Production method of negative electrode, negative electrode, and X-ray tube device

This method of producing a negative electrode includes a step of adjusting a heat transfer coefficient between a leg portion and a fixing portion so that at least one of leg portions and the other leg portions become different in the heat transfer coefficient by deforming the plurality of fixing portions by applying pressure to the plurality of fixing portions from the outside thereof to fix the leg portions to the fixing portions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application relates to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-151551, entitled “Production Method of Negative Electrode, Negative Electrode, and X-ray Tube Device,” filed on Jul. 31, 2015, and invented by Shinichiro Okamura and Atsushi Yajima, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of producing a negative electrode, a negative electrode, and an X-ray tube device.

Background Technique

Conventionally, a negative electrode equipped with an electron emitting portion configured to emit electrons by electric heating is known. Such a negative electrode is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,453.

Conventionally, a negative electrode equipped with a metallic emitter (electron emitting portion) for emitting electrons by electric heating and terminals for energizing the emitter is known. Here, it is known that an evaporation amount of metal increases exponentially with respect to the temperature.

In a conventional emitter that emits electrons by electric heating, in cases where there is a deviation of a temperature distribution of a surface that emits electrons (hereinafter referred to as “electron emitting surface”) of the emitter, when the emitter is energized (at the initial stage), in a relatively high temperature region among the electron emission surface, the evaporation amount of the metal constituting the emitter is larger as compared with a relatively low temperature region. As a result, the plate thickness of the emitter in the relatively high temperature region of the electron emission surface decreases, so that the current density increases, which in turn further increases the evaporation amount.

That is, at the initial stage, when there is a deviation of a temperature distribution of the electron emission surface of the emitter, the temperature rises at an accelerated rate in the relatively high temperature region of the electron emission surface as compared with the relatively low temperature region. As a result, the relatively high temperature region of the electron emission surface is disconnected, so that the emitter becomes unusable (it reaches the end of its lifetime). In other words, at the initial stage, by reducing the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emission surface of the emitter, it is possible to extend the lifetime of the emitter.

Under the circumstances, in the negative electrode described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,453, a slit is formed in an emitter, so that a current path of a serpentine shape (meander shape) is formed in the emitter. With this, the cross-sectional area of the flow path through which the current flows becomes relatively small.

Here, in cases where a cross-sectional area of a path through which a current flows is relatively large, a difference (temperature difference) in the amount of heat generation occurs between the vicinity of the center portion of the path where the amount of flowing current is large and the vicinity of the outer edge portion where the amount of flowing current is small. Considering this point, by forming a current path of a serpentine shape (meander shape) in an emitter to make a cross-sectional area of the current flowing path relatively small, the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emission surface of the emitter can be reduced.

Further, in the negative electrode described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,453, a pair of plate-shaped terminals for energizing the emitter is provided. And it is configured such that the width (cross-sectional area) of the plate-shaped terminal is made relatively small to reduce the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emission surface of the emitter when the emitter is energized (at the initial stage).

Further, in the negative electrode described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,453, a pair of plate-shaped terminals is welded to electrodes for supplying a current. Here, in the case of welding the pair of plate-shaped terminals to the electrodes, the materials of the terminals and the materials of the electrodes are limited. That is, depending on the material of the terminal and the material of the electrode, welding cannot be performed in some cases.

Under the circumstances, conventionally, there has been proposed a method of fixing a pair of plate-shaped terminals to electrodes by deforming the electrodes by applying pressure to the electrodes from the outside in a state in which a pair of plate-shaped terminals is inserted in the electrodes. In this conventionally proposed fixing method, it is possible to fix a pair of plate-shaped terminals to electrodes irrespective of the materials of terminals and materials of the electrodes. That is, it becomes possible to diversify the kinds of usable electrode materials.

If a method of fixing a pair of plate-shaped terminals each having a small cross-sectional area to electrodes is applied to the negative electrode disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,453 by applying pressure to a conventionally suggested electrode, it is possible to reduce the deviation of the temperature distribution of an electron emission surface of an emitter while diversifying the kinds of usable electrode parts. However, there are limitations in devising the shape of an emitter (electron emitting portion) such as forming a meander-shaped current path and in reducing the cross-sectional area of the plate-shaped terminal (leg portion).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing a negative electrode, a negative electrode, and an X-ray tube device, which are capable of adjusting a temperature distribution of an electron emitting portion.

In order to achieve the aforementioned object, a method of producing a negative electrode according to a first aspect of the present invention is a method of producing a negative electrode in which a plurality of leg portions extending from an electron emitting portion for emitting electrons by electric heating is fixed to a plurality of metallic fixing portions. The method includes: a step of inserting the leg portions into recesses of the fixing portions; and a step of adjusting a heat transfer coefficient between the leg portion and the fixing portion so as to be differentiated between at least one of the leg portions and the other leg portions by deforming the plurality of fixing portions by applying pressure to the plurality of fixing portions from outside thereof so that pressure with respect to at least one of the leg portions becomes different from pressure with respect to the other leg portions to fix the leg portions to the fixing portions.

With this, it possible to adjust the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion. For example, the deviation of the temperature distribution can be reduced.

In the method of producing a negative electrode according to the first aspect of the present invention, preferably, the step of adjusting the heat transfer coefficient between the leg portion and the fixing portion includes a step of adjusting the heat transfer coefficient between the leg portion and the fixing portion so that pressure with respect to the leg portion extending from a vicinity of the electron emitting portion relatively high in temperature becomes larger than pressure with respect to the leg portion extending from a vicinity of a portion of the electron emitting portion relatively low in temperature in a temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion before inserting the leg portions into the recesses of the fixing portions.

With this, the temperature of the portion of the electron emitting portion having a relatively high temperature can be lowered, which in turn can reduce the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion.

In the method of producing a negative electrode according to the first aspect of the present invention, preferably, the step of adjusting the heat transfer coefficient between the leg portion and the fixing portion further includes, in addition to differentiating the pressure with respect to the at least one of the leg portions from the pressure with respect to the other leg portions, a step of adjusting a heat transfer coefficient between the leg portion and the fixing portion by fixing the leg portions to the plurality of fixing portions in which the at least one of the fixing portions is differentiated in material from the other fixing portions.

In the method of producing a negative electrode according to the first aspect of the present invention, preferably, at least one of the fixing portions is differentiated in shape from the other fixing portions.

A method of producing a negative electrode according to a second aspect of the present invention is a method of producing a negative electrode in which a plurality of leg portions extending from an electron emitting portion for emitting electrons by electric heating is fixed to a plurality of metallic fixing portions. The method includes: a step of inserting the leg portions into recesses of the fixing portions; and a step of adjusting the heat transfer coefficient between the leg portion and the fixing portion so as to be differentiated between at least one of the fixing portions and the other fixing portions by fixing the leg portions to the plurality of fixing portions in which at least one of the fixing portions is differentiated in material from the other fixing portions.

With this, it possible to adjust the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion. For example, the deviation of the temperature distribution can be reduced.

In the method of producing a negative electrode according to the second aspect of the present invention, preferably, the step of adjusting the heat transfer coefficient between the leg portion and the fixing portion includes a step of adjusting the heat transfer coefficient between the leg portion and the fixing portion by selecting materials of the fixing portions so that the heat transfer coefficient of the fixing portion with respect to the leg portion extending from the vicinity of the electron emitting portion relatively high in temperature is greater than the heat transfer coefficient of the fixing portion with respect to the leg portion extending from the vicinity of the portion of the electron emitting portion relatively low in temperature in a temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion before inserting the leg portions into the recesses of the fixing portions.

With this, the temperature of the portion of the electron emitting portion having a relatively high temperature can be lowered, which in turn can reduce the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion.

A negative electrode according to a third aspect of the present invention includes: an electron emitting portion configured to emit electrons by electric heating; a plurality of leg portions extending from the electron emitting portion; and a plurality of metallic fixing portions each having a recess into which the leg portion is inserted and joined, wherein a joint strength of at least one of the leg portions with respect to the fixing portion is different from joint strengths of the other leg portions with respect to the fixing portions, and at least one of the leg portions and the other leg portions are different in heat transfer coefficient between the leg portion, and the fixing portion.

A negative electrode according to a fourth aspect includes an electron emitting portion configured to emit electrons by electric heating, a plurality of leg portions each extending from the electron emitting portion, and a plurality of metallic fixing portions each having a recess into which the leg portion is inserted and joined. At least one of the fixing portions is different in material from the other fixing portions, and one of the fixing portions and the other fixing portions is different in heat transfer coefficient between the leg portion and the fixing portion.

An X-ray tube device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The negative electrode includes a plurality of leg portions each extending from an electron emitting portion and a plurality of metallic fixing portions each having a recess into which the leg portion is inserted and joined. At least one of the fixing portions is different in material from the other fixing portions, and one of the fixing portions and the other fixing portions are different in heat transfer coefficient between the leg portion and the fixing portion.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

First, a configuration of the X-ray tube device100according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 1.

As shown inFIG. 1, the X-ray tube device100is configured to generate X-rays. Further, the X-ray tube device100is equipped with a negative electrode1for generating an electron beam, a positive electrode2, a container3accommodating the negative electrode1and the positive electrode2therein, and power supply circuits4and5.

The negative electrode1is configured to emit electrons toward the positive electrode2. The negative electrode1is arranged so as to face the positive electrode2. Further, it is configured to apply a predetermined voltage by the power supply circuit4between the negative electrode1and the positive electrode2. Specifically, it is configured such that the negative electrode1and the positive electrode2are connected to the power supply circuit4via wiring4aand a voltage relatively positive with respect to the negative electrode1is applied to the positive electrode2. Further, the negative electrode1is connected to the power supply circuit5via wiring5aand5b. The negative electrode1is configured to be heated by being energized by the power supply circuit5. With this, an electron beam (thermoelectron) emitted from the negative electrode1toward the positive electrode2is generated.

The positive electrode2is made of metal. For example, the positive electrode2is made of a metal material, such as, e.g., copper, molybdenum, cobalt, chromium, iron, and silver. The positive electrode2generates an X-ray when an electron beam (thermoelectron) emitted from the negative electrode1collides.

Inside the container3, the negative electrode1and the positive electrode2are arranged. The inside of the container3is vacuumed. The container3is made of a nonmagnetic metal material, such as, e.g., stainless steel (SUS). Further, the container3is provided with a window part for releasing X-rays to the outside.

(Configuration of Negative Electrode)

Next, the structure of the negative electrode1will be described in detail. As shown inFIG. 2, the negative electrode1is made of pure tungsten or a tungsten alloy, and is integrally provided with a flat electron emitting portion11, a pair of a terminal leg portion12aand a terminal leg portion12b, and a pair of a supporting leg portion13aand a supporting leg portion13b. That is, the electron emitting portion11, the terminal leg portions12aand12b, and the supporting leg portions13aand13bare integrally formed by the same member. Note that the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13beach are an example of the “leg portion” recited in claims.

The negative electrode1is a so-called thermoelectron emission type emitter, and is configured to be heated by being energized via the pair of terminal leg portions12aand12b. With this, when the flat electron emitting portion11is electrically heated to a predetermined temperature (about 2,400 K to about 2,700 K) with a predetermined current, electrons are emitted from the electron emitting portion11.

The negative electrode1is covered with a metallic cover (not shown). The terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bare fixed to respective fixing portions14ato14d. To the fixing portions14aand14bto which the terminal leg portions12aand12bare fixed, wiring5aand5b(seeFIG. 1) are connected, respectively. Note that the fixing portions14cand14dto which the supporting leg portions13aand13bare fixed are not connected to wiring and are in an electrically floating state (floating state).

As shown inFIG. 2, the electron emitting portion11is formed in a flat plate shape by a current path11aof a serpentine shape (meander shape). The electron emitting portion11is formed in a substantially circular shape in a plan view (as viewed from the Z direction).

As shown inFIG. 2, the current path11ais formed to have a substantially constant path width W. The current path11ais formed in a flat plate shape having a substantially constant thickness t. Both ends of the current path11aare connected to the terminal leg portions12aand12b, respectively. The current path11ais formed to be substantially point symmetrical in a plan view.

Further, the pair of terminal leg portions12aand12bare formed by extending from the electron emitting portion11and being bent in a Z2 direction. One ends of the terminal leg portions12aand12bare connected to end portions of the current path11a(electron emitting portion11), respectively. Also, the other ends of the pair of terminal leg portions12aand12bare connected to the fixing portions14aand14b, respectively. Further, the terminal leg portions12aand12bhave substantially the same shape. Specifically, it has a substantially linear plate shape.

The supporting leg portions13aare13bare formed by extending from the electron emitting portion11and being bent in the Z2 direction. The supporting leg portions13aand13bare provided separately from the terminal leg portions12aand12band are formed so as to support the electron emitting portion11. One ends of the supporting leg portion13aand13bare connected to the electron emitting portion11(portions between the ends of the current path11a). The other ends of the supporting leg portions13aand13bare connected to electrically floating fixing portion14cand14d. Further, the supporting leg portions13aand13bhave substantially the same shape. Specifically, the supporting leg portions13aand13beach have a bent plate shape.

The fixing portions14ato14dhave the same shape. Specifically, the fixing portions14ato14deach have a cylindrical shape (bar shape) extending in the Z direction, and the diameter R1and the length L are substantially equal to each other. Further, the fixing portions14ato14dare made of metals, such as, e.g., tungsten, rhenium, tantalum, osmium, molybdenum, niobium, iridium, boron, ruthenium, hafnium, alloys using these metals, and stainless steel. In the first embodiment, the fixing portions14ato14dare made of the same material (for example, molybdenum).

The fixing portions14ato14dare provided with recesses15ato15dinto which the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bare to be inserted and joined, respectively. Specifically, in the first embodiment, the recesses15ato15dare each formed in a slit shape that penetrates in a direction orthogonal to a direction (Z2 direction) along which the fixing portions14ato14dare inserted.

Here, in the first embodiment, the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion14ato14dis adjusted by making the joint strength of at least one of the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bwith respect to a fixing portion (corresponding fixing portion14ato14d) different from joint strengths of the others of the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bwith respect to the other fixing portions.

Specifically, in the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11before inserting the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13binto the recesses15ato15dof the fixing portions14ato14d, the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion,12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion14ato14dis adjusted by making the joint strength with respect to the leg portion (terminal leg portion12a,12b, supporting leg portion13a,13b) extending from the vicinity of the portion of the electron emitting portion11having a relatively high temperature larger than the joint strength with respect to the leg portion extending from the vicinity of the portion of the electron emitting portion11having a relatively low temperature.

For example, in the case in which the vicinities of the portions of the electron emitting portion11to which the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bare connected are higher in temperature before being inserted (joined) to the fixing portions14ato14din the order of the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13b, it is configured such that the joint strengths become larger in the order of the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13b.

Effects of Structure of First Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the metallic fixing portions14ato14dhaving recesses15ato15dinto which the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bare respectively inserted and joined are provided, and the joint strength of at least one of the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bwith respect to the corresponding fixing portion is differentiated from the joint strength of the other leg portions with respect to the corresponding fixing portions, so that the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion14ato14dis adjusted.

With this, by differentiating the joint strength (pressure) with respect to the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13b, it is possible to differentiate the adhesion (the joint strength of the terminal leg portions12aand12bor the supporting leg portions13aand13band the fixing portions14ato14d) between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion14ato14d.

That is, when viewed microscopically, it is considered that differentiating the joint strength causes a change in the degree of flattening of fine irregularities at the contact interface, causing a change in the joined area, which in turn causes a change in the adhesion (joint strength). With this, the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion14ato14dis adjusted, so that the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11can be reduced.

Regardless of the materials of the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13band the material of the fixing portions14ato14d, it is possible to fix the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bto the fixing portions14ato14d, so that the kinds of materials of the usable fixing portions14ato14dcan be diversified. As a result, while diversifying the kinds of materials of the usable fixing portions14ato14d, independently from devising the shape of the electron emitting portion11and reducing the cross-sectional areas of the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13b, the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11can be reduced.

It has been confirmed by experiments conducted by the inventors which will be described later that it is possible to adjust the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion14ato14dby differentiating the pressure (contact strength) with respect to the terminal leg portion12aand12band the supporting leg portion13aand13b.

Further, in the first embodiment, as described above, the recess15ato15dof the fixing portion14ato14dis formed in a slit shape penetrating in a direction intersecting with a direction along which the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13aand13bis inserted. With this, unlike a recess not penetrating in a direction intersecting with a direction along which the leg portion is inserted, it becomes easy to insert the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13binto the recess15ato15dand also becomes easy to deform the fixing portion14ato14d.

(Method of Producing Negative Electrode)

Next, a method of producing the negative electrode1will be described.

(Insertion Step of Leg Portion)

First, as shown inFIG. 2, the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bare inserted in the slit-like recesses15ato15dof the plurality of fixing portions14ato14dpenetrating in a direction intersecting with a direction (Z direction) along with which the leg portions (terminal leg portions12aand12b, supporting leg portions13aand13b) are inserted.

(Adjustment Step of Heat Transfer Coefficient)

Next, in the first embodiment, the fixing portions14ato14dare deformed by applying pressure to respective fixing portions14ato14dfrom the outside thereof so that the pressure with respect to at least one of the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13binserted in the respective recesses15ato15dof the fixing portions14ato14dis differentiated from the pressure with respect to the others to thereby fix (swage) the supporting leg portions13aand13bto the respective fixing portions14ato14d.

Specifically, pressure is applied to the fixing portions14ato14dfrom the outside thereof with a jig (not shown) pressing the fixing portions14ato14dby pressure of air or the like to thereby fix the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portion13aand13bto the fixing portions14ato14d. With this, the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion14ato14dis adjusted.

In detail, in the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11before inserting the fixing portions14ato14dinto the respective recess15ato15dof the fixing portions14ato14d, the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion14ato14dis adjusted by making the pressure with respect to the leg portion (terminal leg portion12a,12b, supporting leg portion13a,13b) extending from the vicinity of the portion of the electron emitting portion11having a relatively high temperature larger than the pressure with respect to the leg portion extending from the vicinity of the portion of the electron emitting portion11having a relatively low temperature.

For example, in the case in which the vicinities of the portions of the electron emitting portion11to which the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bare connected are higher in temperature in the order of the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portion13aand13b, pressure of A [Pa], B [Pa], C [Pa], D [Pa] (A>B>C>D) are applied from the outside of the respective fixing portions14ato14d. In this way, the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bare fixed to the respective fixing portions14ato14d.

Thereafter, the negative electrode1in which the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bare fixed to the fixing portions14ato14dis arranged at a predetermined position of the X-ray tube device100, thereby completing the X-ray tube device100.

Effects of Production Method of First Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

In the first embodiment, as described above, a step of adjusting the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion14ato14dis included. In the step, the fixing portions14ato14dare deformed by applying pressure to the respective fixing portions14ato14dfrom the outside thereof so that the pressure with respect to at least one leg portion among the plurality of leg portions (terminal leg portions12aand12b, supporting leg portions13aand13b) inserted in the respective recesses15ato15dof the fixing portions14ato14dis different from the pressure with respect to the other leg portions to thereby adjust the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion14ato14d.

With this, similarly to the effects of the structure of the first embodiment, the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion14ato14dis adjusted by differentiating the joint strengths with respect to the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13b. Therefore, the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11can be reduced.

As a result, while diversifying the kinds of materials of the usable fixing portions, independently from devising the shape of the electron emitting portion11and reducing the cross-sectional areas of the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13b, the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11can be reduced.

Further, in the first embodiment, as described above, the step of adjusting the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13aand13band the fixing portion14ato14dincludes a step of adjusting the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion14ato14dby making the pressure with respect to the leg portion extending from the vicinity of the portion of the electron emitting portion11having a relatively high temperature larger than the pressure with respect to the leg portion extending from the vicinity of the portion of the electron emitting portion11having a relatively low temperature in the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11before inserting the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13b.

With this, it is possible to make the heat transfer coefficient between the leg portion extending from the vicinity of the portion of the electron emitting portion11having a relatively high temperature and the fixing portion14ato14dlarger than the heat transfer coefficient between the leg portion extending from the vicinity of the portion of the electron emitting portion11having a relatively low temperature and the fixing portion14ato14d. With this, the temperature of the portion of the electron emitting portion11having a relatively high temperature can be lowered, and therefore the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11can be reduced effectively.

Further, in the first embodiment, as described above, the recesses15ato15dof the fixing portions14ato14dare each formed in a slit shape penetrating in a direction intersecting with a direction along which the terminal leg portion12a,12b, the supporting leg portion13a,13bis inserted. The step of inserting the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bincludes a step of inserting the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13binto the respective slit-like recesses15ato15dof the fixing portions14ato14d.

With this, unlike a recess not penetrating in a direction intersecting with a direction along which the leg portion is inserted, the insertions of the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13binto the respective recesses15ato15dbecome easy and the deformations of the fixing portions14ato14dcan be performed easily.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the terminal leg portions12aand12bfor energizing the electron emitting portion11and the supporting leg portions13aand13bprovided separately from the terminal leg portions12aand12bto support the electron emitting portion11are provided.

Pressure is applied to the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bfrom the outside thereof so that the pressure with respect to at least one of the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13binserted in the recesses15ato15dof the fixing portion14ato14dbecomes different from the pressure with respect to the other leg portions to deform the fixing portions14ato14dto thereby fix the respective terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bto the fixing portions14ato14d. Thus, the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion14ato14dis adjusted.

With this, the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11can be adjusted also by the supporting leg portions13aand13bin addition to the terminal leg portions12aand12b, and therefore the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11can be further reduced.

Experiment

Next, with reference toFIGS. 3 to 6, experiments for confirming the relationship between the pressure (joint strength) for fixing the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bto the respective fixing portions14ato14dand the heat transfer coefficient will be described.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, in a state in which the tungsten plate21is inserted into the slit23(seeFIG. 5) of the fixing portion22made of molybdenum, pressure is applied to the fixing portion22to deform the fixing portion22to thereby fix the tungsten plate21to the fixing portion22.

In this experiment, a sample in which pressure of 0.4 M[Pa] is applied to the fixing portion22to fix the tungsten plate21to the fixing portion22and a sample in which pressure of 0.6 M[Pa] is applied to the fixing portion22to fix the tungsten plate21to the fixing portion22were prepared.

Then, as shown inFIG. 5, electricity is applied to the fixing portion22of each sample to heat the tungsten plate21, and the temperature of the portion (point A) of the tungsten plate21inserted into the slit23and the temperature of the portion (B point) of the fixing portion22in the vicinity of the slit23were measured.

As shown inFIG. 6, as a result of energization, in the sample in which the tungsten plate21is fixed by the pressure of 0.4 M[Pa], it is confirmed that the current is 15 A, the voltage is 2.29 V, the temperature at the point A was 1,960 K, and the temperature at the point B was 1,381 K. That is, the temperature difference between the point A and the point B is found to be 579 [K].

Further, in the sample in which the tungsten plate21is fixed by the pressure of 0.6 M[Pa], it is confirmed that the current is 21 A, the voltage is 4.22 V, the temperature at the point A is 1,932 K, and the temperature at the point B is 1,682 K. That is, the temperature difference between the point A and the point B is found to be 250 [K].

As a result, it is confirmed that the heat transfer coefficient between the tungsten plate21and the fixing portion22depends on the pressure for fixing the tungsten plate21. Specifically, it is confirmed that the heat transfer coefficient is increased by increasing the pressure (joint strength) for fixing the tungsten plate21.

Second Embodiment

Next, referring toFIG. 2, the negative electrode31(X-ray tube device101, seeFIG. 1) according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment in which the fixing portions14ato14dare made of the same material, one of the fixing portions34ato34dis different in material from the other materials. The same reference numerals are allotted to the same configurations as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown inFIG. 2, in the negative electrode31(X-ray tube device101) according to the second embodiment, the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion34ato34dis adjusted by fixing the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bto the fixing portions34ato34din which at least one of the fixing portions34ato34dis different in material from the other fixing portions34ato34d.

Specifically, the fixing portions34ato34dare configured so that the material is different from each other. For example, the fixing portions34ato34dare made of molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, and tantalum, respectively. That is, the materials of the fixing portions34ato34dare differentiated and therefore the heat transfer coefficient is different for each material. As a result, the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion34a,34dcan be adjusted.

The heat transfer coefficient of each metal at 300 K is as follows: the heat transfer coefficient of tungsten is 173 W/(m·K), the heat transfer coefficient of molybdenum is 138 W/(m·K), the heat transfer coefficient of tantalum is 57.5 W/(m·K), and the heat transfer coefficient of rhenium is 48 W/(m·K) in the descending order. In the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11before inserting the leg portion into the recesses35ato35dof the fixing portions34ato34d, the material of the fixing portion is selected so that the heat transfer coefficient of the fixing portion with respect to the leg portion extending from the vicinity of the portion of the electron emitting portion11having a relatively high temperature becomes larger than the heat transfer coefficient of the fixing portion with respect to the leg portion extending from the vicinity of the portion of the electron emitting portion11having a relatively low temperature.

As an example, tungsten is used for a fixing portion with respect to the leg portion extending from the vicinity of the portion of the electron emitting portion11having a high temperature, and tantalum is used for the other fixing portions with respect to the leg portions extending from the vicinity of the portion of the electron emitting portion11having a low temperature. In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the pressure with respect to at least one of the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13binserted in the recesses35ato35dof the fixing portions34ato34dmay be differentiated from the pressure with respect to the other leg portions, or may be the same.

Other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Effects of the Second Embodiments

In the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

In the second embodiment, as described above, the heat transfer coefficient between the terminal leg portion12a,12bor the supporting leg portion13a,13band the fixing portion34aand34dis adjusted by fixing the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bto the fixing portions34ato34din which at least one of the fixing portions34ato34dis different in material from the other fixing portions34ato34d.

With this, since the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11can be adjusted by the material of the fixing portions34ato34d, the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11can be effectively reduced.

Third Embodiment

Next, with reference toFIG. 7, the negative electrode41(X-ray tube device102, seeFIG. 1) according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, unlike the first embodiment in which the fixing portions14ato14dhave the same shape, at least one of the fixing portions44ato44dis different in shape from the other portions. The same reference numerals are allotted to the same configurations as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown inFIG. 7, in the negative electrode41(X-ray tube device102) according to the third embodiment, the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bare fixed to the fixing portions44ato44din which at least one of the fixing portions44ato44dis different in shape from the other fixing portions. By differentiating the shape of at least one of the fixing portions44ato44dfrom the shapes of the other fixing portions, at least one fixing portion can be differentiated in heat flux from the other fixing portions.

As a result, the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11can be made uniform. Specifically, the fixing portions44cand44deach have a cylindrical shape with a diameter R1. Further, the fixing portion44ahas a cylindrical shape having a diameter R2(R1<R2). The fixing portion44bhas a shape in which the diameter R3of the central portion is smaller than the diameter R1of the other portion.

In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the pressure with respect to at least one of leg portion among the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13binserted in the recesses45ato45dof the fixing portions44ato44dmay be differentiated from the pressure with respect to the other leg portions, or may be made the same.

Other configurations of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Effects of the Third Embodiments

In the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

In the third embodiment, as described above, by fixing the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bto the fixing portions44ato44din which at least one of the fixing portions44ato44dis different in shape from the other fixing portions, the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11can be adjusted. Therefore, the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion11can be reduced more effectively.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, with reference toFIG. 8, the negative electrode51(X-ray tube device103, seeFIG. 1) according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fourth embodiment, unlike the first embodiment in which the terminal leg portions12aand12band the supporting leg portions13aand13bare provided, only the terminal leg portions52aand52bare provided. The same reference numerals are allotted to the same configurations as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the terminal leg portion52aand52bis an example of the “leg portion” recited in claims.

The negative electrode51is made of pure tungsten or a tungsten alloy, and is integrally provided with a flat electron emitting portion51aand a pair of terminal leg portions52aand52b. Further, the terminal leg portions52aand52bare fixed to the fixing portions54aand54b, respectively. The fixing portions54aand54bhave the same shape and are made of the same material (for example, molybdenum).

Here, in the fourth embodiment, it is configured such that the joint strength (pressure) of the terminal leg portion52awith respect to the fixing portion54ais differentiated from the joint strength (pressure) of the terminal leg portion52bwith respect to the fixing portion54b.

Other configurations and effects of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Modified Embodiment

It should be understood that the embodiments and examples disclosed here are examples in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of the claims rather than the descriptions of the embodiments and the examples described above, and includes all changes (modifications) within the meaning of equivalent and the scope of claims.

For example, in the first to fourth embodiments, examples are shown in which the pressure with respect to a plurality of leg portions (terminal leg portions, supporting leg portions) are differentiated from each other, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the pressure with respect to at least one leg portion among a plurality of leg portions may be differentiated from the pressure with respect to the other leg portions.

Also, in the first to fourth embodiments, an example is shown in which the recesses of the plurality of fixing portions are each formed in a slit shape penetrating in a direction intersecting with a direction along which a leg portion (terminal leg portion, supporting leg portion) is inserted. However, the present invention is not limited to the example. For example, the recesses of the plurality of fixing portions may be each formed in a hole shape not penetrating in a direction intersecting with a direction along which the leg portion (terminal leg portion, supporting leg portion) is inserted.

Further, in the first to third embodiments, an example is shown in which a pair of supporting leg portions is provided in the negative electrode, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, one supporting leg portion may be provided in the negative electrode or three or more supporting leg portions may be provided in the negative electrode.

In the third embodiment, the two fixing portions among the four fixing portions are differentiated in shape from the other two fixing portions. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, it is enough that at least one of the plurality of fixing portions is differentiated in shape from the other fixing portions.

In the second embodiment, an example is shown in which the plurality of fixing portions are differentiated in material from each other. In the third embodiment, an example is shown in which the plurality of fixing portions are differentiated in shape. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the materials of a plurality of fixing portions and the shapes of a plurality of fixing portions may be differentiated from each other.

In the first to fourth embodiments, an example is shown in which the terminal leg portions and the supporting leg portions are each formed in a plate shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the terminal leg portions and the supporting leg portions may have a shape other than a plate shape.

In the first to fourth embodiments, an example is shown in which the fixing portion is formed in a cylindrical shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the fixing portion may be formed in a shape (for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a bent shape, etc.) other than a columnar shape.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the negative electrode of the present invention is applied to the X-ray tube device, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the negative electrode of the present invention may be applied to devices (such as a heater) other than an X-ray tube device.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the example is shown in which the heat transfer coefficient is adjusted so as to reduce the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a case in which it is desired to deliberately increase the deviation of the temperature distribution of the electron emitting portion.