Tomograph for producing transverse layer images

Claim 1

In a tomographic apparatus for producing transverse layer images of an exposure subject having a stationary source of energy, an X-ray tube adapted to produce, when energized, an X-ray beam capable of penetrating the exposure subject, the cross-sectional extent of the X-ray beam perpendicular to the layer plane is the same as the layer thickness, a radiation receiver which senses the radiation intensity behind the subject by scanning the projected X-ray beam, a rotatable frame for rotating the X-ray tube in the layer plane to scan the exposure subject from different directions and a measured value converter to transform the signals delivered by the radiation receiver into a layer image, an improvement including an oil filled tank affixed to the rotatable frame, said oil filled tank includes means for generating high voltage, said means for generating includes a low voltage input and a high voltage output, said high voltage output is connected to a cathode of the X-ray tube and an anode of the X-ray tube is connected to ground potential, rotating current coupling means adapted to continuously, electrically, connect said low voltage input of said means for generating high voltage to the stationary source of energy as the rotatable frame is being rapidly rotated about the exposure subject thereby continuously providing energy to said means for generating such that the X-ray tube may be energized while the frame is being rotated through an angle of 360° in order to minimize exposure time, wherein the radiation receiver has a toroidal shape with an interior cylindrical surface and the axis of rotation of the rotatable frame corresponds to an axis of symmetry of the radiation receiver, said improvement comprising further, a housing for the X-ray tube, said housing is affixed to the frame and is adapted to support the X-ray tube with an anode side of the X-ray tube located adjacent an end of said housing and with a side wall of said housing positioned adjacent to and radially inwardly from the interior cylindrical surface of the radiation receiver, a grounded wire connected to said anode is positioned along an interior surface of said side wall such that said X-ray tube can be located relatively close to an adjacent region of the interior cylindrical surface of the radiation receiver.