MULTIPLE-SIZE SUPPORT FOR X-RAY WINDOW

• US 20120213336A1
• Filed: 12/06/2011
• Published: 08/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Moxtek (Polatechno Co.,Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Moxtek (Polatechno Co.,Ltd.)
• Inventors: Liddiard, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 8,929,515 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/161
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 1/02 using diaphragms, collimators
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 35/18 Windows

Abstract

An x-ray window including a support frame with a perimeter and an aperture. A plurality of ribs can extend across the aperture of the support frame and can be supported or carried by the support frame. Openings exist between ribs to allow transmission of x-rays through such openings with no attenuation of x-rays by the ribs. A film can be disposed over and span the ribs and openings. The ribs can have at least two different cross-sectional sizes including at least one larger sized rib with a cross-sectional area that is at least 5% larger than a cross-sectional area of at least one smaller sized rib.

Claims

1. A window for allowing transmission of x-rays, comprising:

a) a support frame defining a perimeter and an aperture;

b) a plurality of ribs extending across the aperture of the support frame and carried by the support frame;

c) openings between the plurality of ribs;

d) a film disposed over, carried by, and spanning the plurality of ribs and openings and configured to pass radiation therethrough; and

e) the plurality of ribs having at least two different cross-sectional sizes including at least one larger sized rib with a cross-sectional area that is at least 5% larger than a cross-sectional area of at least one smaller sized rib.

2. The window of claim 1, wherein the at least one larger sized rib has a cross-sectional area that is at least 50% larger than a cross-sectional area of the at least one smaller sized rib.

3. The window of claim 1, wherein the at least one larger sized rib has a cross-sectional area that is at least twice as large as a cross-sectional area of the at least one smaller sized rib.

4. The window of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs include at least three different sizes and each larger size has a cross-sectional area that is at least 5% larger than a cross-sectional area of a smaller sized rib.

5. The window of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs include at least four different sizes and each larger size has a cross-sectional area that is at least 5% larger than a cross-sectional area of a smaller sized rib.

6. The window of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs form multiple hexagonal-shaped structures and define hexagonal-shaped openings.

7. The window of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs extend from one side of the support frame to an opposing side and are substantially parallel with respect to each other.

8. The window of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs intersect one another.

9. The window of claim 8, wherein the plurality of ribs are oriented non-perpendicularly with respect to each other and define non-rectangular openings.

10. The window of claim 1, wherein at least one larger sized rib has a longer length than all smaller sized ribs.

11. The window of claim 1, wherein at least one larger sized rib spans a greater distance across the aperture of the support frame than all smaller sized ribs.

12. The window of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs extend non-linearly across the aperture of the support frame.

13. The window of claim 1, wherein the at least one larger sized rib along with the support frame separate the at least one smaller sized rib into separate and discrete sections.

14. The window of claim 1, wherein tops of the plurality of ribs terminate substantially in a common plane;

15. The window of claim 1, wherein a pattern of the at least one larger sized rib is aligned with a portion of a pattern of the at least one smaller sized rib.

16. The window of claim 1, wherein a portion of a pattern of the at least one larger sized rib is aligned with a portion of a pattern of the at least one smaller sized rib.

17. The window of claim 1, wherein the at least one larger sized rib has a larger width than the at least one smaller sized rib.

18. The window of claim 1, wherein a portion of the support frame and a portion of the plurality of ribs are disposed in a single plane, having a thickness of less than 5 micrometers, which is substantially parallel with the film.

19. The window of claim 1, wherein the film contacts the plurality of ribs.

20. The window of claim 1, further comprising:

a) a mount to which the window is hermetically sealed;

b) an x-ray detector to which the mount is attached; and

c) wherein the window is configured to allow x-rays to impinge upon the detector.

21. The window of claim 1, further comprising:

a) an x-ray source including a hermetically sealed enclosure partially formed by the window and an x-ray tube; and

b) wherein the window is configured to allow x-rays to exit the x-ray source.

22. A window for allowing transmission of x-rays, comprising:

a) a support frame defining a perimeter and an aperture;

b) a plurality of ribs extending across the aperture of the support frame and carried by the support frame, the plurality of ribs having openings therebetween;

c) tops of the plurality of ribs terminate substantially in a common plane;

d) a film disposed over and spanning the plurality of ribs and openings and configured to pass radiation therethrough;

e) the plurality of ribs having at least two different cross-sectional sizes including at least one larger sized rib with a cross-sectional area that is at least 50% larger than a cross-sectional area of at least one smaller sized rib.

f) at least one larger sized rib has a longer length than all of the smaller sized ribs; and

g) at least one larger sized rib spans a greater distance across an aperture of the support frame than at least one of the smaller sized ribs.