X-ray tube electron emitter brazing-free assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of electron emitters in x-ray tubes is prone to damage during the brazing process, leading to reduced operational life of the tubes.
Innovation Solution
The electron emitters are designed with electrical leads that are mechanically and electrically connected to the filament without the use of braze material, using methods such as resistance welding or laser welding, to prevent damage during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brazing is used to connect electrical leads to the filament during assembly, then electrical connection is achieved, but damage to the fragile electron emitter occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful brazing process from the assembly of electrical leads to the filament. Instead of using brazing material, the invention extracts only the essential function of electrical connection and achieves it through direct mechanical attachment methods such as welding or mechanical fasteners, thereby eliminating thermal damage to the fragile electron emitter while maintaining reliable electrical connection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal-bonding mechanism (brazing) with a mechanical bonding system. Electrical leads are connected to the filament through mechanical means such as welding or mechanical fasteners, substituting the harmful thermal field with a mechanical attachment process that does not damage the electron emitter structure
2Reliability
If brazing material is used to connect leads to filament, then electrical connection is established, but operational life of x-ray tube is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the brazing material and process from the electron emitter assembly, extracting only the essential electrical connection function. This elimination of harmful brazing prevents immediate or eventual failure of the electron emitter, thereby extending the operational life of the x-ray tube while maintaining reliable electrical connection through alternative mechanical or welding methods
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 approach extends the operational life of x-ray tubes by eliminating damage to fragile components during assembly and ensuring reliable connections without the need for brazing.
Implementation Method 1
Each lead is connected to one of the flanges via a resistance weld without the presence of braze material
Implementation Method 2
an electric current is applied to the electron emitter, which causes electrons to be produced by thermionic emission
Data Source
AI summary
Electron emitters for x-ray tubes. In one example embodiment, an electron emitter for an x-ray tube includes an electron filament and a plurality of electrical leads. The electron filament defines a plurality of openings. Each lead is positioned so as to extend through one of the openings and each lead is mechanically and electrically connected to the filament proximate the opening without the presence of braze material.