Abstract: A rotor assembly capable of augmented heat transfer within an x-ray tube is disclosed for preventing heat damage to sensitive tube components. The rotor assembly generally comprises a shaft assembly for supporting the anode, a bearing assembly including a bearing housing and bearing sets for enabling rotation of the shaft assembly, and a magnetic sleeve. The shaft assembly includes a rotor sleeve that receives heat emitted by the anode during tube operation. The rotor sleeve radiates the heat to the magnetic sleeve, which is concentrically disposed within the rotor sleeve. A coolant-filled gap is defined adjacent the inner surface of the magnetic sleeve to receive the heat absorbed by the magnetic sleeve. The inner periphery of the gap is defined by the outer surface of the bearing housing. Emissive and absorptive coatings are disposed on the various surfaces of the rotor sleeve and magnetic sleeve to enhance heat transfer therebetween.

Abstract: A rotary component support system for positioning and securing an anode of x-ray tube. The rotary component support system includes a shaft, to which the anode is indirectly mounted, that includes a tapered end and defines a threaded hole. The tapered end of the shaft is engaged by a tapered cavity defined by a mounting piece that is disposed in an aperture defined by the vacuum enclosure of the x-ray tube. The mounting piece defines a hole through which a bolt passes. The bolt engages the threaded hole defined by the support shaft so that as the bolt is tightened, the tapered end of the support shaft is drawn into the tapered cavity of the mounting piece. Due to the tapered geometries, the support shaft self-aligns itself with respect to the mounting piece. A weld at the interface between the bolt and the mounting piece seals the vacuum enclosure.

Abstract: A rotor assembly capable of augmented heat transfer within an x-ray tube is disclosed for preventing heat damage to sensitive tube components. The rotor assembly generally comprises a shaft assembly for supporting the anode, a bearing assembly including a bearing housing and bearing sets for enabling rotation of the shaft assembly, and a magnetic sleeve. The shaft assembly includes a rotor sleeve that receives heat emitted by the anode during tube operation. The rotor sleeve radiates the heat to the magnetic sleeve, which is concentrically disposed within the rotor sleeve. A coolant-filled gap is defined adjacent the inner surface of the magnetic sleeve to receive the heat absorbed by the magnetic sleeve. The inner periphery of the gap is defined by the outer surface of the bearing housing. Emissive and absorptive coatings are disposed on the various surfaces of the rotor sleeve and magnetic sleeve to enhance heat transfer therebetween.

Abstract: An improved x-ray tube is disclosed that eliminates the use of a fluid-filled outer housing for cooling tube components. The present x-ray tube includes a cathode housing in which is disposed a cathode assembly having a filament for producing electrons, and an anode housing in which is disposed a rotary anode for receiving electrons produced by the filament. An adapter plate is sized to hermetically receive therein the cathode assembly and the anode housing, thereby forming a unitary vacuum enclosure and tube housing. The improved x-ray tube is cooled by a combination of air and fluid cooling to reduce the buildup of damaging heat within the vacuum enclosure. The features of the present invention are preferably directed to an anode grounded-type x-ray tube, though other x-ray tube types may benefit therefrom.