Robust Emitter For Minimizing Damage From Ion Bombardment
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorSergio Lemaitre
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Abstract
In the present invention, an X-ray tube is provided including a cathode assembly with a cathode cup, and an emitter disposed within the cup configured to emit an electron beam therefrom. The emitter is formed with a central portion including legs with varying lengths and/or spaces formed therein. The legs including spaces of varying lengths provides additional emissive material at the center of the emitter to better withstand strikes from ions formed within the X-ray tube. The legs of varying overall lengths provides a void in the emitter through Which the ions can pass without striking the emitter.
Claims20
An emitter assembly for an X-ray tube, the emitter comprising:
- a first end:
- a second end;
- and
- a central portion disposed between first end and the second end, the central portion including a first section extending across the central portion between the first end and the second end, the first section including first legs that define a first space therebetween and second legs that define a second space therebetween, wherein a length of the second spaces is shorter than a length of the first spaces.
A cathode assembly for an X-ray tube, the cathode assembly comprising:
- a cathode cup;
- and
- an emitter disposed within the cup and each configured to emit an electron beam therefrom, the emitter including:
- a first end;
- a second end;
- and
- a central portion disposed between first end and the second end, the central portion including a first section extending across the central portion between the first end and the second end, the first section including first legs that define a first space therebetween and second legs that define a second space therebetween, wherein a length of the second spaces is shorter than a length of the first spaces.
A method for minimizing, damage to an emitter in an X-ray tube as a result of bombardment by charged ions within the X-ray tube to extend the useful life of the X-ray tube, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an X-ray tube including a cathode assembly having a cathode cup and an emitter disposed within the cup and each configured to emit an electron beam therefrom, the emitter including a first end, a second end and a central portion disposed between first end and the second end, the central portion including a first section extending across the central portion between the first end and the second end, the first section including first legs that define a first space therebetween and second legs that define a second space therebetween, wherein a length of the second spaces is shorter than a length of the first spaces;
- passing a current through the emitter to generate an electron beam;
- allowing charged ions formed by electrons in the electron beam to strike the second legs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.