated insulative cylinder;
b) an anode disposed at one end of the insulative cylinder including a material configured to produce x-rays in response to impact of electrons;
c) a cathode disposed at an opposing end of the insulative cylinder from the anode, the cathode including a filament disposed at an inward face of the cathode, the filament configured to produce electrons accelerated towards the anode in response to an electric field between the anode and the cathode;
d) an infrared heat reflector disposed inside the insulative cylinder between the cathode and the anode, and oriented to reflect a substantial portion of infrared heat radiating from the filament back to the filament;
e) the reflector having a curved, concave shape facing the cathode;
f) an opening in the reflector aligned with an electron path between the filament and the anode; and
g) the opening sized to allow a substantial amount of electrons to flow from the filament to the anode.
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Abstract
A reduced power consumption x-ray source comprising:
- In one embodiment, an x-ray tube including an infrared heat reflector disposed inside an x-ray tube cylinder between the cathode and the anode and oriented to reflect a substantial portion of infrared heat radiating from a filament back to the filament, thus reducing heat loss from the filament.
- In another embodiment, an alternating current source for an x-ray tube filament including a switch for allowing power to flow to the filament for a longer or shorter time depending on the desired output x-ray flux.
- In another embodiment, a neutral grounded, direct current (DC) high voltage, power supply with parallel high voltage multipliers, each supplied by separate alternating current sources, but both the output of one alternating current source connected to ground and the input of another alternating current source connected to ground. The output of both high voltage multipliers are connected.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An x-ray tube comprising:
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a) an evacuated insulative cylinder; b) an anode disposed at one end of the insulative cylinder including a material configured to produce x-rays in response to impact of electrons; c) a cathode disposed at an opposing end of the insulative cylinder from the anode, the cathode including a filament disposed at an inward face of the cathode, the filament configured to produce electrons accelerated towards the anode in response to an electric field between the anode and the cathode; d) an infrared heat reflector disposed inside the insulative cylinder between the cathode and the anode, and oriented to reflect a substantial portion of infrared heat radiating from the filament back to the filament; e) the reflector having a curved, concave shape facing the cathode; f) an opening in the reflector aligned with an electron path between the filament and the anode; and g) the opening sized to allow a substantial amount of electrons to flow from the filament to the anode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An alternating current source for an x-ray tube filament comprising:
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a) a voltage source; b) a switch that is electrically coupled to the voltage source; c) the switch having a first switch position and a second switch position; d) electrical current flow through the switch when the switch is in the first switch position is at least 3 times more than the electrical current flow through the switch when the switch is in the second switch position; d) a direct current to alternating current (DC to AC) converter; i) configured to provide alternating current to the x-ray tube filament; ii) electrically coupled to the voltage source through the switch; and iii) provides more alternating current to the x-ray tube filament when the switch is in the first position; f) the x-ray tube filament configured to produce an electron beam having an electron beam current level; g) a feedback module receiving input regarding the electron beam current level; and h) the feedback module directing the switch to the first switch position for more or less time based on the electron beam current level. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A neutral grounded, direct current (DC) high voltage, power supply comprising:
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a) a first alternating current (AC) source having a first connection and a second connection; b) a second AC source having a first connection and a second connection; c) a first high voltage multiplier having; i) an AC connection; ii) a ground connection; iii) an output connection; d) a second high voltage multiplier having; i) an AC connection; ii) a ground connection; iii) an output connection; e) the first connection of the first AC source, the second connection of the second AC source, the first high voltage multiplier ground connection, and the second high voltage multiplier ground connection all electrically connected to an electrical ground; f) the second connection of the first AC source electrically connected to the first high voltage multiplier AC connection; g) the first connection of the second AC source electrically connected to the second high voltage multiplier AC connection; and h) the first high voltage multiplier output connection electrically connected to the second high voltage multiplier output connection. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification