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US 8,077,829 B2Granted
Electron emitter apparatus and method of assembly
AssigneeVarian Medical Systems, Inc.
InventorsPaul D. Moore, Christopher F. Artig, Robert C. Treseder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electron emitter assembly, and methods of assembly, is disclosed. The emitter assembly includes an electron emitter that is secured to a support device in a manner such that the emitter is substantially thermally isolated from the support device.
Claims42
An x-ray tube, comprising:
- a vacuum enclosure;
- an anode positioned within the vacuum enclosure and including a target surface;
- and
- a cathode spaced apart from the target surface, the cathode including an electron emitter assembly comprising:
- an electron emitter;
- a support mount;
- a pair of heat resistant elements disposed along an edge of the electron emitter, the pair of heat resistant elements comprised of a material having a low thermal conductivity relative to the support mount;
- and
- means for imposing a compressive force on the pair of heat resistant elements so as to retain the electron emitter within the electron emitter assembly.
6 more elements
An x-ray imaging device, comprising:
- an x-ray detector;
- and
- an x-ray source, comprising:
- a vacuum enclosure;
- an anode positioned within the vacuum enclosure and including a target surface;
- and
- a cathode spaced apart from the target surface, the cathode including an electron emitter assembly, the electron emitter assembly comprising:
- an electron emitter;
- a support mount;
- a heat resistant element disposed along an outer surface of the electron emitter;
- and
- at least one clamp affixed to the support mount so as to apply a compressive force to the heat resistant element and thereby retain the electron emitter within the electron emitter assembly.
9 more elements
A method of assembling an electron emitter, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a support mount within an evacuated enclosure of an x-ray tube;
- and
- securing an electron emitter to the support mount such that the electron emitter is thermally isolated from the support mount, wherein the step of securing comprises:
- disposing at least two heat resistant elements along an outer surface of the electron emitter;
- and
- applying a compressive force to the heat resistant elements so as to retain the electron emitter to the support mount.
3 more elements
A method of assembling an electron emitter, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a support mount within an evacuated enclosure of an x-ray tube;
- and
- securing an electron emitter to the support mount such that the electron emitter is thermally isolated from the support mount, wherein the step of securing comprises:
- disposing a first edge of the electron emitter between a first pair of heat resistant elements;
- disposing a second edge of the electron emitter between a second pair of heat resistant elements;
- and
- applying a compressive force to each pair of heat resistant elements so as to retain the electron emitter to the support mount.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.