X-ray tube having a getter shield and method
AssigneePicker International, Inc.
InventorAllan D. Kautz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An x-ray tube (14) has an evacuated envelope (30) in which an anode (32), a cathode (34), and a getter shield (60) are disposed. The shield includes a sleeve (62) and a cap (64). The cap defines an annular groove (70). A getter material (72) is deposited in the groove and sintered to define a porous volume. The getter material is activated during normal exhaustion of the x-ray tube during manufacture. During operation of the tube to generate x-rays, the waste heat is absorbed by the cap passively raising the getter material to its pumping temperature.
Claims16
In an x-ray tube including an evacuated envelope, an anode mounted within the evacuated envelope and connected with a rotor to provide rotation thereof, and a cathode for generating a beam of electrons which impinge upon the rotating anode on a focal spot to generate a beam of x-rays and a shield for shielding electrical components associated with the cathode that are mounted in the evacuated envelope, the improvement comprising:
- the shield having a sleeve disposed in the envelope;
- a cap defining a groove therein mounted on the shield;
- and,
- a getter material mounted in the groove.
A getter shield for shielding electrical components associated with a cathode of an x-ray tube having an evacuated envelope and an anode and the cathode disposed in the envelope, the shield comprising:
- a sleeve disposed in the envelope;
- a cap received on the sleeve, the cap having a groove disposed on a surface thereof;
- and,
- getter material disposed in the groove.
A method for evacuating an x-ray tube including an envelope and an anode, a cathode, and a getter shield for surrounding electrical components associated with the cathode in the envelope, the getter shield including a sleeve, a cap having a groove therein received in the sleeve, and getter material mounted in the groove, the method comprising:
- exhausting the tube to evacuate gases therefrom by exposing the tube to a predetermined first temperature and a predetermined pressure for a predetermined period of time;
- simultaneously activating the getter material by exposing the getter material to the predetermined first temperature and the predetermined pressure for the predetermined period of time;
- operating the tube to generate heat to raise the getter material to a second temperature such that the getter material absorbs residual contaminant gases.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.