Radially Flexible Anode Disk Mount for Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mounting systems for rotating anode disks in X-ray tubes face challenges with thermal expansion, leading to off-center positioning, vibrations, and noise due to differing material expansion coefficients and increased thermal loads from higher X-ray output demands.
Innovation Solution
A radially flexible support system is implemented, where the anode disk is concentrically mounted to a rotating shaft with a first support that bends radially to accommodate thermal expansion, maintaining stable contact areas and reducing friction, and a heat transfer element is used to enhance thermal dissipation without affecting the support forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid clamping mount is used to securely hold the anode disk, then the anode disk is firmly fixed, but thermal expansion causes off-center positioning and imbalance during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed to be radially flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt to thermal expansion. The support can bend radially outward when the anode disk expands due to heating, maintaining concentric positioning while still providing secure axial clamping. This dynamic flexibility resolves the contradiction between firm mounting and precise positioning under thermal load.
Solution Approach 2:
The support's radial dimension is made changeable through its flexible design, allowing it to expand radially in response to thermal conditions. This parameter change enables the support to follow the anode disk's thermal expansion, preventing off-center positioning while maintaining secure mounting through axial clamping force.
2Productivity
If higher X-ray output is generated to meet increasing demand, then more X-ray radiation is produced, but thermal expansion related issues of the mounting increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radially flexible support dynamically responds to increased thermal loads from higher X-ray output by bending outward, maintaining mounting stability despite the increased thermal expansion. This allows the system to operate at higher productivity levels without compromising mounting reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal expansion, which is a harmful effect of high X-ray output, is converted into a beneficial adaptation mechanism. The flexible support uses the thermal expansion force to bend radially and maintain proper positioning, transforming the harmful thermal effect into a self-adjusting mechanism that preserves mounting stability at high productivity levels.
3Manufacturing precision
If the anode disk is tightly clamped to prevent movement, then positioning stability is improved, but friction between contacting surfaces increases during thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible support allows relative movement between the support and anode disk during thermal expansion, eliminating friction by permitting the anode disk to expand freely while maintaining axial clamping. The dynamic flexibility prevents friction-induced heating and wear while preserving positioning stability.
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 solution provides a secure and centered mount of the anode disk, minimizing vibrations and noise while allowing for thermal expansion, and improving heat transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
upon heating up of the anode disk during X-ray generation, and a thermal expansion of the anode disk, the radially flexible support bends radially such that the first axial support surface at least partly follows the thermal expansion in a radial direction
Implementation Method 2
a heat transfer element is used to enhance thermal dissipation without affecting the support forces
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~3b
Figure 4~5c
AI summary
The present invention relates to mounting of an anode disk. In order to provide a mount of an anode disk to a rotating shaft that is suitable for increased thermal loads on the anode disk, a rotating anode assembly (10) is provided that comprises an anode disk (12), a rotating shaft (14), and an anode disk support (16). The anode disk is concentrically mounted to a rotating axis (18) of the rotating shaft via the anode disk support, and the anode disk support comprises a first support (20) with a first circular axial support surface (22) that is provided at the rotating shaft in a concentric manner with the rotating axis. Further, the anode disk support comprises a second support (24) with a second axial support surface (26) that is at least temporarily attached to the rotating shaft for urging the anode disk against the first support surface in an axial clamping direction. Still further, the first support is provided as a radially flexible support (28). Upon heating up of the anode disk during X-ray generation, and a thermal expansion of the anode disk, the radially flexible support bends (32) radially such that the first axial support surface at least partly follows the thermal expansion in a radial direction.