Abstract: A sealing system is disclosed for preventing liquid escape from the reservoir of an apparatus, such as an x-ray tube, that utilizes a diaphragm for maintaining constant liquid pressure in the reservoir. The sealing system of embodiments of the present invention contains liquid that leaks from the reservoir as a result of rupture or other failure of the diaphragm. In one embodiment, a diaphragm cooperates with an outer housing of an x-ray tube to define a reservoir for containing a cooling liquid. The diaphragm sealing system surrounds the diaphragm and includes a semi-permeable membrane that enables air to pass through to the diaphragm to expose it to atmospheric pressure for proper operation thereof. Upon diaphragm failure, the membrane has hydrophobic and oleophobic properties to prevent cooling liquid from escaping the diaphragm sealing system, and hence, the x-ray tube, thereby preventing the cooling liquid from presenting a health or safety hazard.

Abstract: An integrated fluid pump for use in circulating a coolant in an x-ray tube is disclosed. The pump includes a pump body, a pump head, and a motor. The pump head defines a pump volume and further includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an impeller positioned in the pump volume that is rotatably driven by the motor to receive coolant from the fluid inlet and eject the fluid via the fluid outlet. The pump is structurally integrated with an outer housing of the x-ray tube, the outer housing containing the coolant. In one embodiment, the fluid inlet and a portion of the pump volume are defined by a portion of the outer housing of the x-ray tube. This integration makes the structural completeness of the fluid pump dependent on the outer housing or other suitable x-ray tube component.