Abstract: An x-ray tube casing is provided which includes a central frame having internal passages to supply a cooling fluid directly to the casing without the need for an external dedicated heat exchanger. The cooling fluid flowing through the passages in the easing can thermally contact the dielectric coolant within the casing to cool the tube coolant during operation of the x-ray tube. The casing is formed in an additive manufacturing process to allow for tight tolerances with regard to the structure for the casing and the internal passages to reduce the size and weight of the casing. The casing can additionally be formed from a metal matrix including a metal with high x-ray attenuation and a filler metal. The metal matrix eliminates the need for a separate x-ray attenuation layer within the casing, further reducing the size, number of parts and assembly complexity of the casing.

Abstract: An electron collector for an electromagnetic ray generating device is provided. The electron collector includes a body having a surface configured to intercept backscattered electrons produced by an electron beam striking an anode to generate electromagnetic rays. The body is operative to absorb the backscattered electrons and is formed by particles of a first material disposed within a matrix of a second material.

Abstract: An x-ray tube casing is provided which includes a central frame having internal passages to supply a cooling fluid directly to the casing without the need for an external dedicated heat exchanger. The cooling fluid flowing through the passages in the easing can thermally contact the dielectric coolant within the casing to cool the tube coolant during operation of the x-ray tube. The casing is formed in an additive manufacturing process to allow for tight tolerances with regard to the structure for the casing and the internal passages to reduce the size and weight of the casing. The casing can additionally be formed from a metal matrix including a metal with high x-ray attenuation and a filler metal. The metal matrix eliminates the need for a separate x-ray attenuation layer within the casing, further reducing the size, number of parts and assembly complexity of the casing.

Abstract: An electron collector for an electromagnetic ray generating device is provided. The electron collector includes a body having a surface configured to intercept backscattered electrons produced by an electron beam striking an anode to generate electromagnetic rays. The body is operative to absorb the backscattered electrons and is formed by particles of a first material disposed within a matrix of a second material.

Abstract: An emitter device having an emission surface includes a plurality of ligaments configured to emit electrons in response to an applied electric field resulting from an applied electrical voltage. Further, the emitter device includes a plurality of slots configured to provide physical separation between two or more adjacently disposed ligaments of the plurality of ligaments, where one or more slots of the plurality of slots define an electrical path. Moreover, the emitter device includes a low work function layer disposed on at least a portion of a ligament of the plurality of ligaments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to electron emitters for use in conjunction with X-ray emitting devices. In certain embodiments the emitter includes features that prevent, limit, or control deflection of the electron emitter at operating temperatures. In this manner, the electron emitter may be kept substantially flat or at a desired curvature during operation.

Abstract: A tube for generating x-rays includes a cathode adapted to emit electrons, a target positioned to receive the electrons from the cathode on a surface thereof, an anode adapted with an aperture and positioned between the cathode and the target and configured to accelerate the electrons toward the target, and a rotating system adapted to rotate the target about an axis, the rotating system located in a position facing the surface of the target.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to electron emitters for use in conjunction with X-ray devices. In one embodiment, the emitter features a round emission area capable of emitting electrons when heated, wherein the round emission area comprises at least one of a gap, a channel, or a combination thereof that separates a first portion of the round emission area from a second portion of the round emission area and permits thermal expansion of the first portion and the second portion within the at least one gap or channel without permitting the first portion and the second portion to touch one another. The two electrically conductive legs coupled to the surface at respective locations outside the round emission area and that are capable of supplying current to the round emission area.

Abstract: An X-ray tube assembly includes an electron beam transport tube, a beam tube protection assembly, and a control module. The electron beam transport tube includes an opening configured for passage of an electron beam, and includes an inner surface bounding the opening along a length of the electron beam transport tube. The beam tube protection assembly includes a plurality of beam protection electrode segments disposed within the opening of the electron beam transport tube and configured to protect the inner surface of the electron beam transport tube from contact with the electron beam. The control module is configured to determine a direction of the electron beam responsive to information received from the beam tube protection assembly.

Abstract: An emitter device having an emission surface includes a plurality of ligaments configured to emit electrons in response to an applied electric field resulting from an applied electrical voltage. Further, the emitter device includes a plurality of slots configured to provide physical separation between two or more adjacently disposed ligaments of the plurality of ligaments, where one or more slots of the plurality of slots define an electrical path. Moreover, the emitter device includes a low work function layer disposed on at least a portion of a ligament of the plurality of ligaments.

Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a casing having a cathode and an anode enclosed therein, and a separator attached to an inner wall of the casing and having a conductance limiter therein, the separator positioned to separate the anode from the cathode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to electron emitters for use in conjunction with X-ray emitting devices. In certain embodiments the emitter includes features that prevent, limit, or control deflection of the electron emitter at operating temperatures. In this manner, the electron emitter may be kept substantially flat or at a desired curvature during operation.

Abstract: An X-ray tube assembly includes an electron beam transport tube, a beam tube protection assembly, and a control module. The electron beam transport tube includes an opening configured for passage of an electron beam, and includes an inner surface bounding the opening along a length of the electron beam transport tube. The beam tube protection assembly includes a plurality of beam protection electrode segments disposed within the opening of the electron beam transport tube and configured to protect the inner surface of the electron beam transport tube from contact with the electron beam. The control module is configured to determine a direction of the electron beam responsive to information received from the beam tube protection assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to electron emitters for use in conjunction with X-ray devices. In one embodiment, the emitter features a round emission area capable of emitting electrons when heated, wherein the round emission area comprises at least one of a gap, a channel, or a combination thereof that separates a first portion of the round emission area from a second portion of the round emission area and permits thermal expansion of the first portion and the second portion within the at least one gap or channel without permitting the first portion and the second portion to touch one another. The two electrically conductive legs coupled to the surface at respective locations outside the round emission area and that are capable of supplying current to the round emission area.

Abstract: A CT imaging system includes a multi-position x-ray filter having a filter element configured to spectrally filter a beam of x-rays and a magnet structure configured to selectively generate a magnetic field to cause the filter element to move between filter and non-filter positions. A CT imaging system computer causes an x-ray source to emit x-rays at each of a first kVp and a second kVp and control the multi-position x-ray filter to position the filter element in the non-filter position during emission of the x-rays at the first kVp and in the filter position during emission of the x-rays at the second kVp. The computer causes current to be provided to the magnet structure so as to generate a magnetic field configured to move the filter element to the filter and non-filter positions at high frequency, into and out of a path of the beam of x-rays.

Abstract: A CT imaging system includes a multi-position x-ray filter having a filter element configured to spectrally filter a beam of x-rays and a magnet structure configured to selectively generate a magnetic field to cause the filter element to move between filter and non-filter positions. A CT imaging system computer causes an x-ray source to emit x-rays at each of a first kVp and a second kVp and control the multi-position x-ray filter to position the filter element in the non-filter position during emission of the x-rays at the first kVp and in the filter position during emission of the x-rays at the second kVp. The computer causes current to be provided to the magnet structure so as to generate a magnetic field configured to move the filter element to the filter and non-filter positions at high frequency, into and out of a path of the beam of x-rays.

Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a cathode adapted to emit electrons, a bearing assembly comprising a bearing hub, a target assembly positioned to receive the emitted electrons, the assembly having a target hub coupled to the bearing hub at an attachment face, wherein the attachment face comprises a first material compressed against a second material, and a first anti-wear coating attached to one of the first material and the second material and positioned between the first material and the second material.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to efficient electron beam steering within X-ray tubes, for example X-ray tubes used in CT imaging. In one embodiment, and X-ray tube with enhanced electron beam steering is provided. The X-ray tube includes an electron beam source, a target configured to generate X-rays when impacted by an electron beam from the electron beam source, and a steering magnet assembly having a plurality of ferrite cores and a plurality of litz wire coils wound on the ferrite cores.

Abstract: An injector for an X-ray tube is presented. The injector includes an emitter to emit an electron beam, at least one focusing electrode disposed around the emitter, wherein the at least one focusing electrode focuses the electron beam and at least one extraction electrode maintained at a positive bias voltage with respect to the emitter, wherein the at least one extraction electrode controls an intensity of the electron beam.

Abstract: An X-ray tube includes a target and a cathode assembly. The cathode assembly includes a first filament configured to emit a first beam of electrons toward the target, a first gridding electrode coupled to the first filament, a second filament configured to emit a second beam of electrons toward the target, and a second gridding electrode coupled to the second filament.