Abstract: An x-ray tube comprises an envelope, an anode target rotatably mounted within the envelope, and a cathode and window assembly mounted within the envelope and spaced relative to the anode. The cathode and window assembly includes an electrically insulative ceramic base defining an x-ray transmissive window therethrough, a recess formed within the electrically insulative base adjacent to a peripheral portion of the x-ray transmissive window, a filamentary electrode received within the recess, first and second metalized conductive surfaces formed on a surface of the recess on opposite sides of the filamentary electrode and substantially electrically isolated relative to one another, a first terminal electrically connected to the first metalized conductive surface, a second terminal electrically connected to the second metalized conductive surface, and a high voltage cable receptacle located on a second side of the electrically insulative ceramic base.

Abstract: An X-ray tube has a metal-ceramic envelope having rotatably mounted therein an anode disk, which may be axially translatable and provided with a peripheral rim surface wherein a focal track spiral groove (or multiple annular grooves) is disposed. The groove(s) include a focal spot(s) area spaced from an electron emitting cathode(s), which is associated with a beam-forming structure and an X-ray transparent window mounted within an insulating structure aligned with the focal spot area. The insulating structure incorporates a multiplicity of imbedded annular electrodes which control an accelerating electric field, and which are structurally and operationally integrated into a power-control assembly that provides the electrical power and control signals necessary for the functioning of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: An X-ray tube has a metal-ceramic envelope having rotatably mounted therein an anode disk, which may be axially translatable and provided with a peripheral rim surface wherein a focal track spiral groove (or multiple annular grooves) is disposed. The groove(s) include a focal spot(s) area spaced from an electron emitting cathode(s), which is associated with a beam-forming structure and an X-ray transparent window mounted within an insulating structure aligned with the focal spot area. The insulating structure incorporates a multiplicity of imbedded annular electrodes which control an accelerating electric field, and which are structurally and operationally integrated into a power-control assembly that provides the electrical power and control signals necessary for the functioning of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: A beam limiting apparatus is provided for reducing the amount of off-focus radiation in the image-forming beam emitted from an x-ray tube assembly. The x-ray tube assembly has a housing with an x-ray port for the passage of x-rays therethrough, a mounting boss defining the x-ray port, an x-ray tube mounted within the housing and defining a glass envelope, an anode mounted within the glass envelope, and a cathode spaced relative to the anode within the glass envelope. A peripheral flange of the beam limiting apparatus is mountable to the mounting boss of the x-ray tube housing, and a radiation-absorbing body of the beam limiting apparatus projects downwardly from the peripheral flange through the x-ray port.

Abstract: An X-ray tube comprising a tubular envelop having rotatably mounted therein an anode target disc provided with a peripheral rim surface wherein a focal track groove is disposed, the groove including a focal spot area spaced from an electron emitting cathode which is associated with a beam-forming structure including an X-ray transparent window in a portion of the envelope aligned with the focal spot area.

Abstract: A source of X-rays encompassing a rotating target is provided with a detector of X-rays located outside a port of a housing of the source and positioned at or near a tangent line to the radiating surface for observing variations in the radiation intensity due to rotation of the target, the variations being pronounced due to the heel effect of the radiation pattern. In one embodiment, the X-ray detector employs a scintillation material and is coupled by a light pipe to a photodetector which is removed from the path of the radiation and detects scintillations of the X-ray detector. Alternatively, the photodetector and light pipe may be deleted by the use of a detector of germanium, silicon or an ion chamber which converts X-ray photons directly to an electric current.

Abstract: A control system for rotating anode x-ray tubes comprising an x-ray tube including an anode rotated by a motor having mounted therein photoelectric means for sensing rotational movement of the anode, and circuit means electrically connected to the tube, the photoelectric means, and the motor for regulating operation of the tube and rotational speed of the motor in accordance with parameters selected for operation of the tube.

Abstract: A control system for rotating anode x-ray tubes comprising an x-ray tube including an anode rotated by a motor having mounted therein photoelectric means for sensing rotational movement of the anode, and circuit means electrically connected to the tube, the photoelectric means, and the motor for regulating operation of the tube and rotational speed of the motor in accordance with parameters selected for operation of the tube.

Abstract: A flexible cable termination for high voltage cables such as used in x-ray apparatus, which termination has an outside diameter only slightly larger than the diameter of the cable, and has flexibility provided by encasing the cable wires in a flexible sheath which provides the cable termination assembly with the ability to be bent to relatively small curvatures, and further includes means for attaching the cable grounding braid to an encircling grounding terminal.

Abstract: An X-ray tube comprising a tubular envelope having therein a filamentary cathode operatively disposed for directing a beam of electrons toward a spaced anode target, the cathode being insulatingly supported in a slotted open end of a focusing cup and extending longitudinally between an insulated pair of spaced conductive ears, and including means for applying respective electrical potentials to the anode, cathode, focusing cup, and each of the conductive ears.

Abstract: An X-ray tube including a tubular envelope having therein two cathode filaments operatively disposed in spaced relationship with an anode target surface, one filament being made of a material suitable for low current operation and the other filament being made of a material suitable for high current operation of the X-ray tube.