X-ray tube having a unitary vacuum enclosure and housing

摘要

An improved x-ray tube is disclosed that eliminates the use of a fluid-filled outer housing for cooling tube components. The present x-ray tube includes a cathode housing in which is disposed a cathode assembly having a filament for producing electrons, and an anode housing in which is disposed a rotary anode for receiving electrons produced by the filament. An adapter plate is sized to hermetically receive therein the cathode assembly and the anode housing, thereby forming a unitary vacuum enclosure and tube housing. The improved x-ray tube is cooled by a combination of air and fluid cooling to reduce the buildup of damaging heat within the vacuum enclosure. The features of the present invention are preferably directed to an anode grounded-type x-ray tube, though other x-ray tube types may benefit therefrom.