Abstract: A pair of straight or angularly oriented flat emitters formed of an electron emissive material are positioned on an emitter support structure and are electrically connected to one another regardless of the mounting structure on which the emitters are positioned. The electrical connections between the emitters are formed directly between the emitters using electrically conductive material members that are placed between and affixed to the emitters to provide the electrical pathway or connection therebetween the emitters after formation of the emitters. These electrical connection members form an electrical connection between the angled pair of emitters separately from an emitter support structure on the cathode, such that the electrical connection members and angled emitters including the connection members can separate the mechanical architecture of the cathode assembly from the electrical architecture, thereby creating a simplified construction for the cathode assembly and associated x-ray tubes.

Abstract: At least one emitter formed of an electron emissive material is positioned on a cathode assembly and is readily and reliably connected to at least one mounting member of the cathode assembly. The connections between the at least one emitter and an emitter support structure are formed directly between the at least one emitter and the emitter support structure by utilizing the at one mounting member on the emitter support structure that are positioned adjacent the at least one emitter and heated to secure the at least one emitter to the emitter support structure by welding the at least one mounting member to the at least one emitter and emitter support structure.

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: At least one emitter formed of an electron emissive material is positioned on a cathode assembly and is readily and reliably connected to at least one mounting member of the cathode assembly. The connections between the at least one emitter and an emitter support structure are formed directly between the at least one emitter and the emitter support structure by utilizing the at one mounting member on the emitter support structure that are positioned adjacent the at least one emitter and heated to secure the at least one emitter to the emitter support structure by welding the at least one mounting member to the at least one emitter and emitter support structure.

Abstract: A pair of straight or angularly oriented flat emitters formed of an electron emissive material are positioned on an emitter support structure and are electrically connected to one another regardless of the mounting structure on which the emitters are positioned. The electrical connections between the emitters are formed directly between the emitters using electrically conductive material members that are placed between and affixed to the emitters to provide the electrical pathway or connection therebetween the emitters after formation of the emitters. These electrical connection members form an electrical connection between the angled pair of emitters separately from an emitter support structure on the cathode, such that the electrical connection members and angled emitters including the connection members can separate the mechanical architecture of the cathode assembly from the electrical architecture, thereby creating a simplified construction for the cathode assembly and associated x-ray tubes.

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: Various embodiments of the invention provide a shock absorber. The shock absorber comprising a frame having three sides, namely a first side, a second side and a third side. The first side is contiguous with the second side, which is contiguous with the third side. Further, the first side makes an angle greater than zero degrees with the second side and the second side makes an angle greater than zero degrees with the third side. The frame is different from a housing.

Abstract: An x-ray system quick-connect connection is disclosed to allow an end-user to de-couple a portable x-ray detector from an x-ray scanner/host. The quick-connect connection is accessible by the end-user without removal of a service panel that exposes an interior service portion of the x-ray scanner or x-ray detector. The de-coupled x-ray detector may be stored independently from the x-ray scanner/host and may be shared among multiple x-ray scanner/host systems, when properly calibrated. De-coupling a single quick-connect connection de-couples all power and communication lines between the x-ray scanner/host and the x-ray detector.

Abstract: An x-ray detector panel support is disclosed that is formed with radiation absorbing material to reduce the reflection of x-rays off anything behind the scintillator, which may include the geometry of the panel support, the electronics, and the back cover of the x-ray detector. The absorbing material may take the form of a discrete layer secured to or otherwise disposed within the panel support. The radiation absorbing material may also be mixed with the base materials used to fabricate the panel support. As such, when the panel support is formed, it includes radiation absorbing components. The radiation absorbing material may include lead, barium sulfate, tungsten, as well as other materials. The panel support is constructed to inhibit the detection of backscattered x-rays without significantly increasing the size or weigh of the x-ray detector. The panel support is applicable with stationary or fixed as well as portable x-ray detectors.

Abstract: An adjustable rack assembly configured to couple to a sidewall of a dishwasher rack is provided. The sidewall having at least one horizontal wire member and at least one vertical wire member. The adjustable rack assembly includes a bracket on one side of the sidewall, the bracket supporting the at least one horizontal wire member in a first rack position and a support plate on another side of the sidewall, the support plate coupled to the bracket, the support plate having at least one arm with a catch member on a distal end thereof for receiving the at least one horizontal wire member in a second rack position.