Abstract: A cooling apparatus (10) for X-ray tube inserts (14) is provided. The apparatus comprises a flow director (20) that is configured to direct at least a portion of a flow of a coolant toward a window (30) of an X-ray tube insert. The flow director may incorporate a flow sleeve (208) of a plurality of nozzles (88).

Abstract: A cooling apparatus (10) for X-ray tube inserts (14) is provided. The apparatus comprises a flow director (20) that is configured to direct at least a portion of a flow of a coolant toward a window (30) of an X-ray tube insert. The flow director may incorporate a flow sleeve (208) of a plurality of nozzles (88).

Abstract: An x-ray tube cathode assembly (28) includes a support arm (36) comprising a first metal. A ceramic insulator (70, 82) has a first metalized surface (72, 86) wherein the metalized surfaces comprise a desired amount of the first metal. A first member of filler material (90) is in contact with the support arm (36) and the first metalized surface (72, 86) of the ceramic insulator (70, 82), the first member of filler material comprising at least a second metal (96a, 96b) wherein a first alloy system (FIG. 5) comprising the first and second metals includes an alloy minimum point percentage composition (P) of the first and second metals having a first alloy system minimum melting point (M) for the alloy minimum point percentage composition that is lower than both of the melting point of the first metal and second metal.

Abstract: An x-ray tube (10) includes an evacuated envelope (14), a cathode assembly (20) located in the evacuated envelope and a disk shaped anode assembly (18) located in the evacuated envelope in operative relationship with the cathode assembly for generating x-rays (40). The anode assembly includes an axis of rotation (26) and a target substrate (28) facing the cathode assembly. A heat pipe (33) is located within the anode assembly (18). The heat pipe is comprised of an evacuated shell (60) and is vacuum sealed at a first end (70) of the shell and at a second end (72). A material (80, 82) within the shell is a working fluid for the heat pipe at x-ray tube operating conditions. A porous wick (62) is located within the shell and the wick has a length extending from the first end (70) of the shell to the second end (72) of the shell. A shield (64) is attached to the wick to reduce working fluid loss out of the wick during x-ray tube operation.

Abstract: An x-ray tube (10) includes an evacuated envelope (14), a cathode assembly (20) located in the evacuated envelope and a disk shaped anode assembly (18) located in the evacuated envelope in operative relationship with the cathode assembly for generating x-rays (40). The anode assembly includes an axis of rotation (26) and a target substrate (28) facing the cathode assembly. A heat pipe (33) is located within the anode assembly (18). The heat pipe is comprised of an evacuated shell (60) and is vacuum sealed at a first end (70) of the shell and at a second end (72). A material (80, 82) within the shell is a working fluid for the heat pipe at x-ray tube operating conditions. A porous wick (62) is located within the shell and the wick has a length extending from the first end (70) of the shell to the second end (72) of the shell. A shield (64) is attached to the wick to reduce working fluid loss out of the wick during x-ray tube operation.

Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly (16) includes a housing (40) and an insert frame (54) supported within the housing (40), such that the insert frame (54) defines a substantially evacuated envelope in which a cathode assembly (60) and a rotating anode assembly (58) operate to produce x-rays. The rotating anode assembly (58) includes an anode target plate (64) coupled to a rotor (66) and bearing shaft (82), which is rotatably supported within a bearing housing (84), by a plurality of ball bearings (86). A heat barrier (90) substantially surrounds the bearing housing (84) and is coupled, along with the bearing housing (84) to an anode cold plate (100). The anode cold plate (100) includes a grooved cover (102), a basin (110), and a plurality of corrugated fins (120) disposed therein. Coupling both the bearing housing (84) and the heat barrier (90) to the anode cold plate (100) provides an effective means for cooling the bearing assembly (80).

Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly (16) includes a housing (40) and an insert frame (52) supported within the housing (40), such that the insert frame (52) defines a substantially evacuated envelope in which cathode (56) and anode (54) assemblies operate to produce x-rays. An x-ray transmissive window assembly (70) extends between and in a fluid-tight relationship with the housing (40) and the insert frame (52). The window assembly (70) includes an insert window (72) brazed to the insert frame (52), a top plate (76), which is connected to and substantially surrounded by a flange (78), where the flange (78) is fastened to the x-ray tube housing (40). An annular side plate (86) is connected to a fluid-tight relationship with both the insert frame/window interface (74) and the flange (78).

Abstract: A method for cleaning the interior of a heat exchanger includes connecting the heat exchanger (25a-e) to a fluid supply (26) and fluid delivery system (24). Fluid flow is provided from the fluid supply (26) through the interior of the heat exchanger (25a) in a first direction. The fluid flow is pulsed a predetermined number of times to change the pressure within the heat exchanger. The fluid flow is then pulsed a plurality of times through the heat exchanger in a second direction.