Target integral heat shield for x-ray tubes
AssigneePicker International, Inc.
InventorsNorman E. Wandke, Gerald J. Carlson, Lester D. Miller, Qing Lu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An x-ray tube includes an envelope defining an evacuated chamber in which an anode assembly is rotatably mounted to a bearing assembly and interacts with a cathode assembly for production of x-rays. The x-ray tube further includes a heat shield disposed in the envelope. The heat shield serves to reduce heat radiating from the anode assembly which is transferred to the bearing assembly or otherwise serves to insulate the bearing assembly from such radiated heat. The heat shield is brazed or otherwise bonded to the anode assembly and is comprised of a material having a low emissivity so that a minimum amount of heat radiates through the heat shield.
Claims36
An x-ray tube comprising:
- a cathode assembly, said cathode assembly including a filament which emits electrons when heated;
- an anode assembly defining a target for intercepting the electrons such that collision between the electrons and the anode assembly generate x-rays from an anode focal spot;
- a bearing assembly rotatably supporting the anode assembly;
- an envelope enclosing the anode assembly, the cathode assembly, and the bearing assembly in a vacuum;
- and
- means for reducing heat radiating from a region of the anode assembly, the heat radiating reducing means in contiguous contact with the region of the anode assembly.
An x-ray tube comprising:
- a cathode assembly, said cathode assembly including a filament which emits electrons when heated;
- an anode assembly defining a target for intercepting the electrons such that collision between the electrons and the anode assembly generate x-rays from an anode focal spot;
- a bearing assembly rotatable supporting the anode assembly;
- an envelope enclosing the anode assembly, the cathode assembly, and the bearing assembly in a vacuum;
- and
- means for reducing heat radiating from a region of the anode assembly, the heat radiating reducing means in contiguous contact with the region of the anode assembly, wherein said means is a coating applied to the anode assembly.
An x-ray tube comprising:
- an envelope defining an evacuated chamber in which an anode assembly is rotatably supported in a bearing assembly;
- and
- a shield coupled in contiguous contact with a portion of the anode assembly for reducing heat radiated to the stem from the production of x-rays.
In an x-ray tube including an envelope defining an evacuated chamber, an anode assembly rotatably mounted within the evacuated chamber by way of a bearing assembly and operatively coupled to a rotor to provide rotation thereof, and a cathode assembly for generating a beam of electrons which impinge upon the rotating anode assembly on a focal spot to generate a beam of x-rays, the x-ray tube comprising:
- a first region for emitting heat from the anode assembly;
- a second region on a surface of the anode assembly facing the bearing assembly, the second region having a lower emissivity than the first region, whereby heat radiating from the second region is reduced thereby reducing heat transference to the bearing assembly.
A method of reducing heat transference from an anode assembly to a bearing assembly rotatably mounting the anode assembly within an evacuated chamber defined by an x-ray tube envelope, the method comprising the step of:
- applying a low emissivity coating to a surface of the anode assembly.
In an x-ray tube including an envelope defining an evacuated chamber, an anode assembly rotatably mounted within the evacuated chamber by way of a bearing assembly and operatively coupled to a rotor to provide rotation thereof, and a cathode assembly for generating a beam of electrons which impinge upon the rotating anode assembly on a focal spot to generate a beam of x-rays, the x-ray tube comprising:
- a first region for emitting heat from the anode assembly;
- a second region on a surface of the anode assembly facing the bearing assembly, the second region having a lower emissivity than the first region, whereby heat radiating from the second region is reduced thereby reducing heat transference to the bearing assembly, wherein the second region is a heat shield coating in contiguous physical contact with a portion of the first region.
An x-ray tube anode comprising:
- a target including a substrate having a focal track for generating x-rays and a rear portion from which heat is radiated;
- and
- a heat shield integral to the rear portion of the target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.