US 5,511,104 AGranted

X-ray tube

AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft

InventorsWerner Mueller, Herbert Bittl, Rudolf Friedel, Roland Schmidt, Henrik Krogmann

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Abstract

An x-ray tube, in addition to an anode and a cathode arrangement, has first and second electrodes that are located in an evacuated housing provided with a beam exit window. The anode and the first electrode are at potentials that are positive in comparison to the potentials of the cathode arrangement and the second electrode. Further, the first and the second electrode are arranged lying opposite one another such that secondary electrons emanating from the anode must pass through the space located between the first and the second electrode in order to proceed to the beam exit window. These secondary electrons are thus substantially all prevented from reaching the beam exit window, thereby avoiding excessive heating of the beam exit window.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An x-ray tube comprising:

an evacuated housing having a beam exit window;
a cathode assembly and an anode disposed in said housing;
means for placing said anode and said cathode assembly at respective electrical potentials with the electrical potential of said anode being positive in comparison to the electrical potential of said cathode assembly for causing said anode to emit x-rays, and said anode also emitting secondary electrons, said anode being oriented so that said x-rays exit said housing through said beam exit window;
and
first and second electrodes disposed opposite each other in said housing and means for placing said first and second electrodes at respective electrical potentials with the electrical potential of said first electrode being positive in comparison to the electrical potential of said cathode assembly and the electrical potential of said second electrode, said first and second electrodes being oriented in said housing so that secondary electrons emanating from said anode must pass between said first and second electrodes before reaching said beam exit window, and said first and second electrodes and said means for placing said first and second electrodes at respective electrical potentials comprising, in combination, means for preventing substantially any of said secondary electrons from reaching said beam exit window.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.