Thomas H Block

US Patent:

58675566, Feb 2, 1999

Filed:

Oct 24, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/957056

Inventors:

Douglas J. Snyder - Brookfield WI
Thomas Block - Milwaukee WI
Dale G. Chrisien - Florence SC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

H01J 3528

US Classification:

378127

Abstract:

In an X-ray tube having a housing, an outer frame for providing a vacuum, a cathode mounted in the outer frame to project a stream of electrons, and an anode disposed to receive the electron stream at a focal spot position to produce X-rays, apparatus is provided for selectively mounting the anode within the housing. More particularly, the apparatus is disposed to respond to the heat generated by the X-ray production process to provide compensation for undesirable effects resulting from thermal expansion of the anode. The apparatus generally comprises an anode frame structure disposed to support the anode for rotation about a specified axis, and further comprises an anode plate joined to the frame structure for locating the anode at an initial position, in spaced-apart relationship with the cathode and with the aperture of a collimator in fixed relation to the tube, and for displacing the anode away from the initial position, in a direction opposite to the direction of anode thermal expansion, to provide compensation therefor. A compliant plate mounting arrangement is provided for selectively attaching the anode plate to the housing.