US3665236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrode structure for controlling electron flow with high transmission efficiency
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1970-12-09
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Granted: 1972-05-23
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Expires: 1990-12-09
Abstract
Abstract Electrode structure for controlling flow of electrons from a cathode to an anode, characterized by the absence of electrodes in the flow path whereby electron flow is substantially unimpeded by physical structure and proceeds with high transmission efficiency. The structure is such as to establish an electron accelerating field and associated flow path between cathode and anode which bulges outwardly about an interposed control electrode and is thus not physically intercepted by same. By virtue of the high efficiency of electron transmission, the electrode structure may be advantageously incorporated in an Xray tube to provide X-ray pulses of increased intensity. In addition, the transmission characteristic in conjunction with the capability of the bulging field to enable the use of relatively small control voltages to govern electron flow render the electrode structure particularly well suited to the attainment of a high amplification factor in a high power amplifier tube for voltage regulation or switching applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry L Gaines
- 👤 Paul J Ebert
- 👤 Lloyd Mancebo
- 👤 Frederick D Cook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:17
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J35/00; H01J35/22; H01J19/00; H01J19/28; H01J19/32; H01J19/34; H01J21/00; H01J21/02; H01J2893/00; H01J2893/0001; H01J2893/0002; H01J2893/0003; H01J2893/0004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
An X-ray tube comprising a vacuum envelope, a ring cathode disposed within said envelope, a cylindrical anode disposed within said envelope in coaxially longitudinally and inwardly spaced relation to said cathode, the proximal end of said anode with respect to said cathode having an X-ray target for emission of X-rays upon impact by electrons, a hollow cylindrical control electrode disposed coaxially disposed inwardly of said cathode and having an outwardly flared annular rim extending radially about the proximal end portion of said cathode relative to said anode in coaxially spaced interposition to said cathode and anode, a hollow cylindrical shield electrode having an outwardly flared annular rim coaxially interposed in spaced relation between said cathode and control electrode to mask line-of-sight therebetween, a hollow cylindrical baffle electrode disposed coaxially outward of the cathode and having a centrally apertured end wall coaxially interposed between said target and said control electrode, means defining an X-ray transparent window in the wall of said envelope in coaxial alignment with said target, and means defining a line-of-sight path between said target and said window coaxially through said control, shield, and baffle electrodes, whereby biasing of said anode positive with respect to said cathode, grounding of said shield and baffle electrodes, and pulsing of said control electrode to an intermediate positive potential with respect to said cathode and anode effect coaxial flow of electrons from said cathode to said target for impact thereon and emission of X-rays therefrom through said window.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
245 words
An X-ray tube comprising a vacuum envelope, a ring cathode disposed within said envelope, a cylindrical anode disposed within said envelope in coaxially longitudinally and inwardly spaced relation to said cathode, the proximal end of said anode with respect to said cathode having an X-ray target for emission of X-rays upon impact by electrons, a hollow cylindrical control electrode disposed coaxially disposed inwardly of said cathode and having an outwardly flared annular rim extending radially about the proximal end portion of said cathode relative to said anode in coaxially spaced interposition to said cathode and anode, a hollow cylindrical shield electrode having an outwardly flared annular rim coaxially interposed in spaced relation between said cathode and control electrode to mask line-of-sight therebetween, a hollow cylindrical baffle electrode disposed coaxially outward of the cathode and having a centrally apertured end wall coaxially interposed between said target and said control electrode, means defining an X-ray transparent window in the wall of said envelope in coaxial alignment with said target, and means defining a line-of-sight path between said target and said window coaxially through said control, shield, and baffle electrodes, whereby biasing of said anode positive with respect to said cathode, grounding of said shield and baffle electrodes, and pulsing of said control electrode to an intermediate positive potential with respect to said cathode and anode effect coaxial flow of electrons from said cathode to said target for impact thereon and emission of X-rays therefrom through said window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An X-ray tube according to claim 1, further defined by said target comprising a conical indentation in said proximal end of said anode having an X-ray target material coated on the surface Thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An X-ray tube according to claim 1, further defined by a hollow cylindrical field shaping electrode coaxially interposed between said control electrode and anode, said shaping electrode having a configuration to shape an electron accelerating field extending from said cathode to said anode for electron impact of said target at a favorable angle for X-ray emission.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
An X-ray tube according to claim 3, further defined by said target comprising a conical indentation in said proximal end of said anode having an X-ray target material coated on the surface thereof, and said shaping electrode having an end adjacent said target formed with an inwardly directed annular lip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
184 words
An X-ray tube according to claim 1, further defined by said control and shield electrodes being dish shaped and respectively defined by circular end walls with cylindrical peripheral walls projecting coaxially therefrom and terminating in said outwardly flared annular rims, said end walls of said control and shield electrodes respectively having central circular apertures, a circular mounting plate coaxially secured to the inner peripheral wall of said baffle electrode in electrical connection therewith, said plate having a central aperture in coaxial alignment with said aperture in the end wall of said baffle electrode, said window, and said target, means mounting said control and shield electrodes in coaxially spaced nested relationship on said plate with said shield electrode in electrical connection therewith and said control electrode insulated therefrom, said apertures of said control and shield electrodes being coaxially aligned with said plate aperture, means mounting said cathode on said plate in insulated relation thereto, and means mounting said anode to depend from an end wall of said envelope to a position wherein said target is coaxially spaced from said end wall of said baffle electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
An X-ray tube according to claim 5, further defined by a hollow cylindrical field shaping electrode coaxially mounted on said plate in electrical connection therewith and projecting upwardly in coaxially spaced relation through said apertures of said shield and control electrodes to a position coaxially spaced from said end wall of said baffle electrode, said shaping electrode having a proximal end with respect to said target with a configuration to shape an electron accelerating field extending from said cathode to said anode for impact of said target at a favorable angle for X-ray emission.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
An X-ray tube according to claim 6, further defined by said target comprising a conical indentation in said proximal end of said anode having an X-ray target material coated on the surface thereof, and said proximal end of said shaping electrode formed with an inwardly directed annular lip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An X-ray tube according to claim 7, further defined by said anode being of hollow configuration to afford circulation of coolant adjacent said indentation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |