Miniature, low-power X-ray tube using a microchannel electron generator electron source

US8081734B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Wm. Timothy Elam · Redmond, US
• Warren C. Kelliher · Hampton, US
• William Hershyn · Felton, US
• David P. DeLong · Soquel, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 1, 2009
• Grant date: Dec 20, 2011
• Expiry date: Feb 26, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01J2235/062
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a novel, low-power X-ray tube and X-ray generating system. Embodiments of the invention use a multichannel electron generator as the electron source, thereby increasing reliability and decreasing power consumption of the X-ray tube. Unlike tubes using a conventional filament that must be heated by a current power source, embodiments of the invention require only a voltage power source, use very little current, and have no cooling requirements. The microchannel electron generator comprises one or more microchannel plates (MCPs), Each MCP comprises a honeycomb assembly of a plurality of annular components, which may be stacked to increase electron intensity. The multichannel electron generator used enables directional control of electron flow. In addition, the multichannel electron generator used is more robust than conventional filaments, making the resulting X-ray tube very shock and vibration resistant.