CT bulb tube anode assembly
By designing the graphite target disk and rotor system, and combining the support and bearing mechanisms, the heat dissipation and stability issues of the CT tube anode target disk under high temperature conditions were solved, achieving long-term stable operation and extended lifespan of the anode target disk.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-07
AI Technical Summary
The anode target disk of a CT tube is difficult to work stably for a long time under high temperature, high speed rotation and vacuum conditions, and has a short service life. This is mainly due to the inability to effectively dissipate heat and the single bombardment position, which leads to damage.
A graphite target disk is used as the anode component. Combined with a support mechanism and bearing system, the graphite target disk is rotated by a rotor to dissipate heat. The rotor is driven to rotate by a magnetic field-driven coil to avoid bombardment in a single position. At the same time, the bearing connection is stabilized by a slider and spring mechanism to achieve limiting and support.
This effectively prevents the anode target plate from being damaged by localized overheating, extends its service life, and improves the stability and reliability of the CT tube.
Smart Images
Figure CN121812436A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of CT tube technology, specifically a CT tube anode assembly. Background Technology
[0002] A CT scanner is a fully functional medical imaging instrument. With technological advancements, CT scanners have become widely used in the medical field due to their high resolution and intuitive, accurate diagnostic results. The CT tube, also known as an X-ray tube, is the core component of a CT scanner, used to generate X-rays. The quality of the CT tube's technology directly affects the CT scanner's performance.
[0003] An X-ray tube mainly consists of an anode, a cathode, and a glass shell. The anode includes a rotor, bearings, a fixed bushing, and an anode target disk. The cathode includes a filament, a cathode head, and a cathode core. During use, the filament, made of tungsten wire, emits a sufficient number of electrons at high temperatures, serving as an electron source. Under the influence of a strong electric field formed by a high voltage of tens to hundreds of kilovolts applied between the anode and cathode, electrons are accelerated and form a high-speed electron stream. The anode's function is to attract and accelerate electrons, causing the high-speed electrons to bombard the target disk surface. The target surface is rapidly blocked by the electron bombardment, generating X-rays.
[0004] The entire electrode system of the X-ray tube is encapsulated in a high-vacuum glass shell. The glass shell supports the cathode and anode and provides the vacuum environment necessary for high-speed electron flight and normal operation of the high-temperature filament. Because the anode target disk of the CT tube needs to be bombarded by high-speed electron beams under high temperature, high-speed rotation and vacuum conditions, the electron bombardment point exceeds 2300°C. The instantaneous temperature of the target (whole) directly bombarded by the electron beam is extremely high, reaching over 1300°C. The base temperature and bearing operating temperature of the target disk during continuous operation can reach over 300°C. Therefore, cracks usually appear on the surface of the anode target disk. At the same time, because the generated heat cannot be dissipated in time, the anode target disk is difficult to work stably for a long time and has a short service life.
[0005] Therefore, a CT tube anode assembly is proposed to address the above problems. Summary of the Invention
[0006] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies and solve the problem that the anode target plate is difficult to operate stably for a long time under high temperature conditions, this invention proposes a CT tube anode assembly.
[0007] A CT tube anode assembly includes a housing, wherein a graphite target disk is rotatably mounted inside the housing cavity; It also includes a support mechanism for supporting the graphite target disk; The bearing mechanism includes a top cover, which is fixedly installed at the bottom of the graphite target disk. A rotor is provided in the inner cavity of the top cover. A bearing is provided at the bottom of the rotor. A bearing sleeve is rotatably connected to the bottom of the bearing. The bearing sleeve is rotatably connected to the rotor. A magnetic sleeve is fixedly installed on the outer surface of the bearing sleeve. The magnetic sleeve is located between the rotor and the bearing sleeve. A first groove is provided at the bottom of the bearing sleeve.
[0008] Preferably, a fixing plate is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the outer shell, and the top of the fixing plate has several flow holes.
[0009] Preferably, a sealing plate is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the outer shell, and a second groove is formed in the inner cavity of the sealing plate, and the bearing sleeve is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the second groove.
[0010] Preferably, two stators are fixedly installed inside the outer shell cavity, and coils are wound around the outer surface of the rotor.
[0011] Preferably, a molybdenum nut is fixedly installed on the top of the graphite target disk, and the top cover is fixedly connected to the rotor by screws.
[0012] Preferably, a washer and a first flat washer are movably mounted on the outer surface of the screw, and a nut is threaded onto the outer surface of the screw.
[0013] Preferably, the rotor and the bearing are fixedly connected by square-head screws, and a third groove is provided in the inner cavity of the bearing sleeve, and a locking mechanism is slidably installed in the inner cavity of the third groove.
[0014] Preferably, the locking mechanism includes a buckle, which is fixedly connected to the bearing, and a slider is slidably installed in the inner cavity of the buckle.
[0015] Preferably, a first spring is fixedly connected to one end of the slider, and the first spring is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the buckle.
[0016] Preferably, a second flat washer is fixedly installed at the bottom of the bearing, and a second spring is fixedly installed at the bottom of the second flat washer.
[0017] The advantages of this invention are: 1. This invention uses a cathode to emit a high-energy electron beam, which is accelerated at high speed by a high-voltage electric field between the cathode and the graphite target disk to bombard the graphite target disk. Most of the electron beam emitted by the cathode is converted into heat energy, and only a portion is converted into X-rays. The graphite target disk can withstand the electron bombardment and generate X-rays. The rotor drives the top cover to rotate, and the top cover further drives the graphite target disk to rotate, thereby avoiding the cathode continuously bombarding a single position on the graphite target disk. When the graphite target disk rotates, the bombarded areas on the graphite target disk can dissipate heat, thus avoiding the problem of damage to the graphite target disk caused by continuous bombardment of a single position.
[0018] 2. This invention connects the bearing and the bearing sleeve by inserting the slider into the inner cavity of the third groove. In use, the first spring is first squeezed to make the slider slide into the inner cavity of the snap-fit, and then the slider is aligned with the third groove to install the slider in the inner cavity of the third groove. The second spring supports the second flat washer and the bearing, which can limit the bearing and the second flat washer and prevent the second flat washer and the bearing from sliding in the inner cavity of the bearing sleeve.
[0019] 3. This invention connects the bearing and the bearing sleeve by inserting the slider into the inner cavity of the third groove. In use, the first spring is first squeezed to make the slider slide into the inner cavity of the snap-fit, and then the slider is aligned with the third groove to install the slider in the inner cavity of the third groove. The second spring supports the second flat washer and the bearing, which can limit the bearing and the second flat washer and prevent the second flat washer and the bearing from sliding in the inner cavity of the bearing sleeve. Attached Figure Description
[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a stator mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a rotor connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the rotor cross-sectional structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the snap-fit structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] In the diagram: 1. Outer shell; 2. Sealing plate; 21. Fixing plate; 22. Flow hole; 23. Stator; 3. Graphite target plate; 31. Molybdenum nut; 32. Top cover; 33. Rotor; 331. Square head screw; 34. Coil; 35. Magnet sleeve; 36. Screw; 361. Washer; 362. First flat washer; 363. Nut; 37. Bearing sleeve; 371. Third groove; 372. Locking mechanism; 3721. Buckle; 3722. Slider; 3723. First spring; 4. Bearing; 41. Second flat washer; 42. Second spring. Detailed Implementation
[0023] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0024] Please see Figures 1 to 5 As shown, a CT tube anode assembly includes a housing 1, in which a graphite target disk 3 is rotatably mounted; it also includes a support mechanism for supporting the graphite target disk 3; the support mechanism includes a top cover 32, which is fixedly mounted on the bottom of the graphite target disk 3, a rotor 33 is disposed in the inner cavity of the top cover 32, a bearing 4 is disposed at the bottom of the rotor 33, a bearing sleeve 37 is rotatably connected to the bottom of the bearing 4, the bearing sleeve 37 is rotatably connected to the rotor 33, a magnetic guide sleeve 35 is fixedly mounted on the outer surface of the bearing sleeve 37, the magnetic guide sleeve 35 is located between the rotor 33 and the bearing sleeve 37, and a first groove is formed at the bottom of the bearing sleeve 37; Two stators 23 are fixedly installed inside the outer shell 1, and coils 34 are wound around the outer surface of the rotor 33. A molybdenum nut 31 is fixedly installed on the top of the graphite target disk 3, and the top cover 32 is fixedly connected to the rotor 33 by screws 36.
[0025] The anode target disk of existing CT tubes needs to be subjected to high-speed electron flow impacts under high temperature, high speed rotation and vacuum conditions. Therefore, cracks usually appear on the target surface of the anode target disk. At the same time, because the generated heat cannot be dissipated in time, the anode target disk is difficult to work stably for a long time and has a short service life.
[0026] The first groove can be a threaded groove, a right-angle groove, or other groove that can be connected to other accessories, so that the bearing sleeve 37 can have more matching options when in use.
[0027] In use, the inner cavity of the outer shell 1 is a closed vacuum environment. A cathode is installed inside the outer shell 1, through which a high-energy electron beam is emitted. Under the acceleration of the high-voltage electric field between the cathode and the graphite target disk 3, the electron beam bombards the graphite target disk 3 at high speed. Most of the electron beam emitted by the cathode is converted into heat energy, and only a portion is converted into X-rays. The graphite target disk 3 can withstand the electron bombardment and generate X-rays. Graphite acts as a "heat storage pool" and "heat conduction network" to prevent the target surface from burning. The huge amount of heat is first absorbed by the target ring. Due to its extremely high heat capacity and thermal conductivity, it acts like a "sponge" and a "highway," rapidly transferring the heat to the local focal point of the target ring. The heat absorption allows the heat to diffuse laterally along the entire circumference of the target disk 3 when it rotates, thus dispersing the heat over a much larger area and preventing the graphite target disk 3 from melting or cracking due to local overheating. During use, the rotor 33 drives the top cover 32 to rotate, and the top cover 32 further drives the graphite target disk 3 to rotate, thereby preventing the cathode from continuously bombarding a single position of the graphite target disk 3. When the graphite target disk 3 rotates, the bombarded areas of the graphite target disk 3 can dissipate heat, thus avoiding the problem of damage to the graphite target disk 3 caused by continuous bombardment of a single position. By energizing the stator 23, a magnetic field is generated. The magnetic field can drive the coil 34 to rotate the rotor 33. The rotor 33 further drives the top cover 32 and the graphite target disk 3 to rotate. The molybdenum nut 31 has high temperature resistance. This allows the graphite target disk 3 to rotate continuously while being bombarded, thereby allowing the cathode to bombard different positions of the graphite target disk 3 and dissipate heat from the bombardment points on the graphite target disk 3 after bombardment.
[0028] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, a sealing plate 2 is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the outer shell 1, and a second groove is opened in the inner cavity of the sealing plate 2. The bearing sleeve 37 is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the second groove.
[0029] When using this invention, the connection between the sealing plate 2 and the bearing sleeve 37 is first sealed. The connection between the sealing plate 2 and the bearing sleeve 37 enables the bearing sleeve 37 to rotate and also seals the inner cavity of the outer shell 1, allowing the bearing sleeve 37 to rotate while also transmitting power.
[0030] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 As shown, a washer 361 and a first flat washer 362 are movably mounted on the outer surface of the screw 36, and a nut 363 is threadedly connected to the outer surface of the screw 36. The rotor 33 and the bearing 4 are fixedly connected by a square head screw 331. A third groove 371 is provided in the inner cavity of the bearing sleeve 37, and a locking mechanism 372 is slidably mounted in the inner cavity of the third groove 371.
[0031] In use, the present invention can fix the top cover 32 and the rotor 33 by installing the nut 363 onto the outer surface of the screw 36. This allows the top cover 32 to rotate together when the rotor 33 rotates. The nut 363 and the rotor 33 are buffered by the washer 361 and the first flat washer 362. This can prevent the rotor 33 or the top cover 32 from being damaged due to excessive tightening force when the nut 363 is connected to the screw 36.
[0032] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the locking mechanism 372 includes a buckle 3721, which is fixedly connected to the bearing 4. A slider 3722 is slidably installed in the inner cavity of the buckle 3721. A first spring 3723 is fixedly connected to one end of the slider 3722. The first spring 3723 is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the buckle 3721. A second flat washer 41 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the bearing 4, and a second spring 42 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the second flat washer 41.
[0033] In use, to ensure a more stable connection between the bearing 4 and the bearing sleeve 37, and to increase the ease of connection, the bearing 4 and bearing sleeve 37 can be connected by inserting the slider 3722 into the inner cavity of the third groove 371. During use, first, the first spring 3723 is compressed, causing the slider 3722 to slide into the inner cavity of the buckle 3721. Then, the slider 3722 is aligned with the third groove 371 to install it within the inner cavity. The second spring 42 supports the second flat washer 41 and the bearing 4, thus limiting the movement of the bearing 4 and the second flat washer 41 and preventing them from sliding within the inner cavity of the bearing sleeve 37.
[0034] Working principle: A high-energy electron beam is emitted from the cathode and accelerated at high speed by the high-voltage electric field between the cathode and the graphite target disk 3, bombarding the graphite target disk 3. Most of the electron beam emitted by the cathode is converted into heat energy, and only a portion is converted into X-rays. The graphite target disk 3 can withstand the electron bombardment and generate X-rays. The rotor 33 drives the top cover 32 to rotate, and the top cover 32 further drives the graphite target disk 3 to rotate, thereby avoiding the cathode continuously bombarding a single position of the graphite target disk 3. When the graphite target disk 3 rotates, the bombarded positions of the graphite target disk 3 can dissipate heat, thus avoiding the problem of damage to the graphite target disk 3 caused by continuous bombardment of a single position.
[0035] The connection between the bearing 4 and the bearing sleeve 37 can be achieved by inserting the slider 3722 into the inner cavity of the third groove 371. In use, first, the first spring 3723 is compressed, causing the slider 3722 to slide into the inner cavity of the buckle 3721. Then, the slider 3722 is aligned with the third groove 371 to install it inside the inner cavity. The second spring 42 supports the second flat washer 41 and the bearing 4, thus limiting the movement of the bearing 4 and the second flat washer 41 and preventing them from sliding within the inner cavity of the bearing sleeve 37. The connection between the bearing 4 and the bearing sleeve 37 can be achieved by inserting the slider 3722 into the inner cavity of the third groove 371. In use, first squeeze the first spring 3723 to make the slider 3722 slide into the inner cavity of the buckle 3721, and then align the slider 3722 with the third groove 371 to install the slider 3722 into the inner cavity of the third groove 371. The second spring 42 supports the second flat washer 41 and the bearing 4, which can limit the bearing 4 and the second flat washer 41 and prevent the second flat washer 41 and the bearing 4 from sliding in the inner cavity of the bearing sleeve 37.
[0036] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "an embodiment," "example," "specific example," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0037] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
Claims
1. A CT tube anode assembly, comprising a housing (1), wherein a graphite target disk (3) is rotatably mounted in the inner cavity of the housing (1). It also includes a support mechanism for supporting the graphite target disk (3). Its features are: The bearing mechanism includes a top cover (32), which is fixedly installed at the bottom of the graphite target disk (3). A rotor (33) is provided in the inner cavity of the top cover (32). A bearing (4) is provided at the bottom of the rotor (33). A bearing sleeve (37) is rotatably connected to the bottom of the bearing (4). The bearing sleeve (37) is rotatably connected to the rotor (33). A magnetic guide sleeve (35) is fixedly installed on the outer surface of the bearing sleeve (37). The magnetic guide sleeve (35) is located between the rotor (33) and the bearing sleeve (37). A first groove is provided at the bottom of the bearing sleeve (37).
2. The CT tube anode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A fixing plate (21) is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the outer shell (1), and a number of flow holes (22) are opened on the top of the fixing plate (21).
3. A CT tube anode assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: A sealing plate (2) is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the outer shell (1). A second groove is opened in the inner cavity of the sealing plate (2). The bearing sleeve (37) is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the second groove.
4. A CT tube anode assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: Two stators (23) are fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the outer shell (1), and coils (34) are wound on the outer surface of the rotor (33).
5. A CT tube anode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The graphite target disk (3) is fixedly installed with a molybdenum nut (31) on the top, and the top cover (32) is fixedly connected to the rotor (33) by screws (36).
6. A CT tube anode assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: A washer (361) and a first flat washer (362) are movably mounted on the outer surface of the screw (36), and a nut (363) is threaded onto the outer surface of the screw (36).
7. A CT tube anode assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The rotor (33) and the bearing (4) are fixedly connected by square head screws (331). The bearing sleeve (37) has a third groove (371) in its inner cavity, and a locking mechanism (372) is slidably installed in the inner cavity of the third groove (371).
8. A CT tube anode assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The locking mechanism (372) includes a buckle (3721), which is fixedly connected to the bearing (4), and a slider (3722) is slidably installed in the inner cavity of the buckle (3721).
9. A CT tube anode assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: One end of the slider (3722) is fixedly connected to a first spring (3723), and the first spring (3723) is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the buckle (3721).
10. A CT tube anode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bearing (4) has a second flat washer (41) fixedly installed at the bottom, and the second flat washer (41) has a second spring (42) fixedly installed at the bottom.