Electrically insulating X-ray shielding devices in an X-ray tube
View Patent ↗Electrically insulating x-ray shielding devices in an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube includes an evacuated enclosure, a cathode and an anode at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure, and an electrically insulating x-ray shielding device proximate to the evacuated enclosure. The electrically insulating x-ray shielding device includes an oxide or nitride material having an atomic number from 57 to 74.
1. A high-voltage gasket for an x-ray tube, the high-voltage gasket comprising an electrically insulating base material with electrically insulating x-ray shielding oxide or nitride particles dispersed therein, the dispersed electrically insulating x-ray shielding oxide or nitride particles having an atomic number from 57 to 74.
2. The high-voltage gasket as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulating base material comprises a silicone-based rubber.
3. The high-voltage gasket as recited in claim 1 , wherein the dispersed electrically insulating x-ray shielding oxide or nitride particles comprise cerium, erbium, ytterbium, or some combination thereof.
4. An x-ray tube comprising:
an evacuated enclosure;
a cathode and an anode at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure;
a high-voltage connector removably attached to the evacuated enclosure, the high-voltage connector configured to electrically couple a high-voltage electrical cable to the cathode, the high-voltage connector including a potting material configured to insulate electrical connections running through the high-voltage connector; and
the high-voltage gasket as recited in claim 1 sealing the high-voltage connector to a ceramic portion of the evacuated enclosure, the high-voltage gasket also surrounding electrical connections running between the high-voltage connector and the cathode.
5. The x-ray tube as recited in claim 4 , wherein the potting material has electrically insulating x-ray shielding particles dispersed therein, the electrically insulating x-ray shielding particles comprising electrically insulating x-ray shielding oxide or nitride particles having an atomic number from 57 to 74.
6. The x-ray tube as recited in claim 4 , wherein the ceramic portion of the evacuated enclosure comprises an electrically insulating x-ray shielding oxide or nitride ceramic having an atomic number from 57 to 74.
7. The x-ray tube as recited in claim 4 , wherein:
the potting material has a first dielectric constant;
the ceramic portion of the evacuated enclosure has a second dielectric constant; and
the high-voltage gasket has a third dielectric constant between the first and second dielectric constants.
8. A high-voltage connector for an x-ray tube, the high-voltage connector comprising:
a shell configured to be removably attached to an evacuated enclosure of an x-ray tube;
an opening defined in the shell configured to receive a high-voltage electrical cable; and
a potting material positioned within the shell, the potting material comprising an electrically insulating base material with electrically insulating x-ray shielding oxide or nitride particles dispersed therein.
9. The high-voltage connector as recited in claim 8 , wherein the electrically insulating x-ray shielding particles comprise electrically insulating x-ray shielding oxide or nitride particles having an atomic number from 57 to 74.
10. The high-voltage connector as recited in claim 8 , wherein the potting material comprises silicone-based rubber, an epoxy, or a plastic, or some combination thereof.
11. The high-voltage connector as recited in claim 8 , wherein the potting material further has silicon glass particles or alumina ceramic particles dispersed therein.
12. An x-ray tube comprising:
an evacuated enclosure;
a cathode and an anode at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure;
the high-voltage connector as recited in claim 8 removably attached to a ceramic portion of the evacuated enclosure and electrically coupled to the cathode; and
a high-voltage gasket sealing the high-voltage connector to the ceramic portion of the evacuated enclosure, the high-voltage gasket surrounding electrical connections running between the high-voltage connector and the cathode.
13. The x-ray tube as recited in claim 12 , wherein the ceramic portion of the evacuated enclosure comprises an electrically insulating x-ray shielding oxide or nitride ceramic having an atomic number from 57 to 74.
14. The x-ray tube as recited in claim 12 , wherein the high-voltage gasket comprises an electrically insulating base material with electrically insulating x-ray shielding oxide or nitride particles dispersed therein, the dispersed electrically insulating x-ray shielding oxide or nitride particles having an atomic number from 57 to 74.
15. The x-ray tube as recited in claim 12 , wherein:
the potting material has a first dielectric constant;
the ceramic portion of the evacuated enclosure has a second dielectric constant; and
the high-voltage gasket has a third dielectric constant between the first and second dielectric constants.
16. An x-ray tube comprising:
an evacuated enclosure including a ceramic portion comprising an electrically insulating x-ray shielding oxide or nitride ceramic having an atomic number from 57 to 74;
an anode at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure; and
a cathode at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure, the cathode electrically coupled to electrical connections that run through the ceramic portion of the x-ray tube.
17. An x-ray tube comprising:
an evacuated enclosure;
a cathode and an anode at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure; and
an electrically insulating x-ray shielding device proximate to the evacuated enclosure, the electrically insulating x-ray shielding device comprising an oxide or nitride material having an atomic number from 57 to 74.
18. The x-ray tube as recited in claim 17 , wherein the electrically insulating x-ray shielding device comprises an oxide or nitride ceramic.
19. The x-ray tube as recited in claim 17 , wherein the electrically insulating x-ray shielding device comprises an electrically insulating base material with electrically insulating x-ray shielding oxide or nitride particles dispersed therein.
20. The x-ray tube as recited in claim 19 , wherein the electrically insulating x-ray shielding device is configured as an O-ring, a rubber expansion diaphragm, a beam diaphragm, a receptacle cup, a stator shield, a high-voltage socket, or a feedthru.