Pilot Industries, Inc.

Thomas J Basinger

Charles J Armentrout

David Sullivan

James H Beyer

Carl E Strandberg

Paul C Olsztyn

Brian D Colesa

Karen G Smith

An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the area density of a low density material sample. The system includes an x-ray emitter which emits x-rays in the range of 3 kilovolts to 20 kilovolts and the x-rays pass through the sample. An imaging device converts the x-rays which pass through the sample to visible light to produce a visible image corresponding to the sample and in which the visible image has an intensity which varies as a function of the area density across the sample. A camera produces an output signal representative of the intensity of the visible image across the sample while a computer processor processes the signal from the camera after digitization to produce an analysis of the area density of the sample.

X-ray imaging system for determining area density of low density samples

An x-ray source of the type used in medical or inspection devices having a first and second housing part which are detachably secured together to define an interior chamber for the housing. A plurality of power feeds is secured to the first housing part wherein each power feed has an elongated conductor extending into the chamber such that the conductors are parallel to each other. A removable cathode assembly includes a mounting plate having a plurality of tubular standoffs constructed of an electrically insulating material. These standoffs, furthermore, are secured to the mounting plate and protrude outwardly therefrom so that one standoff is associated with and registers with the conductor for each power feed. With the cathode assembly mounted in the housing chamber, the cathode assembly is secured to the housing by a threaded member extending through a cap secured to each standoff such that one end of the threaded member frictionally engages the conductor in its associated standoff thus securing the cathode assembly to the housing.

X-ray source having removable cathode assembly

A high vacuum housing with a first and second housing part and in which the housing parts are secured together to form an interior housing chamber. In order to seal the housing parts, an annular outwardly extending sealing ring having a flat radial surface is formed on one of the housing parts. An annular alignment recess is formed on the other housing part which registers with and receives the alignment ring. A thin walled seal is disposed between the housing parts. When the housing parts are secured together by bolts, an outer periphery of the seal is compressibly sandwiched between the flat radial surface on the sealing ring and the flat surface on the second housing part thus sealing the window to the housing.

High vacuum housing with improved sealing means

An X-ray source is disclosed having an enclosure, typically made of metal or glass. A cathode assembly is contained within the enclosure and the cathode assembly has two through openings along a predefined axis. An anode is also contained within the enclosure at a position spaced from the cathode assembly. The anode, furthermore, has a face normal to the predefined axis so that a portion of the X-rays emitted from the anode pass through the cathode assembly opening and exteriorly of the enclosure.

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Ypsilanti, MI, United States of America

Thomas J Basinger