X-ray tube anode with internal shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray tubes have a significant weight due to external X-ray shielding materials, which can be cumbersome and inefficient in shielding unnecessary X-rays generated in all directions.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray tube design incorporates an anode with a first member made of copper or copper-molybdenum alloys for thermal conductivity and a second member with higher molybdenum content for enhanced shielding, extending inside the envelope, along with a tube wall shielding member to internally shield X-rays, reducing the need for external shielding materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If external X-ray shielding materials are used to shield unnecessary X-rays, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but the weight of the X-ray tube increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the X-ray shielding function from the external housing and relocates it to internal components. Specifically, the anode is designed with an integrated shielding structure that includes high-density material portions positioned to block unnecessary X-rays generated within the envelope, thereby removing the need for heavy external shielding materials while maintaining shielding effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The anode is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the electron target for X-ray generation, provides thermal conduction to dissipate heat, and incorporates high-density material portions that provide X-ray shielding. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate external shielding components, reducing overall weight while maintaining shielding performance
2Weight of moving object
If shielding components are distributed internally within the envelope, then weight is reduced and shielding effectiveness is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shielding function with the anode structure by integrating high-density material portions directly into the anode. This combination of functions within a single component reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall structure, thereby reducing weight without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The anode is constructed using composite materials that include high-density materials (such as tungsten or other heavy metals) combined with other materials to achieve both X-ray shielding capability and thermal conduction properties. This composite structure allows a single component to fulfill multiple functions, reducing the need for additional separate shielding components and simplifying the overall device structure
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 design achieves effective shielding of unnecessary X-rays while reducing the overall weight of the X-ray tube by distributing shielding components internally, optimizing thermal management, and minimizing the use of external shielding materials.
Implementation Method 1
a cathode assembly 11 that emits electrons in the envelope 13
Implementation Method 2
a target 33 that receives the electrons emitted from the cathode assembly 11 and generates X-rays
Implementation Method 3
a second member 117 that is provided in a direction perpendicular to a central axis 131 of the first member 116, comes into contact with the first member 116, has a higher X-ray shielding performance than the first member 116
Implementation Method 4
the first member 116 has a higher thermal conductivity than the second member 117
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray tube includes: an envelope that is a case; a cathode assembly that emits electrons in the envelope; and an anode including a first member of which at least a portion extends to the outside of the envelope, a second member that is provided in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the first member, comes into contact with the first member, and has a higher X-ray shielding performance than the first member, and a target that receives the electrons emitted from the cathode assembly and generates X-rays.