Patent · US Expired

Hand held high power pulsed precision x-ray source

US5077771A · kind A · utility

117Cited by
8References
41Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 1, 1989
Grant dateDec 31, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 1, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05G1/34
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A pulsed precision x-ray source includes a miniaturized internally self-shielding x-ray tube and an integral generator contained in a hand-held housing for generating timed bursts of x-ray having regulated energy level. A control grid and focus electrode within the tube enable precise on-off control of an electron beam directed to an x-ray emitting anode. The integral generator system includes an elongated, U-shaped unitary, molded plastic block mounted in the housing and includes a high voltage transformer having primary and secondary annular windings encased in a transformer portion of the block defining a central opening outside of the block for receiving a transformer core therethrough and, a capacitor-diode voltage multiplier stack connected to the secondary winding and having a positive node connectable to the anode and a negative node connectable to the cathode. A high voltage pulse width modulated switching circuit is connected to the primary annular winding to generate high voltages across said voltage multipler stack in order to control the energy of x-ray put out by the tube. A heater power supply supplies heater current to operate a heater in the tube. A focus element/g…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.