Ge Precision Healthcare LLC

General Electric Company

Kevin Shane Kruse

Sergio Lemaitre

Ian Strider Hunt

Andrew Thomas Triscari

Michael Scott Hebert

Adolfo Delgado Marquez

John McCabe

Thomas Murray

Alexander Ryan

Alxander Thomas Ryan

Control electrode for an x-ray tube cathode

Various systems are provided for a cathode of an X-ray imaging system. In one example, a shield assembly for a cathode comprises a first shield part and a second shield part, the first shield part and the second shield part spaced apart such that the first shield part and the second shield part are not in direct physical contact.

X-ray cathode shield

Various systems are provided for a cathode of an X-ray imaging system. In one example, a shield for a cathode comprises a cathode mask comprising a u-shaped central opening configured to receive a cathode cup, where a perimeter of the u-shaped central opening comprises a rolled over edge.

Cathode shield

Various methods and systems are provided for an X-ray tube cathode focusing element. In one example, a focusing element is configured with a first side positioned adjacent to an electrode plate. An insulator having a first side is positioned adjacent the electrode plate and a second, opposite side adjacent to a cathode base. The focusing element has at least three filaments of different sizes positioned in respective channels of different widths, where each of the at least three filaments are coupled to two current feedthroughs, each current feedthrough configured with a leg extending through a central, hollow space of the focusing element, the electrode plate, the insulator, and the cathode base.

X-ray tube cathode focusing element

Various methods and systems are provided for a cathode of an X-ray imaging system, the cathode comprising a cup and a ceramic insulator having a convex outer surface mating with corresponding pockets on the cup surrounding the ceramic insulator.

X-ray cathode focusing element

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 for controlling thermal conduction in X-ray tube cathodes

Various methods and systems are provided for a cathode of an X-ray imaging system. A method for fabricating the cathode comprises machining a plurality of focusing features on a focusing element and welding the focusing element to a base assembly.

Various methods and systems are provided for an X-ray tube cathode focusing element. In one example, a focusing element is configured with three electron emission filaments, an integrated edge focusing, and a bias voltage. The integrated edge focusing may include a continuous single architecture with rounded edges, and a voltage of the focusing element may be negatively biased relative to a voltage of the electron emission filaments.

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 for controlling thermal conduction in x-ray tube cathodes

A liquid metal or spiral groove bearing structure for an x-ray tube and associated process for manufacturing the bearing structure is provided in which journal bearing sleeve is formed with a number of structures thereon that function to dissipate heat transmitted to the sleeve during operation of the bearing assembly within the x-ray tube to minimize thermal deformation of the sleeve, thereby minimizing gap size alteration within the bearing assembly. The structures formed within the sleeve are slots disposed within the section of the sleeve in which the highest temperature gradients develop. The slots enable an increase in thermal conductance away from the sleeve while minimizing the stresses created from the deformation of the portion(s) of the sleeve between the slots.

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Milwaukee, WI, United States of America

Kevin Shane Kruse