Abstract: A method (100) creates a braze joint (58) between an anode plate (52) and a piece of graphite (56) of an x-ray tube (38). The method (100) includes receiving (102) the anode plate (52) and the piece of graphite (56). A barrier layer (66) and a braze layer (62) are arranged (104, 106, 108) between the anode plate (52) and the piece of graphite (56), where the barrier layer (66) is between the piece of graphite (56) and the brazing layer (62). The barrier layer (66) is heated (110) with the braze layer (62) to create the braze joint (58) between the anode plate (52) and the piece of graphite (56).

Abstract: An anode (30) is formed by building a carbon, such as a carbon reinforced carbon composite, or other ceramic substrate (50). A ductile, refractory metal is electroplated on the ceramic substrate to form a refractory metal carbide layer (52) and a ductile refractory metal layer (54), at least on a focal track portion (36). A high-Z refractory metal is vacuum plasma sprayed on the ductile refractory metal layer to form a vacuum plasma sprayed high-Z refractory metal layer (56), at least on the focal track portion.

Abstract: A method (100) creates a braze joint (58) between an anode plate (52) and a piece of graphite (56) of an x-ray tube (38). The method (100) includes receiving (102) the anode plate (52) and the piece of graphite (56). A barrier layer (66) and a braze layer (62) are arranged (104, 106, 108) between the anode plate (52) and the piece of graphite (56), where the barrier layer (66) is between the piece of graphite (56) and the brazing layer (62). The barrier layer (66) is heated (110) with the braze layer (62) to create the braze joint (58) between the anode plate (52) and the piece of graphite (56).

Abstract: An anode (30) is formed by building a carbon, such as a carbon reinforced carbon composite, or other ceramic substrate (50). A ductile, refractory metal is electroplated on the ceramic substrate to form a refractory metal carbide layer (52) and a ductile refractory metal layer (54), at least on a focal track portion (36). A high-Z refractory metal is vacuum plasma sprayed on the ductile refractory metal layer to forma vacuum plasma sprayed high-Z refractory metal layer (56), at least on the focal track portion.

Abstract: A housing (30) surrounds at least a portion of an x-ray tube (1). A cooling system (32, 32?) supplies a cooling liquid through the housing. The cooling system includes a pump (40, 40?) and a flow sensor system (60, 60?) which measures a pressure difference across the pump. A processor (80, 80?, 82, 82?) determines a cooling fluid flow rate from the pressure difference. A controller (81, 81?, 82, 82?, 107) limits operation of the x-ray tube based on the cooling fluid flow rate and a measured temperature of the cooling fluid to prevent x-ray tube overheating while minimizing cooling time between x-ray tube operations.