Abstract: An HV insulator system for a mono-polar X-ray device includes a top of an insulator including a substantially cone-shaped central portion. A bottom of the insulator defines a flat surface on which the HV contacts are adapted to receive spring loaded pins from HV connectors. A flanged outer edge of the top and bottom is adapted for coupling to an HV connector. The top defines an inverse cone central channel coaxial with the cone-shaped central portion and adapted to receive the HV conductor. The substantially cone-shaped portion further defines the inverse cone channel such that a base of the inverse cone channel is defined at a tapered apex of the substantially cone-shaped central portion.

Abstract: An x-ray tube cooling system including a heat sink at least partially disposed within an evacuated housing of the x-ray tube and having a cooling block partially received within the bearing housing so as to absorb heat transmitted to the bearing assembly and bearing housing. Extended surfaces, are disposed in a coolant chamber cooperatively defined by the cooling block and a shell within which the cooling block is partially received. The shell defines a coolant chamber entrance and coolant chamber exit in fluid communication with the coolant chamber. The coolant chamber entrance and exit communicate with corresponding coolant inlet and outlet passageways, respectively, cooperatively defined by a pair of insulators which retain the heat sink in a predetermined orientation within an evacuated envelope of an x-ray device. A circulating coolant contacts the extended surfaces and thereby removes heat from various structures of the x-ray device.

Abstract: It is an X-ray generating apparatus having an X-ray shielding means superior in thermal conductivity. The X-ray generating apparatus comprises an X-ray tube, an X-ray tube container, and a support member which is constructed of an electrically insulating material and which supports the X-ray tube within the X-ray tube container, the X-ray tube container being constituted by a combination of copper alloy plates with lead incorporated therein and a plate of a composite material, the composite material being formed by laminating lead and epoxy laminated glass cloth sheets so as to include an intermediate layer of lead, the X-ray tube container having an aperture (for X-ray emission and containing the X-ray tube so as to prevent the emission of X-ray from any other portion than the aperture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a radiographic apparatus, and its method of manufacture, that utilizes a single integral housing for providing an evacuated envelope for an anode and cathode assembly. The integral housing is preferably formed from a substrate material, such as Kovar, that has a radiation shielding layer, which is comprised of a powder metal that is deposited with a plasma spray process. The powder metal includes, for example, tungsten and iron, so that the radiation shield layer provides sufficient radiation blocking and heat transfer characteristics such that an additional external housing is not required. In an alternative embodiment, the integral housing is composed of a solidified integrated mixture of metallic powders that function together as both the integral housing wall and the radiation shielding. The integral housing is air cooled, and thus does not utilize any liquid coolant.

Abstract: An HV connector for high power X-ray device consists of thermally conductive epoxy, cable terminal, faraday cup, spring-loaded contact, and lead lined housing. The thermally conductive epoxy includes fillers. The epoxy can also be loaded with gravels of similar materials. A Faraday cup is included in the center area to offer electric field relief. Spring-loaded contacts are included for the easiness of pin alignment and robustness of handling. An efficient thermal management solution is accomplished through proper selection of thermal conductivities of gasket and epoxy.

Abstract: An x-ray tube 10 is provided including an anode mounted to a rotatable shaft positioned within a center bore of a stem element, a bearing assembly positioned between the rotatable shaft and the stem element, and at least one liquid metal shunt in thermal communication with both the rotatable shaft and the stem element, located adjacent to the anode between the anode and the bearing assembly, and directing heat generated at the anode away from the bearing assembly by allowing heat to flow from the rotatable shaft into the stem element prior to heat reaching the bearing assembly.

Abstract: Passive heat transfer apparatus is provided for an X-ray imaging system used in connection with mammaography, to rapidly conduct heat away from the system X-ray tube. The apparatus comprises a thermally conductive support plate located in the tube housing, in spaced apart relationship with the X-ray tube, and further comprises an elongated device for transferring heat by convection, such as a heat pipe. The heat transfer device has a first end joined to the tube, and a second end joined to the support plate. A quantity of selected working fluid sealably contained in the heat transfer device is disposed to transfer heat along the length thereof, from the tube to the support plate, and cooling fins extending through the housing from the support plate dissipate the heat into the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A heat exchanger removes heat generated by a miniaturized x-ray source to help remove heat at the site of x-ray generation.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a highly reliable penetrating type X-ray tube and a manufacturing method thereof, preventing interfacial exfoliation between a transmission window and a target film before it happens. This invention is characterized in that at least one intermediate film 39 of at least one metal element or an alloy thereof selected from a group of copper, chromium, iron, nickel, etc. between x-ray penetrating window plate 37 of beryllium stuck vacuum-tightly to a portion of evacuated envelope 33, and target film 40 of tungsten which is provided on the evacuated side of the window plate and emanates X rays is formed by a physical method such as spattering.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a radiographic apparatus that utilizes a single integral housing for providing an evacuated envelope for an anode and cathode assembly. The integral housing provides sufficient radiation blocking and heat transfer characteristics such that an additional external housing is not required. The integral housing is air cooled, and thus does not utilize any coolant. In addition, the integral housing is insulated with a potting material, which electrically insulates the integral housing and its components, and also limits the amount of noise emitted from the housing during operation. In an alternative embodiment, enhanced thermal and electrically insulating properties are achieved through the use of a potting material disposed in selected areas of the tube interior. The potting material cooperates with optimized airflow through the tube assembly to effectively and continuously remove heat therefrom.

Abstract: A thermal energy transfer device for use with an x-ray generating device or x-ray system including an anode assembly having a target, a cathode assembly positioned at a distance from the anode assembly configured to emit electrons that strike the target producing x-rays and residual energy in the form of heat, and a rotatable shaft supported by a bearing assembly. The thermal energy transfer device including a thermal gradient device positioned adjacent to and in thermal communication with one end of the shaft, the thermal gradient device operable for transferring heat away from that end of the shaft, and a fin structure positioned adjacent to and in thermal communication with the thermal gradient device, the fin structure operable for convectively cooling the thermal gradient device.

Abstract: An X-ray unit includes an X-ray tube including a rotating anode coupled to a rotor and a metal frame enclosing the rotating anode and the rotor. A motor, including the rotor of the X-ray tube, and a stator are situated outside the metal frame while an electromagnetic shield is situated between the stator and the rotor to minimize coupling to the stator of magnetic fields resulting from X-ray tube arcing. In one optional embodiment the electromagnetic shield includes an electrically conductive film situated on an outer diameter of the metal frame, and in another optional embodiment the electromagnetic shield includes an insulating film metallized on one surface with an electrically conductive film.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage and transfer assembly is disclosed for use in electron beam generating devices that generate residual energy. The residual energy comprises radiant thermal energy and kinetic energy of back scattered electrons. The thermal energy storage and transfer assembly absorbs and stores an amount of the residual energy to reduce the heat load on other components in the electron beam generating device. The thermal energy storage and transfer device comprises a body portion of a sufficient thermal capacity to permit the rate of transfer of the amount of the residual energy absorbed into the assembly to substantially exceed the rate of transfer of the amount of the residual energy out of the assembly. The assembly also comprises a heat exchange chamber filled with a circulating fluid that transfers the thermal energy out of the assembly.

Abstract: A x-ray tube comprises a cathode cup assembly. The cathode cup assembly comprises a filament positioned in a cathode cup. A surface of the cathode cup assembly is exposed to incident infrared radiation, and the surface is adapted to reflect a substantial portion of the incident radiation, in which the radiation has a wavelength in a range from about 0.2 &mgr;m to about 5.0 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage and transfer assembly is disclosed for use in electron beam generating devices that generate residual energy. The residual energy comprises radiant thermal energy and kinetic energy of back scattered electrons. The thermal energy storage and transfer assembly absorbs and stores an amount of the residual energy to reduce the heat load on other components in the electron beam generating device. The thermal energy storage and transfer device comprises a body portion of a sufficient thermal capacity to permit the rate of transfer of the amount of the residual energy absorbed into the assembly to substantially exceed the rate of transfer of the amount of the residual energy out of the assembly. The assembly also comprises a heat exchange chamber filled with a circulating fluid that transfers the thermal energy out of the assembly.

Abstract: An x-ray tube is disposed within an x-ray tube housing defining a chamber filled with oil or other cooling medium for cooling the x-ray tube. The x-ray tube includes an envelope enclosing an evacuated chamber in which an anode assembly is rotatably mounted to a bearing assembly and interacts with a cathode assembly for production of x-rays. The bearing assembly includes a bearing housing and a plurality of bearings disposed on a surface of the bearing housing. A heat sink is coupled to the bearing assembly and provides a thermally conductive path between the bearing assembly and the cooling medium in the x-ray tube housing for providing direct cooling of the bearing assembly during operation.

Abstract: A graphite-backed metallic x-ray tube target assembly has a rotary shaft which passes through the central opening of the annular graphite substrate and is secured to the metallic disk-shaped target. In order to protect the shaft from heat radiated from the graphite substrate, at least one tubular heat shield is brazed to the target and disposed between and separate from the inner wall of the annular graphite substrate and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft. For further protection, a tubular heat shielding member may be disposed inside the other heat shield, between the outer heat shield and the shaft. In order to minimize the heat conduction from the outer heat shield to the inner heat shielding member, they are mostly separated and attached to each other only along their bottom edges where they are tack-welded together at mutually separated positions such that the inner heat shielding member is supported entirely by the outer heat shield.

Abstract: In a photoelectric conversion device including peripheral ICs, the peripheral ICs are in thermal contact with a substrate having photoelectric conversion elements and a chassis, which covers the peripheral ICs and has high thermal conductivity, via a thermal conductive member, so as to eliminate adverse influences of heat produced by the peripheral ICs such as a low S/N ratio.

Abstract: A method is used for interfacing dissimilar materials in an X-ray tube. The X-ray tube includes a rotor assembly to distribute heat generated in the X-ray tube. The X-ray tube is sealed within a glass material which has a first expansion coefficient. An interface is provided between the rotor assembly and the glass material to absorb temperature coefficient stresses. Preferably, the glass material is Borosilicate and the interface comprises a metal material and a ceramic material. The ceramic material has a second expansion coefficient that closely matches the first expansion coefficient. The metal material is preferably Kovar, and the ceramic material is preferably Mullite. Temperature coefficient stresses are then absorbed within the ceramic and metal structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to an anode for use in an X-ray tube and a method of manufacturing the anode, and to a stationary anode X-ray tube. An anode base formed of copper or the like includes a recess formed in an end surface thereof and having an upwardly diverging inner peripheral wall. An anode target material such as tungsten is directly deposited in the recess by chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: The present invention provides an X-ray generating apparatus with a shield structure having an electron beam collimating aperture and heat transfer device. The shield structure is made of thermally conductive material and placed in the discharge space between an electron source and rotating anode target. The shield structure is formed by a concave top surface facing the electron source, a flat top surface facing the anode target, and inner and outer walls wherein a linear dimension of the inner wall is substantially smaller than the linear dimension of the outer wall. The inner wall surrounds the beam collecting aperture. The heat transfer device is placed in a beveled portion of the shield structure. The heat transfer device includes an extended coiled wire formed from thermally conductive material and conductively attached to the knurled interior of the shield structure to transfer heat to the cooling liquid passing through inflow and outflow chambers of the shield structure.

Abstract: An x-ray tube, in addition to an anode and a cathode arrangement, has first and second electrodes that are located in an evacuated housing provided with a beam exit window. The anode and the first electrode are at potentials that are positive in comparison to the potentials of the cathode arrangement and the second electrode. Further, the first and the second electrode are arranged lying opposite one another such that secondary electrons emanating from the anode must pass through the space located between the first and the second electrode in order to proceed to the beam exit window. These secondary electrons are thus substantially all prevented from reaching the beam exit window, thereby avoiding excessive heating of the beam exit window.

Abstract: A radiogenic unit includes an X-ray tube having an anode disposed at a first end thereof and a cathode disposed at a second end thereof, a high-voltage supply circuit which supplies power to the X-ray tube in single pole mode and which includes a heating transformer for the cathode, and a casing. The casing includes first and second parts imperviously sealed against fluids and X-rays and hermetically sealed to one another. The first part is made of an electrically insulating material, has a first cavity formed therein in which is housed the X-ray tube, and houses a conductive element for the anode. The second part is made of an electrically insulating material and has additional cavities formed therein in which are housed the high-voltage supply circuit. Preferably, the X-ray tube is shielded by three cylinders of different potentials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an x-ray source for irradiating a volume in accordance with a predetermined dose distribution. The source comprises a housing, an elongated tubular probe, and a target assembly. The housing encloses an electron beam source and includes elements for generating an electron beam along a beam path. The tubular probe extends along a central axis from the housing about the beam path. The target assembly extends along the central axis and is adapted for coupling to the end of the probe distal from the housing. The target assembly includes a target element, a probe tip assembly, and a variable transmission shield. The target element is positioned in the beam path. The target element is adapted to emit x-rays in response to electrons incident thereon from the beam. The probe tip assembly and associated control electronics include elements for positioning the target element in the beam path, and is substantially x-ray transparent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for generating X-rays employing a vacuum tube containing a cathode and an anode. A heat conducting member is connected to the anode. Equal amounts of heat are transmitted from different locations alone the length of the heat conducting member to an extended cooling surface remote from the anode, and the extended cooling surface is cooled.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for generating x-rays employing a vacuum x-ray tube wherein the entire tube housing containing an x-ray emitting anode and an electron emitting cathode is rotated about an axis with means for focussing electrons from the cathode onto a region of the anode. Heat is conducted from the anode to an extended cooling surface remote from the anode by varied heat conduction tailored to produce a substantially uniform temperature over the cooling surface.

Abstract: A rotary anode stem tube is secured to a bearing by a coupling arrangement including a nested body and shaft, the shaft being thermally conductively coupled to the stem tube and the body being thermally conductively coupled to the bearing. The body and shaft have a relatively large interface region in facing spacing relation. Different positions of the interface region engage in thermally conductive relation in accordance with the temperature of the stem tube to selectively increase the thermal conductivity of the shaft to the body and selectively decrease the cooling time of the stem tube without an unacceptable increase in the bearing temperature.

Abstract: An improved metal center rotating anode x-ray tube is shown. The improved x-ray tube includes means for preventing the build-up of charge on the anode glass portion of the tube envelope where the glass flares by constraining the equipotential lines of the electric field in the vicinity of th eflare to parallel the flare surface. Parallelism may be achieved by (1) controlling the angle of the flare and sealing the flare directly to the metal section, (2) modifying the anode rotor to include a flare conforming to the glass flare, and (3) including a ground plane screen in the tube housing.

Abstract: X-ray tube construction comprising a housing with a metal tube envelope therein and a shaft. An anode plate is carried by the shaft. Bearings are disposed on opposite sides of the anode plate and rotatably mount the shaft in the envelope. A motor drive is coupled to the shaft for rotating the shaft and the anode plate carried thereby. A cathode is provided for supplying electrons which are accelerated by a high voltage to the anode plate for creating x-rays upon impingement with the anode plate. A heat cage is disposed in the housing and the envelope and surrounds the anode plate. X-ray shielding is disposed within the housing between the envelope and the housing. Windows are provided in the shielding, the metal envelope and in the heat cage to permit x-rays to pass therethrough. Particularly novel means is provided for dissipating the heat generated in the anode and for dissipating the same exterior of the housing prior to the heat passing to the opposite extremities of the shaft.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns X-ray tubes. To obtain greater temperature stability of an X-ray tube, a substance is placed in the circulation space of the cooling fluid of the tube. The latent heat of fusion of this substance is used so that it melts during the examination stage in absorbing heat, and gets solidified during the resting stage. The disclosure is applicable to X-ray tubes.

Abstract: X-ray tube construction comprising a housing with a metal tube envelope therein and a shaft. An anode plate is carried by the shaft. Bearings are disposed on opposite sides of the anode plate and rotatably mount the shaft in the envelope. A motor drive is coupled to the shaft for rotating the shaft and the anode plate carried thereby. A cathode is provided for supplying electrons which are accelerated by a high voltage to the anode plate for creating x-rays upon impingement with the anode plate. A heat cage is disposed in the housing and the envelope and surrounds the anode plate. X-ray shielding is disposed within the housing between the envelope and the housing. Windows are provided in the shielding, the metal envelope and in the heat cage to permit x-rays to pass therethrough. Particularly novel means is provided for dissipating the heat generated in the anode and for dissipating the same exterior of the housing prior to the heat passing to the opposite extremities of the shaft.

Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a cathode which supplies electrons that bombard a target material to produce x-rays. The target is supported on a rotating anode that includes fins covered with a high emissivity material. An envelope surrounds these elements and provides a vacuum chamber in which they operate. A receptor is mounted to the envelope and includes fins which mate with the anode fins to enhance the radiation of heat from the rotating anode. A cooling liquid is pumped through the receptor.

Abstract: An X-ray tube generally comprises an evacuated tube envelope fabricated primarily of metal and having first and second end walls and a cylindrical sidewall, and encloses a rotating anode with its target surface facing the second end wall. A heat transfer sleeve extends from the first end wall past the anode to receive heat from the anode and transfer it to the end wall for dispersal. A heat transfer cross plate at the end of the sleeve further encloses the anode to receive and transfer heat. The tube envelope is mounted in a cylindrical tube housing with the first end wall in contact with a finned mounting plate for dissipating heat. The surface of the tube envelope remains sufficiently cool to apply a layer of lead, whereby the tube is compact. The anode and cathode electrical feeds are through the second end wall. The electrical feeds have angled terminations with lead on them.

Abstract: An X-ray generator includes a vacuum vessel; a cathode disposed in the vacuum vessel for emitting an electron beam; a plurality of stators constituting an electric motor and disposed within the vacuum vessel for generating rotating magnetic fields; a drum-shaped anode adapted to rotate upon reception of the rotating magnetic fields generated from the stators and radiate an X-ray upon reception of the electron beam emitted from the cathode, the drum-shaped anode having a circumferentially extending narrow groove formed at the position where the electron beam from the cathode is focused; a plurality of rotary fins mounted on the drum-shaped anode for dissipating the heat generated in the groove upon radiation of an X-ray; and a plurality of fixed fins mounted within the vacuum vessel in opposed relation to the rotary fins and adapted to receive the heat transferred from the rotary fins and dissipate the heat to the outside of the vacuum vessel.

Abstract: The average power capacity of a rotating-anode X-ray generator tube is limited by the slow radiation cooling of the anode. The invention removes this limitation by rotating the entire vacuum envelope so the heat can be conducted directly to the air or to a circulating liquid. The cathode and anode are made as figures of revolution about the axis. A stationary source of X-rays is produced by focusing a stationary spot of the light onto a rotating photocathode. The photoelectrons are drawn off and focused onto a stationary spot on the rotating anode, to produce a stationary source of X-rays.

Abstract: An x-radiator has a housing in which an x-ray tube is disposed surrounded by an electrically insulating coolant and having a circulation system for the coolant. The housing is substantially filled with the coolant, and a heat exchanger is disposed outside of the housing through which the coolant is pumped. *) The direction of flow of the coolant is automatically reversible dependent on the three-dimensional position of the x-radiator. *) For aiding in dissipating heat from said coolant a cooling fluid is circulated through the heat exchanger isolated from the coolant.

Abstract: An improved X-ray generating tube having anode and cathode, the anode being a target track assembly rotatably mounted upon a shaft within a tube and including a plurality of pyrolytic graphite fins configured to accept heat from the target and to transfer the heat to a point external to the X-ray tube.

Abstract: An x-ray source having a cathode and a disc-shaped anode with a peripheral surface at constant radius from the anode axis opposed to the cathode. The anode has stub axle sections rotatably carried in heat conducting bearing plates which are mounted by thermoelectric coolers to bellows which normally bias the bearing plates to a retracted position spaced from opposing anode side faces. The bellows cooperate with the x-ray source mounting structure for forming closed passages for heat transport fluid. Flow of such fluid under pressure expands the bellows and brings the bearing plates into heat conducting contact with the anode side faces. A worm gear is mounted on a shaft and engages serrations in the anode periphery for rotating the anode when flow of coolant is terminated between x-ray emission events.

Abstract: An x-ray tube has a cathode head for focusing an electron beam directed at an anode. The cathode head is made of ferromagnetic material having a Curie point above 700.degree. C. and is mounted on a supporting element to the tube envelope via a direct metallic connection in the form of soldering or welding. The combination of the high Curie point and the direct metallic connection provide good heat transfer such that the Curie point is not exceeded so that the cathode head always remains ferromagnetic. The cathode head thus always operates in a predictable manner and no movement of the focus by magnetic fields occurs.