Abstract:
An X-ray tube assembly having bearings rotatably connecting a rotor shaft and a stator. A pair of circumferential protrusions each radially extend from the shaft and are spaced apart a first radial distance from the stator. In a first example, the protrusions are longitudinally outward of, and to one longitudinal side of, the pair of bearings, and one of the protrusions is longitudinally and radially proximate one of the bearings. In a second example, a line may be drawn which is parallel to the axis and which intersects each of the protrusions and each of the bearings. A substance, which includes metal (such as gallium) and which is liquid at the assembly's operating temperature, is located longitudinally between the circumferential protrusions. The substance radially extends a second radial distance between, and in conductive thermal contact with, the shaft and the stator.
Abstract:
The embodiments disclosed herein relate to the thermal regulation of components within an X-ray tube, and more specifically to heat transfer between the anode and the rotary mechanism to which the anode is attached. For example, in one embodiment, an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube generally includes a fixed shaft, a rotating bearing sleeve disposed about the fixed shaft and configured to rotate with respect to the fixed shaft via a rotary bearing, an electron beam target disposed about the bearing sleeve and configured to rotate with the bearing sleeve, and a thermally conductive, deformable metallic gasket disposed between the target and the bearing sleeve and configured to conduct heat between the target and the bearing sleeve in operation.
Abstract:
An x-ray tube includes a center shaft having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface forming a portion of a cavity therein, a mount having an inner surface, the mount having an x-ray target attached thereto, and a liquid metal positioned between the outer surface of the center shaft and the inner surface of the mount. The x-ray tube further includes a flow diverter positioned in the cavity, the flow diverter having a wall with an inner surface, and a plurality of jets passing through the wall, wherein the plurality of jets are configured such that when a fluid is flowed into the flow diverter and passes along its inner surface, a portion of the fluid passes through the plurality of jets and is directed toward the inner surface of the center shaft.
Abstract:
A rotating union for an X-ray target is provided. The rotating union for the X-ray target comprises a housing, a coolant-slinging device comprising a rotating shaft having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a proximal end and a distal end, and a bore therein, one or more slingers coupled to a proximal end of the rotating shaft; a drain annulus coupled to the one or more slingers, wherein the one or more slingers are configured to direct a coolant to the drain annulus and the drain annulus is configured to direct the coolant through a primary coolant outlet; and a stationary tube having a first end and a second end, wherein at least a portion of the stationary tube is disposed within the bore of the rotating shaft.
Abstract:
An x-ray device has a cathode aligned on a target region in a tube housing with a rotating anode unit. The rotating anode unit is borne to rotate around a rotational axis inside the tube housing. The rotating anode unit has a rotating anode plate with the target region and a shaft rotationally connected with the rotating anode plate. A magnetic bearing supports the shaft without contact in the tube housing. The rotating anode plate has an axial extension facing away from the shaft. The axial extension dips into a fluid-filled receptacle space of the tube housing for heat dissipation. Such an x-ray device allows high rotation speeds of the rotating anode unit, and thus a high operational power.
Abstract:
A target for generating x-rays includes a target substrate, a target shaft attached to the target substrate, and a radiation emissive coating applied to at least one of the target substrate and the target shaft, wherein a center-of-gravity of the target is positioned between a front bearing assembly and a rear bearing assembly of an x-ray tube.
Abstract:
A rolling contact bearing assembly is provided. The bearing assembly includes an inner ring and an outer ring concentrically disposed about the inner ring. The bearing assembly further includes a plurality of rolling contact elements disposed between the inner and outer rings, where at least one of the inner ring, the outer ring and the rolling elements having a solid lubricant coating disposed thereon. The bearing assembly further includes a gallium-based cooling solution disposed between the inner and outer rings and in contact with the rolling contact elements.
Abstract:
An anode assembly (50) includes a thermally conductive bearing encasement (52) covering a portion of a bearing (64). An anode (56) rotates on the bearing (64) and has a target (58) with an associated focal spot (60). The thermally conductive bearing encasement (52) is configured and expansion limited to prevent displacement of the focal spot (60) of greater than a predetermined displacement during operation of the anode (56).
Abstract:
An x-ray tube has an anode plate connected to an anode tube that is mounted such that it can rotate around a rigid anode shaft. To improve the heat dissipation from the anode plate, a liquid for dissipation of heat to the anode shaft is accommodated in an intervening space formed between the anode shaft and the anode plate.
Abstract:
An anode assembly (50) includes a thermally conductive bearing encasement (52) covering a portion of a bearing (64). An anode (56) rotates on the bearing (64) and has a target (58) with an associated focal spot (60). The thermally conductive bearing encasement (52) is configured and expansion limited to prevent displacement of the focal spot (60) of greater than a predetermined displacement during operation of the anode (56).