Cooling System for X-ray Equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a cooling system for an X-ray apparatus, the cooling system having an upper cooling unit TCU having a heat exchanger plate with an integrated cooling fluid circuit, and a support arm configured to attach the TCU and to attach a monoblock of an X-ray source of the X-ray apparatus, in particular a C-arm, and the fluid circuit is arranged on the main surface of the heat exchanger plate so as to capture heat through the main surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention provides a cooling system for an X-ray apparatus and an X-ray apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Currently used X-ray apparatuses, particularly mobile X-ray systems, often have an X-ray source having an X-ray tank, also referred to as a monoblock, which has an X-ray tube, and may have a high-voltage generator integrated into one physical assembly. The monoblock has a tank having a cooling fluid, and the cooling fluid is pumped into the monoblock so as to circulate the cooling fluid inside and disperse heat inside the monoblock. In other words, at least a part of the cooling system is integrated with the X-ray source, particularly the monoblock.

[0003] This system is troubled by several problems, including the difficulty of assembling and maintaining or servicing the system or replacing the X-ray source, and the difficulty of maintaining the performance of the cooling circuit over a long period of time.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling system for an X-ray apparatus and an X-ray apparatus that mitigate at least some of the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This object is achieved by the present invention. The present invention provides a cooling system and an X-ray apparatus according to the independent claims. Embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] The present invention provides a cooling system for an X-ray apparatus, the cooling system having an upper cooling unit TCU with a heat exchanger plate having an integrated cooling fluid circuit, and a support arm, in particular a C-arm, configured to attach the TCU and to attach a monoblock of the X-ray source of the X-ray apparatus, the fluid circuit being arranged on the main surface of the heat exchanger plate so as to capture heat through the main surface.

[0007] Optionally, the C-arm is configured to removably attach the TCU and / or to removably attach the monoblock.

[0008] Thus, a cooling system may be provided that enables reliable extraction of heat from the monoblock attached to the support arm, for example from the upper surface of the monoblock. At the same time, since the cooling system is not integrated into the monoblock, it is possible to replace the monoblock / X-ray source without disconnecting the cooling circuit, thereby maintaining the performance of the cooling circuit in good condition. If the cooling circuit is interrupted, i.e. if it cannot remain intact or connected, this can lead to a decrease in the performance and reliability of the cooling circuit.

[0009] The cooling system allows for easy initial assembly and easy attachment and removal of components independent of each other. Thus, improved maintenance checks can be achieved with the settings of the cooling system. The cooling system allows for a modular structure and can be used as an add-on cooling system for existing X-ray apparatuses.

[0010] The cooling system also provides very efficient cooling, i.e. removal of heat from the monoblock, thereby preventing overheating over a long period of time and thus making it possible to increase the maximum operating time / exposure time / procedure time of the X-ray apparatus.

[0011] The cooling system is particularly advantageous for use in mobile X-ray apparatuses having a large number of consecutive procedures and / or X-ray apparatuses.

[0012] Unless otherwise specified in the present disclosure, all relative arrangements of elements refer to the assembled state of the cooling system and / or the X-ray apparatus for the intended use.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, the plate may have two oppositely arranged surfaces, for example, an upper surface and a bottom surface, connected by one or more side surfaces. In particular, the height of the plate may be smaller than the length and width of the upper and lower surfaces, and / or smaller than the radii of the upper and lower surfaces. Specifically, the side surfaces may be smaller than the upper and bottom surfaces respectively.

[0014] The main surface of the heat exchanger plate of the present disclosure may be one of the larger surfaces, particularly in the assembled state, the surface facing the monoblock. In the assembled state, the main surface may be in contact with the surface of the monoblock.

[0015] The fluid circuit arranged on the main surface may be accompanied by the fluid circuit being arranged in a plane parallel to the plane of the main surface, particularly in a plane at least as close to the main surface as the surface on the opposite side of the main surface.

[0016] Exemplary configurations of the heat exchanger plate in which the fluid circuit is arranged on the main surface of the heat exchanger plate so as to capture heat through the main surface are presented in detail below. It should be understood that these are merely examples of possible configurations. As an example, the feature of "capturing heat through the main surface" may mean that when the cooling system is put to its intended use, i.e., using a cooling fluid inside and particularly circulating through the fluid circuit, heat is configured to be captured through the main surface from an object such as a monoblock arranged adjacent to the main surface. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that various configurations and shapes of the fluid circuit will enable heat to be captured through the main surface.

[0017] In operation, the cooling fluid circulating through the heat exchanger plate may thus capture heat from the monoblock.

[0018] The cooling fluid circuit integrated into the heat exchanger plate may require that the cooling fluid channels of the cooling fluid circuit be formed inside the heat exchanger plate, in particular be formed integrally with the heat exchanger plate.

[0019] The heat exchanger plate may be made from one piece or may be assembled from a plurality of pieces, in particular a plurality of pieces permanently joined together. If the heat exchanger plate is made from a plurality of pieces, the cooling fluid circuit may be formed by or within one or more of said plurality of pieces.

[0020] The cooling fluid may be water, oil, and / or glycol.

[0021] The support arm can be regarded as having a tank holder part with an attachment mechanism for the TCU and the monoblock. The support arm may further have a part configured to attach the X-ray detector of the X-ray apparatus at an end opposite to the end where the TCU is attached.

[0022] The support arm, in particular the C-arm, may initially be in a straight shape and may be created as an extruded profile. It can then be wound to obtain a curved shape.

[0023] During operation, the cooling system may be configured such that the cooling fluid flows through the TCU and transfers heat away from the X-ray source, for example, through a heat exchanger, for example, an additional heat exchanger such as an external heat exchanger fluidly connected to the TCU and / or a water or air heat exchanger, to transfer heat to the free environment.

[0024] The support arm may be configured to fully support the TCU, or in other words, the TCU can be held in a suspended position by the support arm alone.

[0025] According to the present disclosure, the integrated cooling fluid circuit may have at least one, in particular two or more, integrated cooling fluid channels. Each of the cooling fluid channels may have two ports, in particular an inlet port and an outlet port. The ports are also referred to herein as ports of the TCU or ports of the heat exchanger plate.

[0026] Each cooling fluid channel may extend in a plane perpendicular to the main surface of the heat exchanger plate. In particular, all the cooling fluid channels may extend in the same plane.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, each cooling fluid channel may be in a loop shape, and the loop starts at one port and ends at the other port. If there are two or more cooling fluid channels, at least two of the cooling fluid channels may be in a loop shape, and one of the loops may be arranged completely inside the other loop.

[0028] Each of the ports may be integrally formed with the heat exchanger plate or attached to the heat exchanger plate.

[0029] The two ports of the cooling fluid channel, in particular all the ports of all the cooling fluid channels, may be arranged on the same side of the heat exchanger plate, and in particular may extend from the same side surface of the heat exchanger plate.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the two ports of the cooling fluid channel, in particular all the ports of all the cooling fluid channels, may be arranged parallel to each other. Being arranged parallel to each other may particularly refer to the main flow direction of the fluid in the port.

[0031] The configuration of the fluid channels as described in this specification enables high heat exchange efficiency and small dimensions of the heat exchanger plates. Further, it may enable easy connection and disconnection of the heat exchanger plates, particularly the cooling fluid circuit, using an external fluid circuit, for example, an external heat exchanger circuit. As an example, arrangements in parallel and / or on the same side and / or in the same plane may enable easy attachment, for example, by plug connection.

[0032] According to the present disclosure, the TCU may have an interface section configured to engage with the interface section of the support arm. In particular, the interface section of the TCU and the interface section of the support arm may be configured to provide an assembly mechanism configured such that the TCU is removably fixed to the support arm in an assembled state.

[0033] The interface section of the TCU may have ports for one or more integrated cooling fluid channels. For example, each of the ports may function as one of a pair of connection elements of a plug-type connection.

[0034] Alternatively or additionally, the interface section of the TCU may have one or more other elements that function as one of a pair of connection elements of a plug-type connection. The other one of each of the pair of connection elements of the plug-type connection may be included in the interface section of the support arm. Thus, the assembly mechanism may have a plug connection.

[0035] Alternatively or additionally, the interface section of the TCU may have one or more holes and / or grooves configured to receive the pins of the interface section of the support arm, and / or may have one or more pins configured to be received in the holes and / or grooves of the interface section of the support arm. The assembly may be accomplished by engaging each of the pins with its respective hole or groove. This enables aligning the TCU, and / or fixing the relative positions of the TCU and the support arm, and / or supporting the TCU. Thus, the assembly mechanism may have a positioning mechanism.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, the assembly mechanism may have a slide mechanism, and the interface section of the TCU may have a slot or groove configured to guide, for example, a matching portion of the interface section of the support arm, which is one of a pair of elements constituting the slide mechanism, or may have a portion configured as a matching portion for the slot or groove of the interface section of the support arm.

[0037] Thus, the assembly mechanism may be provided by the interface section of the TCU and the interface section of the support arm.

[0038] Note that the groove of the interface section of the TCU can function as both part of the fixing mechanism and part of the slide mechanism of the assembly mechanism.

[0039] The above-described assembly mechanism may also provide support for the TCU on the support arm, i.e., may have a support mechanism that may have, for example, at least a subset of the elements of the positioning mechanism and / or the slide mechanism.

[0040] According to the present disclosure, the support arm may have an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the monoblock to the support arm, particularly in such a form that the attachment and removal of the monoblock does not require removing the TCU from the support arm.

[0041] This is particularly advantageous for replacing the monoblock easily and without damaging the cooling circuit over the life of the X-ray apparatus.

[0042] The attachment mechanism of the support arm and the assembly mechanism, particularly the interface section of the support arm, may be configured such that in the assembled state, the main surface of the heat exchanger plate is disposed on and in contact with the upper surface of the monoblock.

[0043] The attachment mechanism for removably attaching the monoblock to the support arm may optionally be included in the interface section of the support arm. This may enable a compact configuration of the cooling system and / or the X-ray apparatus.

[0044] The attachment mechanism of the support arm may have a screwing mechanism and / or a click mechanism and / or a clamping mechanism.

[0045] As an example, the attachment mechanism of the support arm may be configured such that the support arm can be attached to the monoblock when the TCU and the support arm are in the assembled state. For example, the attachment mechanism may be such that the TCU and the support arm can be disposed on the monoblock in the assembled state, and then the monoblock can be fixed to the support arm, for example, by using screwing means which are a click mechanism or a clamping mechanism. As an example, a plurality of holes for receiving screws may extend from the upper part to the lower part of the interface section of the support arm, such that the monoblock can be fixed to the support arm by placing the support arm on the upper part of the monoblock, inserting screws into each of the plurality of holes from the upper part, and screwing the monoblock to the support arm.

[0046] The mounting mechanism of the support arm can be configured such that the weight of the monoblock can be completely held or supported by the support arm.

[0047] According to the present disclosure, a cooling system, particularly a TCU, may have a mounting mechanism for removably mounting the TCU to a monoblock mounted on a support arm, particularly on the upper surface of the monoblock.

[0048] This is particularly advantageous for replacing the monoblock easily and without damaging the cooling circuit over the life of the X-ray apparatus.

[0049] The mounting mechanism for removably mounting the TCU to the monoblock may be configured such that the main surface of the heat exchanger plate is held in contact with the upper surface of the monoblock in the assembled state.

[0050] The mounting mechanism for removably mounting the TCU to the monoblock may optionally be at least partially disposed outside the interface section of the TCU. In particular, it may be disposed closer to the second end than the first end of the heat exchanger plate where the interface section of the TCU is disposed, and the first and second ends are the opposite ends of the heat exchanger plate.

[0051] For example, in the region of the interface section of the TCU, the relative position between the TCU and the monoblock is mainly determined by the mounting mechanism and the assembly mechanism of the support arm. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous to ensure the contact of the main surface with the monoblock in the region removed from the interface section of the TCU.

[0052] The mounting mechanism for removably mounting the TCU to the monoblock may have a screwing mechanism and / or a click mechanism and / or a clamping mechanism.

[0053] As an example, the mounting mechanism for removably mounting the TCU to the monoblock can be configured such that the TCU can be mounted to the monoblock when the TCU and the support arm are assembled, and optionally, when the monoblock is attached to the support arm. For example, the mounting mechanism can be configured such that, for example, after assembling the TCU and the support arm and after attaching the monoblock to the support arm, the TCU disposed on the monoblock can be attached to the monoblock using, for example, a screw or a click mechanism or a clamp mechanism. As an example, a plurality of holes for receiving screws may extend from the top to the bottom of the TCU, particularly the heat exchanger plate, such that the TCU can be attached to the monoblock by placing the TCU on top of the monoblock, inserting screws into each of the plurality of holes from above, and screwing the TCU to the support arm.

[0054] According to the present disclosure, the TCU may have a mounting mechanism for attaching a collimator of the X-ray apparatus. In particular, the heat exchanger plate may have an opening on its main surface for accommodating at least a portion of the collimator, and optionally, positioning elements for positioning the collimator above the heat exchanger plate, such as grooves and / or holes and / or pins. The opening may particularly extend from the main surface of the heat exchanger plate to the opposite surface of the heat exchanger plate, i.e., a through hole extending through the heat exchanger plate. The mounting mechanism may similarly function to align the collimator with respect to the monoblock.

[0055] The opening may be configured such that X-rays emitted from the X-ray source can move through the opening into the collimator, and the attached collimator may be arranged and configured. In particular, the opening may be configured such that a portion of the collimator is disposed within the opening and another portion of the collimator is supported by a portion of the surface opposite to the main surface of the heat exchanger plate.

[0056] The positioning element may be configured to engage with a corresponding positioning element of the collimator, such as a groove and / or a hole and / or a pin. In particular, the TCU may have two or more pins extending perpendicularly from the surface opposite the main surface of the heat exchanger plate. The collimator may have corresponding holes into which the pins can be inserted, for example, to position / align the collimator by sliding it onto the TCU.

[0057] The mounting mechanism for attaching the collimator may optionally have a depression and / or a recess on the TCU, particularly on the upper surface of the heat exchanger plate, i.e., the surface opposite the main surface, or the surface facing away from the monoblock in the assembled state. The depression and / or the recess may be configured to accommodate the collimator, particularly to limit the lateral movement of the collimator relative to the upper surface of the TCU while supporting the collimator from the bottom. This can help to provide additional stability.

[0058] Optionally, the mounting mechanism for attaching the collimator may have a mounting mechanism for fixing the collimator to the TCU, such as a screwing mechanism and / or a clamping mechanism.

[0059] The mounting mechanism for attaching the collimator according to the present disclosure may enable easy assembly and disassembly and may also enable a compact configuration of the X-ray apparatus.

[0060] The collimator may be provided to avoid beam leakage and perform beam shaping.

[0061] According to the present disclosure, the support arm, particularly the C-arm, may have one or more cooling channels, and each cooling channel may have two ports connected to two ports of the cooling fluid channels of the cooling fluid circuit in the assembled state, and in the assembled state, one or more closed cooling circuits are formed, and each closed cooling circuit is formed by at least one of the cooling channels of the support arm and at least one of the cooling fluid channels of the heat exchanger plate.

[0062] The support arm, particularly the cooling channels of the support arm, may be configured to enable heat exchange between the fluid circulating through the cooling channels and the surroundings of the support arm. The support arm provides sufficient space for the cooling fluid to travel a long distance, thereby enabling efficient heat exchange.

[0063] Accordingly, the support arm may be configured to radiate heat. The support arm may be external to the TCU and function as a heat exchanger connected to the TCU. It should be noted that alternatively, the TCU may be connected to a heat exchanger separate from the support arm. The separate heat exchanger may optionally be supported by the support arm.

[0064] In particular, the support arm, such as a C-arc, may have a first cooling channel that extends along a first support arm / C-arc side and is arranged to have two open ends connected to two ports of the heat exchanger plate, such as two ports of the cooling fluid channel. Further, the support arm, such as a C-arc, preferably extends along a second support arm / C-arc side opposite to the first support arm / C-arc side and may have a second cooling channel arranged to have two open ends connected to two other ports of the heat exchanger plate, such as two ports of the cooling fluid channel. The open ends of the first cooling channel and / or the second cooling channel may function as ports of the cooling channel.

[0065] The TCU may be mounted on the support arm, and in particular, may be coupled to the support arm in such a way that enables the cooling fluid from the TCU to circulate through the cooling channels of the support arm, thereby enabling closed-loop circulation through the support arm and the TCU. In other words, the cooling channels of the support arm and the cooling fluid channels of the TCU may form one or more cooling circuits. Accordingly, the cooling channels within the support arm may be part of a complete cooling system together with the TCU.

[0066] The cooling system may further have a ventilation device within the support arm, for example, for additional cooling. For example, the support arm may have an air duct through which cooling air can pass to cool the support arm. This may provide an additional cooling boost.

[0067] According to the present disclosure, the heat exchanger plate and the support arm, particularly their respective interface sections, can be configured such that the ports of the support arm and the ports of one or more cooling fluid channels form a plug connection with each other.

[0068] For example, the plug connection can enable connecting, particularly attaching, the support arm and the TCU and / or establishing one or more closed cooling circuits by sliding the TCU towards the support arm to engage the ports of the heat exchanger plate and the corresponding ports of the support arm.

[0069] This enables an easy and reliable assembly.

[0070] According to the present disclosure, the cooling system may have an assembly mechanism configured such that the TCU is removably fixed to the support arm, and the assembly mechanism may have a plug connection and a fixing element, such as a pin, configured to lock the relative position between the TCU and the support arm when the plug connection is in a connected state.

[0071] As an example, the above-described assembly mechanism may be included in the cooling system. The plug connection may particularly be a plug connection formed by the ports of the heat exchanger plate and the ports of the support arm, for example, as described above. An easy and highly reliable assembly can be guaranteed by such an assembly mechanism.

[0072] According to the present disclosure, the cooling system may further include one or more pumps for circulating the cooling fluid through the cooling fluid circuit of the TCU, in particular through a closed cooling circuit formed by the cooling channels of the support arm and the cooling fluid channels of the heat exchanger plate.

[0073] The one or more pumps may have any suitable pump known in the art. The one or more pumps may be arranged, for example, at the end of the support arm opposite the end having the interface section, for example, at the end to which the X-ray detector is attached. This is advantageous in terms of the overall distribution of the components of the cooling system or the X-ray device.

[0074] According to the present disclosure, the one or more integrated cooling fluid channels may be arranged to optimize the heat distribution across the heat exchanger plate.

[0075] As an example, the one or more integrated cooling fluid channels may be loop-shaped as described above. As an example, the first loop-shaped cooling fluid channel may extend along the outer sidewall of the heat exchanger plate. As another example, the second loop-shaped cooling fluid channel may extend along the edge of any opening of the heat exchanger plate, for example, around the inner sidewall of the heat exchanger plate and, for example, an opening for accommodating a part of the collimator. Thus, efficient heat exchange can be achieved.

[0076] In an optional embodiment, the TCU is configured to attach the collimator of the X-ray device such that the heat exchange plate is disposed between the monoblock and the collimator. The integrated cooling fluid circuit of the heat exchange plate has a portion of the channel that extends under the once-attached collimator and over the monoblock, or in other words, between the collimator and the monoblock. In a particular embodiment, the heat exchanger plate has an opening in its main surface for receiving at least a portion of the collimator, and the shape of the portion of the channel closely follows the outer shape of this opening - which can be, for example, a second loop-shaped cooling fluid channel that extends around the inner sidewall of the heat exchanger plate along the edge of this opening or any opening of the heat exchanger plate.

[0077] Again, efficient heat exchange can be achieved.

[0078] According to the present disclosure, the cooling channels of the support arm may extend along the entire length of the support arm. For example, in the case of a C-arm, they may extend along the entire arc.

[0079] In particular, the two ports of each cooling channel, namely the input port and the output port, may be disposed at the same end of the support arm, and each of the cooling channels may extend from said end of the support arm to the other end of the support arm and in the opposite direction.

[0080] The above can improve the utilization of the available space for heat exchange, for example, within the support arm.

[0081] The present invention also provides an X-ray device having, for example, the cooling system of the present disclosure as described in the claims or above, and in particular, in an assembled state, an X-ray source having a monoblock in which the main surface of the heat exchanger plate is in contact with the upper surface of the monoblock.

[0082] According to the present disclosure, the X-ray apparatus may further include an X-ray detector disposed, for example, at an end of the support arm opposite to the end of the support arm to which the monoblock and the TCU are attached. The above-described pump may be disposed at the same end of the support arm as the X-ray detector.

[0083] Another embodiment of the present invention has a cooling system for an X-ray apparatus, The cooling system includes an upper cooling unit TCU having a heat exchanger plate with an integrated cooling fluid circuit, a support arm, particularly a C-arm, configured to attach the TCU and to attach the monoblock of the X-ray source of the X-ray apparatus, and has.

[0084] The fluid circuit is disposed on the main surface of the heat exchanger plate so as to capture heat through the main surface. The TCU is further configured to attach the collimator of the X-ray apparatus such that the heat exchange plate is disposed between the monoblock and the collimator. The integrated cooling fluid circuit of the heat exchange plate has a portion of a channel that extends under the once-attached collimator and over the monoblock, or in other words, between the collimator and the monoblock. In a particular embodiment, the heat exchanger plate has an opening in its main surface for accommodating at least a portion of the collimator, and the shape of the portion of the channel closely follows or extends along the outer shape of this opening - this can be a loop-shaped cooling fluid channel that extends around the inner sidewall of the heat exchanger plate, for example, along the edge of this opening or any opening of the heat exchanger plate.

[0085] More efficient heat exchange can be achieved.

[0086] As another embodiment, the present invention has an upper cooling unit TCU having a support arm to which a monoblock of an X-ray source of an X-ray apparatus is attached, in particular a heat exchanger plate having an integrated cooling fluid circuit configured to be attached together with a C-arm. The fluid circuit is arranged on the main surface of the heat exchanger plate so as to capture heat through the main surface. Optionally, the TCU is configured to be removably attached to the support arm in particular. As another alternative or combination option, the TCU is further configured to attach a collimator of the X-ray apparatus such that the heat exchange plate is arranged between the monoblock and the collimator, and the integrated cooling fluid circuit of the heat exchange plate has a portion of a channel extending under the once-attached collimator and above the monoblock, or in other words, between the collimator and the monoblock. In a particular embodiment, the heat exchange plate has an opening in its main surface for accommodating at least a portion of the collimator, and the shape of the said portion of the channel closely follows or extends along the outer shape of this opening - this can be a loop-shaped cooling fluid channel extending around the inner side wall of the heat exchange plate, for example, along the edge of this opening or any opening of the heat exchange plate. The features and advantages outlined above in the context of the cooling system equally apply to the X-ray apparatus described herein.

[0087] Further features, examples, and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0088]

Fig. 1a

Fig. 1b

Fig. 2a

Fig. 2b

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 6a

Fig. 6b

Fig. 6c

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0089] Figures 1a and 1b schematically show the TCU 2 of the cooling system 1 according to the present disclosure in a perspective view from above and a cross-sectional view.

[0090] The TCU has a heat exchanger plate 3 with an integrated cooling fluid circuit 4 having two cooling fluid channels 4a, 4b, which can be loop-shaped as shown in the figure. Alternative shapes are conceivable. Also, there may be a different number of cooling fluid channels.

[0091] The TCU also has, at the first end 3e of the heat exchanger plate, four ports, namely, an inlet port 5a and an outlet port 6a of the cooling fluid channel 4a, and an inlet port 5b and an outlet port 6b of the cooling fluid channel 4b. The ports may be integrally formed with the heat exchanger plate and thus the cooling fluid channels, or may be attached to the heat exchanger plate. In any case, for simplicity, they are referred to as ports of the cooling fluid channels. The ports can serve to fluidly connect the TCU to an external heat exchanger. The second end 3f of the heat exchanger plate is arranged opposite the first end.

[0092] The heat exchanger plate has a main surface 3a, which is not visible but is indicated by an arrow in Figure 1a and serves to capture the heat emitted by the X-ray source during operation and can also be referred to as the bottom surface. On the opposite side of the main surface, the heat exchanger plate has a surface 3b, which can also be referred to as the upper surface of the heat exchanger plate. Further, the heat exchanger plate has outer sidewalls collectively labeled 3c and inner sidewalls collectively labeled 3d. The inner sidewalls are sidewalls that define one or more holes 7a, 7b within the heat exchanger plate. As an example, hole 7a may be configured to accommodate a collimator 14, as will be described in more detail below with reference to, for example, Figure 3.

[0093] The heat exchanger plate of this example also has grooves 8a and holes 8b, which can be used for the assembly of the cooling system, for example, by engaging corresponding pins of a support arm, as will be described in more detail below. However, these holes and grooves are optional, and additional or different elements for the assembly may be provided depending on the assembly mechanism that enables the TCU to be removably attached to the support arm.

[0094] The portion 9 having elements for the assembly is referred to as the interface section of the TCU. It forms an interface with the support arm.

[0095] As seen in Figure 1a, the upper surface of the heat exchanger plate has optional holes 10. These are elements that can be used to attach the heat exchanger plate to the monoblock of the X-ray source, as will be described in more detail below.

[0096] As seen in Figure 1a, the upper surface of the heat exchanger plate has optional recesses 11, and the TCU has optional pins 12 that extend upward from the upper surface of the heat exchanger plate and can be attached to or integrally formed with the heat exchanger plate. These are elements that can be used to position a collimator on the TCU, as will be described in more detail below.

[0097] Figures 2a and 2b show, in perspective view from above and top view, an assembly mechanism for removably fixing a TCU according to the present disclosure, in particular the TCU shown in Figures 1a and 1b, to the support arm 13 of the cooling system 1 according to the present disclosure. Figures 2a and 2b show the first end 13a of the support arm. The opposite end 13b of the support arm is not shown. Refer to Figures 6a and 6b. The first end 13a has an interface section 13a-1 of the support arm.

[0098] The interface section 9 of the TCU and the interface section of the support arm are configured to engage with each other to removably fix the TCU to the support arm. In this example, the first pair of pins 15a and the second pair of pins 15b are provided to engage with the grooves 8a and holes 8b of the heat exchanger plate, respectively. In this example, the first pair of pins 15a are fixed, that is, they are not independently movable. The second pair of pins are (independently) movable.

[0099] For example, for assembly, the TCU may be shifted in the direction indicated by the arrow towards the interface section of the support arm such that the pin 15a slides into the groove 8a, thereby restricting the movement of the TCU with respect to the support arm.

[0100] Thereafter, the pin 15b may be inserted into the hole 8b to fix the position of the TCU with respect to the support arm.

[0101] To remove the TCU from the support arm, the pin 15b can be retracted from the hole 8b and the TCU can be slid in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow to remove the groove 8a from the pin 15a.

[0102] Thus, the interface section of the TCU and the interface section of the support arm are configured to provide an assembly mechanism configured such that the TCU is removably fixed to the support arm in the assembled state.

[0103] However, additional and / or different elements providing a removable assembly mechanism may be contemplated.

[0104] FIG. 3 shows the TCU 2 and a portion of the support arm 13 of the cooling system according to the present disclosure in an assembled state. For purposes of illustration, the TCU and support arm as shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b are shown, although other configurations are contemplated.

[0105] In addition, FIG. 3 shows the collimator 14 mounted on the TCU. It can be seen that the pin 12 of the TCU extends through the hole 14a of the collimator 14, thereby positioning the collimator. A portion of the collimator is received in the hole 7a of the heat exchanger plate (not visible in FIG. 3), and if the TCU has the recess 11, the collimator can be disposed within the recess. Accordingly, a mounting mechanism for the collimator, which may have the hole 7a, the recess 11, and the pin 12, may be provided.

[0106] FIG. 4 schematically shows a portion of the TCU and the support arm of the cooling system according to the present disclosure, as well as the monoblock mounted on the support arm, particularly as shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, and 3.

[0107] In particular, FIG. 4 shows the through-hole 8c in the interface section of the support arm and the screw 18 inserted into the through-hole and used to mount the monoblock on the support arm. As can be seen from FIG. 4, in the assembled state, the main surface of the heat exchanger plate is in contact with the upper surface 16a of the monoblock. During operation, the cooling fluid circulating through the heat exchanger plate can thus capture heat from the monoblock.

[0108] In this example, the optional screw 19 extends through the optional hole 10 of the heat exchanger plate so as to attach the heat exchanger plate to the monoblock of the X-ray source. Accordingly, the contact between the heat exchanger plate and the monoblock can be forced.

[0109] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of an exemplary support arm 13 of the present disclosure, specifically, a cross-section in a region that is outside the interface section and does not form one of the ends of the support arm. In this example, the support arm is also an external heat exchanger to which a TCU can be connected. Specifically, in this example, the support arm has cooling channels 20a and 20b each having two ports (not shown), particularly an inlet port and an outlet port, in the interface section of the support arm. In the assembled state, the outlet port of the support arm is connected to the inlet ports 5a and 5b of the TCU, and the inlet port of the support arm is connected to the outlet ports 6a and 6b of the TCU. For example, the ports of the support arm and the TCU may be configured and arranged to establish a plug connection between the TCU and the support arm.

[0110] FIGS. 6a through 6c show a fully assembled X-ray apparatus 22 according to the present disclosure. The X-ray apparatus has, for example, a TCU according to the present disclosure as illustrated in the preceding figures, and a support arm according to the present disclosure as illustrated in, for example, the preceding figures, particularly FIG. 5. The X-ray apparatus of FIGS. 6a through 6c further has a monoblock of an X-ray source, an X-ray detector 23 disposed at a second end 13b of the support arm opposite to a first end 13a of the support arm, and a pump 24 that is disposed at the second end 13b of the support arm in this example but may be disposed at a different position. The pump is configured to circulate a cooling fluid through the support arm and the TCU.

[0111] In this example, the support arm is shown as a C-arc, but the support arm may have a different shape. As implied by line 21 in FIG. 6c showing an example of a possible shape of the cooling channel, the cooling channel of the support arm may extend along the entire length of the support arm.

[0112] Arrow 25 schematically shows the flow of fluid through the support arm.

[0113] Optionally, a removable cover 26 may be provided to cover part of the TCU and the collimator.

[0114] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the support arm 13 as shown in FIGS. 5, 6a, 6b, and 6c that functions as an external heat exchanger connected to the TCU. That is, alternatively, the ports of the TCU may be connected to different external heat exchangers.

[0115] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustrations and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims, considering the foregoing description and the drawings.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0116] Cooling system 1 TCU 2 Heat exchange plate 3 Main surface 3a Upper surface 3b Outer side wall 3c Inner side wall 3d First end 3e Second end 3f Cooling fluid circuit 4 Cooling fluid channels 4a, 4b Inlet ports 5a, 5b Outlet ports 6a, 6b Holes 7a, 7b Groove 8a Hole 8b Interface section 9 Hole 10 Recess 11 Pin 12 Support arm 13 First end 13a Second end 13b Interface section 13a-1 Collimator 14 Hole 14a Pins 15a, 15b Monoblock 16 X-ray source 17 Screws 18, 19 Cooling channels 20a, 20b Wire 21 X-ray apparatus 22 X-ray detector 23 Pump 24 Arrow 25 Removable cover 26

Claims

1. A cooling system for an X-ray apparatus, wherein the cooling system is An upper cooling unit (TCU) having a heat exchange plate with an integrated cooling fluid circuit, configured to detachably mount the monoblock of the X-ray source of the X-ray apparatus, A support arm configured for detachably mounting the TCU and the monoblock, It has, The integrated cooling fluid circuit is positioned on the main surface of the heat exchange plate so as to capture heat through the main surface of the heat exchange plate. The integrated cooling fluid circuit has at least two integrated cooling fluid channels, Each of the cooling fluid channels has an inlet port and an outlet port, and the support arm has at least two cooling channels, each having an inlet port and an outlet port connected to the inlet port and the outlet port of the two integrated cooling fluid channels, such that in the assembled state, at least two closed cooling circuits are formed by the at least two cooling channels of the support arm and the at least two integrated cooling fluid channels of the heat exchange plate. Cooling system.

2. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the TCU has an interface section configured to engage with the interface section of the support arm, and the interface section of the TCU and the interface section of the support arm are configured to provide an assembly mechanism for a plug-type connection between the TCU and the support arm.

3. The cooling system according to claim 2, wherein the interface section of the TCU and the support arm each has the cooling fluid channel of the TCU and the support arm.

4. The cooling system according to claim 2, wherein the interface section of the TCU and the support arm is configured such that the ports of the support arm and the ports of the at least two cooling fluid channels form the plug-type connection.

5. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the plug-type connection is configured to connect the support arm and the TCU by sliding the TCU toward the support arm so as to engage the port of the heat exchange plate and the corresponding port of the support arm.

6. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the TCU has a hole forming a handle on the opposite side of the interface section.

7. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the support arm has a mounting mechanism for detachably attaching the monoblock to the support arm, in particular, such that attaching and detaching the monoblock does not require removing the TCU from the support arm.

8. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the cooling system, in particular the TCU, has a mounting mechanism for detachably mounting the TCU to the monoblock, in particular to the upper surface of the monoblock, which is attached to the support arm.

9. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the TCU has a mounting mechanism for mounting the collimator of the X-ray apparatus, the heat exchanger plate has an opening on its main surface for accommodating at least a portion of the collimator, and the shape of one of the two cooling channels closely conforms to the outer shape of the opening.

10. The cooling system according to claim 1, further comprising one or more pumps for circulating a cooling fluid through the cooling fluid circuit of the TCU, in particular through the closed cooling circuit formed by the cooling channel of the support arm and the cooling fluid channel of the heat exchanger plate.

11. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the cooling channel of the support arm extends along the entire length of the support arm.

12. An X-ray apparatus comprising a cooling system according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and an X-ray source having a monoblock, wherein, in the assembled state, the main surface of the heat exchanger plate is in contact with the upper surface of the monoblock.

13. The X-ray apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising an X-ray detector at the end of the support arm opposite to the end of the support arm to which the monoblock and TCU are attached.

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