X-ray tube sealing method and sealing machine

Abstract

The present application relates to an X-ray tube sealing method and a sealing machine. The X-ray tube sealing method sequentially performs the following steps: S1: Install the cathode assembly; S2: Install the glass shell; S3: Install the anode assembly; S4: Move the anode assembly to the anode positioning point and axially align it with the anode positioning sensor, and rotate the anode assembly to the anode positioning point and circumferentially align it with the anode positioning sensor; S5: Blow protective gas at the rear of the cathode assembly; Position and block the opening of the glass shell; S6: Seal the cathode sealing part; S7: Reset the glass shell blocking device, loosen the glass shell chuck, axially position the anode assembly to the sealing position, position the preheating and annealing burner head to the anode sealing position, and position the automatic chamfering device to the anode chamfering position; S8: Seal the anode sealing part; S9: Reset the glass sintering equipment and the anode assembly installation device. The present application has less manual intervention, low requirements for employees, high automation, good sealing quality of products, high coaxiality, small oxidation influence, and good pressure resistance performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to an X-ray tube sealing method and a sealing machine, which are mainly applicable to the sealing of X-ray tube assemblies. Background Art

[0002] The sealing of an X-ray tube refers to the process of connecting a cathode assembly, an anode assembly, and a glass shell together by means of glass sealing. This process requires controlling the stress and air holes at the sealing joint, the pole pitch between the cathode assembly and the anode assembly, the concentricity between the cathode assembly and the anode assembly, the axial alignment between the cathode assembly and the anode assembly, etc. Moreover, factors such as the size, shape, and time of the preheating, sealing, and annealing flames, as well as the operating techniques of the operator, will affect the result of the process.

[0003] The existing sealing methods for X-ray tubes in the industry are mainly as follows: using a glass lathe to seal, anneal, and cool the cathode assembly and the glass shell, and then sealing, annealing, and cooling the product with the cathode assembly sealed and the anode assembly; or using a glass lathe to seal, anneal, and cool the anode assembly and the glass shell, and then sealing, annealing, and cooling the product with the anode assembly sealed and the cathode assembly.

[0004] The following problems mainly exist in this sealing method:

[0005] 1. When using a glass lathe for sealing, employees need to master the operation method of the glass lathe proficiently;

[0006] 2. During the sealing process, the timing of sealing is very crucial. Sealing too early is likely to cause insufficient melting of the glass at the sealing joint, and sealing too late is likely to cause depression at the sealing joint. Therefore, the operator needs to control the flame and heating time very precisely;

[0007] 3. Whether sealing the glass shell and the cathode assembly first or the glass shell and the anode assembly first, it is necessary to anneal and cool the intermediate product, and then clamp the product again to seal the remaining anode assembly or cathode assembly. The following problems will occur in this process:

[0008] a. Non-concentricity between the cathode assembly and the anode assembly caused by secondary positioning;

[0009] b. Before sealing the remaining components, the intermediate product in the first stage is directly exposed to the air, resulting in easy oxidation of the intermediate product and affecting the subsequent electrical performance of the final product;

[0010] c. The existing method for controlling the pole pitch is mainly to first contact the cathode assembly and the anode assembly, then zero the digital display of the glass lathe, and then move the anode assembly or the cathode assembly to pull the digital display value to the required value. This method will cause collision between the surfaces of the cathode assembly and the anode assembly when they come into contact, thus affecting the withstand voltage performance of the final product. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The technical problem solved by this application is to overcome the above deficiencies in the prior art, and provide an X-ray tube sealing method and a sealing machine with less manual intervention, low requirements for employees, high automation, good product sealing quality, high coaxiality, small oxidation influence, and good voltage resistance performance.

[0012] The technical solution adopted by this application to solve the above technical problems includes: an X-ray tube sealing method, which is characterized by sequentially performing the following steps:

[0013] S1: Installation of the cathode assembly;

[0014] S2: Installation of the glass shell;

[0015] S3: Installation of the anode assembly;

[0016] S4: The controller controls the anode assembly installation device to move back and forth to the position where the anode positioning point is axially corresponding to the anode positioning sensor, and the controller drives the anode assembly to rotate through the anode rotation motor until the anode positioning point is circumferentially aligned with the anode positioning sensor;

[0017] S5: The controller controls the cathode blowing protection device to blow protective gas at the rear of the cathode assembly; the glass shell plugging device positions and plugs the opening of the glass shell;

[0018] S6: The controller controls the glass sintering equipment to seal the cathode sealing part;

[0019] S7: The glass shell plugging device resets, the glass shell chuck loosens, the anode assembly is axially positioned to the sealing position, and at the same time, the preheating and annealing burners of the glass sintering equipment are positioned at the anode sealing position, and the automatic chamfering device is positioned at the anode chamfering position:

[0020] S8: The controller controls the glass sintering equipment to seal the anode sealing part;

[0021] S9: The controller controls the glass sintering equipment and the anode assembly installation device to reset.

[0022] The sealing of the cathode sealing part is simply referred to as cathode sealing, and preheating, sealing, automatic chamfering, and annealing are sequentially performed, specifically including the following steps: The preheating and annealing burners are ignited to preheat the periphery of the cathode sealing part of the glass shell and then closed. The sealing burner is positioned at the cathode sealing part and ignited for sealing. The automatic chamfering device is positioned. After the periphery of the cathode sealing part of the glass shell melts, the automatic chamfering device performs chamfering and sealing. The cathode blowing protection device adjusts the flow rate to blow up the cathode sealing part and forms a drum shape with the cooperation of the automatic chamfering device. The sealing burner is closed, and the automatic chamfering device resets. The preheating and annealing burners are positioned at the cathode sealing part to anneal the periphery of the cathode sealing part of the glass shell, and the glass sintering equipment is closed.

[0023] The sealing at the anode sealing area is simply referred to as anode sealing, which is carried out in sequence of preheating, sealing, automatic trimming, and annealing. Specifically, it includes the following steps: The preheating and annealing burner ignites and preheats the area around the anode sealing area of the glass shell and then shuts down. The sealing burner positions to the anode sealing area and ignites for sealing. After the area around the anode sealing area of the glass shell melts, the automatic trimming device performs trimming and sealing. The cathode gas blowing protection device blows and bulges the anode sealing area through flow adjustment and forms a drum shape with the cooperation of the automatic trimming device. The sealing burner shuts down, and the automatic trimming device resets. The preheating and annealing burner positions to the anode sealing area to anneal the area around the anode sealing area. The glass sintering equipment is shut down. After the anode sealing is completed, the cathode gas blowing protection device continues to blow and protect for a period of time (delayed protection) and then shuts down.

[0024] The technical solution adopted by this application to solve the above technical problems also includes:

[0025] A sealing machine includes a glass sintering equipment, a workbench frame, a cathode gas blowing protection device, a cathode component installation device, an anode component installation device, a glass shell installation device, a slide rail, and an automatic trimming device. The cathode gas blowing protection device, the slide rail, the automatic trimming device, the cathode component installation device, the glass shell installation device, and the anode positioning sensor are all installed on the workbench frame. The anode component installation device and the glass sintering equipment are slidably installed on the slide rail and can move back and forth. A through hole for the front and back movement of the anode component installation device and the anode component is opened in the middle of the glass shell installation device. The slide rail is parallel to the center lines of the cathode component, the anode component, and the glass shell. The center lines of the cathode component, the anode component, and the glass shell are on the same straight line (the three are coaxially installed). The anode component installation device is used to fix the anode component and adjust the alignment relationship between the anode component and the cathode component under the control of the controller. The cathode component installation device is used to install the cathode component. The glass shell installation device is used to install the glass shell. The glass sintering equipment is used for preheating, sealing, and annealing at the corresponding position of the glass shell. The automatic trimming device is used for trimming. The cathode gas blowing protection device is used to blow protective gas at the rear of the cathode component and provide a blowing and bulging airflow.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following advantages and effects: less manual intervention, low requirements for employees, high automation degree, good sealing quality of products, high coaxiality, small oxidation influence, and good pressure resistance performance. Description of the Drawings

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the principle of the sealing method in the embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the principle of cathode component sealing in the embodiment of this application.

[0029] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the principle of anode component sealing in the embodiment of this application.

[0030] Figure 4It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the sealing machine in the embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 5 It is Figure 4 a top view schematic diagram of.

[0032] Figure 6 It is Figure 4 a left view schematic diagram of.

[0033] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the main structure (removing the protective cover and connecting wires) of the sealing machine in the embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Figure 8 It is a top view schematic diagram of the main structure of the sealing machine in the embodiment of the present application.

[0035] In the figure: A - cathode assembly, A1 - cathode sealing joint, A2 - cathode filament, B - anode assembly, B1 - anode sealing joint, B2 - anode positioning point (the position on the axial direction of the anode inclined plane closest to the cathode filament A2), C - glass shell, D - glass sintering equipment, D1 - sealing burner, D2 - preheating and annealing burner, E - workbench frame, F - cathode blowing protection device, F1 - protection gas flow control cabinet, G - X-ray tube assembly installation device, G1 - cathode assembly installation device, G11 - cathode chuck motor, G12 - cathode chuck, G2 - anode assembly installation device, G21 - anode rotation motor, G22 - anode sealing shaft, G23 - anode translation motor, G3 - glass shell installation device, G31 - glass shell chuck motor, G32 - glass shell chuck, H - protective cover 1, I - control cabinet, J - slide rail, K - automatic mouth wiping device, L - anode positioning sensor, M - protective cover 2, N - glass shell plugging device. Detailed implementation manners

[0036] The following further elaborates on the present application in combination with the drawings and through embodiments. The following embodiments are explanations of the present application, and the present application is not limited to the following embodiments. In the present application Figure 4 the left side is the rear, the right side is the front, the cathode assembly A faces forward, the anode assembly B faces backward and is aligned with the cathode assembly A, the axial direction refers to the front-back direction, and the circumferential direction is relative to the center line of the X-ray tube.

[0037] Refer to Figures 1 to 8, the main design idea of the X-ray tube sealing method in the embodiments of the present application is to complete the mutual alignment of the cathode assembly A, the anode assembly B, and the glass shell C, and then continuously seal the two sealing positions of the X-ray tube under the protection of a protective gas (including the sealing position between the anode assembly B and the glass shell C, abbreviated as the anode sealing position B1, and the sealing position between the cathode assembly A and the glass shell C, abbreviated as the cathode sealing position A1). Thus, the cathode assembly A, the anode assembly B, and the glass shell C can be accurately aligned coaxially in one go, the time control for the two sealings is precise with a small interval, the components are less affected by oxidation, the degree of automation is high, the technical requirements for employees are low, and the length L1 of the X-ray tube body and the pole pitch L2 between the anode assembly B and the cathode assembly A are precise.

[0038] The present application controls the processing procedures through a controller of the prior art (control computer or PLC). The controller is installed in the control cabinet I and is connected to all electrical control devices (referring to the devices that need to be opened or closed by sending control signals from the controller, including the glass sintering device D, the cathode blowing protection device F, the cathode chuck motor G11, the anode rotation motor G21, the anode translation motor G23, the glass shell chuck motor G31, the automatic mouth-rubbing device K, and the glass shell plugging device N), and controls their operations according to the set processes and time sequences to ensure the coherence, timeliness, accuracy, and automation among various steps.

[0039] The X-ray tube sealing method of the present application includes the following steps:

[0040] S1: Install the cathode assembly A on the cathode chuck G12;

[0041] S2: Install the glass shell C on the glass shell chuck G32;

[0042] S3: Install the anode assembly B on the anode sealing shaft G22;

[0043] S4: The controller controls the anode assembly installation device G2 to move back and forth to the position where the anode positioning point B2 corresponds axially to the anode positioning sensor L (axial alignment). The controller controls the anode rotation motor G21 to drive the anode assembly B to rotate until the anode positioning point B2 is aligned with the anode positioning sensor L (circumferential alignment. The circumferential alignment standard is that the distance between the anode positioning sensor L and the anode assembly B is the closest, which is calculated by the controller based on the distance data transmitted by the anode positioning sensor L. Since the angle of the cathode filament A2 is aligned with the anode positioning sensor L when the cathode assembly A is installed, the cathode assembly A is circumferentially aligned with the anode assembly B);

[0044] S5: The cathode blowing protection device F blows a protective gas (specifically nitrogen) to the rear of the cathode assembly A; the glass shell plugging device N positions and plugs the opening of the glass shell C (i.e., the anode sealing position, to prevent the leakage of the protective gas and support the subsequent inflation of the cathode sealing position);

[0045] S6: The controller seals the cathode sealing area A1 through the glass sintering device D (in the initial state, the preheating and annealing burner D2 faces the cathode sealing area A1).

[0046] S7: The glass shell plugging device N resets, the glass shell chuck G32 loosens, and the anode assembly B is axially positioned to the sealing position (at this position, the distance between the cathode assembly A and the cathode assembly B is the pole pitch L2 and at the length L1 of the X-ray tube body). At the same time, the preheating and annealing burner D2 of the glass sintering device D moves to the anode sealing position, and the automatic trimming device K is positioned at the anode trimming area.

[0047] S8: The controller controls the glass sintering device D to seal the anode sealing area B1.

[0048] S9: The controller controls the glass sintering device D and the anode assembly installation device G2 to reset (return to the initial position along the slide rail J).

[0049] The sealing of the cathode sealing area includes the following steps: The preheating and annealing burner D2 ignites to preheat the periphery of the cathode sealing area of the glass shell C and then closes. The sealing burner D1 is positioned at the cathode sealing area A1 to ignite and seal the cathode sealing area A1. The automatic trimming device K is positioned. After the periphery of the cathode sealing area of the glass shell C melts, the automatic trimming device K performs trimming and sealing. The cathode gas blowing protection device F adjusts the flow rate to blow up the cathode sealing area A1 (prior art) and forms a drum shape in cooperation with the automatic trimming device K. The sealing burner D1 closes, the automatic trimming device K resets. The preheating and annealing burner D2 is positioned at the cathode sealing area A1 to anneal the periphery of the cathode sealing area of the glass shell C. After the cathode annealing is completed, the glass sintering device D is closed.

[0050] The sealing of the anode sealing area includes the following steps: The preheating and annealing burner D2 ignites to preheat the periphery of the anode sealing area of the glass shell C and then closes. The sealing burner D1 is positioned at the anode sealing area B1 to ignite and seal the anode sealing area B1. After the periphery of the anode sealing area of the glass shell C melts, the automatic trimming device K performs trimming and sealing. The cathode gas blowing protection device F adjusts the flow rate to blow up the anode sealing area and forms a drum shape in cooperation with the automatic trimming device K. The sealing burner D1 closes, the automatic trimming device K resets. The preheating and annealing burner D2 is positioned at the anode sealing area B1 to anneal the periphery of the anode sealing area B1. After the anode annealing is completed, the glass sintering device D is closed. The cathode gas blowing protection device F continues to blow and protect for a period of time (delayed protection) after the anode sealing is completed and then closes.

[0051] To implement the above X-ray tube sealing method, the present application designs an X-ray tube sealing machine, which includes a glass sintering device D, a workbench frame E, a cathode blowing protection device F, a cathode component installation device G1, an anode component installation device G2, a glass shell installation device G3, a control cabinet I, a slide rail J, and an automatic mouth grinding device K. The cathode blowing protection device F, the slide rail J, the automatic mouth grinding device K, the cathode component installation device G1, and the glass shell installation device G3 are all fixedly installed on the workbench frame E. The anode component installation device G2 and the glass sintering device D are respectively installed on the slide rail J through the anode component installation device G2 moving mechanism and the glass sintering device D moving mechanism of the prior art and can move back and forth. A through hole for the front and back movement of the anode component installation device G2 and the anode component B is opened in the middle of the glass shell installation device G3. The slide rail J is parallel to the center lines of the cathode component A, the anode component B, and the glass shell C. The center lines (X-ray tube center line) of the cathode component A, the anode component B, and the glass shell C are the same straight line. The precise movement of the glass sintering device D and the anode component installation device G2 along the front and back directions is realized by installing them on the slide rail J. The anode component installation device G2 is used to fix the anode component B and adjust the alignment relationship between the anode component B and the cathode component A under the control of the controller (adjust the circumferential positioning relationship between the anode component B and the cathode component A through the anode rotation motor G21, and adjust the axial positioning relationship between the anode component B and the cathode component A through the anode translation motor G23). The controller is connected to the anode positioning sensor L and samples whether the anode component B is aligned with the anode positioning sensor L. The anode rotation motor G21 is connected to the anode sealing shaft. After the anode component B is clamped on the anode sealing shaft G22, the controller precisely controls the movement of the anode component installation device G2 moving mechanism, so that the anode component installation device G2 and the anode component B thereon move precisely along the slide rail H. The cathode component installation device G1 is used to install the cathode component A, and the glass shell installation device G3 is used to install the glass shell C. The glass sintering device D is mainly used to sinter the anode sealing part B1, the cathode sealing part A1, and preheat and anneal the corresponding positions of the glass shell C. The automatic mouth grinding device K is used for mouth grinding (prior art). The cathode blowing protection device F is used to blow protective gas at the rear of the cathode component A and adjust the flow rate of the protective gas during blowing, prevent oxidation and provide the blowing air flow, and the blowing of the protective gas starts from step S5 and is protected for a certain period of time after the cathode sealing is completed and then closed.

[0052] The cathode blowing protection device F of the present application controls the gas flow rates of the blown protective gas and the blowing through a mass flow meter of the prior art.

[0053] The positioning and resetting described in this application are both prior arts. For example, the front and back movement positioning of the anode assembly installation device G2 and the glass sintering equipment D (and its component sealing burner D1, preheating and annealing burner D2); the combined positioning of the up and down movement and the front and back movement of the glass shell plugging device N (first moving up and down to align with the front and back of the glass shell C, and then moving back and forth to seal the opening of the glass shell C): the combined positioning of the cylinder expansion positioning and the front and back movement of the automatic wiping device K (the initial state of the automatic wiping device K is aligned with the cathode sealing part A1 of the glass shell C in the front and back direction. After the cathode assembly A is installed, the head of the automatic wiping device K is accurately positioned circumferentially with the glass shell C through the expansion of its cylinder; after the cathode sealing part is wiped, the cylinder is reset. When the anode sealing part needs to be wiped, it first moves back and forth to align with the anode sealing part of the glass shell in the front and back direction, and then controls the expansion of its cylinder to make the head of the automatic wiping device K accurately positioned circumferentially with the glass shell C. After the anode sealing part is wiped, its cylinder first retracts and then moves back and forth to reset).

[0054] This application can accurately control the preheating time, sealing time, and annealing and cooling time for each time during the two sealings. The anode sealing is carried out only 20 seconds after the cathode sealing is completed, which improves the sealing quality, reduces the influence of component oxidation, and significantly improves the quality of the final product. As a special case, the nitrogen pre-blowing time is 20s, the cathode preheating time is 15 - 20s, the cathode sealing time is 20 - 25s, the cathode annealing time is 20 - 25s, the anode preheating time is 15 - 20s, the anode sealing time is 20 - 25s, the anode annealing time is 20 - 25s, and the nitrogen protection delay is 30s. After adding the installation time, the production time of a single X-ray tube is approximately about 5 minutes. The following shows a comparison table of some technical parameters between the embodiments of this application and the prior art.

[0055]

[0056] Any simple deformation or combination of the technical features and technical solutions of this application shall be considered to fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An X-ray tube sealing method, characterized in that Perform the following steps in sequence: S1: Install the cathode assembly; S2: Install the glass shell; S3: Install the anode assembly; S4: The controller controls the anode assembly installation device to move forward and backward to the position where the anode positioning point is axially corresponding to the anode positioning sensor, and the controller drives the anode assembly to rotate through the anode rotation motor until the anode positioning point is circumferentially aligned with the anode positioning sensor; S5: The controller controls the cathode blowing protection device to blow protective gas at the rear of the cathode assembly; the glass shell plugging device positions and plugs the opening of the glass shell; S6: The controller controls the glass sintering equipment to seal the cathode sealing joint; S7: The glass shell plugging device resets, the glass shell chuck loosens, the anode assembly is axially positioned to the sealing position, and at the same time, the preheating and annealing burners of the glass sintering equipment are positioned at the anode sealing position, and the automatic chamfering device is positioned at the anode chamfering position: S8: The controller controls the glass sintering equipment to seal the anode sealing joint; S9: The controller controls the glass sintering equipment and the anode assembly installation device to reset.

2. The X-ray tube sealing method according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing of the cathode sealing joint includes the following steps: The preheating and annealing burners ignite and preheat the periphery of the cathode sealing joint of the glass shell and then turn off. The sealing burner is positioned at the cathode sealing joint to ignite and seal. The automatic chamfering device is positioned. After the periphery of the cathode sealing joint of the glass shell melts, the automatic chamfering device performs chamfering and sealing. The cathode blowing protection device blows up the cathode sealing joint through flow adjustment and forms a drum shape with the cooperation of the automatic chamfering device. The sealing burner is turned off, the automatic chamfering device resets, the preheating and annealing burners are positioned at the cathode sealing joint to anneal the periphery of the cathode sealing joint of the glass shell, and the glass sintering equipment is turned off.

3. The X-ray tube sealing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing of the anode sealing joint includes the following steps: The preheating and annealing burners ignite and preheat the periphery of the anode sealing joint of the glass shell and then turn off. The sealing burner is positioned at the anode sealing joint to ignite and seal. After the periphery of the anode sealing joint of the glass shell melts, the automatic chamfering device performs chamfering and sealing. The cathode blowing protection device blows up the anode sealing joint through flow adjustment and forms a drum shape with the cooperation of the automatic chamfering device. The sealing burner is turned off, the automatic chamfering device resets, the preheating and annealing burners are positioned at the anode sealing joint to anneal the periphery of the anode sealing joint, and the glass sintering equipment is turned off. The cathode blowing protection device continues to blow protective gas for a period of time after the anode sealing is completed and then turns off.

4. The X-ray tube sealing method according to claim 1, wherein: It is carried out by using a sealing machine, and the sealing machine includes a glass sintering device, a workbench frame, a cathode blowing protection device, a cathode component installation device, an anode component installation device, a glass shell installation device, a slide rail, and an automatic necking device. The cathode blowing protection device, the slide rail, the automatic necking device, the cathode component installation device, the glass shell installation device, and the anode positioning sensor are all installed on the workbench frame. The anode component installation device and the glass sintering device are slidably installed on the slide rail. A through hole for the front and back movement of the anode component installation device and the anode component is opened in the middle of the glass shell installation device. The slide rail is parallel to the center lines of the cathode component, the anode component, and the glass shell. The center lines of the cathode component, the anode component, and the glass shell are on the same straight line. The anode component installation device is used to fix the anode component and adjust the alignment relationship between the anode component and the cathode component under the control of the controller. The cathode component installation device is used to install the cathode component. The glass shell installation device is used to install the glass shell. The glass sintering device is used for preheating, sealing, and annealing at the corresponding position of the glass shell. The automatic necking device is used for necking. The cathode blowing protection device is used to blow protective gas at the rear of the cathode component and provide a blowing air flow.

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