X-ray tube having multiple cathode filaments

Patent · Tue Jan 17 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:6294888

Furbee, A D; Perno, S G; Burke, J E

An apparatus is described comprising: (a) X-ray generating means including a cathode and an anode mounted in an evacuated chamber, the cathode having multiple filaments for emitting electrons to impinge upon a target region of the anode; (b) housing means enclosing the X-ray generating means in an enclosure containing an insulating fluid and including a flexible wall member in part defining the enclosure to accommodate variations in the volume of the insulating fluid with temperature, the housing means supporting the X-ray generating means in a position to direct X-rays through a region of interest; (c) connector means coupled to the housing means for energizing the X-ray generating means and having two conductors for receipt of a filament energization voltage; and (d) selector means immersed within the insulating fluid for electrically coupling the filament energization voltage at the connector means across a selected one of the multiple filaments while electrically isolating others of the multiple filaments from the filament energization voltage and having an actuator that includes a movable contact element in close proximity to the flexible wall which can be controlled from outside the housing means to energize different ones of the multiple filaments; (e) the housing means including an opening for insertion of a tool to engage the flexible wall in the region of the selector means to cause the flexible wall to contact and to move the movable contact element and select a different one of the multiple filaments.

• Assignee: Picker International, Inc., Highland Heights, OH
• Patent Number(s): US 4799248
• OSTI ID: 6294888
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 6 Aug 1987
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
42 ENGINEERING
CATHODES
FILAMENTS
X-RAY TUBES
ANODES
CONTAINERS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
THERMAL INSULATION
WORKING FLUIDS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRODES
ELECTRON TUBES
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
X-RAY EQUIPMENT
440300* - Miscellaneous Instruments- (-1989)
420800 - Engineering- Electronic Circuits & Devices- (-1989)