X-ray tube with improved vacuum processing
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsLiang Tang, Eric Bruce Biehr, Richard Michael Roffers, Kalyan Koppisetty
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one embodiment, an X-ray tube includes an electron beam source including a primary cathode configured to emit an electron beam and an anode assembly including an anode configured to receive the electron beam and to emit X-rays when impacted by the electron beam. The X-ray tube also includes an enclosure, at least the primary cathode and the anode being disposed in the enclosure, and a secondary cathode disposed in the enclosure and configured to emit electrons to impact the anode for degassing the enclosure.
Claims23
An X-ray tube comprising:
- an electron beam source comprising a primary cathode configured to emit an electron beam;
- an anode assembly comprising an anode configured to receive the electron beam and to emit X-rays when impacted by the electron beam;
- an enclosure, at least the primary cathode and the anode being disposed in the enclosure;
- a secondary cathode disposed in the enclosure and configured to emit electrons to impact the anode for degassing the enclosure, wherein the secondary cathode comprises a filament configured to be heated to emit the electrons;
- and
- a cup disposed about and supporting the filament, wherein the cup is configured to focus the electrons emitted from the filament at the anode.
A method for making an X-ray tube, comprising:
- assembling the X-ray tube comprising an electron beam source comprising a primary cathode configured to emit an electron beam during normal operation of the X-ray tube, an anode assembly comprising an anode configured to receive the electron beam and to emit X-rays when impacted by the electron beam, an enclosure, at least the primary cathode and the anode being disposed in the enclosure, and a secondary cathode disposed in the enclosure adjacent to the anode;
- energizing the anode and the secondary cathode to emit electrons from the secondary cathode to degas the interior volume;
- and
- sealing the interior volume.
An X-ray tube comprising:
- an electron beam source comprising a primary cathode configured to emit an electron beam;
- an anode assembly comprising an anode configured to receive the electron beam and to emit X-rays when impacted by the electron beam;
- an enclosure, at least the primary cathode and the anode being disposed in the enclosure;
- and
- an ion gauge assembly comprising a secondary cathode, the ion gauge assembly configured to measure pressure within the enclosure during use of the X-ray tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.