Abstract: An x-ray tube (10) includes an evacuated envelope (14), a cathode assembly (20) located in the evacuated envelope and a disk shaped anode assembly (18) located in the evacuated envelope in operative relationship with the cathode assembly for generating x-rays (40). The anode assembly includes an axis of rotation (26) and a target substrate (28) facing the cathode assembly. A heat pipe (33) is located within the anode assembly (18). The heat pipe is comprised of an evacuated shell (60) and is vacuum sealed at a first end (70) of the shell and at a second end (72). A material (80, 82) within the shell is a working fluid for the heat pipe at x-ray tube operating conditions. A porous wick (62) is located within the shell and the wick has a length extending from the first end (70) of the shell to the second end (72) of the shell. A shield (64) is attached to the wick to reduce working fluid loss out of the wick during x-ray tube operation.

Abstract: An x-ray tube (10) includes an evacuated envelope (14), a cathode assembly (20) located in the evacuated envelope and a disk shaped anode assembly (18) located in the evacuated envelope in operative relationship with the cathode assembly for generating x-rays (40). The anode assembly includes an axis of rotation (26) and a target substrate (28) facing the cathode assembly. A heat pipe (33) is located within the anode assembly (18). The heat pipe is comprised of an evacuated shell (60) and is vacuum sealed at a first end (70) of the shell and at a second end (72). A material (80, 82) within the shell is a working fluid for the heat pipe at x-ray tube operating conditions. A porous wick (62) is located within the shell and the wick has a length extending from the first end (70) of the shell to the second end (72) of the shell. A shield (64) is attached to the wick to reduce working fluid loss out of the wick during x-ray tube operation.

Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly (16) includes a housing (40) and an insert frame (54) supported within the housing (40), such that the insert frame (54) defines a substantially evacuated envelope in which a cathode assembly (60) and a rotating anode assembly (58) operate to produce x-rays. The rotating anode assembly (58) includes an anode target plate (64) coupled to a rotor (66) and bearing shaft (82), which is rotatably supported within a bearing housing (84), by a plurality of ball bearings (86). A heat barrier (90) substantially surrounds the bearing housing (84) and is coupled, along with the bearing housing (84) to an anode cold plate (100). The anode cold plate (100) includes a grooved cover (102), a basin (110), and a plurality of corrugated fins (120) disposed therein. Coupling both the bearing housing (84) and the heat barrier (90) to the anode cold plate (100) provides an effective means for cooling the bearing assembly (80).

Abstract: A CT scanner comprises an x-ray window mounted on an x-ray tube, a cooling fluid circulation line, and a cooling fluid return line. A cold-plate is operatively mounted on the x-ray tube around the x-ray window. The cold plate includes an elongated shell and corrugated fins for rapidly removing heat from the x-ray window. The circulation line is in fluid communication with an inlet of the cold-plate, a cooling fluid reservoir defined between the x-ray tube and a surrounding housing, and a heat exchanger. The return line is in fluid communication with an outlet of the cold-plate, the cooling fluid reservoir, and the heat exchanger. A pump circulates the cooling fluid through the heat exchanger, the suction and return lines, the cold-plate, and the x-ray tube housing.

Abstract: A high energy x-ray tube includes an evacuated chamber (12) containing a rotor (34) which rotates an anode (10) in the path of a stream of electrons (A) to generate an x-ray beam (B) and heat. The rotor includes an armature (36) which rotates around a stationary rotor support (40). An emissive coating is formed on the rotor by depositing an iron Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 oxide plasma onto the surface of the armature. Heat generated in the anode during the production of x-rays is conducted through the anode and the rotor to the emissive coating which irradiates the heat across vacuum, thereby increasing the lifetime of the tube. A stator (32) generates an oscillating magnetic field which induces opposing fields in the Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 coating to create the rotational forces to rotate the anode.