Picker International, Inc.

Norman E Wandke

Lester Donald Miller

James E Burke

Gerald James Carlson

Salvatore G Perno

Qing Lu

An x-ray tube includes an envelope defining an evacuated chamber in which an anode assembly is rotatably mounted to a bearing assembly and interacts with a cathode assembly for production of x-rays. The x-ray tube further includes a heat shield disposed in the envelope. The heat shield serves to reduce heat radiating from the anode assembly which is transferred to the bearing assembly or otherwise serves to insulate the bearing assembly from such radiated heat. The heat shield is brazed or otherwise bonded to the anode assembly and is comprised of a material having a low emissivity so that a minimum amount of heat radiates through the heat shield.

Target integral heat shield for x-ray tubes

An x-ray tube includes an anode (A) and an envelope (C). A cathode assembly (B) which is supported in the envelope on a bearing (32) emits a beam of electrons which strike the anode forming a focal spot. The anode rotates (D) relative to the cathode such that focal spot follows a generally annular path along a beveled track (14). If the axis of the anode and the cathode assembly are screwed or offset, the focal spot path is not circular and wobbles. An adjustment assembly (60) adjusts the relative positions of the anode, the cathode and the envelope to adjust the anode and cathode assembly axes. The adjustment assembly also includes one or more electrodes (102, 108) which adjust the position of the focal spot. An angular position encoder (106) identifies an angular orientation of the anode. A control circuit (110) applies an electrostatic potential to the electrodes to move the focal spot such that it stays on a constant plane of the leveled anode surface.

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Naperville, IL, United States of America

Norman E Wandke