Abstract:
An x-ray tube comprises a generally cylindrical evacuated metal tube envelope (410) having an anode (451) rotatably mounted therein. The tube envelope wall (525) includes ferrous segments (526a-526f) which minimize the gap in the magnetic coupling while permitting a thick and strong tube envelope wall. Drive means (230) includes a DC stator (240) external of the tube envelope acting on an internal rotor (235) mounted to rotate with the anode. Anode drive means also includes a DC stator (480) operating on a rotor (471) having encapsulated rare earth magnets (472a-472h), and an AC stator (570) operating on a squirrel cage rotor (550) through a laminated segmented tube wall (525).
Abstract:
A trend in the design of CT and C-arm scanning systems is miniaturization, requiring system components to be accommodated in smaller spaces. This trend has begun to influence the design of X-ray system components like X-ray tubes. The present application proposes to make more space available inside an X- ray tube assembly by using asynchronous motors with stators which do not encompass the rotary anode member. The gap portion created in the stator segments can be used to house extra components. In addition, the unequal forces and momenta exerted on a rotary X-ray source by such segmented stators can be used to compensate undesirable forces, such as gyroscopic or gravitational forces, on the rotary X-ray source in operation.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for an x-ray apparatus. The x-ray apparatus comprises a vacuum tube. A cathode is located in the vacuum tube and capable of emitting electrons. A rotatable magnetic anode located in the vacuum tube, capable of being rotated by a motor located outside of the vacuum tube, and capable of generating an x-ray beam in response to receiving the electrons emitted by the cathode.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a rotor for an X-ray tube. In order to provide further possibilities for weight reduction in X-ray tubes for providing an increase of rotation frequency, a rotor (10) for an X-ray tube is provided, comprising a rotational structure (12) with a plurality of electrically conducting elements (14), the ends thereof connected to each other and provided such that an external stator magnetic field generated by a stator induces a current in the electrically conducting elements, which current generates a rotor magnetic field to interact with the stator magnetic field. At least the plurality of electrically conducting elements is made from carbon composite based material.
Abstract:
A rotating anode X-ray tube is described which has a vacuum housing (32), an anode support shaft (34) inside the housing, with means (36, 38, 40) for rotating the support shaft (34); and an anode disk (44) mounted on the anode support shaft (34). A ring-shaped target (42) is mounted on the disk (44) towards the periphery thereof, for generating X-rays in response to thermion bombardment. The anode disk is of unitary structure having a centrl axis of rotation and a circumferential peripheral edge (56) lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis of rotation, and has an integral mounting portion (46), for mounting the disk to the support shaft to permit rotation of the disk. The thickness of the disk increases progressively radially inward at least in that portion of the disk between the target and the mounting portion.
Abstract:
An x-ray tube comprises a generally cylindrical evacuated metal tube envelope (410) having an anode (451) rotatably mounted therein. The tube envelope wall (525) includes ferrous segments (526a-526f) which minimize the gap in the magnetic coupling while permitting a thick and strong tube envelope wall. Drive means (230) includes a DC stator (240) external of the tube envelope acting on an internal rotor (235) mounted to rotate with the anode. Anode drive means also includes a DC stator (480) operating on a rotor (471) having encapsulated rare earth magnets (472a-472h), and an AC stator (570) operating on a squirrel cage rotor (550) through a laminated segmented tube wall (525).
Abstract:
Methods and systems for realizing a high speed, rotating anode based x-ray illumination source suitable for high throughput x-ray metrology are presented herein. A high speed rotating anode includes a water cooled rotating platen supported by radial and thrust air bearings employing cascaded differential pumping. A very high bending stiffness of the rotating assembly is achieved by spacing radial air bearings far apart and locating a rotary motor and thrust bearings between the radial air bearings. The high bending stiffness increases the mechanical stability of the rotating assembly during high speed operation, and thus decreases vibration at the location of impingement of the electron beam on the rotating anode material. In some embodiments, magnetic thrust bearings are employed and the air gap is controlled to maintain a desired gap over an operational range of up to three millimeters.
Abstract:
An electromagnetic pump for pumping an electrically conductive liquid, including a first conduit section and a second conduit section. The electromagnetic pump further includes a current generator arranged to provide an electric current through the liquid in the first conduit section and the liquid in the second conduit section such that a direction of the electric current is intersecting the flow of the liquid in the first conduit section and in the second conduit section, and a magnetic field generating arrangement arranged to provide a magnetic field passing through the liquid in the first conduit section and the second conduit section such that a direction of the magnetic field is intersecting the flow of the liquid and the direction of the electric current.
Abstract:
Technology is described for an antiwetting coating attached to a substrate (e.g., metal substate) on a liquid metal container. In one example, the liquid metal container includes a first enclosure member, a second enclosure member, liquid metal, and an antiwetting coating. The first enclosure member includes a first substrate with a first surface. The second enclosure member includes a second substrate with a second surface. The first enclosure member is positioned proximate to the second enclosure member such that a gap is formed between the first surface and the second surface. The liquid metal positioned within the gap. An antiwetting coating attached to the first surface and/or the second surface. The antiwetting coating includes chromium nitride (CrN), dichromium nitride (Cr2N), chromium (III) oxide (Cr2O3), and/or titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) attached to the first surface and/or the second surface.