The invention relates to an X-ray tube, an X-ray source and an X-ray facility. The X-ray tube may have a vacuum housing having at least one side surface, the vacuum housing comprises a cathode and an anode for generating X-rays. An acceleration path for emitted electrons is provided between the cathode and the anode via an applied high voltage. A first of the at least one side surface has a first electrically conductive housing section having a temperature dependent electrical conductivity so that an essentially linear potential curve is set along the acceleration path.

A cooling system of a computed tomography (CT) system provides for a more efficient operation than known heretofore. The cooling system of the CT system includes a gantry and a table that moves an object into a bore of the gantry. The gantry includes part boxes mounted therein, and blade elements are formed in regions of the part boxes. The cooling system of the CT system includes a cooling method that includes a multiple cooling method including a stand-by mode and an operating mode.

Emitter (3) and target (7) are arranged so as to face each other in vacuum chamber (1), and guard electrode (5) is provided at outer circumferential side of electron generating portion (31) of emitter (3). Guard electrode (5) is supported movably in directions of both ends of vacuum chamber (1) by guard electrode supporting unit (6). To perform regeneration process of guard electrode (5), guard electrode (5) is moved to opening (22) side (to separate position) by operating guard electrode supporting unit (6), and a state in which field emission of electron generating portion (31) is suppressed is set, then by applying voltage across guard electrode (5), discharge is repeated. After performing regeneration process, by operating guard electrode supporting unit (6) again, guard electrode (5) is moved to opening (21) side (to emitter position), and a state in which field emission of electron generating portion (31) is possible is set.

Described herein is an x-ray tube assembly that includes: a housing that encloses an inner volume; a movable divider within the inner volume, the movable divider dividing the inner volume into a first volume and a second volume; an x-ray tube within the first volume; the first volume between the housing and the x-ray tube filled with an insulating fluid; and the second volume filled with a compressible gas.

An X-ray tube includes an electron gun, a target that generates X-rays, and a vacuum housing that accommodates the electron gun and the target. The vacuum housing has a metal portion having an X-ray emission window, and an insulation valve connected to the metal portion. The metal portion has a cylinder portion in which the X-ray emission window is provided and which surrounds a tube axis of the vacuum housing, and a tapered portion which is connected to an end portion of the cylinder portion, surrounds the tube axis, and protrudes such that a connection part between the metal portion and an insulation valve is covered. The tapered portion has a shape increased in diameter such that a separation distance between a distal end portion and the tube axis is longer than a separation distance between a base end portion and the tube axis.

A bearing structure for an X-ray tube is provided that includes a journal bearing shaft with a radially protruding thrust bearing flange encased within a bearing housing or sleeve. The sleeve includes a thrust seal that is engaged with the sleeve in a manner to maintain coaxiality for the rotating liquid metal seal formed in the sleeve about the shaft. The shaft includes a central bore containing a cooling tube that directs coolant within the bore to maximize the heat transfer from the shaft to the coolant, allowing materials with lower thermal conductivities, such as steel, to be used to form the bearing shaft. The thrust flange on the shaft is formed with channel(s) therein that enable the coolant and/or the liquid metal to effect greater heat transfer on the components of the sleeve through the thrust flange, thereby reducing thermal deformation of the bearing components.

An embodiment of the invention relates to a cooling system for an imaging apparatus having a gantry for cooling components arranged in the gantry, including a fan and a solid body. The solid body has an inlet opening, and an outlet opening, wherein the inlet opening is larger than the outlet opening. The solid body also has a positive guide, defined by a continuous outer boundary, for a first fluid from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, which continuously transforms the geometry of the inlet opening into the geometry of the outlet opening and defines a flow path for the first fluid, and has a flow channel for a second fluid, which is arranged in heat exchange communication with the flow path, and has an inlet and an outlet for the second fluid.

An x-ray tube casing is provided which includes a housing having a heat exchanger integrally formed thereon in an additive manufacturing process. The additive manufacturing process allows for tight tolerances with regard to the structure for the casing and the internal passages of the heat exchanger to significantly reduce the size and weight of the casing. The casing additionally includes a fluid distribution manifold that effectively distributes the cooling fluid within the casing to more efficiently provide cooling to the x-ray tube insert disposed within the casing.

An X-ray inspection apparatus includes: an X-ray emitter configured to emit an X-ray; an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-ray; a first flow passage configured to guide air to at least part of the X-ray detector; and a second flow passage configured to guide air to at least part of the X-ray detector.

A computed tomographic mammography system is provided with, as an X-ray tube 1A, a transmission type X-ray tube including a target 2 which includes a target layer 2a that generates X-ray upon irradiation of an electron beam and a supporting substrate 2b through which the X-ray generated upon irradiation of the electron beam to the target layer 2a passes, an electron emission source 3 for emitting an electron beam toward the target layer 2a.