Abstract: A computed tomography system comprises a gantry and an x-ray tube. The gantry rotates about a gantry axis of rotation. The x-ray tube is mounted to the gantry, and comprises a rotatable assembly having a tube axis of rotation. The tube axis of rotation is angularly displaced from the gantry axis of rotation by a tilt angle. Rotation of the x-ray tube about the gantry axis of rotation produces a first moment, and rotation of the rotatable assembly about the tube axis of rotation produces a second moment that opposes the first moment.

Abstract: A computed tomography system comprises a gantry and an x-ray tube. The gantry rotates about a gantry axis of rotation. The x-ray tube is mounted to the gantry, and comprises a rotatable assembly having a tube axis of rotation. The tube axis of rotation is angularly displaced from the gantry axis of rotation by a tilt angle. Rotation of the x-ray tube about the gantry axis of rotation produces a first moment, and rotation of the rotatable assembly about the tube axis of rotation produces a second moment that opposes the first moment.

Abstract: A method is used for interfacing materials of dissimilar thermal expansion in an X-ray tube. Initially, a first joint is identified, which has an inner component to be received into an outer component. Typically, the inner component has a higher coefficient of expansion than the outer component, so the purpose of the invention is to reduce the physical expansion of that component in the joint. A plurality of slots is introduced along the approximate axial length of the inner component of the joint, to achieve the aforementioned purpose. Alternatively, a coupling member could be provided between two components, the coupling member having a thermal expansion rate greater than one component and less than the other component.

Abstract: A method is used for interfacing materials of dissimilar thermal expansion in an X-ray tube. Initially, a first joint is identified, which has a first component to be received into a second component. Typically, the first component has a higher coefficient of expansion than the second component, so the purpose of the invention is to reduce the physical expansion of that component in the joint. A plurality of slots is introduced along the approximate axial length of a coupling member at the joint, to achieve the aforementioned purpose. The coupling member is provided between the two components, and has a thermal expansion rate greater than one component and less than the other component.

Abstract: A method for assembling a rotating X-ray tube structure ensures balance retention during the life of the tube. The X-ray tube structure has a cathode for emitting electrons, and a rotor and a bearing assembly for facilitating rotation of an anode. At least one joint is identified in the X-ray tube structure and interference fit assembly is used to eliminate shifts at the joint. The interference fit assembly is particularly advantageous for eliminating even the minutest shifts in the main joints of the anode assembly. Interference fit assembly can be applied between the rotor and the anode target to provide a first joint having balance retention; and interference fit assembly can be applied between the bearing assembly and the rotor to provide a second joint having balance retention.

Abstract: A method of balancing X-ray anodes wherein the anode rotor is dynamically balanced separately from the anode target, the anode target is then attached to the anode rotor to provide the assembled anode, and the assembled anode is then dynamically balanced. This sequential balancing method has the advantage that it results in an anode which remains balanced during operation at speeds up to and exceeding the anode's critical speeds, even though the dynamic balancing steps may be performed at speeds substantially below the anode's critical speeds. This is also convenient because at such low balancing speeds, the dynamic balancing steps can be performed in air rather than vacuum without concern for oxidation and spalling of the rotor bearings, excessive vibration, and potential safety concerns.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for supporting the inner and outer gradient coils of one or more gradient coil sets, the coils of each gradient coil set providing one of the orthogonal gradient magnetic fields for an MR imaging system. The arrangement includes an inner cylindrical coil form disposed to supportably carry an inner gradient coil of a coil set, an outer cylindrical coil form in coaxial spaced-apart relationship with the inner coil form disposed to supportably carry an outer gradient coil of the coil set, and a stiffening cylinder positioned between the inner and outer coil forms to divide the space therebetween into first and second volumes. A thermally conductive adhesive material, such as an epoxy containing alumina particulate material, is inserted into the first and second volumes to bond both the inner and outer coil forms to the stiffening cylinder, in order to hold the inner and outer gradient coils respectively carried by the coil forms in rigid fixed relationship with respect to one another.