Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
378136000 | With specific cathode | 41 |
20080310593 | X RAY TUBE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING AND USING THE X RAY TUBE ASSEMBLY - In one embodiment, an X ray tube assembly is provided. The X ray tube assembly comprises an evacuated envelope, an anode disposed at a first end of the evacuated envelope and a cathode assembly disposed at a second end of the evacuated envelope. The cathode assembly comprises a cathode filament and a cathode cup defining a plurality of electrically isolated deflection electrodes. Further, the cathode cup comprises at least two portions, a first portion comprising an electrically conductive material and a second portion comprising an electrically insulating material. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing the X ray tube assembly is provided. | 12-18-2008 |
20080310594 | SCANNING X-RAY RADIATION - X-ray radiation is generated at a target that emits x-ray radiation in response to being struck by accelerated electrons, the electrons being emitted by a cathode that emits electrons in response to being illuminated by electromagnetic radiation from a source, and the x-ray radiation is moved by orienting a surface that directs the electromagnetic radiation from the source toward the cathode. | 12-18-2008 |
20090041195 | LASER STIMULATED CATHODE - A cathode has an emission layer that thermionically emits electrons upon exposure with a laser beam. The material of the emission layer has a product of density (ρ), measured in | 02-12-2009 |
20090060142 | X-Ray Tube with Enhanced Small Spot Cathode and Methods for Manufacture Thereof - An x-ray source produces a well-defined electron beam, without an undesirable halo. The x-ray source includes a housing, a cathode disposed within the housing, an anode spaced apart from the cathode for accelerating electrons emitted from the cathode and an x-ray emitter target disposed within the housing and spaced apart from the cathode for impact by the accelerated electrons. The cathode includes a passivation layer over only a portion of the area of the cathode, leaving an emission portion of the cathode that is not passivated. The passivation layer reduces or prevents emissions from the passivated portion of the cathode, thereby preventing a halo, which would otherwise be produced by lower-level emissions from the portion of the cathode that surrounds the emission portion of the cathode. | 03-05-2009 |
20090129549 | X-RAY TUBE HAVING A FOCAL SPOT PROXIMATE THE TUBE END - An x-ray tube having a reduced spacing between the focal spot of an anode and an adjacent end wall of an evacuated enclosure is disclosed. This in turn positions the tube relatively closer to the chest wall of a patient during mammography procedures. In one embodiment, the x-ray tube comprises an evacuated enclosure having first and second ends interconnected by a cylindrical side wall. The evacuated enclosure includes a rotor assembly having a bearing assembly and a stem. An anode is rotatably supported by the stem of the rotor assembly and includes a target surface and an opposite second surface. The target surface is positioned to face the bearing assembly, while the second surface is positioned to face the first end of the evacuated enclosure, with no intervening structure interposed therebetween. A cathode is included to emit electrons for impingement on a focal spot of the focal track. | 05-21-2009 |
20090220051 | CATHODE - A cathode has a cathode head in which is arranged a surface emitter is arranged that emits electrons upon the application of a heating voltage. At least one electrically conductive barrier plate that is galvanically separated from the surface emitter extends up to the surface emitter. This cathode has a longer lifespan, a high electron emission and a good blocking capability. | 09-03-2009 |
20090323898 | THERMIONIC EMITTER DESIGNED TO CONTROL ELECTRON BEAM CURRENT PROFILE IN TWO DIMENSIONS - An electron emitter assembly for use in an x-ray emitting device or other electron emitter-containing device is disclosed. In one embodiment, an x-ray tube is disclosed, including a vacuum enclosure that houses both an anode having a target surface, and a cathode positioned with respect to the anode. The cathode includes an electron emitter assembly for emitting a beam of electrons during tube operation. The electron emitter assembly comprises a refractory metal foil with a plurality of shaped rung structures for emitting an electron beam that maximizes flux while simultaneously focusing the electron beam in two dimensions. Focusing occurs primarily through an electrical field shaped by the electron emitter assembly and through balancing current density, electrical resistance, and heat loss through thermal conduction to control the regions that emit electrons. Furthermore, the refractory metal foil can be configured with a modified work function for preferential electron emission. | 12-31-2009 |
20100020936 | X-RAY TUBE - An x-ray tube has a vacuum housing supported so that it can rotate around a rotation axis, an anode that is arranged within the vacuum housing and that is connected in a rotationally fixed manner with the vacuum housing. The anode has an anode surface fashioned substantially in the shape of a ring. The center axis of which anode surface corresponds to the rotation axis. A cathode is mounted within the vacuum housing such that it can be rotated around the rotation axis. The cathode has a cathode surface fashioned substantially in the shape of a ring. The center axis of which cathode surface corresponds to the rotational axis. The cathode surface is arranged opposite the anode surface. A first actuator rotates the vacuum housing around the rotation axis with a first rotation speed ω | 01-28-2010 |
20100040201 | Cathode with a Coating Near the Filament and Methods for Making Same - One or more components of an x-ray cathode assembly are manufactured using a metal deposition process. The deposition process is carried out by providing a cathode shield and a cathode head with a cathode cup and a filament slot fabricated from a first metal, and forming a coating comprising a second metal on at least a portion of at least one of the filament slot, cathode cup, cathode head, and/or cathode shield using a deposition process so as to yield the x-ray cathode assembly. The deposition process is continued until a desired thickness of metal is achieved. Example deposition processes include electroforming, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, plasma spray, high velocity oxygen fuel thermal spray, and detonation thermal spraying. | 02-18-2010 |
20100061517 | DIODE FOR FLASH RADIOGRAPHY - A flash radiography diode includes a cathode and an anode. The cathode includes a frustum member with a bore extending through the frustum member. The anode is a tapered anode made of an electrically conductive material and oriented toward the cathode. The anode and the cathode are housed in a chamber with a gap between the anode and the cathode. The cathode is configured to emit electrons to the tapered anode, which electrons strike the anode and create an anode plasma. The anode plasma creates X rays which propagate from the anode. | 03-11-2010 |
20100067663 | CATHODE - A cathode HAS a cathode head in which a surface emitter is arranged that emits electrons upon application of a heating voltage. The surface emitter is fashioned as a parallel surface emitter with at least two emitter surfaces spaced apart from one another, to which at least one electrically conductive cutoff electrode is fed that is galvanically separated from the parallel surface emitter. Such a cathode has a good cutoff capability. | 03-18-2010 |
20100150315 | X-RAY SOURCE - An X-ray source with a cathode ( | 06-17-2010 |
20100195797 | THERMIONIC ELECTRON EMITTER AND X-RAY SOUCE INCLUDING SAME - A thermionic electron emitter ( | 08-05-2010 |
20100195798 | Cathode Structures for X-Ray Tubes - An apparatus and method comprising a cathode structure which can be a cylindrical filament coiled in a helix or which can be constructed of a ribbon or other suitable shape. The cathode structure can be heated by passage of an electrical current, or by other means such as bombardment with energetic electrons. Selected portions of the surface of the cathode structure have an altered property with respect to the non-selected portions of the surface. In one embodiment, the altered property is a curvature. In another embodiment, the altered property is a work function. By altering the property of the selected portions of the surface, the electron beam intensity is increased, and the width is decreased. | 08-05-2010 |
20100278307 | Thermionic Emitter Designed To Provide Uniform Loading and Thermal Compensation - An electron emitter assembly for use in an x-ray emitting device or other electron emitter-containing device is disclosed. In one embodiment, an x-ray tube is disclosed, including a vacuum enclosure that houses both an anode having a target surface, and a cathode positioned with respect to the anode. The cathode includes an electron emitter having a plurality of substantially parallel emission surfaces that collectively emit a beam of electrons for impingement on the target anode. In one aspect, the plurality of substantially parallel emission surfaces are angled relative focusing region so as to provide a substantially uniform thermal load on the target anode. In another aspect, the electron emitter includes a plurality of cut-outs that accommodate thermal expansion in the plane of the emitter. Accommodating thermal expansion in the plane of the emitter prevents distortions to the emitter that would tend to alter the focusing of the electrons on the target anode. Providing a substantially uniform thermal load on the target anode and preventing thermal distortion of the emitter lead to higher x-ray flux and better focusing for higher quality x-ray images. | 11-04-2010 |
20100278308 | X-RAY TUBE - According to one embodiment, a distance from an X-ray tube central axis to an outer side surface of a cathode electron gun in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a filament coil is made less than a distance from the X-ray tube central axis to an outer side surface of the cathode electron gun in the longitudinal direction of the filament coil, and a distance from the X-ray tube central axis to an X-ray radiation window in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the filament coil is made less than a distance from the X-ray tube central axis to an X-ray radiation window in the longitudinal direction of the filament coil. | 11-04-2010 |
20100284519 | Electron Emitter Apparatus and Method of Assembly - 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. | 11-11-2010 |
20100316192 | EMITTER FOR X-RAY TUBES AND HEATING METHOD THEREFORE - It is described an emitter ( | 12-16-2010 |
20110026681 | METHOD OF FAST CURRENT MODULATION IN AN X-RAY TUBE AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING SAME - An x-ray imaging system includes a detector positioned to receive x-rays, and an x-ray tube coupled to a mount structure. The x-ray tube is configured to generate x-rays toward the detector and includes a target, a cathode cup, an emitter attached to the cathode cup and configured to emit a beam of electrons toward the target, the emitter having a length and a width, and a one-dimensional grid positioned between the emitter and the target and attached to the cathode cup at one or more attachment points. The one-dimensional grid includes a plurality of rungs that each extend in a direction of the width of the emitter, and the plurality of rungs are configured to expand and contract relative to the one or more attachment points without substantial distortion with respect to the emitter. | 02-03-2011 |
20110188637 | X-RAY CATHODE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - The disclosed embodiments include embodiments such as an X-ray tube cathode filament system. The X-ray tube cathode filament system includes a substrate and a coating disposed on the substrate. In this cathode filament system, an electron beam is emitted from the coating but not from the substrate. The electron beam is produced through the use of the thermionic effect. | 08-04-2011 |
20110228909 | ELECTRON SOURCE AND CATHODE CUP THEREOF - An embodiment of the invention relates to a cathode cup ( | 09-22-2011 |
20110280377 | THERMIONIC SURFACE EMITTER AND ASSOCIATED METHOD TO OPERATE AN X-RAY TUBE - In a thermionic surface emitter and an associated method to operate an x-ray tube, the surface emitter has a conductor path in its emission surface, the conductor path having at least one current entrance point and at least one current exit point. In the thermionic surface emitter, the width of the conductor path is variable i.e. is non-constant or non-uniform. The electrical resistance of the emitter structure thus varies along the heating current path, with the consequence that a symmetrical emission structure can be achieved at a working point established by the hardware geometry. | 11-17-2011 |
20120027182 | CATHODE ASSEMBLY FOR AN X-RAY TUBE - A cathode assembly for an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, a cathode assembly includes a cathode head, a filament, and first and second focusing tabs. The cathode head defines a recess having first and second open ends, a slot within the recess, and first and second tab stops within the recess. The filament is positioned within the slot. The first focusing tab is positioned in the first open end of the recess abutting the first tab stop. The second focusing tab is positioned in the second open end of the recess abutting the second tab stop. | 02-02-2012 |
20120082300 | X-RAY TUBE FOR GENERATING TWO FOCAL SPOTS AND MEDICAL DEVICE COMPRISING SAME - An X-ray tube for generating two focal spots displaced with respect to each other and a medical device using such X-ray tube are proposed. The X-ray tube ( | 04-05-2012 |
20120140896 | CATHODE STRUCTURES FOR X-RAY TUBES - An apparatus and method comprising a cathode structure which can be a cylindrical filament coiled in a helix or which can be constructed of a ribbon or other suitable shape. The cathode structure can be heated by passage of an electrical current, or by other means such as bombardment with energetic electrons. Selected portions of the surface of the cathode structure have an altered property with respect to the non-selected portions of the surface. In one embodiment, the altered property is a curvature. In another embodiment, the altered property is a work function. By altering the property of the selected portions of the surface, the electron beam intensity is increased, and the width is decreased. | 06-07-2012 |
20120163550 | X-RAY GENERATOR - Provided is an X-ray generator for generating X-rays from an X-ray focal point that is a region in which electrons emitted from a filament impinge upon a rotating anode. The X-ray generator has a Wehnelt electrode for surrounding the filament, an attachment part formed integrally with the Wehnelt electrode, a pedestal to which the attachment part is attached, and a casing for housing the pedestal and the anticathode. The width of the space in which the anticathode is housed by the casing is less than the width of the space in which the pedestal is housed by the casing. The Wehnelt electrode extends into the space in which the anticathode is housed by the casing, in a state in which the attachment part is attached to the pedestal. | 06-28-2012 |
20120321048 | ELECTRON EMITTERS FOR X-RAY TUBES - Electron emitters for x-ray tubes. In one example embodiment, an electron emitter for an x-ray tube includes an electron filament and a plurality of electrical leads. The electron filament defines a plurality of openings. Each lead is positioned so as to extend through one of the openings and each lead is mechanically and electrically connected to the filament proximate the opening without the presence of braze material. | 12-20-2012 |
20130039475 | CATHODE ELEMENT FOR A MICROFOCUS X-RAY TUBE - A cathode element for a microfocus x-ray tube includes a heatable filament formed of a wire for thermionic emission of electrons for generating an electron beam. The filament, in a source area of the electron beam, has an elongate extension in two directions perpendicular to the electron beam. | 02-14-2013 |
20130182825 | X-RAY TUBE CATHODE WITH MAGNETIC ELECTRON BEAM STEERING - An x-ray tube cathode with magnetic electron beam steering. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube cathode includes a cathode head and an electron emitter. The cathode head includes electrically conductive and non-magnetic material integrated with magnetic material. The cathode head defines an emitter slot in a portion of electrically conductive and non-magnetic material positioned between two portions of magnetic material. The electron emitter is positioned within the emitter slot. The electron emitter is configured to emit a beam of electrons. The beam of electrons is configured to be both focused by the electrically conductive and non-magnetic material and steered during beam formation by the magnetic material. | 07-18-2013 |
20130301804 | ELECTRICALLY HEATED PLANAR CATHODE - An electrically heated planar cathode for use in miniature x-ray tubes may be spiral design laser cut from a thin tantalum alloy ribbon foil (with grain stabilizing features). Bare ribbon is mounted to an aluminum nitride substrate in a manner that is puts the ribbon in minimal tension before it is machined into the spiral pattern. The spiral pattern can be optimized for electrical, thermal, and emission characteristics. | 11-14-2013 |
20140010354 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A THERMALLY STABLE CATHODE IN AN X-RAY TUBE - An x-ray imaging system includes a detector positioned to receive x-rays, an x-ray tube configured to generate x-rays toward the detector from a focal spot surface, the x-ray tube includes a target having the focal spot surface, a cathode support arm, and a cathode attached to the cathode support arm. The cathode includes a split cathode cup having a first portion and a second portion that is separate from the first portion, the first and second portions having respective first and second emitter attachment surfaces, and a flat emitter that is attached to the first and second emitter attachment surfaces such that, when an electrical current is provided to the first portion of the cathode cup, the current passes through the flat emitter and returns through the second portion of the cathode cup such that electrons emit from the flat emitter and toward the focal spot surface. | 01-09-2014 |
20140079187 | EMISSION SURFACE FOR AN X-RAY DEVICE - Embodiments of the disclosure relate to electron emitters for use in conjunction with X-ray devices. In one embodiment, the emitter features a round emission area capable of emitting electrons when heated, wherein the round emission area comprises at least one of a gap, a channel, or a combination thereof that separates a first portion of the round emission area from a second portion of the round emission area and permits thermal expansion of the first portion and the second portion within the at least one gap or channel without permitting the first portion and the second portion to touch one another. The two electrically conductive legs coupled to the surface at respective locations outside the round emission area and that are capable of supplying current to the round emission area. | 03-20-2014 |
20140079188 | Photo Emitter X-Ray Source Array (PeXSA) - A photo-emitter x-ray source is provided that includes a photocathode electron source, a laser light source, where the laser light source illuminates the photocathode electron source to emit electrons, and an X-ray target, where the emitted electrons are focused on the X-ray target, where the X-ray target emits X-rays. The photocathode electron source can include alkali halides (such as CsBr and CsI), semiconductors (such as GaAs, InP), and theses materials modified with rare Earth element (such as Eu) doping, electron beam bombardment, and X-ray irradiation, and has a form factor that includes planar, patterned, of optically patterned. The X-ray target includes a material such as tungsten, copper, rhodium or molybdenum. The laser light source is pulsed or steered according to light modulators that can include acousto-optics, mode-locking, micro-mirror array, and liquid crystals, and includes a nano-aperture or nano-particle arrays, where the nano-aperture is a C-aperture or a circular aperture. | 03-20-2014 |
20140153698 | FLAT FILAMENT FOR AN X-RAY TUBE, AND AN X-RAY TUBE - A flat filament includes a first electron emission surface, a first current supply leg, a second current supply leg, a second electron emission surface disposed laterally of the first electron emission surface and connected to a first end region of the first electron emission surface, a third current supply leg, a third electron emission surface disposed laterally of the first electron emission surface, opposite from the second electron emission surface, and connected to a second end region of the first electron emission surface, and a fourth current supply leg. | 06-05-2014 |
20140254767 | CATHODE ASSEMBLY FOR A LONG THROW LENGTH X-RAY TUBE - Cathode assembly for a long throw length x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, a cathode assembly for an x-ray tube includes an electron emitter, an acceleration region, and a drift region. The electron emitter includes a curved emitting surface configured to emit an electron beam having a y-dimension that is greater than an x-dimension at the electron emitter. The acceleration region is defined adjacent to the electron emitter. The acceleration region is configured such that when the electron beam propagates within the acceleration region, the electron beam accelerates in a z-direction substantially normal to a midpoint of the curved emitting surface. The drift region is defined between the acceleration region and an anode. The drift region is configured such that the combined lengths of the drift region and the acceleration region are sufficient for the y-dimension to be less than the x-dimension at the anode. | 09-11-2014 |
20140270087 | X-RAY GENERATOR INCLUDING HEAT SINK BLOCK - An x-ray generator includes a housing, a cathode block that is arranged in the housing and emits electrons via a field emission scheme, an anode block that is arranged in the housing and generates x-rays in response to the electrons emitted from the cathode block and collide with the anode block, and a heat sink block that contacts the cathode block and dissipates heat generated therein to an outside of the housing. | 09-18-2014 |
20150311025 | EMITTER DEVICES FOR USE IN X-RAY TUBES - An emitter device having an emission surface includes a plurality of ligaments configured to emit electrons in response to an applied electric field resulting from an applied electrical voltage. Further, the emitter device includes a plurality of slots configured to provide physical separation between two or more adjacently disposed ligaments of the plurality of ligaments, where one or more slots of the plurality of slots define an electrical path. Moreover, the emitter device includes a low work function layer disposed on at least a portion of a ligament of the plurality of ligaments. | 10-29-2015 |
20160035532 | X-Ray Tube Cathode With Shaped Emitter - An emitter for a cathode of an X-ray tube is provided that includes a shaped emitting surface. The emitting surface is shaped in a suitable process in order to enable the emitting surface to focus electron beams emitted from the emitting surface on a focal spot on a target of less than 1.0 mm without the need for any additional focusing elements in the X-ray tube. | 02-04-2016 |
20160093462 | FLAT EMITTER COATED WITH LOW WORK FUNCTION MATERIAL - Embodiments include an X-ray cathode filament, filament system, process to manufacture the filament and process to use the filament, where the filament includes a planar substrate, such as of tungsten, having a top surface coated with a coating of carburized tungsten (e.g., W | 03-31-2016 |
20160099128 | X-RAY TUBE - According to one embodiment, an X-ray tube includes an elongated anode target, a cathode, and a vacuum envelope. The cathode includes an electron emission source and a converging electrode including a trench portion. The trench portion includes a closest inner circumferential wall, an upper inner circumferential wall, and a lower inner circumferential wall. The electron emission source projects towards a opening of the trench portion from a boundary between the closest inner circumferential wall and the upper inner circumferential wall. | 04-07-2016 |
20160189908 | Low Aberration, High Intensity Electron Beam For X-Ray Tubes - In the present invention, a cathode for an x-ray tube is formed with a large area flat emitter. To reduce the aberrations to a minimum the emission area in the flat emitter has a non-rectangular shape and focusing pads arranged around the emitter. In an exemplary embodiment, the flat emitter has a non-rectilinear polygonal shape for an emission area on the emitter in order to increase the emission current from the emitter at standard voltage levels without the need to run the emitters at a higher temperature, add additional emitters to the cathode and/or to coat the emitters with a low work function material. | 06-30-2016 |