Patent ID: 6977991

Claim:
An x-ray source comprising: an X-ray tube having an evacuated housing containing an interior space and having a housing projection forming a chamber in communication with said interior space via a neck region of said housing, said neck region forming a corner having an exterior surface at an exterior of said housing; a cathode disposed in said chamber and an anode disposed in said interior space, said cathode emitting an electron beam that proceeds through said neck region and strikes said anode at a focus to generate X-rays from said focus; and an electron beam deflector disposed at an exterior of said neck region of said housing for generating a magnetic field that interacts with said electron beam to deflect said electron beam to adjust a position of said focus on said anode, said electron beam deflector having a U-shape with two legs straddling said neck region at said corner, each of said legs having a leg surface facing and contacting said exterior surface of said corner, and each leg surface in combination with said exterior surface of said corner forming a channel adapted to allow a flow of coolant therethrough.