Picker International, Inc.

Kevex X-ray, Inc.

United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

Richard S Enck, Jr

F Dan Meadows

Ronald H Goehner, Jr

Ian K Glasgow

Richard G Johnson

Wayne G Abraham

Gregg A Hindenes

Robert V Brick

A high voltage device housing assembly includes a housing and a high voltage assembly arranged in combination with an improved insulation system. The high voltage assembly is disposed within the enclosure defined by the housing, and the outer surface of the high voltage device, such as a vacuum tube, bears an insulator including a first portion generally continuously covering the side surface of the high voltage and an integral second portion comprising a plurality of spaced apart projections extending around the side surface and between the first portion and the inner wall of the housing. Air gaps are present between the respective projections, and the spacing of the ribs is established in a manner that inhibits ionic conduction from occurring between the housing and the high voltage device, which otherwise could lead to high voltage breakdowns.

High reliability high voltage device housing system

An x-ray tube comprising an electron gun assembly having an electron gun container housing an electron generator for generating electrons in a first direction along a first axis. The beam of electrons impinges upon an anode which emits x-rays in response to the beam of electrons. The gun container is characterized by having a discharge end comprising a solid spherical shape.

X-ray tube

A high voltage connection assembly for connecting a high voltage source to a high voltage device and inhibiting ionic conduction between a first and second points. The inventive system includes a first mechanism for providing a voltage potential between the first and second points and a second mechanism for providing discrete segments of insulation against the ionic conduction between the first and second points. In a particular embodiment, the high voltage connection assembly of the invention uses a plurality of equally spaced square grooves on the insulation of a high voltage cable to receive a plurality of O-rings. These O-rings, located between a cable well housing the insulated high voltage cable and the insulated high voltage cable, provide discrete segments of insulation between a first point and a second point thereby inhibiting the occurrence of high voltage arcing and leakage.

High reliability high voltage connection system

An x-ray rube having an electron gun for generating a beam of electrons along a first axis. The beam of electrons impinges upon an anode which emits x-rays in response to the beam of electrons. The anode is mounted in parallel with the first axis. Coils are included for deflecting the electron beam onto the anode.

A proximity type image intensifier having an evacuated electrically conductive tube envelope is described. The image intensifier tube includes improved structure for supporting components within the tube envelope. The support structure includes a support ring having a first inwardly extending edge portion which defines a support surface for supporting the component, and a second inwardly extending edge portion which defines a compression surface and component access aperture. The retaining ring includes a planar inner surface and an outer edge surface. The inner surface contacts the component supported in the support ring. The retaining ring is allowed to expand whereupon the outer edge surface engages the support ring compression surface. Radial expansion of the retaining ring creates an axial compression force between the retaining ring inner surface and the support surface about the circumference of the component being supported. The supported component is mounted within the tube envelope through a plurality of electrically insulated rods arranged in the plane of the component, each of the rods connected at one end to the envelope and at the other end to the circumference of the support ring. The rods include spring loaded pins which pass through corresponding recesses located at a plurality of circumferential spaced locations on the support ring. Additional embodiments are described.

Support structure for vacuum tube components

A multistage, proximity type, radiation image intensifier tube having improved performance characteristics and more rugged construction is provided. A scintillator assembly is comprised of a first ceramic, cellular substrate defining an array of hexagonally shaped cells. The cell walls taper to an edge and are coated with a conductive material such as aluminum. The cells are filled with a scintillation material such as cesium iodide. A first flat photocathode is provided adjacent the first substrate. An intermediate assembly spaced from the scintillator assembly is provided comprised of a second ceramic, cellular substrate similar to the first. The cell walls are coated with a conductive material such as aluminum. A support layer is mounted to the substrate on an end opposite the scintillator assembly. A first flat phosphor display screen is mounted to the support layer on a side internal the second substrate. A second photocathode is provided adjacent the second substrate. An output assembly spaced from the intermediate assembly is provided and is comprised of a third ceramic cellular substrate which is similar to the first nd second substrate. The cell walls are coated with a conductive material such as aluminum. A second flat phosphor display screen is mounted to the third substrate on an end opposite the second substrate. An output window mounted to the tube envelope and adjacent the second display screen is provided. Means are provided for applying separate electrostatic potentials between the various substrates.

Panel type radiation image intensifier

A multistage, proximity type, radiation image intensifier tube having improved performance characteristics and more rugged construction is provided. A scintillator assembly is comprised of a first ceramic, cellular substrate defining an array of hexagonally shaped cells. The cell walls taper to an edge and are coated with a conductive material such as aluminum. The cells are filled with a scintillation material such as cesium iodide. A first flat photocathode is provided adjacent the first substrate. An intermediate assembly spaced from the scintillator assembly is provided comprised of a second ceramic, cellular substrate similar to the first. The cell walls are coated with a conductive material such as aluminum. A support layer is mounted to the substrate on an end opposite the scintillator assembly. A first flat phosphor display screen is mounted to the support layer on a side internal the second substrate. A second photocathode is provided adjacent the second substrate. An output assembly spaced from the intermediate assembly is provided and is comprised of a third ceramic cellular substrate which is similar to the first and second substrate. The cell walls are coated with a conductive material such as aluminum. A second flat phosphor display screen is mounted to the third substrate on an end opposite the second substrate. An output window mounted to the tube envelope and adjacent the second display screen is provided. Means are provided for applying separate electrostatic potentials between the various substrates.

Method of forming panel type radiation image intensifier

Gating apparatus for a static crossed field photomultiplier utilizes a gating electrode which is mounted in a position between the cathode and the rail electrode. The gating electrode is pulsed thus causing the cathode current to be either multiplied or diverted so as to modulate the current by shifting the cathode beam into and out of the dynode area where secondary amplification occurs.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Richard S Enck, Jr