An X-ray tube capable of preventing liquid metal leakage

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of manufacturing X-ray tubes for CT machines, and specifically to an X-ray tube that prevents liquid metal leakage. The invention comprises: a cover body, a cathode head and an anode target plate are arranged on one side of the cover body, the anode target plate is rotatably arranged in the cover body, and the anode target plate is arranged on the side of the emission end corresponding to the cathode head; a liquid metal bearing, the liquid metal bearing comprises a bearing inner shaft and a bearing outer sleeve sleeved on the bearing inner shaft, a liquid metal layer is arranged between the bearing inner shaft and the bearing outer sleeve, the bearing inner shaft is mounted on the cover body, and the anode target plate is mounted on the bearing outer sleeve; the bearing outer sleeve comprises a set of kits connected in an axial sealing manner, a collection tank is arranged between a pair of adjacent kits, and the collection tank is arranged on the radial outer side of the liquid metal layer; a driving rotor, the driving rotor is sleeved and mounted on the bearing outer sleeve. It is capable of preventing the micro-leaked liquid metal from escaping to the outside of the bearing outer sleeve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of manufacturing X-ray tubes for CT machines, and in particular to an X-ray tube capable of preventing liquid metal leakage. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of the medical imaging industry, X-ray tubes are also facing more and more challenges. Since its launch, liquid metal bearings have become the only choice for most mid-to-high-end CT tube systems with their advantages of high heat dissipation, low wear, low vibration, and low noise. However, the realization of liquid metal bearings is extremely difficult. One of the difficulties is that liquid metal will produce radial micro-leakage due to centrifugal force under special working conditions. The leaked liquid metal dissipates into the tube core, resulting in an increased risk of tube ignition. Once attached to the tube core window position, it will also cause artifacts and other defects in the CT system. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides an X-ray tube that is resistant to liquid metal leakage, which is capable of preventing micro-leaked liquid metal from escaping to the outside of the bearing housing.

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0005] An X-ray tube for preventing liquid metal leakage, comprising:

[0006] A cover body, wherein a cathode head is provided on one side of the cover body.

[0007] An anode target plate, the anode target plate is rotatably disposed in the cover body, and the anode target plate is disposed on a side of the emission end corresponding to the cathode head;

[0008] A liquid metal bearing, the liquid metal bearing comprising a bearing inner shaft and a bearing outer sleeve sleeved on the bearing inner shaft, a liquid metal layer being arranged between the bearing inner shaft and the bearing outer sleeve, the bearing inner shaft being mounted on a cover body, and the anode target plate being mounted on the bearing outer sleeve; the bearing outer sleeve comprising a set of axially sealed kits, a collecting tank being arranged between a pair of adjacent kits, and the collecting tank being arranged radially outside the liquid metal layer;

[0009] A driving rotor is sleeved and mounted on a bearing sleeve.

[0010] Based on the above structure, the principle of the X-ray tube that prevents liquid metal leakage is as follows: the method of use is as follows: the cathode head bombards the anode target disk under the drive of a high-voltage electric field to generate X-rays. The external driving stator drives the rotor to rotate, driving the bearing sleeve and the anode target disk to rotate around the inner shaft of the bearing. Under extreme working conditions, the liquid metal in the liquid metal layer will radially overflow outward from the sealing connection between adjacent sets, forming a micro-leakage. At this time, the overflowed liquid metal is collected by the collection tank, which can prevent the micro-leaked liquid metal from escaping to the outside of the bearing sleeve, causing sparks, artifacts and other faults.

[0011] Furthermore, in the liquid metal leakage-proof X-ray tube described in the present application, the kit includes a connecting pipe connected to the anode target plate and a rear cover, and the driving rotor is installed on the rear cover. As a preferred solution of the present application, the connecting pipe is arranged on the side of the anode target plate away from the cathode head, and the connecting pipe is integrally arranged with the anode target plate or connected to the anode target plate by a fastener.

[0012] Furthermore, in the liquid metal leakage-proof X-ray tube described in the present application, a positioning section is provided on the inner shaft of the bearing, and the connecting pipe and the rear cover are arranged on both sides of the positioning section. As a preferred solution of the present application, the positioning section can realize the axial positioning of the bearing sleeve and the components installed on the bearing sleeve.

[0013] Furthermore, in the liquid metal leakage-proof X-ray tube described in the present application, the kit also includes a ring body sleeved on the radially outer side of the positioning section, and the ring body is arranged between the connecting tube and the rear cover.

[0014] Furthermore, in the liquid metal leakage-proof X-ray tube described in the present application, the connecting tube, the ring body and the rear cover are axially fastened and connected by screws to form an axial seal, and the collecting groove is arranged on the radial inner side of the screws.

[0015] Furthermore, in the X-ray tube for preventing liquid metal leakage described in the present application, the inner wall of the collection tank is covered with an adsorption layer. As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the adsorption layer is used to adsorb the liquid metal entering the collection tank to prevent the liquid metal entering the collection tank from continuing to leak out. The material of the adsorption layer includes sodium dodecyl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate.

[0016] Furthermore, in the X-ray tube for preventing liquid metal leakage described in the present application, the collecting tank is provided with an introduction slope on the side close to the liquid metal layer, and the introduction slope is inclined toward the liquid metal layer. As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the introduction slope forms an opening inclined toward the liquid metal layer, which can effectively introduce the liquid metal that overflows radially outward from the liquid metal layer into the collecting tank.

[0017] Furthermore, in the liquid metal leakage-proof X-ray tube described in the present application, a cooling hole is provided in the inner shaft of the bearing. As a preferred solution of the present application, a cooling medium flows through the cooling hole to achieve heat dissipation of the anode target plate and the liquid metal bearing.

[0018] It can be seen from the above technical solution that the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] The present invention provides an X-ray tube that prevents liquid metal leakage, wherein the cathode head bombards the anode target disk under the drive of a high voltage electric field to generate X-rays. The external driving stator drives the driving rotor to rotate, driving the bearing sleeve and the anode target disk to rotate around the inner shaft of the bearing. Under extreme working conditions, the liquid metal in the liquid metal layer will radially overflow outward from the sealing connection between adjacent sets, forming a micro-leakage. At this time, the overflowed liquid metal is collected by the collection tank, which can prevent the micro-leaked liquid metal from escaping to the outside of the bearing sleeve, causing sparks, artifacts and other faults. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an X-ray tube for preventing liquid metal leakage according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 2 An enlarged view of the position of the collecting slot corresponding to an X-ray tube for preventing liquid metal leakage described in an embodiment of the present application (the collecting slot is arranged on the ring body);

[0022] Figure 3 This is an enlarged view of the position of the corresponding collection tank of an X-ray tube that prevents liquid metal leakage described in an embodiment of the present application (the collection tank is arranged on the connecting tube and the rear cover).

[0023] In the figure: 1-cover body; 11-cathode cover; 2-cathode head; 3-anode target plate; 4-liquid metal bearing; 40-collecting tank; 401-introduction slope; 41-bearing inner shaft; 410-cooling hole; 411-positioning section; 42-bearing outer sleeve; 420-connecting edge; 421-connecting pipe; 422-rear cover; 423-ring body; 43-liquid metal layer; 44-screw; 5-driving rotor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Example

[0025] Combination Figure 1 The X-ray tube shown is provided to prevent liquid metal leakage, comprising:

[0026] A cover body 1, wherein a cathode head 2 is disposed on one side of the cover body 1. Correspondingly, the cover body 1 comprises a cathode cover 11, and the cathode head 2 is disposed in the cathode cover 11;

[0027] an anode target plate 3, wherein the anode target plate 3 is rotatably disposed in the cover body 1, and the anode target plate 3 is disposed on a side of the emission end corresponding to the cathode head 2;

[0028] The liquid metal bearing 4 comprises a bearing inner shaft 41 and a bearing outer sleeve 42 sleeved on the bearing inner shaft 41, a liquid metal layer 43 is provided between the bearing inner shaft 41 and the bearing outer sleeve 42, the bearing inner shaft 41 is installed on the cover body 1, and the anode target plate 3 is installed on the bearing outer sleeve 42; the bearing outer sleeve 42 comprises a set of axially sealed kits, and a pair of adjacent kits are provided between them. Figure 2 or Figure 3 The collecting tank 40 shown is arranged radially outside the liquid metal layer 43;

[0029] The driving rotor 5 is sleeved and mounted on the bearing sleeve 42 .

[0030] Based on the above structure, the principle of the X-ray tube that prevents liquid metal leakage is as follows: the method of use is as follows: the cathode head 2 bombards the anode target plate 3 under the drive of a high voltage electric field to generate X-rays. The external driving stator drives the driving rotor 5 to rotate, driving the bearing sleeve 42 and the anode target plate 3 to rotate around the bearing inner shaft 41. Under extreme working conditions, the liquid metal in the liquid metal layer 43 will radially overflow outward from the sealing connection between the adjacent kits to form a micro-leakage. At this time, the overflowed liquid metal is collected by the collection tank 40, which can prevent the micro-leaked liquid metal from escaping to the outside of the bearing sleeve 42, causing sparks, artifacts and other faults.

[0031] In this embodiment, the tail end of the bearing inner shaft 41 is fixed to the side of the cover body 1 away from the cathode cover 11 by welding.

[0032] In this embodiment, the kit includes a connecting pipe 421 and a rear cover 422 connected to the anode target plate 3, and the driving rotor 5 is installed on the rear cover 422. The connecting pipe 421 is arranged on the side of the anode target plate 3 away from the cathode head 2, and the connecting pipe 421 is integrally arranged with the anode target plate 3 or connected to the anode target plate 3 through a fastener.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bearing inner shaft 41 is provided with a positioning section 411, and the connecting pipe 421 and the rear cover 422 are arranged on both sides of the positioning section 411. The positioning section 411 can realize the axial positioning of the bearing sleeve 42 and various components installed on the bearing sleeve 42.

[0034] In this embodiment, the kit further includes a ring body 423 sleeved on the radially outer side of the positioning section 411, and the ring body 423 is arranged between the connecting pipe 421 and the rear cover 422. Specifically, in this embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, the collecting groove 40 is arranged on the end surfaces of both sides of the ring body 423. Optionally, the collecting groove 40 can also be as Figure 3 As shown, it is arranged on one side end surface of the connecting pipe 421 and the rear cover part 422 near the ring body 423.

[0035] In this embodiment, the connecting pipe 421, the ring body 423 and the rear cover part 422 are axially fastened and connected by screws 44 to form an axial seal, and the collecting groove 40 is arranged on the radial inner side of the screws 44. Specifically, the connecting pipe 421 and the rear cover part 422 are radially extended outwardly corresponding to the ring body 423 and provided with a connecting edge 420, the connecting edge 420 is annular, and the screws 44 are installed on the connecting edge 420.

[0036] In this embodiment, the inner wall of the collecting tank 40 is covered with an adsorption layer. The adsorption layer is used to prevent the liquid metal entering the collecting tank 40 from continuing to leak out. The material of the adsorption layer includes sodium dodecyl sulfate or sodium lauryl polyether sulfate.

[0037] In this embodiment, the collecting tank 40 is provided with an introduction slope 401 on one side close to the liquid metal layer 43, and the introduction slope 401 is inclined toward the liquid metal layer 43. The introduction slope 401 forms an opening inclined toward the liquid metal layer 43, which can effectively introduce the liquid metal radially overflowing from the liquid metal layer 43 into the collecting tank 40.

[0038] In this embodiment, a cooling hole 410 is provided in the bearing inner shaft 41 , through which a cooling medium flows to dissipate heat of the anode target plate 3 and the liquid metal bearing 4 .

[0039] The technical principles of the present invention are described above in conjunction with specific embodiments. These descriptions are only for explaining the principles of the present invention and cannot be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention in any way. Based on the explanations herein, those skilled in the art can associate other specific implementations of the present invention without creative work, and these methods will fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An X-ray tube for preventing liquid metal leakage, characterized in that: include: A cover body (1), wherein a cathode head (2) is provided on one side of the cover body (1). an anode target plate (3), the anode target plate (3) being rotatably disposed in the cover body (1), the anode target plate (3) being disposed on a side of an emission end corresponding to the cathode head (2); A liquid metal bearing (4), the liquid metal bearing (4) comprising a bearing inner shaft (41) and a bearing outer sleeve (42) sleeved on the bearing inner shaft (41), a liquid metal layer (43) being provided between the bearing inner shaft (41) and the bearing outer sleeve (42), the bearing inner shaft (41) being mounted on a cover body (1), and the anode target plate (3) being mounted on the bearing outer sleeve (42); the bearing outer sleeve (42) comprising a set of axially sealed kits, a collecting groove (40) being provided between a pair of adjacent kits, and the collecting groove (40) being provided radially outside the liquid metal layer (43); A driving rotor (5), wherein the driving rotor (5) is sleeved and mounted on a bearing sleeve (42); A positioning section (411) is provided on the bearing inner shaft (41), the bearing outer sleeve (42) and the liquid metal layer (43) are coated on the outside of the positioning section (411), and the collecting groove (40) is arranged radially outside the positioning section (411).

2. The X-ray tube for preventing liquid metal leakage according to claim 1, characterized in that: The kit comprises a connecting pipe (421) connected to an anode target plate (3) and a rear cover portion (422), and the driving rotor (5) is mounted on the rear cover portion (422).

3. The X-ray tube for preventing liquid metal leakage according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connecting pipe (421) and the rear cover portion (422) are arranged on both sides of the positioning section (411).

4. The X-ray tube for preventing liquid metal leakage according to claim 3, characterized in that: The kit further comprises a ring body (423) sleeved on the radially outer side of the positioning section (411); the ring body (423) is arranged between the connecting pipe (421) and the rear cover portion (422).

5. The X-ray tube for preventing liquid metal leakage according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connecting pipe (421), the ring body (423) and the rear cover portion (422) are axially fastened and connected by means of screws (44) to form an axial seal, and the collecting groove (40) is arranged radially inside the screws (44).

6. The X-ray tube for preventing liquid metal leakage according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the collecting tank (40) is covered with an adsorption layer for adsorbing the liquid metal entering the collecting tank (40).

7. The X-ray tube for preventing liquid metal leakage according to claim 6, characterized in that: The material of the adsorption layer includes sodium dodecyl sulfate.

8. The X-ray tube for preventing liquid metal leakage according to claim 6, characterized in that: The material of the adsorption layer includes sodium laureth sulfate.

9. The X-ray tube for preventing liquid metal leakage according to claim 1, characterized in that: A guide slope (401) is provided on a side of the collecting tank (40) close to the liquid metal layer (43), and the guide slope (401) is arranged to be inclined toward the side of the liquid metal layer (43).

10. The X-ray tube for preventing liquid metal leakage according to claim 1, characterized in that: A cooling hole (410) is provided in the bearing inner shaft (41).

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