Rapidly switching dual energy x-ray source
AssigneeXRSciences LLC
InventorsColin Charette, David Reynolds
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual energy X-ray source for use in Homeland Security, Medical, Non-destructive Testing, and other markets includes a power supply, and a single x-ray tube. The X-ray tube includes two cathodes, and a single anode. The electrons from the cathodes travel predominantly along the axis of the x-ray tube, and impact the anode. The grid and/or focus coil direct the electrons so that electrons can pass by the cathode. The cathodes are kept at different potential, such that the tube can rapidly switch energies, and can rapidly switch output flux from each cathode.
Claims17
A source device comprising:
- a chamber;
- an anode positioned within the chamber;
- a first cathode positioned within the chamber, separated from the anode in a first direction by first distance and configured to emit charged particles which impact the anode;
- a second cathode positioned within the chamber, separated from the anode in the first direction by a second distance which is larger than the first distance and configured to emit charged particles which travel past the first cathode before impacting the anode and the charged particles travel in a direction parallel to the charged particles of the first cathode for at least a portion of their travel.
An X-ray source comprising:
- a chamber;
- an anode positioned within the chamber;
- a first cathode positioned within the chamber and configured to emit charged particles which impact the anode;
- a second cathode positioned within the chamber, located farther from the anode than the first cathode and configured to emit charged particles which impact a location on the anode which overlaps with the location of impact of the charged particles of the first cathode and which, on their way to the anode, travel at least part of the way in parallel to the charged particles of the first cathode.
A method of operating a charged particle source, the method comprising:
- applying a first voltage differential between a first cathode and an anode in a chamber;
- applying a second voltage differential between a second cathode and the anode in the chamber;
- applying a third voltage differential between the first cathode and a first grid to permit the emission of charged particles by the first cathode;
- and
- applying a fourth voltage differential between the second cathode and a second grid to permit the emission of charged particles by the second cathode,
- wherein the first cathode and the second cathode emit charged particles which travel to the node and which travel in parallel for at least a portion of their trip to the node.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.