Various systems and methods are provided for a biased cathode assembly of an X-ray tube with improved thermal management and a method of manufacturing same. In one example, a cathode assembly of an X-ray tube comprises an emitter assembly including an emitter coupled to an emitter support structure, and an electrode assembly including an electrode stack and a plurality of bias electrodes. The emitter assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together. The electrode assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together, and the emitter assembly being coupled to the electrode assembly.

Various systems and methods are provided for a biased cathode assembly of an X-ray tube with improved thermal management and a method of manufacturing same. In one example, a cathode assembly of an X-ray tube comprises an emitter assembly including an emitter coupled to an emitter support structure, and an electrode assembly including an electrode stack and a plurality of bias electrodes. The emitter assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together. The electrode assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together, and the emitter assembly being coupled to the electrode assembly.

Systems and methods are provided for improving thermal management strategies of a cathode assembly of an X-ray tube. In one embodiment, an X-ray tube comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly, wherein the cathode assembly includes one or more elements that include an internal porous section for controlling a flow of heat within the cathode assembly during operation of the X-ray tube. In this way, heat conduction to temperature sensitive aspects of the cathode assembly may be reduced, while enabling sufficient heat transfer to other parts of the cathode assembly to minimize deformation.

Systems and methods are provided for improving thermal management strategies of a cathode assembly of an x-ray tube. In one embodiment, an x-ray tube comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly, wherein the cathode assembly includes one or more elements that include an internal porous section for controlling a flow of heat within the cathode assembly during operation of the x-ray tube. In this way, heat conduction to temperature sensitive aspects of the cathode assembly may be reduced, while enabling sufficient heat transfer to other parts of the cathode assembly to minimize deformation.

Various systems and methods are provided for a biased cathode assembly of an X-ray tube with improved thermal management and a method of manufacturing same. In one example, a cathode assembly of an X-ray tube comprises an emitter assembly including an emitter coupled to an emitter support structure, and an electrode assembly including an electrode stack and a plurality of bias electrodes. The emitter assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together. The electrode assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together, and the emitter assembly being coupled to the electrode assembly.

Systems and methods are provided for improving thermal management strategies of a cathode assembly of an x-ray tube. In one embodiment, an x-ray tube comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly, wherein the cathode assembly includes one or more elements that include an internal porous section for controlling a flow of heat within the cathode assembly during operation of the x-ray tube. In this way, heat conduction to temperature sensitive aspects of the cathode assembly may be reduced, while enabling sufficient heat transfer to other parts of the cathode assembly to minimize deformation.

An X-ray source (10) for generating X-rays (11) is provided. The X-ray source (10) comprises an emitter arrangement (12) for generating electrons or for generating X-rays, at least one feedthrough (38) for supplying electrical power to the emitter arrangement (12), and an insulator (20) configured for isolating an electrical potential of the at least one feedthrough (38) from a ground potential. Therein, the at least one feedthrough (38) extends at least partly through the insulator (20), and at least a part of the insulator (20) is in thermal contact with at least a part of the emitter arrangement (12). Further, the insulator (20) comprises at least one cooling channel (28) formed completely in an interior volume (25) of the insulator (20) and configured to dissipate heat from the emitter arrangement (12), wherein a distance (29) between an outer surface (26) of the insulator (20) and the cooling channel (28) is at least as large as half of a thickness (27) of the cooling channel (20).

Disclosed herein is a system for x-ray backscatter inspection. The system comprises an interior cavity. The system also comprises a non-conductive fluid contained within the interior cavity. The system additionally comprises a power source within the interior cavity and submerged in the non-conductive fluid. The system further comprises an x-ray cathode within the interior cavity, submerged in the non-conductive fluid, and coupled to the power source. The system also comprises an x-ray anode within the interior cavity, submerged in the non-conductive fluid, and positioned to receive an electron emission from the x-ray cathode to generate an x-ray emission. The system additionally comprises a thermoelectric cooler surrounding the interior cavity and operable to draw heat from the non-conductive fluid.

An X-ray source (10) for generating X-rays (11) is provided. The X-ray source (10) comprises an emitter arrangement (12) for generating electrons or for generating X-rays, at least one feedthrough (38) for supplying electrical power to the emitter arrangement (12), and an insulator (20) configured for isolating an electrical potential of the at least one feedthrough (38) from a ground potential. Therein, the at least one feedthrough (38) extends at least partly through the insulator (20), and at least a part of the insulator (20) is in thermal contact with at least a part of the emitter arrangement (12). Further, the insulator (20) comprises at least one cooling channel (28) formed completely in an interior volume (25) of the insulator (20) and configured to dissipate heat from the emitter arrangement (12), wherein a distance (29) between an outer surface (26) of the insulator (20) and the cooling channel (28) is at least as large as half of a thickness (27) of the cooling channel (20).

Disclosed herein is a system for x-ray backscatter inspection. The system comprises an interior cavity. The system also comprises a non-conductive fluid contained within the interior cavity. The system additionally comprises a power source within the interior cavity and submerged in the non-conductive fluid. The system further comprises an x-ray cathode within the interior cavity, submerged in the non-conductive fluid, and coupled to the power source. The system also comprises an x-ray anode within the interior cavity, submerged in the non-conductive fluid, and positioned to receive an electron emission from the x-ray cathode to generate an x-ray emission. The system additionally comprises a thermoelectric cooler surrounding the interior cavity and operable to draw heat from the non-conductive fluid.