A stationary anode for an X-ray generator, in particular of an X-ray imaging device or an X-ray therapy or spectroscopy device, includes a main anode body and an internal cooling duct, running in the axial direction, for conveying a cooling fluid to a heat exchange surface of the main anode body. A nozzle, disposed at the end of the cooling duct, is inventively positioned with respect to the heat exchange surface via stop elements such that, between the heat exchange surface and the nozzle, a gap is formed which extends over an angular range of 360 about the axial direction.

An x-ray source has a target assembly including a target, an electron source for generating electrons to impact the target, and a flight tube assembly separating the target assembly from the electron source and transporting a coolant to the target assembly. The flight tube assembly includes a flight tube interface ring, a target cartridge tube, and an electrical isolation ring between the flight tube interface ring and the target cartridge tube.

An X-ray generator comprising a target for receiving electrons and generating X-rays, a separator for dividing an internal space of the target into a coolant inflow path and a coolant outflow path, a motor for rotating the target, and a coolant inflow path and a coolant outflow path for supplying a coolant to the coolant inflow path and recovering the coolant through the coolant outflow path, wherein the separator rotates in the same rotation direction as the target when the target rotates. In the X-ray generator in which a coolant inflow path and a coolant outflow path are provided by a separator inside a rotating target, reduced torque load and reduced vibration can be realized.

A radiation emission device is provided. The radiation emission device may include a cathode configured to emit an electron beam and an anode configured to rotate on a shaft. The anode may be situated to receive the electron beam from the cathode. The radiation emission device may further include a rotor configured to drive the anode to rotate. The rotor may be mechanically connected to the shaft. The radiation emission device may further include a sleeve configured to support the shaft via at least one bearing. The cathode, the anode, and the rotor may be enclosed in an enclosure that is connected to the sleeve. At least a portion of the sleeve may reside outside the enclosure.

A radiation emission device is provided. The radiation emission device may include a cathode configured to emit an electron beam and an anode configured to rotate on a shaft. The anode may be situated to receive the electron beam from the cathode. The radiation emission device may further include a rotor configured to drive the anode to rotate. The rotor may be mechanically connected to the shaft. The radiation emission device may further include a sleeve configured to support the shaft via at least one bearing. The cathode, the anode, and the rotor may be enclosed in an enclosure that is connected to the sleeve. At least a portion of the sleeve may reside outside the enclosure.

An X-ray inspection system for scanning items is provided. The system includes: a stationary X-ray source extending around a rectangular scanning volume, and defining multiple source points from which X-rays can be directed through the scanning volume; an X-ray detector array also extending around the rectangular scanning volume and arranged to detect X-rays from the source points which have passed through the scanning volume; a conveyor arranged to convey the items through the scanning volume; and at least one processor for processing the detected X-rays to produce scanning images of the items.

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 computerized 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.

An x-ray device is for creation of high-energy x-ray radiation. In an embodiment, the x-ray device includes a linear accelerator. The linear accelerator, for creation of x-ray radiation, is embodied so as to create an electron beam directed onto a target, of which the kinetic energy per electron amounts to at least 1 MeV. In an embodiment, the x-ray device further includes a beam limiting device, arranged in the beam path of the electron beam between linear accelerator and the target, including an edge region surrounding a beam limiting device opening. A material thickness of the edge region, in a propagation direction of the accelerated electron beam emerging from the linear accelerator, amounting to less than 10% of the average reach of electrons of the created kinetic energy in the material of the edge region.

Disclosed herein are a high-voltage generator (120) 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 (500), 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 computerized tomography. In particular, the high-voltage generator includes a shield electrode (123a, 123b) electrically connected intermediate of a first voltage multiplier (122a, 122b) and a second voltage multiplier (122b, 122c). The electron beam apparatus includes control photodetectors (202a, 202bnot shown) and photo emitters (201a, 202a) having a transparent conductive shield (203a and 203b, 203cnot shown) arranged therebetween. The rotary vacuum seal includes a pumpable chamber (302) at a position intermediate between high-pressure and low-pressure ends of a bore (301) for a rotating shaft (401). The rotary target assembly is configured such that when a torque between a bearing housing (403) and a vacuum housing exceeds a predetermined torque, the bearing housing rotates relative to the vacuum housing. The rotary x-ray emission target (500) has a plurality of target plates (560) 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 (123a) maintained at a potential difference relative to the x-ray target different to the electron beam emission cathode.

According to one embodiment, an X-ray tube device includes a cathode which emits electrons, an anode target which generates X-rays when the electrons emitted from the cathode collide therewith, a first tube portion, a second tube portion which forms a flow path of a coolant together with the first tube portion, and a protective film. The protective film covers an inner surface of the first tube portion, and is formed of hard gold.