Filament assembly having reduced electron beam time constant
US7539286B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 26, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J2235/1212
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A filament assembly for use in an x-ray emitting device or other filament-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 a filament assembly for emitting a beam of electrons during tube operation. The filament assembly comprises a heat sink and a plurality of filament segments. The filament segments are configured for simultaneous emission of an electron beam for impingement on the target surface of the anode, and are electrically connected in series. Each filament segment includes first and second end portions that are thermally connected to the heat sink, and a central portion that can be configured with a modified work function for preferential electron emission.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.