The Machlett Laboratories, Incorporated

Machlett Labs. Inc.

Steven Tavoletti

Thomas J Koller

Albert F Fengler

Ming-Wei P Xu

Raymond A Daly

An x-ray tube rotor structure wherein a target support stem has an externally threaded end portion engaged with an internally threaded surface of an encircling bushing and fixedly attached thereto by an interposed brazed joint. The stem is made of predominantly molybdenum material having a linear thermal expansion coefficient of 58.times.10.sup.-7 per degree Fahrenheit and is thermally matched with the bushing which is made of an iron cobalt nickel alloy material having a linear thermal expansion coefficient of 60.times.10.sup.-7 per degree Fahrenheit. The bushing has an outer surface fixedly attached through a welded joint with an inner surface of an annular plug which has an outer marginal portion fixedly attached to an adjacent end portion of a coaxial rotor skirt. The annular plug is made of an iron chrome nickel alloy material having a linear thermal expansion coefficient of 84.times.10.sup.-7 per degree Fahrenheit and is thermally compatible with the rotor skirt which is made of magnetic flux conductive steel having a linear thermal expansion coefficient of 75.times.10.sup.-7 per degree Fahrenheit. Thus, the largest thermal disparity and the maximum thermal stresses occur between the bushing and the plug at the interposed welded joint which is structurally stronger than the brazed joint between the bushing and the stem.

X-ray tube rotor structure

A rotatable x-ray target assembly and process for manufacturing the same is provided for an x-ray tube. The x-ray target assembly comprises an x-ray target member having an opening disposed therethrough and a support member having: a mounting surface disposed transversely to the axis of rotation, a lower surface of the target member being disposed on the mounting surface; and, a threaded stem extending from said mounting surface through the opening of the target member. The support member also comprises a nut adapted to receive the threaded stem, the nut engaging an upper surface of the target member. The target member is secured to the support member by brazing material disposed between the lower surface of the target member and the mounting surface, a first portion of the brazing material being diffused into the target member and a second portion of the brazing material being diffused into the mounting surface of the support member. With such arrangement, the target member is structurally bonded to the support member. Thus, the target member is substantially prevented from slipping on the support member during the rotation of the x-ray target member during operation of the x-ray tube, thereby preventing the target member from becoming imbalanced on the support member and substantially eliminating vibration of the target member during rotation.

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Rye Brook, NY, United States of America

Steven Tavoletti