Target for x-ray tubes

Claim 2

An anode for X-ray tubes having a cathode which operates to produce an electron beam of known cross-sectional dimensions, said anode including a target assembly comprising a target member of material having a known thermal storage capacity per unit weight and capable of X-ray emission when impinged by said electron beam, a pair of supporting members one on each side of the target member, and means for engaging said supporting members to sandwich the target member therebetween, said supporting members overlying the target member in a manner whereby only a selected surface area of the target member is exposed and both having substantially higher thermal storage capacity per unit weight than the material of said target member, said surface area being of a size in one direction which corresponds to one crosssectional dimension of said electron beam impinging thereon, and said supporting members comprising means for preventing substantial production of off-focus radiation.

Claim 3

An anode for X-ray tubes as set forth in claim 1 wherein said supporting members are disclike in shape, said target member is annular in shape, and said focal area is an annular surface portion of the target member.

Claim 4

An X-ray tube comprising a hermetically sealed envelope, a cathode electrode and an anode electrode located in spaced relation within the envelope, and means for connecting said electrodes to external sources of electrical energy, said cathode electrode comprising means for producing an electron beam of known cross-sectional dimensions, said anode electrode including a target assembly comprising a target member of material having a known thermal storage capacity per unit weight and capable of emission of X-rays and secondary electrons when impinged by said electron beam, a pair of supporting members one on each side of the target member, and means for engaging said supporting members to sandwich the target member therebetween, said supporting members overlying the target member in a manner whereby only a selected surface area of the target member is exposed and both having substantially higher thermal storage capacity per unit weight than the material of said target member, said supporting members further being of a material incapable of substantial production of X-rays when impinged by secondary electrons from said target, said exposed surface area being of a size in one direction which corresponds to one cross-sectional dimension of said electron beam impinging thereon.

Claim 5

An X-ray tube comprising a hermetically sealed envelope, a cathode electrode and an anode electrode located in spaced relation within the envelope, and means for connecting said electrodes to external sources of electrical energy, said cathode electrode comprising means for producing an electron beam of known cross-sectional dimensions, said anode electrode including a target assembly comprising a target member of material having a known thermal storage capacity per unit weight and capable of emission of X-rays and secondary electrons when impinged by said electron beam, a pair of supporting members one on each side of the target member, and means for engaging said supporting members to sandwich the target member therebetween, said supporting members overlying the target member in a manner whereby only a selected surface area of the target member is exposed and both having substantially higher thermal storage capacity per unit weight than the material of said target member, said supporting members further being of a material incapable of substantial production of X-rays when impinged by secondary electrons from said target, said exposed surface area being of a size in one direction which corresponds to one cross-sectional dimension of said electron beam impinging thereon.

Claim 6

An X-ray tube as set forth in claim 3 wherein said supporting members are disclike in shape, said target member is annular in shape, and said focal area is an annular surface portion of the target member.

Claim 7

A rotating anode X-ray tube comprising a hermetically sealed envelope, a cathode electrode and an anode electrode located in spaced relation within the envelope, and means for connecting said electrodes to external sources of electrical energy, said cathode electrode comprising means for producing an electron beam of known cross-sectional dimensions, said anode electrode comprising a rotatable shaft and a target assembly mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, said target assembly comprising a target member of material having a known thermal storage capacity per unit weight and capable of emission of X-rays and secondary electrons when impinged by said electron beam, a pair of supporting members one on each side of the target member, both of which members have a thermal storage capacity per unit weight which is substantially higher than the target member, and means for engaging said supporting members to sandwich the target member therebetween, said supporting members overlying the target member in a manner whereby only a selected surface area of the target member is exposed and having substantially higher thermal storage capacity per unit weight than the material of said target member, said supporting members further being of a material incapable of substantial production of X-rays when impinged by secondary electrons from said target, said surface area being of a size in one direction which corresponds to one cross-sectional dimension of said electron beam impinging thereon.

Claim 8

A rotating anode X-ray tube comprising a hermetically sealed envelope, a cathode electrode and an anode electrode located in spaced relation within the envelope, and means for connecting said electrodes to external sources of electrical energy, said cathode electrode comprising means for producing an electron beam of known cross-sectional dimensions, said anode electrode comprising a rotatable shaft and a target assembly mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, said target assembly comprising a target member of material having a known thermal storage capacity per unit weight and capable of emission of X-rays and secondary electrons when impinged by said electron beam, a pair of supporting members one on each side of the target member, both of which members have a thermal storage capacity per unit weight which is substantially higher than the target member, and means for engaging said supporting members to sandwich the target member therebetween, said supporting members overlying the target member in a manner whereby only a selected surface area of the target member is exposed and having substantially higher thermal storage capacity per unit weight than the material of said target member, said supporting members further being of a material incapable of substantial production of X-rays when impinged by secondary electrons from said target, said surface area being of a size in one direction which corresponds to one cross-sectional dimension of said electron beam impinging thereon.

Claim 9

A target assembly for X-ray tube anodes comprising a target member and a pair of supporting members located one on each side of the target member, said supporting members overlying the target member except for an elongated focal track thereon, said focal track being of a size in the lateral direction which corresponds to one dimension of a desired X-ray generating focal spot to be produced thereon, and said supporting members being of material incapable of production of substantial amounts of X-radiation when impinged by secondary electrons from said focal track.

Claim 10

A target assembly for X-ray tube anodes comprising a target member and a pair of supporting members located one on each side of the target member, said supporting members overlying the target member except for an elongated focal track thereon, said focal track being of a size in the lateral direction which corresponds to one dimension of a desired X-ray generating focal spot to be produced thereon, and said supporting members being of material incapable of production of substantial amounts of X-radiation when impinged by secondary electrons from said focal track.

Claim 11

An X-ray tube comprising a hermetically sealed envelope, a cathode electrode and an anode electrode located in spaced relation within the envelope, and means for connecting said electrodes to external sources of electrical energy, said anode comprising a support, and an X-ray generating target assembly mounted on the support, said target assembly comprising a target member having a focal track on the side thereof facing the cathode electrode of a material capable of emission of X-rays and secondary electrons when impinged by electrons from said cathode electrode, and a pair of supporting members one on each side of the target member, said supporting members overlying the surface of the target member facing said cathode electrode with only said focal track being exposed, said exposed focal track being of a size in the lateral direction which corresponds to one dimension of a desired X-ray generating focal spot to be produced thereon, and said supporting members being of a material incapable of substantial production of X-radiation when impinged by secondary electrons from said focal track.

Claim 12

An X-ray tube comprising a hermetically sealed envelope, a cathode electrode and an anode electrode located in spaced relation within the envelope, and means for connecting said electrodes to external sources of electrical energy, said anode comprising a support, and an X-ray generating target assembly mounted on the support, said target assembly comprising a target member having a focal track on the side thereof facing the cathode electrode of a material capable of emission of X-rays and secondary electrons when impinged by electrons from said cathode electrode, and a pair of supporting members one on each side of the target member, said supporting members overlying the surface of the target member facing said cathode electrode with only said focal track being exposed, said exposed focal track being of a size in the lateral direction which corresponds to one dimension of a desired X-ray generating focal spot to be produced thereon, and said supporting members being of a material incapable of substantial production of X-radiation when impinged by secondary electrons from said focal track.

Claim 13

An X-ray tube as set forth in claim 7 wherein said supporting members are disc-like in shape, said target member is annular in shape, and said focal track is an annular surface portion of the target member.