Abstract: In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray source. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to the anode and configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a curved surface that contours around at least a portion of the shaft wall. A radius of curvature of the curved surface of the lift electromagnet may be greater than a radius of curvature of the lift shaft, and the spacing between the curved surface of the lift electromagnet and the shaft wall may be non-uniform.

Abstract: In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray tube. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to the anode and may be configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a first pole and a second pole oriented towards the lift shaft. Windings may be positioned around the first pole. The lift assembly may include a heat dissipating structure.

Abstract: In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray source. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to an anode and configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a coupling portion extending between an interior of a vacuum envelope and an exterior of the vacuum envelope and a winding portion coupled to the coupling portion. Windings may at least partially surround the winding portion.

Abstract: In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray source. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to the anode and configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a curved surface that contours around at least a portion of the shaft wall. A radius of curvature of the curved surface of the lift electromagnet may be greater than a radius of curvature of the lift shaft, and the spacing between the curved surface of the lift electromagnet and the shaft wall may be non-uniform.

Abstract: An X-ray assembly may include a vacuum wall, an anode, and a cathode. The vacuum wall may define a vacuum enclosure and may include an X-ray window. The anode may be located within the vacuum enclosure. The anode may include a target area. The cathode may be located within the vacuum enclosure. The cathode may generate an electron stream to travel to a focus area located at the target area of the anode. The cathode may be positioned such that the electron stream travels along an oblique path relative a virtual line positioned so as to intersect a center of the focus area and a center of the X-ray window.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes devices and methods relating to anode assemblies and/or X-ray assemblies. In some aspects, a method of forming an X-ray assembly may include providing an anode base formed of a first material and including a first end. The method may include depositing a second material different from the first material over a first surface of the anode base to form a coated portion of the anode base. The coated portion may be configured such that some backscattered electrons do not travel beyond the coated portion.

Abstract: An example embodiment includes a cathode assembly. The cathode assembly includes a cathode head, a filament, a focusing structure, and a non-rectilinear focusing aperture. The cathode head defines a filament slot. The filament is positioned in the filament slot that is capable of emitting electrons by thermionic emission. The focusing structure is positioned at least partially between the filament and an anode. The non-rectilinear focusing aperture is defined in the focusing structure. The non-rectilinear focusing aperture is configured to shape an emission profile of electrons emitted by the filament.

Abstract: An example embodiment includes a cathode assembly. The cathode assembly includes a cathode head, a filament, a focusing structure, and a non-rectilinear focusing aperture. The cathode head defines a filament slot. The filament is positioned in the filament slot that is capable of emitting electrons by thermionic emission. The focusing structure is positioned at least partially between the filament and an anode. The non-rectilinear focusing aperture is defined in the focusing structure. The non-rectilinear focusing aperture is configured to shape an emission profile of electrons emitted by the filament.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes devices and methods relating to anode assemblies and/or X-ray assemblies. In some aspects, a method of forming an X-ray assembly may include providing an anode base formed of a first material and including a first end. The method may include depositing a second material different from the first material over a first surface of the anode base to form a coated portion of the anode base. The coated portion may be configured such that some backscattered electrons do not travel beyond the coated portion.

Abstract: Dual-energy x-ray tubes. In one example embodiment, a dual-energy x-ray tube includes an evacuated enclosure, an anode positioned within the evacuated enclosure, a first cathode positioned within the evacuated enclosure, and a second cathode positioned within the evacuated enclosure. The first cathode and the second cathode are configured to operate simultaneously at different voltages.

Abstract: Dual-energy x-ray tubes. In one example embodiment, a dual-energy x-ray tube includes an evacuated enclosure, an anode positioned within the evacuated enclosure, a first cathode positioned within the evacuated enclosure, and a second cathode positioned within the evacuated enclosure. The first cathode and the second cathode are configured to operate simultaneously at different voltages.