High-voltage supply and an x-ray emitter having the high-voltage supply

Abstract

A high-voltage supply for an x-ray emitter, in particular to provide a cathode current and a cathode voltage, has at least two electrical conductors, which are incorporated in a common insulating body. Each electrical conductor is assigned a connector element, which is configured for electrically conducting contact with a corresponding connector of the x-ray emitter. Such a high-voltage supply for supplying the cathode voltage and the cathode current is provided in an x-ray emitter. The high-voltage supply extends at least in part over an inner region of a radiation protection housing of the x-ray emitter.

Claims

1. A high-voltage supply for an x-ray emitter, including provision of a cathode current and a cathode voltage, the high-voltage supply comprising: a common insulating body; connector elements configured for electrically conducting contact with corresponding connectors of the x-ray emitter; at least two electrical conductors incorporated in said common insulating body, each of said at least two electrical conductors being assigned to one of said connector elements; and a board, said connector elements disposed on said board, and each of said connector elements is connected to an assigned one of said electrical conductors in an electrically conducting manner by way of conduction paths.

2. The high-voltage supply according to claim 1, wherein said common insulating body has a flange for connection to a radiation protection housing of the x-ray emitter.

3. The high-voltage supply according to claim 1, further comprising at least one electrically insulating insulation element for bracing said board against a wall of the radiation protection housing.

4. The high-voltage supply according to claim 3, wherein said at least one electrically insulating insulation element has a ribbed shape to lengthen a creep distance.

5. The high-voltage supply according to claim 1, wherein said at least two electrical conductors run in a curved manner within said common insulating body.

6. The high-voltage supply according to claim 1, wherein said connector elements are configured to provide a plug-type connection to corresponding and complementarily configured connectors of the x-ray emitter.

7. The high-voltage supply according to claim 6, wherein said connector elements are configured as connector pins, connector sockets, or blade contacts.

8. An x-ray emitter, comprising: cathode connectors; at least one vacuum housing; a radiation protection housing enclosing said at least one vacuum housing; a high-voltage supply containing a common insulating body, connector elements configured for electrically conducting contact with corresponding ones of said cathode connectors, and at least two electrical conductors; said cathode connectors disposed within said radiation protection housing to provide a cathode current and a cathode voltage; said high-voltage supply extending at least in part over an inner region of said radiation protection housing; a liquid or gaseous, electrically insulating medium disposed in said inner region; and said at least two electrical conductors of said high-voltage supply being incorporated in said common insulating body, and each of said at least two electrical conductors being assigned to one of said connector elements, which provides an electrically conducting connection to one of said cathode connectors in each instance.

9. The x-ray emitter according to claim 8, further comprising a flange, said high-voltage supply is connected to said radiation protection housing by means of said flange disposed on said common insulating body.

10. The x-ray emitter according to claim 8, further comprising a board, said connector elements are disposed on said board, and each of said connector elements is connected to an assigned one of said at least two electrical conductors in an electrically conducting manner by way of conduction paths.

11. The x-ray emitter according to claim 10, further comprising at least one electrically insulating insulation element; wherein said radiation protection housing has a wall; and wherein said board is fastened to said wall of said radiation protection housing by means of said at least one electrically insulating insulation element.

12. The x-ray emitter according to claim 8, wherein said connector elements of said high-voltage supply form a plug-type connection with said cathode connectors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a partial segment of an x-ray emitter with a high-voltage supply according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of the high-voltage supply of the first exemplary embodiment anchored in a housing part;

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a partial segment of the x-ray emitter with the high-voltage supply according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

(4) FIG. 4 is shows a perspective view of a partial segment of the x-ray emitter with the high-voltage supply according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) Corresponding parts are shown with the same reference characters in all the figures.

(6) Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a perspective view of a section from an x-ray emitter 1 with a high-voltage supply 2. To show the relevant components more clearly a housing part 3.1, which in the mounted state encloses a cathode connector part 4 and the high-voltage supply 2, is omitted. However the housing part 3.1 in question is shown in FIG. 2.

(7) The housing part 3.1 forms a segment of a radiation protection housing 3 of the x-ray emitter 1. The radiation protection housing 3 largely shields the generated x-ray radiation during operation. The radiation protection housing 3 also has a window, which is permeable for at least a wavelength range of the generated x-ray radiation, so that it can leave the radiation protection housing 3 in a defined spatial angle range to capture image data.

(8) The x-ray emitter 1 is of the type having rotating anodes. A vacuum housing is arranged in a region of the radiation protection housing 3 separated from a wall 3.2 in a manner not shown in detail, the vacuum housing functioning as an x-ray tube. Arranged within the vacuum housing 5 are a rotatably supported anode and a cathode, which is supplied with a cathode current by way of the cathode connector part 4. High-voltage is supplied to the cathode voltage equally by way of the cathode connector part 4 and the high-voltage supply 2 connected thereto. The cathode current is supplied by the high-voltage supply 2 at the potential of the cathode voltage. Cathode insulation 5 insulates the cathode electrically from the anode or from the vacuum housing, which is at earth potential in the illustrated exemplary embodiment.

(9) The high-voltage supply 2 of the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has an insulating body 2.1 made of an electrically insulating material, in which four electrical conductors 2.2 are incorporated in such a manner that they are insulated from one another. The electrical conductors 2.2 are provided with connector elements 2.3 at one end, these being configured for electrical contact with correspondingly configured connectors 4.1 of the cathode connector part 4. The connector elements 2.3 of the first exemplary embodiment are in the form of connector sockets which make contact with connectors 4.1, which are configured as connector pins, in the mounted state.

(10) The high-voltage supply 2 of the first exemplary embodiment has an angled outer shape, in order to utilize the available space optimally. The four electrical conductors 2.2 therefore run along curved paths within the insulating body 2.1. In the mounted state the front, angled part of the high-voltage supply 2 makes contact with the connector elements 2.3 of the cathode connector part 4 arranged there. To this end the high-voltage supply 2.1 is fastened in such a manner in relation to the radiation protection housing 3 in the mounted state that the angled part of the high-voltage supply 2 is held in a stable manner in the desired position. The insulating body 2.1 has a fastening device in the form of a flange 2.4, to which the housing part 3.1 can be fastened in a fixed manner by screws, rivets or the like.

(11) In the mounted state the housing part 3.1 is connected in a fixed manner to the wall 3.2. The inner region separated from the wall 3.2 and the housing part 3.1 is fluid-tight. In the operating state a liquid or gaseous and electrically insulating medium, for example oil, is introduced in the inner region, enclosing the high-voltage supply 2 and thus increasing flashover resistance. The liquid medium can also serve as a coolant and in particular to dissipate heat that occurs when the x-ray radiation is generated.

(12) In other exemplary embodiments the medium is nitrogen or SF.sub.6.

(13) FIGS. 3 and 4 show further exemplary embodiments of the invention. Essentially the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and the third exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4 correspond to the first exemplary embodiment, so reference should be made to the description relating to FIGS. 1 and 2. The further descriptions in the following are mainly restricted to the differences in relation to the first exemplary embodiment.

(14) The second and third exemplary embodiments have boards 2.5 to supply the cathode current and cathode voltage. The board 2.5 is in electrical contact with the electrical conductors 2.2 incorporated in the insulating body 2.1. The connector elements 2.3 assigned to the electrical conductors 2.2 are arranged on the board 2.5 and connected to the corresponding electrical conductors 2.2 in an electrically conducting manner by way of conduction paths. In the operating state the boards 2.5 are enclosed by the liquid or gaseous, electrically insulating medium which has been introduced in the inner region between wall 3.2 and housing part 3.1.

(15) In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment only three electrical conductors 2.2 are provided to supply the cathode current and cathode voltage in the second and third exemplary embodiments. In other words the high-voltage supply 2 of the embodiments shown by way of example in FIGS. 3 and 4 is configured as three-pole. The connector elements 2.3 are pin-shaped, being thus embodied as connector pins. In other exemplary embodiments blade contacts are provided as connector elements 2.3, making contact with correspondingly configured socket-type connectors 4.1.

(16) In the second exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3 the plug-type insulating body 2.1 is straight. The electrical conductors 2.2 are passed through the insulating body 2.1 and make contact with conduction paths on the board 2.5, which are connected to the connector elements 2.3 in an electrically conducting manner. The board 2.5 is fastened in the illustrated position by way of the insulating body 2.1, which is fastened to the housing part 3.1 by the flange 2.4 according to the arrangement of the first exemplary embodiment. The latter housing part 3.1 is however not shown in FIG. 3.

(17) In the third exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4 the insulating body 2.1 forms an angled plug. The three electrical conductors 2.2 incorporated in the insulating body 2.1 therefore run in a curved manner. To improve mechanical stability, insulation elements 2.6 are also provided which brace the board 2.5 in relation to the wall 3.2. The insulation elements 2.6 have a cylindrically symmetrical shape and have plate-like extensions projecting in the radial direction. Such an embodiment increases the creep distance, thus ensuring adequate flashover resistance with voltage differences from 10 kV up to 200 kV.

(18) Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail using the preferred exemplary embodiment, the invention is not restricted by the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. Other variations and combinations can be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.