US1946287A - X-ray equipment - Google Patents

X-ray equipment Download PDF

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Publication number
US1946287A
US1946287A US430418A US43041830A US1946287A US 1946287 A US1946287 A US 1946287A US 430418 A US430418 A US 430418A US 43041830 A US43041830 A US 43041830A US 1946287 A US1946287 A US 1946287A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
tube
cathode
ray
main
focusing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US430418A
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English (en)
Inventor
William K Kearsley
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
General Electric Co
Original Assignee
General Electric Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
Priority to US430418A priority Critical patent/US1946287A/en
Priority to BE377546A priority patent/BE377546A/fr
Priority to GB5423/31A priority patent/GB374913A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US1946287A publication Critical patent/US1946287A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05G—X-RAY TECHNIQUE
    • H05G1/00—X-ray apparatus involving X-ray tubes; Circuits therefor
    • H05G1/08—Electrical details
    • H05G1/26—Measuring, controlling or protecting
    • H05G1/30—Controlling
    • H05G1/52—Target size or shape; Direction of electron beam, e.g. in tubes with one anode and more than one cathode
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof

Definitions

  • the present invention comprises a new combination of X-ray generator, or X-ray tube, and
  • an electrostatic focusing device in a thermionic X-ray tube is connected to a circuit containing a source of potential which is varied automatically with the energy passing through the X-ray tube so as to control the focusing in the desired manner.
  • Fig. 1 of the drawing is a diagram of a preferred embodiment of my invention which includes. a thermionic vacuum tube connected in such manner to an X-ray tube that a variable potential across the vacuum tube is impressed upon the focusing member of theX-ray'tube;
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a modification and Fig. 3 isfa detailed view showing in section a cathode portion'of-a vacuum tube'constructedto operate in accordance with my invention.
  • anX-ray-tube or generator comprising a bulb'l having oppositely extending electrode arms and containing an anode 2 and a cathode 3 (here shown diagrammatically) which do not differ essentially in construction fromthe electrodes ordinarily employed in a well-known form of thermionic X ra'y tubes.
  • the anode comprises a mass of highly refractory metal, preferably tungsten;
  • the anode stem 4 is sealed into a support 5 of the usual construction.
  • the cathode as best 7 shown in Fig. 3, comprises a spiral filament 6, also preferably consisting of tungsten.
  • This filament is connected at one 'end'to a conductor 7 and at its opposite'end tofa ring 8, carried by a conductor 9.
  • the cathode conductors are sealed into a stem 10 and lead to external contact'devices (not shown).
  • Surrounding thecathode filament 6 is a focusing device consisting of-a dished tubular member 11 which is supported by the' conductors '12, 12, in turn mountedupon a split metal tube 13 carried by the glass tube 14 which forms with the stem 10 a reentrant member in the cathode arm of the envelope.
  • - Aconductor 15 contacting with thetube 13 is'se aled through the envelope of theX-ray tube-to an external circuit described hereinafter.
  • the cathode conductors '7, -9 are connected by I thewireslfi, 1'! (Fig.1) to the secondary'winding 18 of a transformer 19, whereby heatingcurrent is'supplied to maintain the cathode at an j electron-emitting temperature.
  • Current for gerierating X-rays' is supplied by the high potential secondary winding of a main transformer '20 through a rectifier or mechanicaltranslator' 21 ofany' suitable and well-known type. Both the transformers 19 and 20 derive energy for their primary windings from the alternating current mains 22.
  • the supply circuit'23 of the trans- "former 19 contains an adjustable resistor 24.
  • the supply circuit '25 of the transformer 20 contains a switch conventionally indicated at 26.
  • a vacuum tube 27 is included in circuit between the transformer 20 and the'cathode filament 6,
  • the cathode 30 of the tube'2'7 is connected by the conductors 31, 31' to the secondary winding 32 which may be wound on the coreof thetrans- "former 19' in common with 'thewinding 18,0r Iconne'cted'in any suitablemanner' to be respo'ri- 1N thermionic vacuum tube varies inversely with the temperature of the cathode up to the saturation value of the cathode electron emission.
  • the negative bias which is given to the focusing member 11 by the connection of the circuit 15, 28, containing the vacuum tube 27, to this member is made high enough to cause a convergence or focusing of the cathode rays upon the focal spot of the most favorable area for anX-ray generat ing current at the lower limit of the operating range of the X-ray tube.
  • the temperature of the cathode 6 must be increased. This is accomplished by decreasing the resistance 24 in the primary circuit of the transformer 19 thereby simultaneously increasing the temperature of the filament 30 of the vacuum tube 27 and lowering the voltage drop in the vacuum tube.
  • the negative bias of the focusing member is decreased by the lowering of the voltage drop in the vacuum tube, and, therefore, with the greater energy input in the X-ray tube the focal spot is automatically enlarged.
  • the increase in area of the focal spot may be caused to keep step with an increase in current through the X-ray tube so as to always secure the most favorable focal spot with any given energy input.
  • the system shown in Fig. 2 is similar to the sys tem shown in Fig. 1 but in addition to-currentresponsive means there is provided means for controlling the size of the focal spot to respond to changes of voltage of the energy supply of the X-ray tube.
  • a transformer .60 is provided which cooperates with the transformer 32 in heating the filament 30.
  • the X-ray tube responds to variations of line voltage in the intensity or hardness of the X-ray produced therein accompanied by variations in heat evolution at the focal spot.
  • the area of the focal spot is varied accordingly by the folondary winding of the transformer 60 is connected by the conductors 31, 31 in series with the secondary winding 32, the windings being connected .bination of a source of energy,
  • an X-ray tube having main electrodes including'a thermionic cathode, a main transformer connected to operate said tube, means for focusing the X-ray producing discharge in said tube, an auxiliary thermionic tube connected in series with said X-ray tube, a conductive connection between said focusing means and said auxiliary tube, a second transformer having secondary windings connected respectively 'to the cathode of said X-ray tube and the cathode of said auxiliary tube, a common primary winding for said second transformer and a third transformer to assist one another.
  • An electrical'discharge apparatus comprising thecombination of a main discharge tube, the parts of which include a cathode, an anode, and a device whereby the focusing of a discharge upon the anode may be varied, a main electrical supply circuit connected to the cathode and anode of said main tube, an auxiliary discharge tube connected in series with said main tube in said supply circuit, and a conductor connecting the focusing device of said main tube to said auxiliary tube whereby the field of the focusing device and hence the focus of the discharge is varied in accordance with the drop of potential in said auxiliary tube.
  • An X-ray apparatus comprising the combination of a source of energy, an X-ray tube having an anode, a thermionic cathode, and a focusing member surrounding said cathode, a main circuit connecting said-source and the anode and cathode of said X-ray tube, a regulating vacuum tube in said main circuit connected between said source and the cathode of-said X-ray tube, and an electrical conductor connecting the cathode of said regulating tube and the focusing member of said -ray tube.
  • An X-ray apparatus comprising the coman X ray tube having an anode, a thermionic cathode and a focusing member surrounding said cathode, a main circuit connecting said source and the anode and cathode of said X-ray tube, a regulating vacuum tube in said main circuit connected between said source and the cathode of said X-ray .tube, .an electrical conductor connecting one of the electrodes of said regulating tube and the focusing member of said X-ray tube, and means for simultaneously varying the electron emission of the respective cathodes of said X-ray tube and said regulating tube.
  • An electrical apparatus comprising the combination of a main source of energy, a main discharge tube having an anode, a thermionic cathode and a focusing member surrounding said cathode, a supply circuit connecting said source to the anode and cathode of said main discharge tube, a regulating discharge tube in said circuit connected between said source and the cathode of said main tube, an electrical circuit connecting said.
  • focusing member and the cathode of said auxiliary device and a transformer having secondary windings, one of which is connected to supply the cathode of said main tube, and another of which is being connected to supply the cathode of said auxiliary tube.
  • An electrical discharge apparatus comprising the combination of a main discharge tube, the parts of which include a cathode, an anode, and a device whereby the focus of a discharge upon the anode may be varied, a main electrical supply circuit connected to the cathode and anode of said main tube, an auxiliary discharge tube connected in series with said main tube, a conductor connecting the focusing device of said main tube to said auxiliary tube whereby the focus of the main discharge is varied in accordance with the drop of potential in said auxiliary tube, a heating circuit for the cathode of said auxiliary tube, means for varying the current in said heating circuit in response to variations of potential of said main supply circuit, and common means for varying the electron emission of the cathode of said main tube and the cathode of said auxiliary tube.
  • An X-ray apparatus comprising the combination of an X-ray tube having main electrodes, including a thermionic cathode and a focusing device, a thermionic regulating tube connected in series with one of said electrodes, a conductor connecting the focusing device of said X-ray tube to one of the electrodes of said regulating tube, a transformer having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings connected respectively to supply the cathodes of said X-ray tube and said regulating tube, a main transformer having a secondary winding connected to supply energy to said X-ray tube, and a transformer having a primary winding connected in series with the primary winding of said main transformer and a secondary winding connected in circuit with the transformer winding which supplies the cathode of said regulating tube.
  • a main thermionic device means for focusing electrons emanating from the cathode of said device, a supply circuit for said device, an auxiliary thermionic device connected in series with said main device in said circuit, a conductor connecting said focusing means to an electrode of said auxiliary device, common means for maintaining at an operating temperature the cathodes of both the main and the auxiliary thermionic devices, and means for varying the temperature of the cathode of said auxiliary device in response to variations of voltage in the supply circuit of said main device thereby varying the potential of said focusing means and sharpening or broadening the focus of a discharge in said main device in response to variations of space current therein.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • X-Ray Techniques (AREA)
US430418A 1930-02-21 1930-02-21 X-ray equipment Expired - Lifetime US1946287A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US430418A US1946287A (en) 1930-02-21 1930-02-21 X-ray equipment
BE377546A BE377546A (fr) 1930-02-21 1931-02-01
GB5423/31A GB374913A (en) 1930-02-21 1931-02-20 Improvements in and relating to x-ray equipments

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US430418A US1946287A (en) 1930-02-21 1930-02-21 X-ray equipment

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US1946287A true US1946287A (en) 1934-02-06

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US430418A Expired - Lifetime US1946287A (en) 1930-02-21 1930-02-21 X-ray equipment

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US1946287A (fr)
BE (1) BE377546A (fr)
GB (1) GB374913A (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2421994A (en) * 1943-03-23 1947-06-10 Gen Electric Electric valve system
US2518539A (en) * 1944-09-27 1950-08-15 Picker X Ray Corp Waite Mfg Filament current stabilizer
US2878393A (en) * 1955-01-12 1959-03-17 Picker X Ray Corp Waite Mfg X-ray tube with variable focal spot and control means therefor
US4104532A (en) * 1976-04-01 1978-08-01 Thoro-Ray Inc. Dental and medical X-ray apparatus
US4400823A (en) * 1980-07-02 1983-08-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft X-Ray diagnostic installation for radiography and fluoroscopy

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4594630A (en) * 1980-06-02 1986-06-10 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. Emission controlled current limiter for use in electric power transmission and distribution

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2421994A (en) * 1943-03-23 1947-06-10 Gen Electric Electric valve system
US2518539A (en) * 1944-09-27 1950-08-15 Picker X Ray Corp Waite Mfg Filament current stabilizer
US2878393A (en) * 1955-01-12 1959-03-17 Picker X Ray Corp Waite Mfg X-ray tube with variable focal spot and control means therefor
US4104532A (en) * 1976-04-01 1978-08-01 Thoro-Ray Inc. Dental and medical X-ray apparatus
US4400823A (en) * 1980-07-02 1983-08-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft X-Ray diagnostic installation for radiography and fluoroscopy

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB374913A (en) 1932-06-20
BE377546A (fr) 1931-03-31

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