Kevex Corporation

Kevex X-ray, Inc.

Brian Skillicorn

David C Reynolds

Richard S Burrow

A pulsed precision x-ray source includes a miniaturized internally self-shielding x-ray tube and an integral generator contained in a hand-held housing for generating timed bursts of x-ray having regulated energy level. A control grid and focus electrode within the tube enable precise on-off control of an electron beam directed to an x-ray emitting anode. The integral generator system includes an elongated, U-shaped unitary, molded plastic block mounted in the housing and includes a high voltage transformer having primary and secondary annular windings encased in a transformer portion of the block defining a central opening outside of the block for receiving a transformer core therethrough and, a capacitor-diode voltage multiplier stack connected to the secondary winding and having a positive node connectable to the anode and a negative node connectable to the cathode. A high voltage pulse width modulated switching circuit is connected to the primary annular winding to generate high voltages across said voltage multipler stack in order to control the energy of x-ray put out by the tube. A heater power supply supplies heater current to operate a heater in the tube. A focus element/grid control voltage power supply generates control voltages. A control circuit controls application of the control voltages to the focus element and the grid in order to switch the electron beam on and off in accordance with a preset value.

Hand held high power pulsed precision x-ray source

A hand held x-ray source includes an x-ray tube and integral generator for exciting the tube at precisely controllable high voltage and direct current levels. The integral generator includes an elongated housing grippable by the hand and an elongated unitary molded block mounted in the housing and thermally sumped thereto. The block defines a first heat conduction fluid fillable cavity for receiving the tube and for providing a high voltage connection to the anode adjacent to the interior end thereof, the block being formed to contain and insulate interconnected elements providing a single voltage multipliers tack, and primary and secondary windings of a single high voltage switching transformer having a ferrite magnetic core external to the block. A heat conduction fluid is disposed between the tube and the block for conducting heat generated during tube operation to the block. An electronic circuit substrate in the housing carries circuit elements connected to the transformer and to the grounded filament for generating a precisely controllable exciting direct current high voltage applicable to the target of the tube and for generating a precisely controllable filament current through the filament of the tube.

Hand held precision X-ray source

A modular portable X-ray source with integral generator system for generating continuous X-rays of regulated intensity and energy level over a range from zero to maximum and includes a unitary housing containing an X-ray tube, a direct current high voltage power supply for generating a directly controllable, regulated high voltage, a regulated filament supply for generating a directly controllable, regulated beam current, both supplies being directly connected to the X-ray tube without cabling, both supplies being controlled by feedback control signals directly from the X-ray tube, and both being operated directly from a low voltage high current supply, such as a storage battery.

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Brian Skillicorn