Gyrating anode x-ray tube

A method of generating x-rays comprising:

• focusing a beam of electrons at a particular location on a spherical segment anode;
• heating the spherical segment anode with the beam of electrons to generate heat and radiation;
• oscillating the spherical segment anode under the beam of electrons;
• and,
• spraying a fluid onto the spherical segment anode opposite the particular location.

An x-ray tube including:

• a body defining a vacuum envelope;
• a cathode disposed within the vacuum envelope;
• an anode target section movably mounted to the body;
• a high voltage source which applies a high voltage across the cathode and the anode target section;
• a bellows connected between the body and the anode target section;
• and,
• a conical section extending between the bellows and the anode target section.

An x-ray tube comprising:

• a housing which defines an x-ray exit window;
• a cathode mounted in the housing, which generates a beam of electrons along a trajectory;
• an anode which is moveably mounted relative to the housing, the anode having an enlarged target surface, which target surface intersects the electron beam trajectory, the anode being moveably mounted relative to the housing such that a multiplicity of points on the target surface are moveable to intersect the electron beam trajectory;
• and,
• a first driver for oscillating the anode along a first direction and a second driver for oscillating the anode along a second direction such that points of intersection between the trajectory and the anode target surface follow a two-dimensional pattern.

An x-ray tube comprising:

• a cathode mounted to a housing, the cathode generating a beam of electrons which travel along a trajectory;
• an anode which is movably mounted relative to the housing, the anode having an enlarged target surface, a point of which target surface intersects the electron beam trajectory, the surface including a spherical surface segment of a preselected radius, the anode being mounted to the housing such that the target spherical surface segment is constrained to move along the surface of a sphere of the preselected radius;
• and,
• a conical rearward extension extending from the target surface away from the cathode.

A method of generating x-rays, the method comprising:

• sending a beam of electrons along a preselected trajectory extending between an electron source and an anode target surface which lies along a surface of a sphere, and is disposed a preselected distance along the trajectory from the electron source;
• heating the target with the electron beam to generate heat and radiation;
• and,
• oscillating the anode target surface across the trajectory such that different portions of the anode target surface intersect the trajectory and are acted upon by the electron beam to generate heat and radiation.