Abstract: Systems and methods related to hydrodynamic bearings are provided. One example system includes a hydrodynamic bearing including a rotational component configured to attach to an anode and a stationary component. The stationary component includes a bearing surface having a plurality of grooves configured to generate pressure in a fluid interface during rotation of the rotational component and where the bearing surface includes at least one recessed section profiled based on an expected pattern of wear.

Abstract: A flat emitter for uses within an x-ray tube is formed of an electron emissive material that includes one or more stress compensation features capable of reducing the total stress in the flat emitter due to thermal expansion and/or centrifugal acceleration force. The one or more stress compensation features of the flat emitter for reducing the total stress in the flat emitter are formed directly on the flat emitter, are formed on the support structure for the flat emitter and connected to the flat emitter, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A flat emitter for uses within an x-ray tube is formed of an electron emissive material that includes one or more stress compensation features capable of reducing the total stress in the flat emitter due to thermal expansion and/or centrifugal acceleration force. The features of the emitter for reducing the total stress in the flat emitter are formed directly on the emitter, are formed on the support structure for the emitter and connected to the emitter, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to the thermal regulation of components within an X-ray tube, and more specifically to heat transfer between the anode and the rotary mechanism to which the anode is attached. For example, in one embodiment, an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube generally includes a fixed shaft, a rotating bearing sleeve disposed about the fixed shaft and configured to rotate with respect to the fixed shaft via a rotary bearing, an electron beam target disposed about the bearing sleeve and configured to rotate with the bearing sleeve, and a thermally conductive, deformable metallic gasket disposed between the target and the bearing sleeve and configured to conduct heat between the target and the bearing sleeve in operation.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to active thermal control of X-ray tubes. In one embodiment, a system includes an X-ray tube having an electron beam target, a rotary bearing supporting the target in rotation, and a coolant flow passage, at least a portion of the coolant flow passage being disposed in the center of the rotary bearing, and the coolant flow passage is configured to receive a coolant. The system also includes a coolant circulating system coupled to the coolant flow passage and configured to circulate the coolant thorough the coolant flow passage, and a control circuit coupled to the coolant circulating system and the rotary bearing, the control circuit being configured to control heat flow between components of the X-ray tube by regulating extraction of heat from the X-ray tube via the coolant and by regulating a rotation rate of the rotary bearing.

Abstract: A target for generating x-rays includes a target substrate comprising molybdenum and having a beveled surface according to a desired track angle, a track comprising tungsten and configured to generate x-rays from high-energy electrons impinging thereon, wherein the track comprises a brazing surface having an area that is less than an area of the beveled surface of the target substrate, and a braze joint attaching the brazing surface of the track to the beveled surface of the target substrate.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to active thermal control of X-ray tubes, for example X-ray tubes used in CT imaging. In one embodiment, a system for thermal control of an X-ray tube is provided. The system includes an X-ray tube having an electron beam target, a rotary bearing supporting the target in rotation, and a coolant flow passage, at least a portion of the coolant flow passage being disposed in the center of the rotary bearing, and the coolant flow passage is configured to receive a coolant. The system also includes a coolant circulating system coupled to the coolant flow passage and configured to circulate the coolant thorough the coolant flow passage, and a control circuit coupled to the coolant circulating system and the rotary bearing, the control circuit being configured to control heat flow between components of the X-ray tube by regulating extraction of heat from the X-ray tube via the coolant and by regulating a rotation rate of the rotary bearing.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to the thermal regulation of components within an X-ray tube, and more specifically to heat transfer between the anode and the rotary mechanism to which the anode is attached. For example, in one embodiment, an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube generally includes a fixed shaft, a rotating bearing sleeve disposed about the fixed shaft and configured to rotate with respect to the fixed shaft via a rotary bearing, an electron beam target disposed about the bearing sleeve and configured to rotate with the bearing sleeve, and a thermally conductive, deformable metallic gasket disposed between the target and the bearing sleeve and configured to conduct heat between the target and the bearing sleeve in operation.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to the thermal regulation of components within an X-ray tube by transferring heat between the anode and the rotary mechanism to which the anode is attached. For example, in one embodiment, an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube generally includes a fixed shaft, a rotating bearing sleeve disposed about the fixed shaft and configured to rotate with respect to the fixed shaft via a rotary bearing, and an electron beam target disposed about the bearing sleeve and configured to rotate with the bearing sleeve. The electron beam target is permanently bonded to the bearing sleeve.

Abstract: A target for generating x-rays includes a target substrate comprising at least one layer of a target material, a track comprising at least one layer of a track material, the track configured to generate x-rays from high-energy electrons impinging thereon, and a braze joint attaching the target substrate to the track.

Abstract: A target assembly for generating x-rays includes a target substrate, and an emissive coating attached to the target substrate, the emissive coating including a textured material including a plurality of granular protrusions arranged to increase gray body emissive characteristics of the target assembly above that of the target substrate.

Abstract: A modular x-ray source for an imaging system includes an electron source mounting plate, two or more electron sources each mounted on and electrically coupled to the electron source mounting plate, and a target block positioned proximately to the two or more electron sources. The source includes two or more targets mounted on and electrically coupled to the target block, each target positioned opposite a respective one of the two or more electron sources to receive a respective beam of electrons therefrom.

Abstract: A connector assembly for mounting on a connector arm of a trailer to facilitate easy alignment of the trailer connector arm with a hitch of a towing vehicle. The connector assembly can move the connector arm up and down, side-to-side and drive forward and reverse in relation to the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A composite target for generating x-rays includes a target substrate and at least one material applied to the target substrate with a laser beam.

Abstract: A target assembly for generating x-rays includes a target substrate, and an emissive coating applied to a portion of the target substrate, the emissive coating comprising one or more of a carbide and a carbonitride.

Abstract: A target assembly for generating x-rays includes a target substrate, and an emissive coating attached to the target substrate, the emissive coating including a textured material including a plurality of granular protrusions arranged to increase gray body emissive characteristics of the target assembly above that of the target substrate.

Abstract: A target for generating x-rays includes a target substrate, a target shaft attached to the target substrate, and a radiation emissive coating applied to at least one of the target substrate and the target shaft, wherein a center-of-gravity of the target is positioned between a front bearing assembly and a rear bearing assembly of an x-ray tube.

Abstract: A modular x-ray source for an imaging system includes an electron source mounting plate, two or more electron sources each mounted on and electrically coupled to the electron source mounting plate, and a target block positioned proximately to the two or more electron sources. The source includes two or more targets mounted on and electrically coupled to the target block, each target positioned opposite a respective one of the two or more electron sources to receive a respective beam of electrons therefrom.

Abstract: A target assembly for generating x-rays includes a target substrate, and an emissive coating applied to a portion of the target substrate, the emissive coating comprising one or more of a carbide and a carbonitride.

Abstract: A system for automatically monitoring provisioning in a DSL network is disclosed. The system is operable to query network elements in the DSL network for information related to the provisioning of DSL services. Thereafter, the system analyzes the information to identify points of delay and/or failure in the provisioning process. If a delay exceeds a threshold value, an administrator is notified.