X-ray source assembly having enhanced output stability, and fluid stream analysis applications thereof

An x-ray source assembly comprising:

• an x-ray tube including an anode having a source spot upon which electrons impinge;
• an output structure of the x-ray source assembly;
• and
• a control system for controlling position of the anode source spot relative to the output structure, wherein the control system maintains the anode source spot location relative to the output structure notwithstanding a change in at least one operating condition of the x-ray source assembly,
• wherein the control system includes at least one actuator for effecting movement of at least one of the anode source spot and the output structure, and wherein the at least one actuator comprises a temperature actuator for performing at least one of heating and cooling of the anode and thereby effectuating adjustment of the anode source spot location relative to the output structure.

An x-ray source assembly comprising:

• an x-ray tube including an anode having a source spot upon which electrons impinge;
• an output structure of the x-ray source assembly;
• and
• a control system for controlling position of the anode source spot relative to the output structure, wherein the control system maintains the anode source spot location relative to the output structure notwithstanding a change in at least one operating condition of the x-ray source assembly,
• wherein the control system includes at least one actuator for effecting movement of at least one of the anode source spot and the output structure, and wherein the at least one actuator comprises at least one mechanical actuator for adjusting position of at least one of the anode source spot and the output structure.

An x-ray source assembly comprising:

• an x-ray tube including an anode having a source spot upon which electrons impinge;
• an output structure of the x-ray source assembly;
• and
• a control system for controlling position of the anode source spot relative to the output structure, wherein the control system maintains the anode source spot location relative to the output structure notwithstanding a change in at least one operating condition of the x-ray source assembly,
• wherein the control system further includes at least one sensor for providing feedback related to the anode source spot location relative to the output structure, and wherein the at least one sensor comprises a sensor for monitoring anode power level.

An x-ray source assembly comprising:

• an x-ray tube including an anode having a source spot upon which electrons impinge;
• an output structure of the x-ray source assembly;
• and
• a control system for controlling position of the anode source spot relative to the output structure, wherein the control system maintains the anode source spot location relative to the output structure notwithstanding a change in at least one operating condition of the x-ray source assembly,
• wherein the control system further includes at least one sensor for providing feedback related to the anode source spot location relative to the output structure, and wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one sensor for directly or indirectly monitoring anode temperature.

An x-ray source assembly comprising:

• an x-ray tube including an anode having a source spot upon which electrons impinge;
• an output structure of the x-ray source assembly;
• and
• a control system for controlling position of the anode source spot relative to the output structure, wherein the control system maintains the anode source spot location relative to the output structure notwithstanding a change in at least one operating condition of the x-ray source assembly,
• wherein the control system further includes at least one sensor for providing feedback related to the anode source spot location relative to the output structure, and
• the x-ray source assembly further comprising a housing at least partially enclosing the anode, and wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one sensor for measuring temperature of the housing.

An x-ray source assembly comprising:

• an x-ray tube including an anode having a source spot upon which electrons impinge;
• an output structure of the x-ray source assembly;
• and
• a control system for controlling position of the anode source spot relative to the output structure, wherein the control system maintains the anode source spot location relative to the output structure notwithstanding a change in at least one operating condition of the x-ray source assembly,
• wherein the control system further includes means for:
• obtaining anode power level;
• obtaining at least one of anode temperature, temperature of a housing surrounding the anode, and ambient temperature about the x-ray source assembly;
• determining a reference temperature for the obtained anode power level;
• and
• controlling anode source spot location relative to the output structure employing the reference temperature and at least one of the anode temperature and the housing temperature.

An apparatus for analyzing a fluid using x-rays, the apparatus comprising:

• means for exposing the fluid to x-rays to cause at least one component of the fluid to x-ray fluoresce;
• means for analyzing the x-ray fluorescence from the fluid to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid;
• and
• an x-ray source assembly comprising:
• an x-ray tube including an anode having a source spot upon which
• electrons impinge;
• an output structure of the x-ray source assembly;
• and
• a control system for controlling position of the anode source spot relative to the output structure, wherein the control system maintains the anode source spot location relative to the output structure notwithstanding a change in at least one operating condition of the x-ray source assembly.

An x-ray source assembly comprising:

• an x-ray tube including an anode having a source spot upon which electrons impinge;
• an output structure of the x-ray source assembly;
• and
• a control system for controlling position of the anode source spot relative to the output structure, wherein the control system maintains the anode source spot location relative to the output structure notwithstanding a change in at least one operating condition of the x-ray source assembly,
• the x-ray source assembly further comprising:
• a housing at least partially enclosing an x-ray tube including the anode;
• an adjustable mounting means for mounting the x-ray tube to the housing;
• wherein the adjustable mounting means allows locational adjustment of the x-ray tube in the housing to optimize transmission of x-rays therefrom.

A method of analyzing a fluid using x-rays, method comprising:

• exposing the fluid to x-rays to cause at least one component of the fluid to x-ray fluoresce;
• analyzing the x-ray fluorescence from the fluid to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid;
• and
• providing the x-rays, comprising:
• providing an x-ray source assembly having an x-ray tube including an anode with a source spot upon which electrons impinge, the x-ray source assembly also including an output structure;
• and
• controlling position of the anode source spot relative to the output structure, wherein the controlling includes maintaining the anode source spot location relative to the output structure notwithstanding a change in at least one operating condition of the x-ray source assembly.

An x-ray source assembly comprising:

• an x-ray tube having an anode for generating x-rays;
• an optic for collecting x-rays generated by the anode;
• the assembly enclosing the x-ray tube and the optic from which x-rays are emitted by the optic;
• and
• a control system for controlling x-ray output intensity of the optic, wherein the control system can maintain said x-ray output intensity notwithstanding a change in at least one operating condition of the x-ray source assembly.