The disclosed technology relates to an X-ray conversion target. In one aspect, the X-ray conversion target includes target body and a target part arranged within the target body, the target part having a first face configured to produce X-rays. The X-ray conversion target further comprises a cooling passage having a side wall, at least a part of the side wall being consisted of a portion of the target part.

In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray tube. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to the anode and may be configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a first pole and a second pole oriented towards the lift shaft. Windings may be positioned around the first pole. The lift assembly may include a heat dissipating structure.

In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray tube. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to the anode and may be configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a first pole and a second pole oriented towards the lift shaft. Windings may be positioned around the first pole. The lift assembly may include a heat dissipating structure.

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.

An X-ray tube includes an anode that conducts a high voltage that can be greater than 120 kV, and in particular greater than 300 kV, and heats up during operation. The anode is connected in a thermally conductive way to a heat sink, which has a base body composed of a metal with a heat absorbing surface for coupling to the anode as a heat source and a heat dissipating surface that is enlarged by means of heat dissipating elements that are connected to the base body. The heat dissipating elements are composed of an electrically insulating material having a thermal conductivity on the same order of magnitude as that of the metal of the base body, and have a height (H) starting from the base body of the heat sink so that there is a sufficient insulation breakdown resistance relative to the surroundings of the X-ray tube.

A liquid metal or spiral groove bearing structure for an x-ray tube and associated process for manufacturing the bearing structure is provided that includes a bearing shaft rotatably disposed in a bearing housing or shell. The shell includes a thrust seal engaged with a sleeve to maintain co-axiality for the rotating liquid metal seal formed in the shell about the shaft. The shaft has a bore for the introduction of a cooling fluid into the bearing assembly in which is disposed a cooling tube. The cooling tube includes turbulence-inducing features to increase the turbulence of the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling tube, consequently enhancing the heat exchange between the cooling fluid and the shaft. This maximizes the heat transfer from the shaft to the oil, allowing materials with lower thermal conductivities, such as non-refractory materials, to be used to form the bearing shaft and shell.

A liquid metal or spiral groove bearing structure for an x-ray tube and associated process for manufacturing the bearing structure is provided that includes a bearing shaft rotatably disposed in a bearing housing or shell. The shell includes a thrust seal engaged with a sleeve to maintain co-axiality for the rotating liquid metal seal formed in the shell about the shaft. The shaft has a bore for the introduction of a cooling fluid into the bearing assembly in which is disposed a cooling tube. The cooling tube includes turbulence-inducing features to increase the turbulence of the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling tube, consequently enhancing the heat exchange between the cooling fluid and the shaft. This maximizes the heat transfer from the shaft to the oil, allowing materials with lower thermal conductivities, such as non-refractory materials, to be used to form the bearing shaft and shell.

The disclosed technology relates to an X-ray conversion target. In one aspect, the X-ray conversion target includes target body and a target part arranged within the target body, the target part having a first face configured to produce X-rays. The X-ray conversion target further comprises a cooling passage having a side wall, at least a part of the side wall being consisted of a portion of the target part.

An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a rotatable gantry base; a housing that is fixed to the gantry base and that has an opening; an insert that is removably located in the housing and that includes a cathode that generates a thermal electron and an anode that receives collision of the thermal electron to generate an X-ray; and a blower that is removably attached to the side of the opening to flow air into the housing.

Disclosed is an X-ray tube having an electron source and anode disposed therein. The anode includes a target surface positioned to receive electrons emitted by the electron source. A thermal structure is interfaced directly with the anode. The thermal structure defines a fluid passageway that is configured to receive and circulate a coolant. A thermally conductive porous matrix is disposed within the fluid passageway so as to facilitate the transfer of heat generated at the target surface to the coolant.