X-ray irradiation apparatus
View Patent ↗An X-ray irradiation apparatus includes an enclosure and an X-ray beam system positioned within the enclosure for directing X-ray beams into an irradiation region. The X-ray beam system has more than one X-ray beam emitter for directing the X-ray beams into the irradiation region from different directions. Each X-ray beam emitter includes a vacuum chamber having a target window and an electron generator positioned within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons that are directed at the target window for forming X-rays which pass through the target window as an X-ray beam. The target window is supported by a support plate having a series of holes therethrough which allow passage of the electrons therethrough to reach the target window.
1. An X-ray irradiation apparatus comprising:
an enclosure; and
an X-ray beam system positioned within the enclosure for directing X-ray beams into an irradiation region, the X-ray beam system comprising more than one X-ray beam emitter for directing the X-ray beams into the irradiation region from different directions, each X-ray beam emitter comprising:
a vacuum chamber having a target window; and
an electron generator positioned within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons that are directed at the target window for forming X-rays which pass through the target window as an X-ray beam, the target window being supported by a support plate having a series of holes therethrough which allow passage of the electrons therethrough to reach the target window.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the enclosure includes a door for providing access to the irradiation region.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which each X-ray beam emitter includes a reflector surrounding the target window.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the X-ray beam system comprises at least three X-ray beam emitters positioned in a ring around the irradiation region, thereby forming a central irradiation chamber.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 in which the X-ray beam system comprises eight X-ray beam emitters positioned in a ring around the irradiation region and abutting each other.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the reflector of each X-ray beam emitter abuts the reflector of an adjacent X-ray beam emitter.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the target window of the X-ray beam emitter has a thickness which substantially prevents the passage of electrons therethrough.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the electrons and X-ray beam travel in substantially the same direction.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the apparatus is a sterilization apparatus where articles are positioned within the irradiation chamber for sterilization.
10. An X-ray emitter comprising:
a vacuum chamber having a target window;
an electron generator positioned within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons that are directed at the target window for forming X-rays which pass through the target window in an X-ray beam, the target window being supported by a support plate having a series of holes therethrough which allow passage of the electrons therethrough to reach the target window; and
a reflector surrounding the target window.
11. A method of irradiating an article with an X-ray irradiation apparatus comprising:
providing an enclosure; and
positioning an X-ray beam system within the enclosure for directing X-ray beams into an irradiation region for irradiating the article, the X-ray beam system comprising more than one X-ray beam emitter for directing the X-ray beams into the irradiation region from different directions, each X-ray beam emitter comprising:
a vacuum chamber having a target window; and
an electron generator positioned within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons that are directed at the target window for forming X-rays which pass through the target window as an X-ray beam, the target window being supported by a support plate having a series of holes therethrough which allow passage of the electrons therethrough to reach the target window.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising providing a door for providing access to the irradiation region.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising surrounding the target window of each X-ray beam emitter with a reflector.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising forming the X-ray beam system with at least three X-ray beam emitters positioned in a ring around the irradiation region, thereby forming a central irradiation chamber.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising forming the X-ray beam system with eight X-ray beam emitters positioned in a ring around the irradiation region and abutting each other.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising positioning the reflector of each X-ray beam emitter to abut the reflector of an adjacent X-ray beam emitter.
17. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the target window of the X-ray beam emitter with a thickness which substantially prevents the passage of electrons therethrough.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising directing the electrons and X-ray beam in substantially the same direction.
19. The method of claim 11 further comprising positioning the articles within the irradiation chamber for sterilization.
20. A method of irradiating an article with an X-ray emitter comprising:
providing a vacuum chamber having a target window;
positioning an electron generator within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons that are directed at the target window in an X-ray beam for irradiating the article, the target window being supported by a support plate having a series of holes therethrough which allow passage of the electrons therethrough to reach the target window; and
surrounding the target window with a reflector for reflecting X-rays towards the article.