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 anode has a base member, on which an X-ray active layer is applied. A first cooling circuit with a first cooling medium extends at least in part in the base member beneath the X-ray active layer. A second cooling circuit with a second cooling medium is arranged beneath the first cooling circuit. The anode exhibits distinctly improved thermo mechanical properties.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are a high-voltage generator for an x-ray source, an x-ray gun, an electron beam apparatus, a rotary vacuum seal, a target assembly for an x-ray source, a rotary x-ray emission target, and an x-ray source. These various aspects may separately and/or together enable the construction of an x-ray source which can operate at energies of up to 500 kV and beyond, which is suitable for use in commercial and research x-ray applications such as computerised tomography. In particular, the high-voltage generator includes a shield electrode electrically connected intermediate of a first voltage multiplier and a second voltage multiplier. The electron beam apparatus includes control photodetectors and photo emitters having a transparent conductive shield arranged therebetween. The rotary vacuum seal includes a pumpable chamber at a position intermediate between high-pressure and low-pressure ends of a bore for a rotating shaft. The rotary target assembly is configured such that when a torque between a bearing housing and a vacuum housing exceeds a predetermined torque, the bearing housing rotates relative to the vacuum housing. The rotary x-ray emission target has a plurality of target plates supported on a hub, the plates being arranged on the hub to provide an annular target region about an axis rotation of the hub. The x-ray gun is provided with a shield electrode maintained at a potential difference relative to the x-ray target different to the electron beam emission cathode.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are a high-voltage generator for an x-ray source, an x-ray gun, an electron beam apparatus, a rotary vacuum seal, a target assembly for an x-ray source, a rotary x-ray emission target, and an x-ray source. These various aspects may separately and/or together enable the construction of an x-ray source which can operate at energies of up to 500 kV and beyond, which is suitable for use in commercial and research x-ray applications such as computerised tomography. In particular, the high-voltage generator includes a shield electrode electrically connected intermediate of a first voltage multiplier and a second voltage multiplier. The electron beam apparatus includes control photodetectors and photo emitters having a transparent conductive shield arranged therebetween. The rotary vacuum seal includes a pumpable chamber at a position intermediate between high-pressure and low-pressure ends of a bore for a rotating shaft. The rotary target assembly is configured such that when a torque between a bearing housing and a vacuum housing exceeds a predetermined torque, the bearing housing rotates relative to the vacuum housing. The rotary x-ray emission target has a plurality of target plates supported on a hub, the plates being arranged on the hub to provide an annular target region about an axis rotation of the hub. The x-ray gun is provided with a shield electrode maintained at a potential difference relative to the x-ray target different to the electron beam emission cathode.
Abstract:
A rotating union for an X-ray target is provided. The rotating union for the X-ray target comprises a housing, a coolant-slinging device comprising a rotating shaft having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a proximal end and a distal end, and a bore therein, one or more slingers coupled to a proximal end of the rotating shaft; a drain annulus coupled to the one or more slingers, wherein the one or more slingers are configured to direct a coolant to the drain annulus and the drain annulus is configured to direct the coolant through a primary coolant outlet; and a stationary tube having a first end and a second end, wherein at least a portion of the stationary tube is disposed within the bore of the rotating shaft.
Abstract:
An x-ray tube includes a rotatable shaft having a first end and a second end, a target coupled to the first end of the rotatable shaft, the target positioned to generate x-rays toward a subject upon impingement of electrons thereon, and an impeller coupled to the second end of the rotatable shaft and positioned to blow a gas into an inlet of an aperture passing into the rotatable shaft.
Abstract:
An x-ray tube includes a rotatable shaft having a first end and a second end, a target coupled to the first end of the rotatable shaft, the target positioned to generate x-rays toward a subject upon impingement of electrons thereon, and an impeller coupled to the second end of the rotatable shaft and positioned to blow a gas into an inlet of an aperture passing into the rotatable shaft.
Abstract:
A rotating anode X-ray tube includes a fixed body having a radial sliding bearing surface and a channel therein through which a coolant flows, a rotor including a discoid large-diameter portion, which has a recess fitted with one end portion of the fixed body with a clearance therebetween and constitutes an anode target, and a small-diameter portion, which has on an inner surface thereof a radial sliding bearing surface which faces the aforesaid radial sliding bearing surface with a clearance, and is united with the large-diameter portion at one end portion thereof, a lubricant filling the clearances, a cathode arranged opposite to the anode target, and a vacuum envelope which contains the fixed body, the rotor, the lubricant and the cathode, and fixes the fixed body at another end portion of the fixed body situated opposite the one end portion of the fixed body fitted in the recess.
Abstract:
An anode assembly includes a rotatable hub having a rotation axis and having a cooling passage formed therethrough and a ferrofluid seal attached to the rotatable hub, the ferrofluid seal fluidically separating a first volume containing the target from a second volume. A target is attached to the rotatable hub, the target having a rotation axis coincident with the rotation axis of the rotatable hub and having a chamber formed therein fluidically coupled to the cooling passage, the target having a focal track material attached to an outer face of the target.
Abstract:
An anode assembly includes a rotatable hub having a rotation axis and having a cooling passage formed therethrough and a ferrofluid seal attached to the rotatable hub, the ferrofluid seal fluidically separating a first volume containing the target from a second volume. A target is attached to the rotatable hub, the target having a rotation axis coincident with the rotation axis of the rotatable hub and having a chamber formed therein fluidically coupled to the cooling passage, the target having a focal track material attached to an outer face of the target.