Abstract: A target assembly for generating x-rays includes a target substrate, and an emissive coating applied to a portion of the target substrate, the emissive coating comprising one or more of a carbide and a carbonitride.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an X-ray target includes a target cap formed of a substrate material and a focal track layer of emitting material, and at least one of the substrate material and the emitting material has a density greater than about 95.0% of theoretical density. In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing an X-ray target includes forming an intermediate target cap form of substrate material and a focal track layer of emitting material, and compacting the intermediate target cap form by application of gas pressure at elevated temperature to form a final target cap form, and at least the substrate material is dense substrate material having a final density greater than an intermediate density or the emitting material is dense emitting material having a final emitting material density greater than an intermediate emitting material density.

Abstract: A composite target for generating x-rays includes a target substrate and at least one material applied to the target substrate with a laser beam.

Abstract: A target for generating x-rays includes a target substrate, a target shaft attached to the target substrate, and a radiation emissive coating applied to at least one of the target substrate and the target shaft, wherein a center-of-gravity of the target is positioned between a front bearing assembly and a rear bearing assembly of an x-ray tube.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting backscattered electrons within a substantially evacuated vessel containing both an electron-emitting cathode assembly and an electron-attracting anode assembly. The system and method comprises an electron collector assembly including a first plate, a second plate, an internal member, a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. The first plate is mounted within the vessel closest to the anode assembly. The second plate is mounted within the vessel closest to the cathode assembly. The internal member is positioned between the first plate and the second plate, and includes an internal conduit for conveying a heat absorbing cooling fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A target for generating x-rays includes a target substrate comprising at least one layer of a target material, a track comprising at least one layer of a track material, the track configured to generate x-rays from high-energy electrons impinging thereon, and a braze joint attaching the target substrate to the track.

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: In some embodiments, an X-ray target includes a target cap formed of a substrate material and a focal track layer of emitting material, and at least one of the substrate material and the emitting material has a density greater than about 95.0% of theoretical density. In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing an X-ray target includes forming an intermediate target cap form of substrate material and a focal track layer of emitting material, and compacting the intermediate target cap form by application of gas pressure at elevated temperature to form a final target cap form, and at least the substrate material is dense substrate material having a final density greater than an intermediate density or the emitting material is dense emitting material having a final emitting material density greater than an intermediate emitting material density.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an X-ray target is produced by the method of: stacking a primary substrate layer and a focal track layer, the primary substrate layer being formed of primary substrate material, the focal track layer being formed of emitting material; and bonding the emitting material to the primary substrate material by heating a primary compacted interface to an elevated temperature while maintaining the elevated pressure for a time period to form a primary bonded interface of the emitting material and the primary substrate material. In some embodiments, an X-ray target includes a focal track layer of emitting material, a primary substrate layer bonded to the focal track in a primary bonded interface, and a secondary substrate layer bonded to the primary substrate material in a secondary bonded interface by one of diffusion bonding, diffusion brazing and brazing.

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: An x-ray tube target assembly 16 provided. The target assembly 16 includes a target plate element 18 having an impact surface 24, a target rear surface 30, an inner target bore 22, and an outer target circumference 38. The target plate element 18 defines a target plate depth 32 between the impact surface 24 and the target rear surface 30. The target rear surface 30 is formed such that the target plate depth 32 tapers from an increased target plate depth 34 at the inner target bore to a decreased target plate depth 36 at the outer target circumference 38. The target assembly 16 further includes a graphite base element 28 having a base upper surface 42 and a base rear surface 44. The base upper surface 42 is formed to mate with the target rear surface 30.

Abstract: An x-ray tube target assembly 16 is provided. The assembly 16 includes a target disc element 18 having a target bore 22. A target shaft 20 transmits rotational drive to the target disc element 18. The target shaft 20 includes a plurality of axial adjustment slots 30 formed in an upper portion. The plurality of axial adjustment slots 30 are positioned around the target shaft 20 to form a plurality of partial circumferential ribs 36. The plurality of partial circumferential ribs 36 are brazed to the target bore 22.

Abstract: An x-ray tube target assembly 16 is provided. The assembly 16 includes a target disc element 18 having a target bore 22. A target shaft 20 transmits rotational drive to the target disc element 18. The target shaft 20 includes a plurality of axial adjustment slots 30 formed in an upper portion. The plurality of axial adjustment slots 30 are positioned around the target shaft 20 to form a plurality of partial circumferential ribs 36. The plurality of partial circumferential ribs 36 are brazed to the target bore 22.

Abstract: An x-ray tube target assembly 16 provided. The target assembly 16 includes a target plate element 18 having an impact surface 24, a target rear surface 30, an inner target bore 22, and an outer target circumference 38. The target plate element 18 defines a target plate depth 32 between the impact surface 24 and the target rear surface 30. The target rear surface 30 is formed such that the target plate depth 32 tapers from an increased target plate depth 34 at the inner target bore to a decreased target plate depth 36 at the outer target circumference 38. The target assembly 16 further includes a graphite base element 28 having a base upper surface 42 and a base rear surface 44. The base upper surface 42 is formed to mate with the target rear surface 30.

Abstract: A method for assembling a rotating X-ray tube, the X-ray tube having a cathode for emitting electrons, and a rotor and a bearing assembly for facilitating rotation of an anode. The method includes using an interference fit assembly between the bearing assembly and the rotor to provide a joint having balance retention. The using interference fit assembly further includes selecting a rotor hub of the rotor having a coefficient of thermal expansion which results in a composite coefficient of thermal expansion for the rotor assembly which closely matches that of a shaft of the bearing assembly. An interference fit joint between a shaft extending from a bearing assembly and a rotor hub is also disclosed, wherein the joint is completed without using any mechanical fasteners or metallurgical bonding, yet can carry all of the operational loads placed on the joint.

Abstract: An X-ray target material comprising an oxide-dispersion strengthened Mo (ODS-Mo) alloy. ODS-Mo refers to molybdenum strengthened by a fine dispersion of insoluble oxide particles of one or more of the following compounds: La2O3, Y2O3 and CeO2. ODS—Mo alloy improves upon the prior art by providing higher and more uniform strength and creep resistance over the applicable temperature range of large brazed graphite targets. This, in conjunction with higher-strength graphite, allows the target to spin faster without causing graphite burst, thus providing improvement in peak power. The recrystallization temperature of the fabricated material is high enough to maintain original properties through all target processing, including a very high-temperature braze cycle.

Abstract: A method for assembling a rotating X-ray tube, the X-ray tube having a cathode for emitting electrons, and a rotor and a bearing assembly for facilitating rotation of an anode. The method includes using an interference fit assembly between the bearing assembly and the rotor to provide a joint having balance retention. The using interference fit assembly further includes selecting a rotor hub of the rotor having a coefficient of thermal expansion which results in a composite coefficient of thermal expansion for the rotor assembly which closely matches that of a shaft of the bearing assembly. The shaft and aperture in said rotor hub are configured to interference fit tolerances and then joined providing a joint having balance retention. An interference fit joint between a shaft extending from a bearing assembly and a rotor hub is also disclosed, wherein the joint is completed without using any mechanical fasteners or metallurgical bonding, yet can carry all of the operational loads placed on the joint.

Abstract: An imaging tube (16) and an apparatus (60) and a method for pre-balancing the imaging tube (16) for use in an imaging system (10) are provided. The imaging tube mass and center of mass are determined. Desired values for the imaging tube mass and imaging tube center of mass are also determined. A mass correction value and a center of mass correction value are calculated in response to the imaging tube mass, the imaging tube center of mass, and the desired values. The imaging tube mass and the imaging tube center of mass are adjusted in response to the mass correction value and the center of mass correction value respectively.

Abstract: An imaging tube (16) and an apparatus (60) and a method for pre-balancing the imaging tube (16) for use in an imaging system (10) are provided. The imaging tube mass and center of mass are determined. Desired values for the imaging tube mass and imaging tube center of mass are also determined. A mass correction value and a center of mass correction value are calculated in response to the imaging tube mass, the imaging tube center of mass, and the desired values. The imaging tube mass and the imaging tube center of mass are adjusted in response to the mass correction value and the center of mass correction value respectively.

Abstract: An improved X-ray tube target comprises a refractory metal target substrate and a refractory metal focal track applied to the target substrate by a tape casting process. The X-ray tube target comprises a refractory metal target substrate and a refractory metal focal track formed on the target substrate to form a focal track/target substrate interface plane that varies less than about ±0.13 mm.