Abstract: An insulator for a vacuum tube is disclosed and includes an electrically insulative bulk material and a first antiferroelectric coating applied to a first portion of the bulk material.

Abstract: An x-ray tube is disclosed herein. The x-ray tube includes an anode assembly adapted to rotate generally about a rotational axis. The anode assembly includes a first target surface at least partially disposed at a first angle greater than 70 degrees with respect to the rotational axis and a second target surface at least partially disposed at a second angle greater than 70 degrees with respect to the rotational axis. The first target surface is adapted to emit a first x-ray beam and the second target surface is adapted to emit a second x-ray beam. A CT system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An insulator for a vacuum tube is disclosed and includes an electrically insulative bulk material and a first antiferroelectric coating applied to a first portion of the bulk material.

Abstract: A bearing assembly mounted in an x-ray tube includes a bearing race and a plurality of bearing balls positioned adjacent to the bearing race. The plurality of bearing balls are positioned within a bearing cage. The bearing cage is configured to evenly space the bearing balls within the bearing cage and prevent contact between adjacent bearing balls, thereby eliminating the problems of skidding wear and dynamic impact load between adjacent bearing balls in the bearing assembly.

Abstract: An x-ray tube includes an anode, a first chamber enclosing the anode and having a first pressure therein, a cathode, and a second chamber enclosing the cathode and having a second pressure therein. A separator is positioned between the first and second chambers and has a conductance limiter therein.

Abstract: A bearing assembly mounted in an x-ray tube includes a bearing race and a bearing ball positioned adjacent to the bearing race. A lubricant is deposited on a first portion of a bare metal of one of the bearing race and the bearing ball, and a metal matrix deposited on a second portion of the bare metal.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for an x-ray tube is disclosed that includes a bearing race, a bearing ball positioned adjacent to the bearing race, and a combination coating deposited on one of the bearing race and the bearing ball. The combination coating includes titanium carbide and a solid lubricant.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an x-ray tube bearing cage includes the step of forming a bearing cage from a carbon-carbon composite material. A coating is applied to the carbon-carbon composite bearing cage. The coating includes an outer layer formed of a dry film lubricant. The coated carbon-carbon composite bearing cage is included in a bearing assembly in the x-ray tube and forms a lubricious enclosure for bearing balls positioned therein to minimize wear and heat generation in the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an x-ray tube bearing cage includes the step of forming a bearing cage from a carbon-carbon composite material. A coating is applied to the carbon-carbon composite bearing cage. The coating includes an outer layer formed of a dry film lubricant. The coated carbon-carbon composite bearing cage is included in a bearing assembly in the x-ray tube and forms a lubricious enclosure for bearing balls positioned therein to minimize wear and heat generation in the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A bearing assembly mounted in an x-ray tube includes a bearing race and a plurality of bearing balls positioned adjacent to the bearing race. The plurality of bearing balls are positioned within a bearing cage. The bearing cage is configured to evenly space the bearing balls within the bearing cage and prevent contact between adjacent bearing balls, thereby eliminating the problems of skidding wear and dynamic impact load between adjacent bearing balls in the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A shield assembly for an x-ray device is disclosed herein. The shield assembly includes a radiation shielding layer comprised of a first material; and a thermally conductive layer attached the radiation shielding layer. The thermally conductive layer is comprised of a second material. The shield assembly also includes an electron absorption layer attached to the radiation shielding layer. The electron absorption layer is comprised of a third material. The electron absorption layer is configured to absorb backscattered electrons.

Abstract: A bearing assembly mounted in an x-ray tube includes a bearing race and a bearing ball positioned adjacent to the bearing race. A coating is deposited on one of the bearing race and the bearing ball includes a lubricant and a hard material having a hardness greater than a base material of the bearing race and a base material of the bearing ball.

Abstract: A shield assembly for an x-ray device is disclosed herein. The shield assembly includes a radiation shielding layer comprised of a first material. The radiation shielding layer defines a collection surface. The shield assembly also includes a thermally conductive layer attached the radiation shielding layer. The thermally conductive layer is comprised of a second material. The shield assembly also includes a passage defined by the radiation shielding layer and/or the thermally conductive layer. The passage generally conforms to the size and shape of an electron beam when it passes through the passage.

Abstract: A shield assembly for an x-ray device is disclosed herein. The shield assembly includes a radiation shielding layer comprised of a first material; and a thermally conductive layer attached the radiation shielding layer. The thermally conductive layer is comprised of a second material. The shield assembly also includes an electron absorption layer attached to the radiation shielding layer. The electron absorption layer is comprised of a third material. The electron absorption layer is configured to absorb backscattered electrons.

Abstract: A bearing assembly mounted in an x-ray tube includes a bearing race and a bearing ball positioned adjacent to the bearing race. A coating is deposited on one of the bearing race and the bearing ball includes a lubricant and a hard material having a hardness greater than a base material of the bearing race and a base material of the bearing ball.

Abstract: A bearing assembly mounted in an x-ray tube includes a bearing race and a bearing ball positioned adjacent to the bearing race. A lubricant is deposited on a first portion of a bare metal of one of the bearing race and the bearing ball, and a metal matrix deposited on a second portion of the bare metal.

Abstract: The present application discloses an anode assembly for an x-ray device. The anode assembly includes an anode and an anode shaft mounted to the anode. The anode assembly additionally includes a plurality of ceramic bearing balls adapted to rotatably support the anode shaft. In an embodiment, a plurality of metallic bearing balls are also provided to rotatably support the anode shaft. In another embodiment, the plurality of ceramic bearing balls and the plurality of metallic bearing balls have a solid lubricant coating.

Abstract: An imaging assembly is provided comprising an x-ray tube housing having a tube mounting hub and formed from a lightweight material. A rotating gantry assembly includes a gantry mounting surface adapted to engage said tube mounting hub. A plurality of barrel nut fasteners secure the tube mounting hub to the gantry mounting surface while reducing stress in said x-ray tube housing.

Abstract: An X-Ray tube is provided. The X-Ray tube includes a frame structure surrounding at least a portion of an electron beam source and an electron beam target. The frame structure has a cooling system integrated therein. The cooling system includes at least one air/fin layer; and a sub-cooled working fluid in thermal contact with the at least one air/fin layer, the sub-cooled working fluid being adapted to undergo a phase change in response to heat introduced to the frame structure by one or more of the electron beam source and the electron beam target, wherein the phase change facilitates transfer of the heat to the at least one air/fin layer.