X-ray tube assembly
US-9848483-B2 · Dec 19, 2017 · US
X-ray tube assembly and method for adjusting filament
US9826613B2 · US · B2
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Publication number | US-9826613-B2 |
| Application number | US-201314896082-A |
| Country | US |
| Kind code | B2 |
| Filing date | Jul 9, 2013 |
| Priority date | Jul 9, 2013 |
| Publication date | Nov 21, 2017 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2017 |
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- Title
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Abstract
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An X-ray tube assembly for generating an X-ray, comprises: a filament including a plurality of electric flow paths; and an adjustor configured to adjust at least one of values of current flowing through the plurality of electric flow paths to adjust an electron emission area of the filament.
First claim
Opening claim text (preview).
The invention claimed is: 1. An X-ray tube assembly for generating an X-ray, comprising: a filament including a plurality of electric flow paths; and an adjustor configured to adjust at least one of values of current flowing through the plurality of electric flow paths, by varying a non-zero current value of the at least one of values of current flowing through the plurality of electric flow paths, to adjust an electron emission area of the filament. 2. The X-ray tube assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the filament includes first to fourth legs for electrical heating, an outer electron emission surface electrically connected to the first and second legs, and an inner electron emission surface electrically connected to the third and fourth legs and the outer electron emission surface, and the adjuster causes current flowing between the first and second legs to flow through the outer electron emission surface, causes the current flowing between the first and second legs and current flowing between the third and fourth legs to flow through the inner electron emission surface, and adjusts at least one of a value of the current flowing between the first and second legs and a value of the current flowing between the third and fourth legs. 3. The X-ray tube assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the current flowing between the first and second legs and the current flowing between the third and fourth legs flow through the inner electron emission surface in an identical direction. 4. A method for adjusting an electron emission area of a filament including a plurality of electric flow paths, comprising: an adjustment step of adjusting at least one of values of current flowing through the plurality of electric flow paths, by varying a non-zero current value of the at least one of values of current flowing through the plurality of electric flow paths, to adjust the electron emission area of the filament. 5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the filament includes first to fourth legs for electrical heating, an outer electron emission surface electrically connected to the first and second legs, and an inner electron emission surface electrically connected to the third and fourth legs and the outer electron emission surface, and the adjustment step causes current flowing between the first and second legs to flow through the outer electron emission surface, causes the current flowing between the first and second legs and current flowing between the third and fourth legs to flow through the inner electron emission surface, and adjusts at least one of a value of the current flowing between the first and second legs and a value of the current flowing between the third and fourth legs. 6. The X-ray tube assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustor adjusts at least one of values of current flowing through the plurality of electric flow paths among plurality of values greater than or equal to three values. 7. The X-ray tube assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustor adjusts values of all current flowing through the plurality of electric flow paths. 8. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the adjustment step adjusts at least one of values of current flowing through the plurality of electric flow paths among plurality of values greater than or equal to three values. 9. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the adjustment step adjusts values of all current flowing through the plurality of electric flow paths. 10. The X-ray tube assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the adjuster includes at least one variable resistor controlled to vary the non-zero current value. 11. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the non-zero current value is varied using a variable resistor.
Assignees
Inventors
Classifications
- H05G1/34Primary
Anode current, heater current or heater voltage of X-ray tube · CPC title
Cathodes · CPC title
- H01J35/064Primary
Details of the emitter, e.g. material or structure (H01J35/065 takes precedence) · CPC title
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Frequently asked questions
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- What does patent US9826613B2 cover?
- An X-ray tube assembly for generating an X-ray, comprises: a filament including a plurality of electric flow paths; and an adjustor configured to adjust at least one of values of current flowing through the plurality of electric flow paths to adjust an electron emission area of the filament.
- Who is the assignee on this patent?
- Shimadzu Corp
- What technology area does this patent fall under?
- Primary CPC classification H05G1/34. Mapped technology areas include Electricity.
- When was this patent published?
- Publication date Tue Nov 21 2017 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) (B2). Legal status and post-grant events are not shown on this page.
- What related patents are in patentsdb?
- We list 8 related publications on this page (citations in our corpus or others sharing the same primary CPC).