Central Anode Cooling Structure for Stable X-Ray Focal Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing x-ray sources face issues with deformation and thermal expansion due to coolant supply from one end, leading to focal spot shifts and increased failure rates from high voltage instability and arcing.
Innovation Solution
The anode is supported and cooled through a central anode support structure that includes cooling passages on both sides, reducing thermal expansion and high voltage instability by distributing coolant uniformly and eliminating the need for end-mounted support structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolant is supplied from one end of the anode, then the anode can be cooled, but thermal expansion and deformation occur leading to focal spot shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling channels distributed along the anode length. Instead of a single end-mounted cooling inlet, the patent implements multiple cooling passages that receive coolant from different locations, dividing the cooling function into separate segments that collectively manage thermal distribution more effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The conventional approach of supplying coolant from one end is inverted by providing coolant supply at multiple locations along the anode, including central and distributed inlet ports. This reverses the traditional single-point cooling methodology to achieve more uniform thermal distribution and minimize thermal gradients that cause deformation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If support structures are mounted at the ends of the anode, then the anode is supported, but high voltage instability and arcing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support structures are extracted from the end-mounted configuration and repositioned to a central location on the anode. By removing the end-support arrangement and replacing it with central support, the patent eliminates the harmful electrical field concentrations and arcing issues associated with end-mounted supports while maintaining mechanical stability.
3Device complexity
If coolant is supplied at one end of the anode, then the cooling system is simple, but thermal expansion causes deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system transitions from a one-dimensional end-to-end cooling approach to a multi-dimensional cooling architecture with distributed inlet ports along the anode length and multiple cooling passages. This dimensional expansion of the cooling system allows coolant to enter from multiple spatial locations, creating more uniform thermal fields and reducing thermal gradients that cause deformation.
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 configuration minimizes deformation, reduces focal spot shifts, decreases failure rates, and simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for end-mounted support structures, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the x-ray source.
Implementation Method 1
The anode may be cooled by a coolant, such as water or dielectric oil, that is supplied at one of the ends of the anode
Implementation Method 2
The coolant is supplied to the anode from outside of the vacuum chamber
Implementation Method 3
The anode is supported and cooled through a central anode support structure that includes cooling passages on both sides, reducing thermal expansion and high voltage instability by distributing coolant uniformly
Implementation Method 4
The electron beams may be directed towards the target to hit the target in a line along the length. The incident electron beams generate heat in the anode
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2
AI summary
A system, comprising: a vacuum enclosure; an anode support structure penetrating the vacuum enclosure and including a plurality of first cooling passages; and an anode disposed within the vacuum enclosure, coupled to and supported by the anode support structure, and including: a target; and a plurality of second cooling passages; wherein: each of the second cooling passages is coupled to a corresponding first cooling passage; and the anode is coupled to the anode support structure on a side of the anode different from a side of the anode including the target and different from axial ends of the anode on a major axis of the anode