Abstract: Some embodiments include a structure, comprising: an insulator forming at least a part of a wall of a vacuum chamber, the insulator having a first end and a second end wider than the first end; a first conductive structure disposed at the first end of the insulator; and a second conductive structure disposed at the second end of the insulator, contacting the insulator, and including at least a portion surrounded by the insulator; wherein: a portion of an outer surface of the insulator extends radially outward from a triple junction between the insulator, the second conductive structure, and a medium contacting the outer surface of the insulator.

Abstract: An emitter for a closed x-ray tube includes an emitter body formed of a low work function emitter material, the emitter body having a major surface and a secondary surface. The major surface is adapted for emission of electrons from the low work function material. The emitter assembly is adapted to reduce an emission current density emitted from the secondary surface of the emitter body, as compared to the major surface.

Abstract: An emitter for a closed x-ray tube includes an emitter body formed of a low work function emitter material, the emitter body having a major surface and a secondary surface. The major surface is adapted for emission of electrons from the low work function material. The emitter assembly is adapted to reduce an emission current density emitted from the secondary surface of the emitter body, as compared to the major surface.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a structure, comprising: an insulator forming at least a part of a wall of a vacuum chamber, the insulator having a first end and a second end wider than the first end; a first conductive structure disposed at the first end of the insulator; and a second conductive structure disposed at the second end of the insulator, contacting the insulator, and including at least a portion surrounded by the insulator; wherein: a portion of an outer surface of the insulator extends radially outward from a triple junction between the insulator, the second conductive structure, and a medium contacting the outer surface of the insulator.

Abstract: An x-ray housing can include a tubular unitary body having an external fin array adjacent to an internal fin array through a heat exchanger portion of the unitary body, the internal fin array being on a luminal surface of a housing lumen of the unitary body. The external fin array can extend from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing. The external fin array may be at a discrete and defined location, and extend around only a portion (e.g., 25%) of a circumference or external surface of the housing. The internal fin array can extends from the first end of the housing to an arced manifold recess at the second end of the housing, and be located in a finned recess that is adjacent to and dimensioned correspondingly with the external fin array.

Abstract: An x-ray housing can include a tubular unitary body having an external fin array adjacent to an internal fin array through a heat exchanger portion of the unitary body, the internal fin array being on a luminal surface of a housing lumen of the unitary body. The external fin array can extend from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing. The external fin array may be at a discrete and defined location, and extend around only a portion (e.g., 25%) of a circumference or external surface of the housing. The internal fin array can extends from the first end of the housing to an arced manifold recess at the second end of the housing, and be located in a finned recess that is adjacent to and dimensioned correspondingly with the external fin array.

Abstract: A cable terminal and clamp system particularly suited for use in an x-ray tube environment. The cable terminal and clamp system includes a cable socket having cable and terminal ports, each of which defines an axis. The cable terminal and clamp system includes a cable clamp that receives at least a portion of the cable socket. The cable clamp and cable socket are configured so that motion of the cable socket, relative to the cable clamp, along the axis defined by the terminal port is unimpaired, while motion of the cable socket, relative to the cable clamp, along the axis defined by the cable port is precluded. A spring interposed between the cable socket and cable clamp biases the cable socket away from the cable clamp along the axis defined by the terminal port. The cable terminal and clamp system thus accommodates thermal expansion of the terminal, while retaining the terminal in an associated receptacle and maintaining alignment of the cable clamp and cable socket.

Abstract: A system for securely maintaining a high voltage cable within an electrical device, such as an x-ray tube, is disclosed. The system is useful for ensuring a close fit between an x-ray tube cathode insulator and the high voltage cable assembly disposed therein, thereby reducing the chances for damaging electrical arcing to occur. A high voltage cable assembly and clamp body generally comprise the system. The high voltage cable comprises two sections disposed at a right angle with respect to one another. One section defines a cavity for receiving a plunger/spring assembly housed within the clamp body. The plunger/spring assembly compresses and expands in response to the thermal expansion and contraction of the high voltage cable assembly during tube operation. A calibration window and adjustment screws are provided with the clamp body to enable a technician to readily determine and adjust the level of compressive force imparted by the system.

Abstract: A rotary drag bit including exterior features to control the depth of cut by cutters mounted thereon, so as to control the volume of formation material cut per bit rotation as well as the torque experienced by the bit and an associated bottomhole assembly. The exterior features preferably precede, taken in the direction of bit rotation, cutters with which they are associated, and provide sufficient bearing area so as to support the bit against the bottom of the borehole under weight on bit without exceeding the compressive strength of the formation rock. The exterior features may be oriented and configured to function optimally at a predicted rate of penetration, or range of rates, at which the bit may be operated, such rate or rates being further optionally maximized in softer formations in light of the ability of the bit to hydraulically clear a maximum volume of formation cuttings to prevent so-called bit balling.

Abstract: An earth boring drill bit including replaceable gage pads. The gage pads and the corresponding surface of the earth boring drill bit may include complementary securing elements which mutually engage one another. The gage pad may be removably affixed to the earth boring drill bit by an affixation element, such as a bolt, a mechanical locking element, brazing, welding, mechanical affixation, or another known technique. The invention also includes a method of testing differently configured gage pads employing a single earth boring drill bit, a method of replacing the gage pads of an earth boring drill bit at the drilling site, a method of customizing an earth boring drill bit to include one or more gage pads of desired configuration, and a method of altering the balance or net imbalance of an earth boring drill bit by replacing at least one gage pad thereof.

Abstract: This invention discloses a drilling structure having a body defining at least one primary channel and at least one secondary channel therein to initiate and maintain recirculation of an amount of drilling fluid back through the secondary channel to maintain positive, independent flow of drilling fluid through each primary channel of the drilling structure. The recirculation of drilling fluid is encouraged by providing a recirculation passageway in fluid communication with the primary channel defined by a portion of the body of the drilling structure that separates positively flowing drilling mud from drilling mud that is being recirculated. The recirculation action of the fluid in the recirculating loop may be fed and brought about by entrainment of the fluid with jetted fluid from an adjacent nozzle.

Abstract: An anti-whirl rotary drag bit including one or more cutters, wear knots or other support structures disposed on the flank of a bit profile in a normally cutter-devoid region of the profile adjacent the gage of the bit in the circumferential segment of the gage used as a bearing zone for the bit to ride against the side of the bore hole. Such flank cutters or other structures reduce wear of the bearing zone but, due to their placement, do not come into play except under certain drilling situations such as reaming or high rates of penetration wherein whirl tendencies resulting from cutting forces are not as pronounced.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus having cuttings removal structure to reduce balling thereof and to help prevent the accretion of portions of chips and debris from drilling thereon and/or the accretion of portions of drilling fluids thereon. The drilling apparatus comprises an apparatus body having a connection thereon and structure for contacting cut portions of the earth formation. The contacting structure may include chip breakers and flails or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An anti-whirl rotary drag bit including one or more cutters, wear knots or other support structures disposed on the flank of a bit profile in a normally cutter-devoid region of the profile adjacent the gage of the bit in the circumferential segment of the gage used as a bearing zone for the bit to ride against the side of the bore hole. Such flank cutters or other structures reduce wear of the bearing zone but, due to their placement, do not come into play except under certain drilling situations such as reaming or high rates of penetration wherein whirl tendencies resulting from cutting forces are not as pronounced.

Abstract: This invention discloses a drilling structure having a body defining at least one primary channel and at least one secondary channel therein to initiate and maintain recirculation of an amount of drilling fluid back through the secondary channel to maintain positive, independent flow of drilling fluid through each primary channel of the drilling structure. The recirculation of drilling fluid is encouraged by providing a recirculation passageway in fluid communication with the primary channel defined by a portion of the body of the drilling structure that separates positively flowing drilling mud from drilling mud that is being recirculated. The recirculation action of the fluid in the recirculating loop may be fed and brought about by entrainment of the fluid with jetted fluid from an adjacent nozzle.

Abstract: This invention discloses a drilling structure having body a defining at least one primary channel and at least one secondary channel therein to initiate and maintain recirculation of an amount of drilling fluid back through the secondary channel to maintain positive, independent flow of drilling fluid through each primary channel of the drilling structure. The recirculation of drilling fluid is encouraged by providing a recirculation passageway in fluid communication with the primary channel defined by a portion of the body of the drilling structure that separates positively flowing drilling mud from drilling mud that is being recirculated. The recirculation action of the fluid in the recirculating loop may be fed and brought about by entrainment of the fluid with jetted fluid from an adjacent nozzle.

Abstract: A cutting element for a rotary drill bit for subterranean drilling, including a substantially planar table of superhard material having a cutting face and a cutting edge. The table may be reinforced against bending with one or more strut portions extending from the rear of the table to the rear of the substrate and at least partially across the cutting element. The strut portions may be integral with the diamond table, or separately fabricated and of another material. The strut portions, in addition to or in lieu of providing stiffness to the superhard table, may also serve to enhance heat transfer away from the cutting face and cutting edge of the superhard table. The structure supporting the cutting element on the drill bit and the body of the drill bit itself may be additionally configured to include structures to facilitate heat transfer away from the superhard table.

Abstract: A drill bit for boring an earth formation is designed for rotation in a given direction. The bit body includes an operating face with at least one cutting element formed thereon. A cutting surface formed on the cutting element faces in a forward direction with respect to the direction of rotation. A cutting edge is formed on the cutting surface and is embedded in the earth formation during boring so that the formation is received against a portion of the cutting surface. The cutting element creates successive formation chips during boring which grow in length during bit rotation. A chip breaker formed adjacent the cutting surface imparts a strain to the chip by bending and/or twisting the chip and thereby increases the likelihood that it will break off. In one aspect, fluid flows in a fluid course formed in front of the cutting element during boring. Twisting increases the surface area of the chip presented to fluid in the fluid course which further increases the likelihood that the chip will break.

Abstract: The present invention is a drill bit having a multi-level gage defining the outermost radius of the bit, at least one portion of the gage extending longitudinally closer to the bit face than another portion.