IP Library Granted Patent US 8,073,108
Granted Patent B2
US 8,073,108 · App. 12/845,229 · Granted Dec 6, 2011

X-ray generator and the use thereof in an X-ray examination device or X-ray inspection device

Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,073,108
App. No.
12/845,229
Granted
Dec 6, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An X-ray generator having a housing and having components located inside the housing for generating one or more X-ray beams, wherein the housing is composed of a tube body that is made of ceramic.

Claims (30)

1. An X-ray generator comprising:

a housing; and

components arranged within the housing, the components being configured to generate one or more X-ray beams,

wherein the housing is formed of a tube body that is made of ceramic,

wherein an exit window for the X-ray beams is provided in the tube body, and

wherein a thickness of the tube body at the exit window is smaller than a thickness of the tube body at a location spaced from the exit window.

2. The X-ray generator according to claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a cover and a base that are made of ceramic.

3. The X-ray generator according to claim 2 , wherein the tube body is joined to the cover and/or the base by an active solder process.

4. The X-ray generator according to claim 1 , wherein the exit window is formed into the tube body on an inner surface of the tube body.

5. The X-ray generator according to claim 1 , wherein the ceramic is a doped aluminum oxide ceramic.

6. The X-ray generator according to claim 1 , wherein the X-ray generator generates X-rays in an X-ray examination device or X-ray inspection device for safety, inspection of luggage or similar objects.

7. The X-ray generator according to claim 1 , wherein a thickness of a cross-section of the exit window is smaller than a thickness of a cross-section of the tube body.

8. The X-ray generator according to claim 1 , wherein the exit window comprises a cavity in a wall of the tube body.

9. The X-ray generator according to claim 8 , wherein the cavity is located on an interior side of the wall of the tube body.

10. An X-ray generator comprising:

a housing; and

components arranged within the housing, the components being configured to generate one or more X-ray beams,

wherein the housing is formed of a tube body that is made of ceramic, and

wherein the ceramic is a doped ceramic.

11. A method of manufacturing an X-ray generator, comprising:

forming a housing comprising a tube body from doped ceramic; and

arranging components within the housing, the components being configured to generate one or more X-ray beams.

12. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising forming a cover and a base for the housing that are made of ceramic.

13. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising joining the tube body to the cover and/or the base by an active solder process.

14. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising providing an exit window for the one or more X-ray beams in the tube body as a thinned ceramic layer.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the exit window is formed into the tube body on an inner surface of the tube body.

16. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the doped ceramic is a doped aluminum oxide ceramic.

17. A method of safety inspection using X-rays, comprising:

generating X-rays using an X-ray generator comprising a housing formed from a tube body made of doped ceramic and components arranged within the housing; and

inspecting luggage or similar objects for safety using the generated X-rays.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2010
From: KILIAN, KARL-HEINZ; BERMUTH, JOERG; GEUS, GEORG
To: SMITHS HEIMANN GMBH
Reel/Frame 024753/0732 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2008 006 620 · Jan 29, 2008 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTEP2008009300 · Nov 5, 2008
Related Publication 20100290588A1 · Nov 18, 2010