Abstract: This disclosure concerns cathode assemblies. In one example, a shielded cathode assembly for use in an x-ray tube includes an electron source and a cathode head within which the electron source is at least partially disposed. The cathode head is made from an x-ray shielding material.

Abstract: A shielding disk for managing x-ray emission form a stationary anode x-ray tube is disclosed. The stationary anode x-ray tube includes an anode housing and a stainless steel can that together form an evacuated enclosure and respectively contain a stationary anode and a cathode assembly. The shielding disk, comprised of tungsten, is interposed between the anode housing and the can, and is formed with a region, such as a hole, formed through a central portion thereof. During tube operation, electrons pass through the shielding disk hole to impact a target surface on the anode and produce x-rays. Those x-rays that do not pass through a window defined in the anode housing to exit the tube but instead emanate toward the can, are intercepted and absorbed by the shielding disk before entering the can. This results in a reduced need for lead shielding disposed about external surfaces of the x-ray tube.

Abstract: An integrated component mounting system that includes a component mounted to a shaft and secured in place by a nut. The component and the nut each define respective annular shaped surfaces. The shaped surfaces are each inclined at a similar angle and are arranged for sliding contact with respect to each other. As the nut is tightened on the shaft, the shaped surface of the nut exerts both radial and axial forces on the shaped surface of the component, thereby automatically centering the component radially on the shaft as well as securing the component at a desired location along the shaft.

Abstract: An integrated component mounting system that includes a component mounted to a shaft and secured in place by a nut. The component and the nut each define respective annular shaped surfaces. The shaped surfaces are each inclined at a similar angle and are arranged for sliding contact with respect to each other. As the nut is tightened on the shaft, the shaped surface of the nut exerts both radial and axial forces on the shaped surface of the component, thereby automatically centering the component radially on the shaft as well as securing the component at a desired location along the shaft.

Abstract: A shielding disk for managing x-ray emission form a stationary anode x-ray tube is disclosed. The stationary anode x-ray tube includes an anode housing and a stainless steel can that together form an evacuated enclosure and respectively contain a stationary anode and a cathode assembly. The shielding disk, comprised of tungsten, is interposed between the anode housing and the can, and is formed with a region, such as a hole, formed through a central portion thereof. During tube operation, electrons pass through the shielding disk hole to impact a target surface on the anode and produce x-rays. Those x-rays that do not pass through a window defined in the anode housing to exit the tube but instead emanate toward the can, are intercepted and absorbed by the shielding disk before entering the can. This results in a reduced need for lead shielding disposed about external surfaces of the x-ray tube.

Abstract: A sleeve or cover for preventing the production of secondary x-ray signal contamination from an analytical x-ray tube is disclosed. The x-ray tube includes an evacuated enclosure in which is disposed a cathode and anode. The sleeve or cover is useful in applications such as x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy for improving the spectral purity of the primary stream of x-rays produced by electron bombardment of the anode target surface by the cathode. In one embodiment, the sleeve is disposed about a portion of the anode substrate, and is comprised of beryllium. Electrons back-scattered from the target surface are attracted to the anode substrate and impact the beryllium sleeve, producing secondary x-rays that are not detected by spectroscopic detectors and are therefore not contaminating to the primary x-ray stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an x-ray tube that utilizes a stationary anode assembly. The stationary anode assembly includes an anode target portion that is disposed on the target end of an anode substrate. The anode target includes an overhang portion, that functions to prevent rebounding electrons from striking the underlying anode substrate that would otherwise result in the production of errant x-rays, and that also functions to block errant x-rays produced at the substrate from exiting the x-ray tube. Embodiments also include an anode target having a target surface that is formed with a contoured shape that functions to direct any rebounding electrons towards the center of the anode target surface, and away from the underlying anode substrate. The present invention is particularly useful in preventing a secondary electron stream from emitting errant x-rays that would compromise the particular quality of the x-ray that the x-ray device is designed to generate.