Abstract: A cooling system for use with high-power x-ray tubes. The cooling system includes a dielectric coolant disposed in the x-ray tube housing so as to absorb heat dissipated by the stator and other electrical components, as well as absorbing some heat from the x-ray tube itself. To improve heat absorption from the stator and the x-ray tube, the dielectric coolant is circulated throughout the housing by a circulating pump. The cooling system also includes a coolant circuit employing a pressurized water/glycol solution as a coolant. Pressurization of the water/glycol solution is achieved by way of an accumulator which, by pressurizing the coolant to a desired level, raises its boiling point and capacity to absorb heat.

Abstract: An improved x-ray tube cooling system is disclosed. The system utilizes a shield structure that is connected between a cathode cylinder and an x-ray tube housing and is disposed between the electron source and the target anode. The shield a plurality of cooling fins to improve overall cooling of the x-ray tube and the shield so as to extend the life of the x-ray tube and related components. When immersed in a reservoir of coolant fluid, the fins facilitate improved heat transfer by convection from the shield to the to the coolant fluid. The cooling effect achieved with the cooling fins is further augmented by a convective cooling system provided by a plurality of passageways formed within the shield, which are used to provide a fluid path to the coolant. In particular, a cooling unit takes fluid from the reservoir, cools the fluid, then circulates the cooled fluid through cooling passages. The coolant is then output from the passageway and directed over the cooling fins.

Abstract: A cooling system for use in conjunction with rotating anode and stationary anode x-ray tubes. The cooling system includes a reservoir containing a volume of coolant in which a portion of the x-ray tube is immersed. A bladder incorporated in the reservoir and in communication with the atmosphere automatically permits thermal expansion of the coolant while maintaining the coolant at atmospheric pressure. An external cooling unit directs a flow of coolant through a pressure drop device proximate to the x-ray tube so that the flowing coolant removes heat from the x-ray tube. Upon exiting the pressure drop device, the heated coolant is directed to the reservoir and ultimately returned to the external cooling unit where heat is removed from the coolant and the coolant then redirected back to the pressure drop device to repeat the cycle.

Abstract: An X-ray generation apparatus has a housing comprising an evacuated envelope with a rotatable anode target surrounded by an all metal grounded exterior structure and a cooling system. The cooling system comprises a coolant circulating system with heat exchanger and means for circulating a fluid coolant through an interior of the X-ray generating apparatus; a hollow shield structure with center aperture for passing and electron beam; and a cooling block which is disposed proximate to the rotatable anode target and comprises a disk with a plurality of concentric annular channels formed by concentric annular partitions. The shield structure and the disk of the cooling block are made of thermally conductive material. An interior of the shield structure is filled with structures such as pins, fins or pack bed which are made of thermally conductive materials.

Abstract: An X-ray tube construction of the rotating anode type for reducing acoustic noise and vibration by using granules which are placed loosely within an anode cavity formed between the outer surface of an anode shank and a wall of an anode sleeve in proximity to a bearing journaled to a rotor shaft for rotation of an anode structure.