X-ray tube having an integral housing assembly

An x-ray tube comprising:

• an integral housing forming a vacuum enclosure having a first interior portion and a second interior portion, the first interior portion having disposed therein an electron producing cathode and a rotating anode target positioned to receive the electrons produced by the cathode, the second interior portion having substantially disposed therein an anode rotor assembly rotatably supporting the anode target via a rotating shaft;
• a radiation blocking plate comprised of an x-ray absorbing material that is disposed between the first interior portion and the second interior portion, wherein a the shaft passes through an aperture formed through the plate;
• a shield disposed about at least a portion of the integral housing so as to define a gap between the shield and an outer surface of the housing, and wherein an electrically insulating potting material is disposed in at least a portion of the gap;
• and
• a shell disposed about the vacuum enclosure so as to define at least one airflow path.

An x-ray generating apparatus comprising:

• an integral housing forming a vacuum enclosure, at least a portion of the housing being formed of a material capable of providing a predetermined level of radiation shielding;
• an anode assembly having a rotating anode with a target portion, the rotating anode being disposed within the vacuum enclosure;
• an electron source capable of emitting electrons that strike the target portion to generate x-rays which are released through a window formed through a side of the integral housing;
• and
• a shield disposed about at least a portion of the integral housing so as to form at least one gap between the shield and an outer surface of the housing, wherein an electrically insulating material is disposed within at least a portion of the gap.