Abstract: A pair of straight or angularly oriented flat emitters formed of an electron emissive material are positioned on an emitter support structure and are electrically connected to one another regardless of the mounting structure on which the emitters are positioned. The electrical connections between the emitters are formed directly between the emitters using electrically conductive material members that are placed between and affixed to the emitters to provide the electrical pathway or connection therebetween the emitters after formation of the emitters. These electrical connection members form an electrical connection between the angled pair of emitters separately from an emitter support structure on the cathode, such that the electrical connection members and angled emitters including the connection members can separate the mechanical architecture of the cathode assembly from the electrical architecture, thereby creating a simplified construction for the cathode assembly and associated x-ray tubes.

Abstract: At least one emitter formed of an electron emissive material is positioned on a cathode assembly and is readily and reliably connected to at least one mounting member of the cathode assembly. The connections between the at least one emitter and an emitter support structure are formed directly between the at least one emitter and the emitter support structure by utilizing the at one mounting member on the emitter support structure that are positioned adjacent the at least one emitter and heated to secure the at least one emitter to the emitter support structure by welding the at least one mounting member to the at least one emitter and emitter support structure.

Abstract: An x-ray tube includes an electron emitter and a cathode cup having a recess that holds the electron emitter. The recess has a bottom surface, and a shield is positioned in the recess between the electron emitter and the bottom surface. The shield is configured to receive deposited sublimated emitter material and to maintain the sublimated emitter material away from the electron emitter.

Abstract: An x-ray tube includes an electron emitter and a cathode cup having a recess that holds the electron emitter. The recess has a bottom surface, and a shield is positioned in the recess between the electron emitter and the bottom surface. The shield is configured to receive deposited sublimated emitter material and to maintain the sublimated emitter material away from the electron emitter.

Abstract: In the present invention, a flat emitter is formed by the formation of emitter material wires into a unitary non-porous flat emitter structure. The wires are formed with increased yield and tensile strength as a result of the manner of the formation of the emitter material or metal into the wires that is transferred to the flat emitter. To form the flat emitter, the wires are encapsulated and subjected to sufficient temperatures and pressure in a hot isostatic pressing treatment/process to increase the density of the wires into a solid sheet without the presence of voids or pores in the sheet. In forming the emitter sheet in this manner, the strength properties from the wires are retained within the sheet to provide the emitter with increased creep resistance and a consequently longer useful life in the x-ray tube.

Abstract: At least one emitter formed of an electron emissive material is positioned on a cathode assembly and is readily and reliably connected to at least one mounting member of the cathode assembly. The connections between the at least one emitter and an emitter support structure are formed directly between the at least one emitter and the emitter support structure by utilizing the at one mounting member on the emitter support structure that are positioned adjacent the at least one emitter and heated to secure the at least one emitter to the emitter support structure by welding the at least one mounting member to the at least one emitter and emitter support structure.

Abstract: A pair of straight or angularly oriented flat emitters formed of an electron emissive material are positioned on an emitter support structure and are electrically connected to one another regardless of the mounting structure on which the emitters are positioned. The electrical connections between the emitters are formed directly between the emitters using electrically conductive material members that are placed between and affixed to the emitters to provide the electrical pathway or connection therebetween the emitters after formation of the emitters. These electrical connection members form an electrical connection between the angled pair of emitters separately from an emitter support structure on the cathode, such that the electrical connection members and angled emitters including the connection members can separate the mechanical architecture of the cathode assembly from the electrical architecture, thereby creating a simplified construction for the cathode assembly and associated x-ray tubes.

Abstract: A ring seal is engaged with a liquid metal bearing assembly and operates to contain metal fluid lubricant leaking through the primary compression seals of a liquid metal bearing to prevent the fluid from entering the high voltage space within the x-ray tube and causing high voltage instability. The ring seal engages the existing configuration for the bearing assembly without deforming the bearing, including effects of thermal expansion and inertial body forces, thus maintaining the tight tolerances for the proper operation of the component parts of the bearing structure. The ring seal retains the leaking liquid metal within the ring seal regardless of the operating state and/or condition of the bearing assembly, such as during operating conditions. i.e., rotation of the bearing assembly or gantry, and non-operating conditions, e.g., shipping and stand-by, and regardless of the corresponding pressures and their locations exerted on the ring seal by the liquid metal.

Abstract: In the present invention, a flat emitter is formed from emitter material preforms shaped as thin sheets of the emitter material. These sheets are subjected to various levels and/or amounts of mechanical working during their initial formation and are bonded to one another to create a preform having the desired thickness. The preform including the bonded sheets is subsequently worked to shape the preform into the desired configuration for the emitter. The working of the sheets of emitter material utilized to create the preform and the working of the preform to form the emitter provide a highly creep-resistant emitter that significantly improves the operation and useful life of the resulting emitter.

Abstract: In the present invention, a flat emitter is formed by the formation of emitter material wires into a unitary non-porous flat emitter structure. The wires are formed with increased yield and tensile strength as a result of the manner of the formation of the emitter material or metal into the wires that is transferred to the flat emitter. To form the flat emitter, the wires are encapsulated and subjected to sufficient temperatures and pressure in a hot isostatic pressing treatment/process to increase the density of the wires into a solid sheet without the presence of voids or pores in the sheet. In forming the emitter sheet in this manner, the strength properties from the wires are retained within the sheet to provide the emitter with increased creep resistance and a consequently longer useful life in the x-ray tube.

Abstract: A ring seal is engaged with a liquid metal bearing assembly and operates to contain metal fluid lubricant leaking through the primary compression seals of a liquid metal bearing to prevent the fluid from entering the high voltage space within the x-ray tube and causing high voltage instability. The ring seal engages the existing configuration for the bearing assembly without deforming the bearing, including effects of thermal expansion and inertial body forces, thus maintaining the tight tolerances for the proper operation of the component parts of the bearing structure. The ring seal retains the leaking liquid metal within the ring seal regardless of the operating state and/or condition of the bearing assembly, such as during operating conditions. i.e., rotation of the bearing assembly or gantry, and non-operating conditions, e.g., shipping and stand-by, and regardless of the corresponding pressures and their locations exerted on the ring seal by the liquid metal.

Abstract: An x-ray assembly is provided comprising a target shaft and an x-ray target element mounted to the target shaft. A circumferential feature is formed in the x-ray target element. At least one weight element is adapted to be securable in a plurality of positions within the circumferential feature such that the x-ray target element can be balanced around the target shaft.

Abstract: A structure for collecting scattered electrons within a substantially evacuated vessel containing both an electron-emitting cathode and an electron-attracting anode is disclosed herein. The electron-collecting structure includes a two-sided first plate, a two-sided second plate, a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. The first plate is both electrically conductive and thermally emissive and is mountable within the vessel so that its first side at least partially faces the anode. The second plate is also thermally emissive and has a first side that is substantially conterminous with the second side of the first plate. Furthermore, the second plate additionally has an internal conduit for conveying a heat-absorbing fluid within. Both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication with the conduit in the second plate. During operation, the structure is able to attract scattered electrons and transfer thermal energy attributable to the electrons away from the structure.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments an X-Ray energy target includes composite material that varies spatially in thermal properties, and in some embodiments, the composite material varies spatially in strength properties. In some embodiments, the spatial variance is a continuum and in other embodiments, the spatial variance is a plurality of distinct portions.

Abstract: An anode assembly (50) includes a thermally conductive bearing encasement (52) covering a portion of a bearing (64). An anode (56) rotates on the bearing (64) and has a target (58) with an associated focal spot (60). The thermally conductive bearing encasement (52) is configured and expansion limited to prevent displacement of the focal spot (60) of greater than a predetermined displacement during operation of the anode (56).

Abstract: An rotor assembly (30) for an imaging X-ray tube (32) is provided. The imaging X-ray tube rotor assembly (30) includes at least partially a magnetic non-corrosive material. A method of producing the imaging tube X-ray rotor assembly (30) is also provided including forming a rotor core (52) at least partially from a magnetic non-corrosive material.

Abstract: An anode assembly (50) includes a thermally conductive bearing encasement (52) covering a portion of a bearing (64). An anode (56) rotates on the bearing (64) and has a target (58) with an associated focal spot (60). The thermally conductive bearing encasement (52) is configured and expansion limited to prevent displacement of the focal spot (60) of greater than a predetermined displacement during operation of the anode (56).

Abstract: An x-ray assembly is provided comprising a target shaft and an x-ray target element mounted to the target shaft. A circumferential feature is formed in the x-ray target element. At least one weight element is adapted to be securable in a plurality of positions within the circumferential feature such that the x-ray target element can be balanced around the target shaft.

Abstract: A filament circuit resistance adjusting apparatus (36), for a filament circuit (38) having a filament (50) with a first resistance is provided. The filament circuit resistance adjusting apparatus (36) includes a first resistor (70), which has a second resistance and is electrically coupled to the filament (50). The first resistor (70) adjusts the resistance of the filament circuit (38). A method for adjusting the resistance of the filament (50) is also provided.

Abstract: An rotor assembly (30) for an imaging X-ray tube (32) is provided. The imaging X-ray tube rotor assembly (30) includes at least partially a magnetic non-corrosive material. A method of producing the imaging tube X-ray rotor assembly (30) is also provided including forming a rotor core (52) at least partially from a magnetic non-corrosive material.