General Electric Company

Christian Bennett Fuller

Sergio Lemaitre

Gregory Alan Steinlage

Michael Scott Hebert

Donald Robert Allen

Thomas Carson Tiearney, Jr

Richard Michael Roffers

Ben David Poquette

Kalyan Koppisetty

In the present invention, a pressure measurement device for determining the vacuum level within the evacuated housing of a vacuum electrode device is provided that includes an electrically conductive enclosure secured to an interior surface of the housing, an electrically conductive electrode extending through an aperture in the housing, the electrode having a tip at one end positioned within the interior of the housing inside the enclosure to define a gap between the tip and the enclosure and a conductive lead at a second end disposed outside of the housing, and a voltage source connected to the conductive lead to supply a voltage potential to the tip of the electrode. A voltage difference produced between the electrode and the enclosure ionizes gas within the enclosure causing a measurable current to flow between the electrode and the enclosure which can be used to determine the vacuum level in the housing.

Spark gap device and method of measurement of X-ray tube vacuum pressure

An x-ray tube includes a frame enclosing a high vacuum, a cathode positioned within the enclosure, and a target assembly. The target assembly includes a target cap, a focal track material positioned on the target cap to receive electrons from the cathode, and a foam material positioned within a cavity of the target cap and positioned proximate the focal track. The x-ray tube also includes a bearing assembly attached to the frame and configured to support the target assembly.

X-ray tube target having enhanced thermal performance and method of making same

Growing community of inventors

Milwaukee, WI, United States of America

Christian Bennett Fuller