X-ray Anode Dual Cooling Circuit Thermal Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray anodes face challenges in thermal management due to high heat generation from electron bombardment, leading to significant thermo-mechanical stresses and limitations in temperature control, which affect the efficiency and reliability of X-ray production.
Innovation Solution
The anode incorporates a dual cooling system with a first cooling circuit containing a high-temperature liquid metal and a second cooling circuit with water or gas, allowing for enhanced heat dissipation and reduced thermo-mechanical stresses by utilizing a two-level cooling system where the first cooling medium can reach elevated temperatures up to 2000°C and the second cooling medium maintains a lower temperature, facilitating efficient heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single cooling circuit with water is used, then the anode can be cooled, but the temperature control is limited and thermo-mechanical stresses remain high
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two distinct cooling circuits: a first cooling circuit with a first cooling medium (liquid metal) that can reach high temperatures up to 2000°C, and a second cooling circuit with a second cooling medium (water or gas) that maintains lower temperatures. This segmentation allows different regions of the anode to be cooled at different temperature levels, enabling better temperature control and reducing thermo-mechanical stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the cooling system by introducing a first cooling medium capable of operating at elevated temperatures (up to 2000°C) in the first cooling circuit, while the second cooling circuit maintains lower temperatures. This parameter change enables the anode to operate at higher temperatures without excessive thermal stress, improving both temperature control and reliability.
2Productivity
If the anode thickness is reduced for better heat dissipation, then cooling efficiency improves, but materials failure and cracking occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter by introducing a first cooling medium (liquid metal) with high thermal conductivity and high temperature tolerance (up to 2000°C) in the first cooling circuit. This allows for more efficient heat dissipation through the anode without requiring excessive thinning, thereby maintaining structural integrity while improving cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system uses a composite approach with two different cooling media: a liquid metal (first cooling medium) for high-temperature heat dissipation and water or gas (second cooling medium) for lower temperature cooling. This composite cooling system enables effective heat removal while preserving anode strength.
3Productivity
If liquid metal is used as both anode and cooling medium, then cooling efficiency improves, but temperature control is limited without local control measures
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the cooling function into two circuits: the first cooling circuit with liquid metal provides efficient heat dissipation, while the second cooling circuit with water or gas provides precise temperature control at lower levels. This segmentation overcomes the limitation of single-liquid-metal systems by adding a second cooling medium for fine temperature regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cooling medium (water or gas) acts as an intermediary between the high-temperature first cooling circuit and the anode structure, providing a buffer for temperature control. This intermediary allows the system to maintain high cooling efficiency from the liquid metal while achieving precise temperature control through the second cooling circuit.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This dual cooling system effectively manages heat dissipation, reducing thermo-mechanical stresses and enabling higher electron intensity while preventing temperature limitations, thus improving the thermo-mechanical properties and operational efficiency of the anode.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first cooling circuit with a first cooling medium extending at least in part in said base member beneath said X-ray active layer
Implementation Method 2
at least one second cooling circuit with a second cooling medium disposed beneath said first cooling circuit
Implementation Method 3
approx. 99% of the kinetic energy of the electrons impinging on the anode is converted into heat
Data Source
AI summary
An anode has a base member, on which an X-ray active layer is applied. A first cooling circuit with a first cooling medium extends at least in part in the base member beneath the X-ray active layer. A second cooling circuit with a second cooling medium is arranged beneath the first cooling circuit. The anode exhibits distinctly improved thermo mechanical properties.