Anode assembly, X-ray tube having same, and X-ray imaging apparatus

Abstract

The utility model discloses an anode assembly, an X-ray tube with the anode assembly and an X-ray imaging device, and the anode assembly comprises a target assembly which is arranged in a vacuum chamber and is used for being bombarded by electron beams emitted by a cathode assembly to generate X-rays; the anode cylinder is arranged on the periphery of the target assembly in a sleeving mode and integrated with the target assembly, the end, facing the tube shell, of the anode cylinder is connected with the tube shell in a sealed mode, and a first through hole used for X-ray emitting is defined in the circumferential direction of the anode cylinder; the anode shielding cover is arranged outside the anode cylinder in a sleeving manner and connected with the anode cylinder, and a second through hole which corresponds to the first through hole and communicates with the vacuum cavity is defined in the circumferential direction of the anode shielding cover; and the outer layer window seals the second through hole. According to the anode assembly disclosed by the embodiment of the utility model, the target assembly and the anode cylinder are integrated into a whole, so that the anode assembly with a smaller diameter can be obtained, and the anode assembly is convenient to assemble into an ultrathin X-ray source and a miniaturized X-ray imaging device, so that the safety detection of a narrow area is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of X-ray equipment technology, specifically relating to an anode assembly, an X-ray tube having the same, and an X-ray imaging device. Background Technology

[0002] Handheld backscatter imaging is a portable imaging method for security applications. To achieve sufficiently deep penetration, the backscatter voltage typically needs to be 110kV, or even higher than 140kV. When the voltage exceeds 140kV, the miniaturization of the X-ray tube and the high-voltage power supply becomes limited, making it difficult for existing miniature transmission target X-ray sources to be less than 5cm in height. If a taller X-ray source is integrated into a backscatter imaging device, the integrated structure becomes too bulky, making it difficult to meet the backscatter imaging requirements for spaces with a height of less than 10cm. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this utility model embodiment is to provide an anode assembly, an X-ray tube having the same, and an X-ray imaging device to solve the problem that the existing X-ray imaging devices are too large and difficult to adapt to safe inspection in narrow areas.

[0004] A first aspect of this utility model provides an anode assembly for defining a vacuum chamber together with a cathode assembly and a tube shell in an X-ray tube, the anode assembly comprising:

[0005] A target assembly, disposed within the vacuum chamber, is used to bombard X-rays by an electron beam emitted from the cathode assembly;

[0006] An anode cylinder is sleeved around the target assembly and integrated with the target assembly. The anode cylinder is connected to the shell, and the circumferential direction of the anode cylinder defines a first through hole for the X-ray emission.

[0007] An anode shield is fitted over the anode cylinder and connected to the anode cylinder. The anode shield defines a second through hole in its circumferential direction, which corresponds to the first through hole and is used for the X-ray emission.

[0008] An anode cover is disposed inside the vacuum chamber and covers the target assembly; the anode cover is connected to the anode cylinder and the tube shell respectively.

[0009] The outer window seals the second through-hole and allows the X-rays to pass through.

[0010] Furthermore, the target component includes:

[0011] The first heat sink is integrated with the anode cylinder;

[0012] A target is positioned on the side of the first heat sink facing the cathode assembly for being bombarded by the electron beam to emit X-rays.

[0013] Furthermore, the anode assembly also includes:

[0014] Inner window, sealing the first through hole; and / or,

[0015] The first and second through holes are used for X-rays with a divergence angle of 40° to 180° to pass through.

[0016] Furthermore, the anode shield is integrally formed or welded to the anode cylinder.

[0017] Furthermore, the top surface of the anode shield away from the cathode assembly is provided with a second heat sink extending axially along the tube shell.

[0018] Furthermore, the second heat sink is formed as a protrusion or a groove, wherein the inner wall surface of the groove or the outer wall surface of the protrusion is respectively formed as a continuous curved surface; and / or,

[0019] The anode shield is integrated with the second heat sink.

[0020] Furthermore, the anode shield is formed of graphite.

[0021] The X-ray tube according to a second aspect of the present invention includes:

[0022] Cathode assembly;

[0023] The anode assembly described in the above embodiments;

[0024] The tube shell, the anode assembly and the cathode assembly are respectively located at the corresponding ends of the tube shell, so as to define a vacuum cavity together with the tube shell.

[0025] Furthermore, the anode assembly includes an anode cover and an anode shield, with the tube housing embedded between the anode cover and the anode shield, and the casing is sealed and welded using copper.

[0026] An X-ray imaging apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention includes the X-ray tube described in the above embodiments.

[0027] According to the embodiment of the present invention, by integrating the target assembly and the anode cylinder into one unit, a smaller diameter anode assembly can be obtained. This anode assembly is easy to assemble into an ultra-thin X-ray source and a miniaturized X-ray imaging device, thereby enabling safe detection of narrow areas. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a miniature through-type X-ray source in the prior art;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an X-ray tube according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an X-ray tube according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an X-ray tube according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure Labels

[0033] X-ray tube 100;

[0034] Anode assembly 10; target assembly 11; first heat sink 112; target 111; anode cylinder 12; first through hole 121; anode shield 13; second through hole 131; outer window 14; inner window 15; copper 16; second heat sink 17; anode cover 18;

[0035] Cathode assembly 20; tube shell 30; electron beam 40; X-ray 50. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0037] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this utility model are used to distinguish similar objects and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this utility model can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0038] In existing technologies, handheld backscatter imaging is a portable imaging method used for security applications, typically employing a transmission X-ray tube 1 as the radiation source, such as... Figure 1As shown, the X-rays 2 emitted by the transmission X-ray tube 1 extend radially, resulting in a relatively high imaging device. To achieve sufficiently deep penetration, higher voltages and larger X-ray tubes are required. However, in some confined detection environments, the height of the X-ray source must be less than 5 cm. Consequently, the existing transmission X-ray tube 1 is insufficient to meet these requirements, making it difficult to obtain an ultra-thin X-ray source.

[0039] In view of the technical problems existing in the prior art, this utility model provides an anode component 10.

[0040] The following is combined Figures 2 to 4 The anode component 10 provided in this utility model embodiment will be described in detail through specific embodiments and application scenarios.

[0041] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the anode assembly 10 is used to define a vacuum chamber together with the cathode assembly 20 and the tube shell 30 in the X-ray tube 100. The anode assembly 10 includes a target assembly 11, an anode cylinder 12, an anode shield 13, an outer window 14, and an anode cover 18.

[0043] Specifically, the target assembly 11 is housed within a vacuum chamber to be bombarded by the electron beam 40 emitted by the cathode assembly 20, producing X-rays 50; such as Figure 2 As shown, the anode cylinder 12 is sleeved around the target assembly 11 and integrated with the target assembly 11 to support the target assembly 11. The end of the anode cylinder 12 facing the shell 30 is sealed and connected to the shell 30. The circumferential direction of the anode cylinder 12 defines a first through hole 121 for X-ray 50 to be emitted. The anode shield 13 is sleeved around the anode cylinder 12 and connected to the anode cylinder 12. The circumferential direction of the anode shield 13 defines a second through hole 131 that corresponds to the first through hole 121 and communicates with the vacuum chamber. The outer window 14 seals the second through hole 131 and allows X-rays to pass through. The anode cover 18 is placed above the target assembly 11 and is directly or indirectly connected to the anode cylinder 12 and the shell 30.

[0044] In other words, for reflective X-ray tubes with voltages exceeding 140kV, in order to further reduce the radial dimension of the tube, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the target assembly 11 and the anode cylinder 12 are integrated into one unit. Figure 1The outline in the diagram indicates the positions of the target assembly 11 and the anode cylinder 12. Reducing the gap between the target assembly 11 and the anode cylinder 12 reduces the overall radial dimension of the X-ray tube 100. The target assembly 11 is used to bombard X-rays 50 by the electron beam 40 emitted from the cathode. The anode cylinder 12 serves to fix and support the target assembly 11. It should be noted that the target assembly 11 and the anode cylinder 12 can be integrated through integral machining or welding. For example, the target assembly 11 can be welded into the anode cylinder 12, and then a first through hole 121 can be prepared on the anode cylinder 12 by internal turning. The anode shield 13 is fitted on the outside of the anode cylinder 12 and can control the electric field. The anode shield 13 is connected to the anode cylinder 12, and a second through hole 131 corresponding to the first through hole 121 is defined on the anode shield 13. The outer window 14 seals the second through hole 131. The outer window 14 is a metal or alloy with an atomic number Z < 29. The tube shell 30 is embedded between the anode cover 18 and the anode shield 13, thereby shielding the tube shell 30. The anode cover 18 can adsorb and shield most stray electrons, improving the insulation performance of the X-ray tube. The anode assembly 10 of this invention is used to assemble a reflective X-ray tube. The reflective X-ray tube emits light from the side, and its required working space height is related to its radial dimension (the smaller the radial dimension of the anode assembly 10, the smaller the radial dimension of the assembled X-ray tube 100). The working space height of the transmission X-ray tube in the prior art is limited by its axial dimension. Obviously, under the same working voltage, the radial dimension of the reflective X-ray tube is significantly smaller than the axial dimension of the transmission X-ray tube. Therefore, the X-ray tube 100 prepared according to the anode assembly 10 of this invention can be used to assemble an ultrathin X-ray source.

[0045] Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by integrating the target assembly 11 and the anode cylinder 12 into one unit, a smaller diameter anode assembly 10 can be obtained. This anode assembly 10 is easy to assemble into an ultra-thin X-ray source and a miniaturized X-ray imaging device, thereby realizing safe detection of narrow areas.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the target assembly 11 includes a first heat sink 112 and a target 111.

[0047] The first heat sink 112 is integrated with the anode cylinder 12. The target 111 is located on the side of the first heat sink 112 facing the cathode assembly 20 for being bombarded by the electron beam 40 to emit X-rays 50. The anode cylinder 12 and the first heat sink 112 can be made of copper 16, which has good heat dissipation effect. The target 111 is plated or cast on the copper 16. The material of the target 111 is a metal or alloy with Z>40.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, the anode assembly 10 further includes an inner window 15, which seals the first through hole 121.

[0049] In other words, when the target assembly 11, the anode cylinder 12, and the anode shield 13 are integrated into one unit (including integration by direct welding, integral molding, etc.), only the outer window 14 needs to be set to seal the second through hole 131. When the target assembly 11 and the anode cylinder 12 are integrated into one unit and separately assembled with the anode shield 13, an inner window 15 can also be set to seal the first through hole 121, thus obtaining a double-window structure. The double-window structure has two functions: (1) avoiding X-ray attenuation caused by the filling of the outer layer of the window with potting material; (2) avoiding breakdown caused by a strong electric field at the second through hole 131 of the anode shield 13. The inner window 15 is prepared by integral processing or brazing, and the outer window 14 is prepared by bonding or direct processing. Both the inner window 15 and the outer window 14 are made of metals and their alloys with atomic number Z < 29.

[0050] Preferably, the first through-hole 121 and the second through-hole 131 are used for X-rays 50 with a divergence angle between 40° and 180° to pass through. That is, the X-ray 50 exit window is a wide-angle exit window, which can improve imaging efficiency.

[0051] In one embodiment of this utility model, the anode shield 13 and the anode cylinder 12 are integrated into one unit. For example... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the first heat sink 121, the anode cylinder 12, and the anode shield 13 can be made of the same material and integrated into a single piece A by welding or casting, thereby simplifying the assembly process of the anode assembly 10, reducing the installation gap between the components, and reducing the radial dimension of the X-ray tube 100.

[0052] Preferably, such as Figure 4 As shown, the top surface of the anode shield 13 away from the cathode assembly 20 is provided with a second heat sink 17 extending axially along the tube shell 30. In the prior art, the second heat sink 17 generally extends radially outward along the tube shell 30, which leads to an increase in the overall radial dimension of the X-ray tube 100, making it difficult to obtain an X-ray source with good heat dissipation and a thinner size. In this embodiment of the present invention, by providing a second heat sink 17 extending axially along the tube shell 30, not only is the heat dissipation effect good, but it also does not cause an increase in the radial dimension of the X-ray tube 100. When the X-ray tube 100 is integrated into the X-ray detection device, the X-ray tube 100 is placed horizontally, which can just meet the detection needs of vehicles with low chassis.

[0053] Furthermore, the second heat sink 17 is provided with protrusions or grooves. The inner wall of the groove or the outer wall of the protrusion is formed as a continuous curved surface. The groove or protrusion structure can increase the heat dissipation area of ​​the second heat sink 17. Designing the surface of the protrusion or groove as a continuous curved surface can avoid air bubbles caused by potting.

[0054] Optionally, such as Figure 4 As shown, the anode shield 13 and the second heat sink 17 are integrated into one unit. In other words, the second heat sink 17 can be integrated into the anode shield 13 or the anode cylinder 12 by adhesive bonding, or the second heat sink 17 can be integrally formed with the anode shield 13 or the anode cylinder 12.

[0055] Integrating the first heat sink 112 and the second heat sink 17 into the anode cylinder 12 respectively allows the reflective X-ray tube to have greater power than the transmission X-ray tube, significantly improving the detection speed. It should be noted that the second heat sink 17 can also be integrated into the anode shield 13, including but not limited to obtaining the second heat sink 17 by extending the anode shield 13, and increasing the heat dissipation cross-section without increasing the radially outer electric field of the X-ray tube.

[0056] Preferably, the anode shield 13 is formed as a graphite material, which has advantages such as low density, high strength and hardness, and good thermal conductivity.

[0057] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an X-ray tube 100 includes a cathode assembly 20, an anode assembly 10 as described above, and a tube shell 30. The anode assembly 10 and the cathode assembly 20 are respectively located at corresponding ends of the tube shell 30, so as to define a vacuum cavity together with the tube shell 30.

[0058] Furthermore, the anode assembly 10 includes an anode cover 18 and an anode shield 13, with the housing 30 embedded between the anode cover 18 and the anode shield 13, and the housing is sealed and welded with copper.

[0059] Specifically, the tube shell 30 is made of ceramic material. When the tube shell 30 is assembled with the anode assembly 10, the ceramic is embedded between the anode cover 18 and the anode shield 13 to achieve shielding of the ceramic. In order to save size, the vacuum seal is completed by brazing the copper 16 and the ceramic sleeve. The connection method is compact, and the size of the X-ray tube is further miniaturized.

[0060] The X-ray tube 100 according to the present invention includes the anode assembly 10 described in the above embodiments. Since the anode assembly 10 according to the present invention has advantages such as easy assembly and miniaturized structure, the X-ray tube 100 according to the present invention also has advantages such as easy assembly, miniaturized structure, and suitability for detection in narrow spaces.

[0061] Other structures and techniques of the X-ray tube 100 according to the embodiments of this utility model are prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0062] The X-ray imaging device according to the present invention includes the X-ray tube 100 described in the above embodiments. Since the X-ray tube 100 according to the present invention has the advantages of being easy to assemble, having a miniaturized structure, and being suitable for detection in narrow spaces, the X-ray imaging device according to the present invention also has the above advantages.

[0063] Other structures and techniques of the X-ray imaging device according to the embodiments of this utility model are prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0064] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and all of these forms are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An anode assembly for defining a vacuum chamber together with a cathode assembly and a tube shell in an X-ray tube, characterized in that, The anode assembly includes: A target assembly, disposed within the vacuum chamber, is used to bombard X-rays by an electron beam emitted from the cathode assembly; An anode cylinder is sleeved around the target assembly and integrated with the target assembly. The anode cylinder is connected to the shell, and the circumferential direction of the anode cylinder defines a first through hole for the X-ray emission. An anode shield is fitted over the anode cylinder and connected to the anode cylinder. The anode shield defines a second through hole in its circumferential direction, which corresponds to the first through hole and is used for the X-ray emission. An anode cover is disposed inside the vacuum chamber and covers the target assembly; the anode cover is connected to the anode cylinder and the tube shell respectively. The outer window seals the second through-hole and allows the X-rays to pass through.

2. The anode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The target component includes: The first heat sink is integrated with the anode cylinder; A target is positioned on the side of the first heat sink facing the cathode assembly for being bombarded by the electron beam to emit the X-rays.

3. The anode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Inner window, sealing the first through hole; and / or, The first and second through holes are used for X-rays with a divergence angle of 40° to 180° to pass through.

4. The anode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anode shield is integrally formed or welded to the anode cylinder.

5. The anode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top surface of the anode shield away from the cathode assembly is provided with a second heat sink extending axially along the tube shell.

6. The anode assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second heat sink has protrusions or grooves, wherein the inner wall of the groove or the outer wall of the protrusion is formed as a continuous curved surface; and / or, The anode shield is integrated with the second heat sink.

7. The anode assembly according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that, The anode shield is formed of graphite.

8. An X-ray tube, characterized in that, include: Cathode assembly; The anode assembly according to any one of claims 1-7; The tube shell, the anode assembly and the cathode assembly are respectively located at the corresponding ends of the tube shell, so as to define a vacuum cavity together with the tube shell.

9. The X-ray tube according to claim 8, characterized in that, The anode assembly includes an anode cover and an anode shield, with the tube housing embedded between the anode cover and the anode shield, and the casing is sealed and welded with copper.

10. An X-ray imaging device, characterized in that, Including the X-ray tube as described in claim 9.

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