Asymmetric Thermionic Emitter for X-Ray Tube Anode Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermionic emission devices in x-ray tubes face limitations in maintaining a high service life and consistent image quality due to the high surface temperature of the anode, which is exacerbated by the focal point profile of the electron beam.
Innovation Solution
The thermionic emission device employs an indirectly heatable main emitter with a heat emitter that asymmetrically heats the main emission surface, creating an asymmetric electron beam profile when striking the anode, thereby reducing the surface temperature and extending the service life of the anode without compromising image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the surface temperature of the focal path is increased to achieve higher power output, then the power output is improved, but the service life of the rotary anode is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating an asymmetric temperature distribution on the main emission surface through the offset heat emitter. This results in an asymmetric electron beam profile that concentrates heating in specific regions of the anode focal path, allowing higher overall power output while controlling peak temperatures to preserve anode service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements asymmetry by positioning the heat emitter offset from the main emission surface rather than symmetrically aligned. This asymmetric configuration produces an asymmetric electron beam and corresponding asymmetric focal point profile on the anode, enabling optimized heat distribution that increases power output without proportionally increasing peak temperatures that would shorten anode life.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the focal point profile is optimized to reduce surface temperature on the anode, then the service life of the x-ray tube is increased, but the image quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of temperature distribution on the anode surface through asymmetric heating. By adjusting the heat emitter offset distance and heating intensity, the focal point profile parameters are optimized to reduce peak surface temperatures while maintaining an asymmetric shape that preserves sufficient image quality for diagnostic purposes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution optimizes the focal point profile to minimize heat application on the anode, thereby increasing the service life of the x-ray tube while maintaining consistent image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an indirectly heatable main emitter (1), which is constructed as a flat emitter with a main emission surface (11), and at least one connectible heat emitter (2) with a heat emission surface (21)
Implementation Method 2
the main emission surface (11) can be asymmetrically heated by the heat emission surface (21)
Data Source
AI summary
A thermionic emission device includes an indirectly heatable main emitter, which is constructed as a flat emitter with a main emission surface, and at least one connectible heat emitter with a heat emission surface. The heat emission surface is disposed at a predefinable distance from the main emission surface. The main emission surface can be asymmetrically heated by the heat emission surface. In the operating state, the main emitter is at a main potential and the heat emitter is at a heating potential which differs from the main potential. An x-ray tube with the thermionic emission device has a longer service life with a consistent image quality.