US3719847A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid cooled x-ray tube anode
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1970-08-03
•
Granted: 1973-03-06
•
Expires: 1990-08-03
Abstract
Abstract The rotating anode of an X-ray tube used for medical examination is formed as a hollow member having a portion of its outer surface formed by an X-ray emitting metal and filled with liquid metal which evaporates to provide rapid cooling of the anode and permits operation with larger electron beam powers. The liquid metal is returned to the hot spot by centrifugal force. In one form of the anode a metal mesh is attached to the inner surface of the hollow member to retain liquid metal next to the target metal while the tube is cooling below the melting point of the liquid metal.
Inventors
- 👤 H Webster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J35/00; H01J35/02; H01J35/04; H01J35/08; H01J35/10; H01J35/105; H01J35/106; H01J2235/00; H01J2235/12; H01J2235/1225; H01J2235/1262; H01J2235/1287
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
In an X-ray tube of the type having an enclosing envelope and an electron emitting cathode, an anode cooperating with said cathode comprising a hollow metal member, a metallic mesh interiorly disposed thereon, an axially extending shaft supporting said member and adapted for rotation in the envelope, and means for cooling said anode comprising a liquid metal contained within said hollow member, said liquid metal contacting the inner surface of said member as the anode is rotated and being evaporated when electrons from said cathode heat the outer surface of said member, said liquid metal being returned by centrifugal force into contact with the inner surface of said member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
In an X-ray tube of the type having an enclosing envelope and an electron emitting cathode, an anode cooperating with said cathode comprising a hollow metal member, a metallic mesh interiorly disposed thereon, an axially extending shaft supporting said member and adapted for rotation in the envelope, and means for cooling said anode comprising a liquid metal contained within said hollow member, said liquid metal contacting the inner surface of said member as the anode is rotated and being evaporated when electrons from said cathode heat the outer surface of said member, said liquid metal being returned by centrifugal force into contact with the inner surface of said member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said metal member comprises a thin tungsten foil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said metal member comprises an alloy of tungsten and rhenium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 2 in which said liquid metal is selected from the group consisting of sodium, and lithium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 2 in which said liquid metal comprises sodium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 2 in which said liquid metal comprises lithium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
A rotatable anode for an X-ray tube comprising a hollow metal member having a pair of spaced, parallel flat circular end walls and a connecting target wall, a metallic mesh interiorly disposed thereon, an axially extending shaft connected to one end wall, anD a liquid metal contained within said member, said liquid metal contacting the inner surface of said target wall upon rotation of the anode whereby when said target wall is heated the liquid metal evaporates to effect cooling of the target wall, the liquid metal being returned by centrifugal force into contact with said inner surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
A rotatable anode for an X-ray tube comprising a hollow metal member having a pair of spaced, parallel flat circular end walls and a connecting target wall, a metallic mesh interiorly disposed thereon, an axially extending shaft connected to one end wall, anD a liquid metal contained within said member, said liquid metal contacting the inner surface of said target wall upon rotation of the anode whereby when said target wall is heated the liquid metal evaporates to effect cooling of the target wall, the liquid metal being returned by centrifugal force into contact with said inner surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The anode of claim 7 in which the liquid metal is selected from the group consisting of sodium, and lithium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The anode of claim 7 in which the liquid metal is sodium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The anode of claim 7 in which the liquid metal is lithium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The anode of claim 7 in which said end walls comprise tantalum and said shaft comprises niobium.
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) | 1976-03-05 | 1976-09-04 | 1977-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-05 | 1980-09-04 | 1981-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-05 | 1984-09-04 | 1985-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |