Electron beam generator and electron beam sterlizing device

Abstract

Electron beam generator comprising an electron emitting device adapted to emit an electron beam when heated to an elevated temperature, wherein the electron emitting device comprises a filament having a spiral portion.

1 . An electron beam generator comprising:
 an electron emitting device adapted to emit an electron beam when heated to an elevated temperature, and   the electron emitting device comprising a filament having a spiral portion, and a flat outer support element connected to an outer end of the spiral filament and surrounding an outer perimeter of the windings, wherein the outer support element comprises at least three circumferentially spaced-apart connecting points for mechanically and/or electrically connecting the electron emitting device.   
     
     
         2 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the electron emitting device is disc-shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein a gap is formed in the outer support element. 
     
     
         4 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the filament comprises a plurality of windings, wherein a distance between the windings in a radial direction is equal to or smaller than a width in a radial direction of the windings. 
     
     
         5 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein a distance between an outer winding of the filament and the outer support element is larger than a distance between adjacent windings of the filament. 
     
     
         6 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the filament comprises between three and eight windings. 
     
     
         7 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein an outer connecting portion of the filament where the filament is connected to the outer support element is displaced in the circumferential direction relative to an inner connecting portion of the filament where the filament is connected to an inner support element. 
     
     
         8 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the filament comprises a connecting portion which merges into an inner support element and/or the outer support element, wherein the connecting portion comprises a bend between a radial and a circumferential direction. 
     
     
         9 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the spiral portion of the filament has a constant width along its longitudinal extension. 
     
     
         10 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the spiral portion of the filament has a varying width along its longitudinal extension. 
     
     
         11 . An electron beam generator comprising:
 an electron emitting device adapted to emit an electron beam when heated to an elevated temperature, and   the electron emitting device comprising a filament having a spiral portion, and a flat outer support element connected to an outer end of the spiral filament and surrounding an outer perimeter of the windings, wherein the outer support element comprises at least one through-hole for mechanically and/or electrically connecting the electron emitting device.   
     
     
         12 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 11 , wherein the electron emitting device is disc-shaped. 
     
     
         13 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 11 , wherein a gap is formed in the outer support element. 
     
     
         14 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 11 , wherein the filament comprises a plurality of windings, wherein a distance between the windings in a radial direction is equal to or smaller than a width in a radial direction of the windings. 
     
     
         15 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 11 , wherein a distance between an outer winding of the filament and the outer support element is larger than a distance between adjacent windings of the filament. 
     
     
         16 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 11 , wherein the filament comprises between three and eight windings. 
     
     
         17 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 11 , wherein an outer connecting portion of the filament where the filament is connected to the outer support element is displaced in the circumferential direction relative to an inner connecting portion of the filament where the filament is connected to an inner support element. 
     
     
         18 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 11 , wherein the filament comprises a connecting portion which merges into an inner support element and/or the outer support element, wherein the connecting portion comprises a bend between a radial and a circumferential direction. 
     
     
         19 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 11 , wherein the spiral portion of the filament has a constant width along its longitudinal extension. 
     
     
         20 . The electron beam generator according to  claim 11 , wherein the spiral portion of the filament has a varying width along its longitudinal extension.