Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A multiple cathode X-ray source comprising means for generating electrical energy having a current source and a ground, a first generally planar X-ray transparent cathode connected to said current source, a first anode connected to said ground and having its surface disposed generally parallel to and spaced apart from said first cathode comprising a generally planar tungsten surface, a second anode disposed generally parallel to and spaced apart between said first cathode and said first anode comprising a generally planar tungsten surface, a second generally planar X-ray transparent cathode electrically connected to said second anode and disposed parallel to and spaced apart between said first cathode and said first anode, and means defining an evacuated housing enclosing said anodes and said cathodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A multiple cathode X-ray source comprising means for generating electrical energy having a current source and a ground, a first generally planar X-ray transparent cathode connected to said current source, a first anode connected to said ground and having its surface disposed generally parallel to and spaced apart from said first cathode comprising a generally planar tungsten surface, a second anode disposed generally parallel to and spaced apart between said first cathode and said first anode comprising a generally planar tungsten surface, a second generally planar X-ray transparent cathode electrically connected to said second anode and disposed parallel to and spaced apart between said first cathode and said first anode, and means defining an evacuated housing enclosing said anodes and said cathodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The multiple cathode-anode X-ray source as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first cathode comprises a plurality of spaced apart electrically conductive wires arranged to define a generally planar circular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The multiple cathode-anode X-ray source as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first anode comprises a generally planar annular ring member, and said second anode comprises a generally planar annular ring member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The multiple cathode-anode X-ray source as claimed in claim 3 wherein the outer diameter of said second anode is greater than the inner diameter of said first anode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The multiple cathode-anode X-ray source as claimed in claim 3 wherein the outer diameter of said first anode is less than the inner diameter of said second anode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The multiple cathode-anode X-ray source as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second cathode comprises a generally planar annular ring member electrically connected to said second anode comprising a plurality of spaced apart wires extending radially from said second anode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The multiple cathode-anode X-ray source as claimed in claim 2 further comprising means for electrically connecting said first cathode to said current source proximate the peripheral edge of said first cathode, and means for electrically connecting said first cathode to said current source proximate the center of said first cathode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The multiple cathode-anode X-ray source as claimed in claim 7 further comprising means for controlling the ratio of currents flowing to said peripheral edge of said first cathode and said center of said first cathode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
255 words
A multiple cathode-anode X-ray source comprising means for generating electrical energy having a current source and a ground, a first cathode connected to said current source comprising an electrically conductive, generally planar, X-ray transparent member electrically connected proximate its center and proximate its peripheral edge to said current source, a first anode connected to said ground comprising a first annular tungsten ring member having a generally planar surface connected to said ground, said first annular ring disposed parallel to and spaced apart from said first cathode proximate and said first cathode, a second anode comprising a second annular tungsten ring having a generally planar surface, said second annular ring disposed parallel to and spaced apart from said first cathode and disposed between said first cathode and said first anode, said second anode having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of said first anode, with the spacing of said second anode from said first cathode being less than the spacing of said first anode from said first cathode, a second cathode electrically connected to said second anode comprising an electrically conductive, generally planar third annular ring X-ray transparent member having an outer and inner diameter at least proximate the outer and inner diameters of said first anode, said second cathode disposed parallel to and spaced apart from said first anode, the spacing of said second cathode from said first anode being less than the spacing of said second cathode from said first cathode, means defining an evacuated housing enclosing said anodes and said cathodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
255 words
A multiple cathode-anode X-ray source comprising means for generating electrical energy having a current source and a ground, a first cathode connected to said current source comprising an electrically conductive, generally planar, X-ray transparent member electrically connected proximate its center and proximate its peripheral edge to said current source, a first anode connected to said ground comprising a first annular tungsten ring member having a generally planar surface connected to said ground, said first annular ring disposed parallel to and spaced apart from said first cathode proximate and said first cathode, a second anode comprising a second annular tungsten ring having a generally planar surface, said second annular ring disposed parallel to and spaced apart from said first cathode and disposed between said first cathode and said first anode, said second anode having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of said first anode, with the spacing of said second anode from said first cathode being less than the spacing of said first anode from said first cathode, a second cathode electrically connected to said second anode comprising an electrically conductive, generally planar third annular ring X-ray transparent member having an outer and inner diameter at least proximate the outer and inner diameters of said first anode, said second cathode disposed parallel to and spaced apart from said first anode, the spacing of said second cathode from said first anode being less than the spacing of said second cathode from said first cathode, means defining an evacuated housing enclosing said anodes and said cathodes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The multiple cathode-anode X-ray source as claimed in claim 9 further comprising means for controlling the flow of current to the center of said first cathode, means for controlling the flow of current to the peripheral edge of said first cathode, and means for controlling the ratio of currents flowing to said center and peripheral edge of said first cathode.