US 4,884,292 A · Air-cooled X-ray tube

Abstract

An X-ray tube generally comprises an evacuated tube envelope fabricated primarily of metal and having first and second end walls and a cylindrical sidewall, and encloses a rotating anode with its target surface facing the second end wall. A heat transfer sleeve extends from the first end wall past the anode to receive heat from the anode and transfer it to the end wall for dispersal. A heat transfer cross plate at the end of the sleeve further encloses the anode to receive and transfer heat. The tube envelope is mounted in a cylindrical tube housing with the first end wall in contact with a finned mounting plate for dissipating heat. The surface of the tube envelope remains sufficiently cool to apply a layer of lead, whereby the tube is compact. The anode and cathode electrical feeds are through the second end wall. The electrical feeds have angled terminations with lead on them.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An X-ray tube comprising:

(A) an evacuated tube envelope fabricated primarily of metal, the tube envelope generally comprising a first end wall, a cylindrical side wall and a second end wall;
(B) an anode rotatably mounted in the tube envelope with its target surface facing the second end wall;
and drive means for rotating the anode;
(C) a cathode mounted within the tube envelope and positioned to cooperate with the anode to produce a beam of x-rays, and conductor means connected to the anode and cathode for applying electrical potential to produce x-rays;
(D) a heat transfer sleeve within said evacuated tube envelope extending from the first end wall toward the second end wall and beyond the anode and having a free end, the heat transfer sleeve being spaced-apart from the cylindrical side wall of the tube envelope and being disposed exteriorally of the anode to provide an annular vacuum space, the heat transfer sleeve receiving heat emanating from the anode during operation of the tube to produce X-rays and transferring that heat to the first end wall for dispersal, the heat transfer sleeve and cylindrical side wall of the tube envelope including means permitting the passage therethrough of the desired beam of X-rays from within the tube envelope and exteriorally of the tube envelope;
and
(E) air-cooled means for cooling said first end wall.

4 more elements

An X-ray tube comprising:

(A) an evacuated tube envelope fabricated primarily of metal, the tube envelope generally comprising a first end wall, a cylindrical side wall and a second end wall;
(B) an anode rotatably mounted in the tube envelope with its target surface facing the second end wall;
and drive means for rotating the anode;
(C) a cathode mounted within the tube envelope and positioned to cooperate with the anode to produce a beam of x-rays, and conductor means connected to the anode and cathode for applying an electrical potential;
(D) a heat transfer sleeve within said evacuated tube envelope extending from the first end wall past the anode, the heat transfer sleeve being spaced-apart from the cylindrical side wall, the heat transfer sleeve receiving heat emanating from the anode during operation of the tube to produce the beam of X-rays and transferring that heat to the first end wall for dispersal, the heat transfer sleeve and cylindrical side wall being constructed to permit passage of the beam of X-rays;
and
(E) a cylindrical tube housing surrounding and spaced apart from the metal tube envelope wherein the cylindrical tube housing includes a cylindrical outer wall and a mounting plate extending across the interior thereof, said mounting plate receiving and mounting the first end wall of the tube envelope for receiving heat transferred from the tube envelope.

4 more elements

An X-ray tube comprising:

(A) an evacuated tube envelope fabricated primarily of metal, the tube envelope generally comprising a first end wall, a cylindrical side wall and a second end wall;
(B) an anode rotatably mounted in the tube envelope with its target surface facing the second end wall;
and drive means for rotating the anode;
(C) a cathode mounted within the tube envelope and positioned to cooperate with the anode to produce a beam of x-rays, and conductor means connected to the anode and cathode for applying an electrical potential;
(D) a heat transfer sleeve within said evacuated tube envelope extending from the first end wall past the anode and having a free end, the heat transfer sleeve being spaced-apart from the cylindrical side wall, and the heat transfer sleeve receiving heat emanating from the anode during operation of the tube to produce the beam of X-rays and transferring that heat to the first end wall for dispersal;
the heat transfer sleeve and cylindrical side wall being constructed to permit passage of the beam of X-rays;
and
(E) a heat transfer cross plate secured to the free end of the heat transfer sleeve and extending substantially across the target face of the anode, the heat transfer cross plate receiving heat emanating from the anode during operation of the X-ray tube to produce the beam of X-rays, and transferring that heat via the heat transfer sleeve to the first end wall for dispersal;
the anode being mounted on a shaft having both of its ends supported on bearings, and the heat transfer cross plate being also notched to accommodate the shaft, and further comprising a layer of radiation absorbing material applied to the exterior of the cylindrical side wall and second end wall, except for an area for passing a desired beam of X-rays, the heat transfer sleeve defining an opening physically and electrically accommodating the cathode, said opening being covered by an auxiliary heat shield, said auxiliary heat shield including a window for passing the beam of X-rays.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Air-cooled X-ray tube

Life of this patent

Air-cooled X-ray tube

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21