Method for controlling the electron current in an x-ray tube, and x-ray system operating according to the method

US6178226A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Erich Hell · Erlangen, DE
• Peter Schardt · Simmerath, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 17, 1998
• Grant date: Jan 23, 2001
• Expiry date: Aug 17, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H05G1/50
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In a method and x-ray system for controlling the electron current in an x-ray tube emitted from a continuously heated electron emitter with an allocated focussing electrode to an anode, the potential of the focussing electrode is pulsed between a conducting-state voltage, selected dependent on the desired size of the focal spot and/or the tube voltage of the electron beam on the anode, and a blocking voltage interrupting the electron current to the anode, the pulsewidth being modulated to control the electron current.