Abstract: An x-ray tube construction comprising a housing and a shaft assembly mounted within the housing for rotational movement within the housing. An anode target is provided in the housing. A three-ball mounting is provided for mounting the anode target on the shaft assembly so that the anode target rotates with the shaft assembly. A cathode is disposed within the housing in the vicinity of the anode target. A voltage supply is connected to the anode target and to the cathode for accelerating electrons from the cathode to impinge upon the anode target to create x-rays. The three-ball mounting serves to minimize the transfer of heat from anode target to the shaft assembly. A motor drive is coupled to the shaft assembly for rotating the shaft assembly and the anode target carried thereby. A heat cage is disposed within the housing and surrounds the anode target. The heat cage has a window therein to permit the x-rays to pass therethrough.

Abstract: X-ray tube construction comprising a housing with a metal tube envelope therein and a shaft. An anode plate is carried by the shaft. Bearings are disposed on opposite sides of the anode plate and rotatably mount the shaft in the envelope. A motor drive is coupled to the shaft for rotating the shaft and the anode plate carried thereby. A cathode is provided for supplying electrons which are accelerated by a high voltage to the anode plate for creating x-rays upon impingement with the anode plate. A heat cage is disposed in the housing and the envelope and surrounds the anode plate. X-ray shielding is disposed within the housing between the envelope and the housing. Windows are provided in the shielding, the metal envelope and in the heat cage to permit x-rays to pass therethrough. Particularly novel means is provided for dissipating the heat generated in the anode and for dissipating the same exterior of the housing prior to the heat passing to the opposite extremities of the shaft.

Abstract: X-ray tube construction comprising a housing with a metal tube envelope therein and a shaft. An anode plate is carried by the shaft. Bearings are disposed on opposite sides of the anode plate and rotatably mount the shaft in the envelope. A motor drive is coupled to the shaft for rotating the shaft and the anode plate carried thereby. A cathode is provided for supplying electrons which are accelerated by a high voltage to the anode plate for creating x-rays upon impingement with the anode plate. A heat cage is disposed in the housing and the envelope and surrounds the anode plate. X-ray shielding is disposed within the housing between the envelope and the housing. Windows are provided in the shielding, the metal envelope and in the heat cage to permit x-rays to pass therethrough. Particularly novel means is provided for dissipating the heat generated in the anode and for dissipating the same exterior of the housing prior to the heat passing to the opposite extremities of the shaft.

Abstract: An X-ray tube generally comprises an evacuated tube envelope fabricated primarily of metal and having first and second end walls and a cylindrical sidewall, and encloses a rotating anode with its target surface facing the second end wall. A heat transfer sleeve extends from the first end wall past the anode to receive heat from the anode and transfer it to the end wall for dispersal. A heat transfer cross plate at the end of the sleeve further encloses the anode to receive and transfer heat. The tube envelope is mounted in a cylindrical tube housing with the first end wall in contact with a finned mounting plate for dissipating heat. The surface of the tube envelope remains sufficiently cool to apply a layer of lead, whereby the tube is compact. The anode and cathode electrical feeds are through the second end wall. The electrical feeds have angled terminations with lead on them.

Abstract: An X-ray tube comprises a generally cylindrical evacuated metal tube envelope having an anode rotatably mounted therein. [The interior of the tube envelope adjacent the anode is provided with ceramic insulation to prevent flashover.] The anode is rotated by an external variable speed DC drive motor magnetically coupled through the tube envelope wall to the rotating anode assembly. [The tube envelope wall includes ferrous segments which minimize the gap in the magnetic coupling while permitting a thick and strong tube envelope wall. A variable speed DC motor or a variable speed air motor may be employed to drive the anode. In preferred embodiments, the anode drive means is electromechanically clutched to the anode, whereby the drive means can be brought up to the desired anode speed and thereafter clutched to the anode, the drive means acting as a flywheel to bring the anode quickly up to speed. Electromagnets operating as clutches are also employed.

Abstract: A cable termination is disclosed for high voltage electrical cables for x-ray tubes having inner and outer conductive housings separated by resilient insulating material. The inner conductive housing is at or near the high voltage potential and is adapted to provide even voltage distribution in the insulating material. Electrical contacts are contained within the inner housing which make connection from the cable conductors to feedthrough conductors to complete the electrical path across the vacuum envelope of the x-ray tube.

Abstract: A mounting system for securing a rotating anode of an x-ray tube against axial movement locates a bearing on a stud projecting from a tube end wall and secures the bearing on the stud by means of a threaded fastener which is accessed through a central bore of the rotating anode assembly prior to closure of the tube vacuum envelope.