Patent · US Expired

Anode for an x-ray tube

US5745546A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
6References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 12, 1996
Grant dateApr 28, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 12, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J2235/086
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An anode for an x-ray tube has an incident surface on which an electron beam is incident for generating x-rays emanating from a focal spot. In at least that region wherein the focal spot is located during operation of the x-ray tube, the incident surface has a step-like structure with end faces that reside at a substantially right angle relative to the electron beam during operation of the x-ray tube. The end faces are connected by respective sidewalls, and backscattered electrons from the end faces strike the sidewalls and generate x-rays in addition to x-rays emanating from the end faces struck by the electron beam, thereby improving the efficiency of x-ray generation. A similar improvement can be achieved by an anode having a roughened surface in the region of the focal spot.

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