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 tube according to an embodiment of the inventive concept includes a cathode structure; an anode structure spaced vertically from the cathode structure, a gate electrode structure disposed between the cathode structure and the anode structure, an emitter array disposed between the cathode structure and the gate electrode structure, a tube sheath configured to connect the cathode structure and the anode structure, and a fixing unit connected with the gate electrode structure. The cathode structure includes a first rotation shaft and a cathode connected with the first rotation shaft as one body. The gate electrode structure includes a second rotation shaft and a gate electrode connected with the second rotation shaft through a bearing, and the second rotation shaft is connected with the first rotation shaft by a coupling unit. The gate electrode includes a gate electrode substrate and a protruding part that protrudes from the gate electrode substrate toward an emitter. The protruding part of the gate electrode includes a gate hole that vertically overlaps the emitter. The fixing unit includes a ferromagnetic structure attached to one surface of the gate electrode substrate and disposed on an outer portion of the substrate and a permanent magnet disposed adjacent to the ferromagnetic structure with the tube sheath therebetween.

During operation of a reflection target x-ray source, heat must be removed from many components. The electron beam must be steered to the target and may interact with structures along this path. There is also heat generated in the target itself. This can be excessive, since only a very small percentage of the electron beam's energy is transformed into x-rays. Finally, the x-rays must exit the vacuum through the window, which can also be heated both by the x-rays, reflected electrons, and radiant heat from the target. A water cooled reflective x-ray source provides for water or other fluid cooling of the centering aperture, x-ray target, and/or exit window.

An X-ray tube according to an embodiment of the inventive concept includes a cathode structure; an anode structure spaced vertically from the cathode structure, a gate electrode structure disposed between the cathode structure and the anode structure, an emitter array disposed between the cathode structure and the gate electrode structure, a tube sheath configured to connect the cathode structure and the anode structure, and a fixing unit connected with the gate electrode structure. The cathode structure includes a first rotation shaft and a cathode connected with the first rotation shaft as one body. The gate electrode structure includes a second rotation shaft and a gate electrode connected with the second rotation shaft through a bearing, and the second rotation shaft is connected with the first rotation shaft by a coupling unit. The gate electrode includes a gate electrode substrate and a protruding part that protrudes from the gate electrode substrate toward an emitter. The protruding part of the gate electrode includes a gate hole that vertically overlaps the emitter. The fixing unit includes a ferromagnetic structure attached to one surface of the gate electrode substrate and disposed on an outer portion of the substrate and a permanent magnet disposed adjacent to the ferromagnetic structure with the tube sheath therebetween.

During operation of a reflection target x-ray source, heat must be removed from many components. The electron beam must be steered to the target and may interact with structures along this path. There is also heat generated in the target itself. This can be excessive, since only a very small percentage of the electron beam's energy is transformed into x-rays. Finally, the x-rays must exit the vacuum through the window, which can also be heated both by the x-rays, reflected electrons, and radiant heat from the target. A water cooled reflective x-ray source provides for water or other fluid cooling of the centering aperture, x-ray target, and/or exit window.

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 electron collector for an x-ray tube having an electron collector base and an electron collector insert. The electron collector insert may be composed of a thermally enhanced material and is used to mitigate thermal stress from the electron collector. The electron collector insert may further prevent cracking and thermal fatigue of the electron collector.

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.

The invention relates to a device (98) for the spatial alignment of X-ray optics (100) with an entry point (104) and an exit point (108). The device (98) comprises a parallel displacement mechanism (200) for gauging the entry point (104) of the X-ray optics (100) to a first predetermined point (100) by parallel displacement of the X-ray optics (100). Further, the device (98) comprises a goniometer mechanism (300) for gauging the exit point (108) of the X-ray optics (100) to a second predetermined point (106) by at least approximate pivoting of the X-ray optics (100) around the entry point (104). Further, the invention relates to an apparatus (96) which comprises the device (98) and X-ray optics (100).

X-ray generating apparatus includes X-ray generating unit having first and second bottom surfaces and side surface; driving circuit; accommodation housing accommodating the X-ray generating unit and the driving circuit; and insulating component arranged in the accommodation housing and having first insulating member arranged between the driving circuit and the accommodation housing and second insulating member arranged between the X-ray generating unit and the accommodation housing. First space is defined between the first insulating member and the accommodation housing, second space is defined between the second insulating member and the accommodation housing, third space is defined between the side surface and the second insulating member, fourth space is defined by the second bottom surface and internal surface of the first insulating member. The second space communicates with the third space, the first space communicates with the fourth space.