Abstract: An x-ray tube casing is provided which includes a housing having a heat exchanger integrally formed thereon in an additive manufacturing process. The additive manufacturing process allows for tight tolerances with regard to the structure for the casing and the internal passages of the heat exchanger to significantly reduce the size and weight of the casing. The casing additionally includes a fluid distribution manifold that effectively distributes the cooling fluid within the casing to more efficiently provide cooling to the x-ray tube insert disposed within the casing.

Abstract: An x-ray tube casing is provided which includes a housing having a heat exchanger integrally formed thereon in an additive manufacturing process. The additive manufacturing process allows for tight tolerances with regard to the structure for the casing and the internal passages of the heat exchanger to significantly reduce the size and weight of the casing. The casing additionally includes a fluid distribution manifold that effectively distributes the cooling fluid within the casing to more efficiently provide cooling to the x-ray tube insert disposed within the casing.

Abstract: An x-ray tube window cooling assembly (11) for an x-ray tube (18) includes an electron collector body (110). The electron collector body (110) is thermally coupled to an x-ray tube window (102). The electron collector body (110) may include a coolant circuit (112) with a coolant inlet (114) and a coolant outlet (122). One or more thermal exchange devices may be coupled to the x-ray tube window (102) or to the coolant circuit (112) and reduce temperature of the x-ray tube window (102).

Abstract: An x-ray tube window cooling assembly (11) for an x-ray tube (18) includes an electron collector body (110). The electron collector body (110) is thermally coupled to an x-ray tube window (102). The electron collector body (110) includes a coolant circuit (112) with a coolant inlet (114) and a coolant outlet (122). Multiple thermal exchange devices are coupled to the coolant circuit (112) and reduce temperature of a coolant passing through the exchange devices.

Abstract: An x-ray tube window cooling assembly (11) for an x-ray tube (18) includes an electron collector body (110). The electron collector body (110) is thermally coupled to an x-ray tube window (102). The electron collector body (110) may include a coolant circuit (112) with a coolant inlet (114) and a coolant outlet (122). One or more thermal exchange devices may be coupled to the x-ray tube window (102) or to the coolant circuit (112) and reduce temperature of the x-ray tube window (102).

Abstract: An x-ray tube window cooling assembly (11) for an x-ray tube (18) includes an electron collector body (110). The electron collector body (110) is thermally coupled to an x-ray tube window (102). The electron collector body (110) includes a coolant circuit (112) with a coolant inlet (114) and a coolant outlet (122). Multiple thermal exchange devices are coupled to the coolant circuit (112) and reduce temperature of a coolant passing through the exchange devices.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an x-ray source adapted to generate an x-ray flux. The system further includes an array of analogic computer modules, each of which contains an array of detector elements arranged to form “slices” as in a CT scanner. The analogic computer modules then process the signals from the detector elements.

Abstract: An x-ray tube window cooling assembly (11) for an x-ray tube (18) is provided. The cooling assembly (11) includes an electron collector body (110) coupled to an x-ray tube window (104) and having a first coolant circuit (112). The coolant circuit (112) includes a coolant inlet (114) and a coolant outlet (122). The coolant outlet (122) directs coolant at an x-ray tube window surface (152) to impinge upon and cool the x-ray tube window (104). The coolant is reflected off the reflection surface (146) as to impinge upon and cool the x-ray tube window (104). A method of operating the x-ray tube (18) is also provided.

Abstract: An x-ray tube window cooling assembly (11) for an x-ray tube (18) is provided. The cooling assembly (11) includes an electron collector body (110) coupled to an x-ray tube window (104) and having a first coolant circuit (112). The coolant circuit (112) includes a coolant inlet (114) and a coolant outlet (122). The coolant outlet (122) directs coolant at an x-ray tube window surface (152) to impinge upon and cool the x-ray tube window (104). The coolant is reflected off the reflection surface (146) as to impinge upon and cool the x-ray tube window (104). A method of operating the x-ray tube (18) is also provided.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an x-ray source adapted to generate an x-ray flux. The system further includes an array of analogic computer modules, each of which contains an array of detector elements arranged to form “slices” as in a CT scanner. The analogic computer modules then process the signals from the detector elements.

Abstract: An x-ray tube for emitting x-rays which includes an anode assembly and a cathode assembly is disclosed herein. The x-ray tube includes a vacuum vessel, an anode assembly disposed in the vacuum vessel and including a target, a cathode assembly disposed in the vacuum vessel at a distance from the anode assembly, and a heat pipe is supported relative to the anode assembly. The cathode assembly is configured to emit electrons which hit the target of the anode assembly and produce x-rays. The heat pipe transfers thermal energy away from the target through the vacuum vessel. The heat pipe provides for greater thermal transfer down the bearing shaft of the anode assembly, thereby providing greater cooling of the anode assembly.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage and transfer assembly is disclosed for use in electron beam generating devices that generate residual energy. The residual energy comprises radiant thermal energy and kinetic energy of back scattered electrons. The thermal energy storage and transfer assembly absorbs and stores an amount of the residual energy to reduce the heat load on other components in the electron beam generating device. The thermal energy storage and transfer device comprises a body portion of a sufficient thermal capacity to permit the rate of transfer of the amount of the residual energy absorbed into the assembly to substantially exceed the rate of transfer of the amount of the residual energy out of the assembly. The assembly also comprises a heat exchange chamber filled with a circulating fluid that transfers the thermal energy out of the assembly.

Abstract: An x-ray tube for emitting x-rays through an x-ray transmissive window is disclosed herein. The x-ray tube includes a casing, an x-ray tube insert which generates x-rays, an x-ray transmissive window disposed in the x-ray tube insert, and at least one heat pipe thermally coupled to the x-ray transmissive window. The x-ray transmissive window provides an area through which the x-rays pass. The heat pipe transfers thermal energy away from the x-ray transmissive window, providing intense, localized cooling of the x-ray window.

Abstract: An x-ray tube for emitting x-rays through an x-ray transmissive window is disclosed herein. The x-ray tube includes a casing, an x-ray tube insert which generates x-rays, an x-ray transmissive window disposed in the x-ray tube insert, and at least one heat pipe thermally coupled to the x-ray transmissive window. The x-ray transmissive window provides an area through which the x-rays pass. The heat pipe transfers thermal energy away from the x-ray transmissive window, providing intense, localized cooling of the x-ray window.

Abstract: X-ray detector apparatus is provided for use in a CT imaging system having a rotatable gantry. The apparatus comprises a selected number of X-ray detector cells and two curved rails, which hold the detector cells in an array comprising an arcuate configuration and mount them onto the gantry for rotation therewith. Conduit segments are distributed along the rails, each conduit segment being proximate to a corresponding group of X-ray detector cells, and a quantity of selected working fluid and a porous wick structure is sealably enclosed in each conduit segment. The fluid is disposed to move along a conduit segment in gaseous form by means of convection, and to move in the opposing direction through the wick structure, in liquid form, by means of capillary action Heat is thereby transferred along a conduit segment to maintain a substantially isothermal condition among the detector cells proximate thereto.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage and transfer assembly is disclosed for use in electron beam generating devices that generate residual energy. The residual energy comprises radiant thermal energy and kinetic energy of back scattered electrons. The thermal energy storage and transfer assembly absorbs and stores an amount of the residual energy to reduce the heat load on other components in the electron beam generating device. The thermal energy storage and transfer device comprises a body portion of a sufficient thermal capacity to permit the rate of transfer of the amount of the residual energy absorbed into the assembly to substantially exceed the rate of transfer of the amount of the residual energy out of the assembly. The assembly also comprises a heat exchange chamber filled with a circulating fluid that transfers the thermal energy out of the assembly.

Abstract: A system and method are proposed for cooling the anode of an X-ray tube. A bearing shaft associated with the anode has an associated single rotating seal there around, and contains a liquid metal. A primary liquid metal flow path is used to transfer heat from the anode, and a secondary liquid metal flow path is provided to seal the single rotating seal. Accordingly, the present invention provides an effective means for containing liquid metal in the bearing shaft of an anode assembly, and using the liquid metal to cool the anode of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: Heat removal apparatus is provided for an X-ray tube having a frame, a shaft mounted for rotation with respect to the frame, and an anode supported on the shaft for rotation therewith. The apparatus comprises a heat transfer component, which is fixably joined to the frame in closely spaced relationship with an end portion of the rotatable shaft, and further comprises a radially, axially and tilt compliant sealing device, such as a flexible bellows, which is positioned to substantially enclose a space extending between the heat transfer component and a specified end portion of the shaft. A selected thermally conductive liquid metal, such as a gallium alloy, is contained within the enclosed space to provide a path for the flow of heat from the shaft to the heat transfer component, as the shaft and the anode rotate with respect to the frame. Such arrangement also permits expansion of the liquid metal, in the event of freezing.

Abstract: An x-ray transmissive window assembly for use in metal framed x-ray tubes is formed of at least two layers of metal joined by explosion welding. An x-ray transmissive window, preferably comprising aluminum or an aluminum alloy, is joined to a transition layer, which is typically the same material as the x-ray tube vacuum vessel, to form the transmissive window assembly. The transmissive window is formed in the assembly by removing the transition layer material from the central region. A weld flange is prepared by removing the x-ray transmissive window material from the periphery of the assembly. The assembly is then welded into the x-ray tube vacuum vessel using traditional techniques. In another embodiment, a multi-layered window assembly comprises an x-ray transmissive window, a transition layer weldable to an x-ray tube vacuum vessel, and an intermediate layer that acts as a mask or aperture to attenuate peripheral radiation and clearly define the edges of the transmitted x-ray beam.