X-ray target changer using a translating anode

Claim 1

In X-ray tube apparatus having a voltage insulating section, an X-ray tube body section which includes an X-ray window, and anode means carrying at least two spaced target areas extending through said tube body past said window in the longitudinal direction relative to said tube body, anode-positioning means for moving said anode means and its target areas longitudinally with respect to said window, said anode-positioning means comprising bellows means positioned between and affixed to said insulating and tube body sections for providing a longitudinally expandable or contractable section, said anode means extending through said insulating section and said bellows section into said tube body section and being affixed either to said insulating or said bellows section, and anode-translation means having an immovable section and a section which is movable relative to the immovable section, said immovable section being fixed in position relative to said tube body and said movable section being rigidly coupled with said bellows section whereby movement of said movable section expands or contracts said bellows section thereby correspondingly moving said insulating section and said anode means longitudinally past said window thus enabling different target areas to be exposed to the X-ray beam as desired.