Reciprocating Anode Heat Distribution in X-ray Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional x-ray systems face issues with anode overheating due to inadequate heat dissipation, leading to potential damage and disruption of the high voltage environment, and lubricants from bearing assemblies can contaminate the vacuum environment, affecting x-ray generation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A reciprocating assembly with a drive shaft and bearing units, coupled with diaphragms to prevent lubricant flow, translates the anode back-and-forth to distribute heat and maintain the high voltage environment, using induction motors and thermal insulators to manage heat and lubricant flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the anode is rotated at high angular velocities to move the focal track, then heat dissipation is improved, but the bearing assembly lubricants flow towards the anode and disturb the high voltage environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful lubricants from the system by introducing a vacuum barrier that prevents lubricant vapor from the bearing assembly from contaminating the high voltage environment. The vacuum seal effectively removes the harmful factor (lubricant contamination) while allowing the beneficial function (anode rotation for heat dissipation) to continue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vacuum barrier as an intermediary between the bearing assembly and the high voltage environment. This intermediary component allows the anode to rotate for heat dissipation while blocking the transmission of harmful lubricant vapors to the high voltage region.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the anode is stationary, then the high voltage environment remains stable, but heat accumulates in the anode causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the anode dynamic by enabling it to rotate at high angular velocities. This dynamic motion allows different portions of the anode to sequentially occupy the focal track position, distributing the heat load and preventing temperature accumulation that would occur with a stationary anode, while the vacuum barrier maintains high voltage environment stability.
3Temperature
If lubricants are used in the bearing assembly to enable anode rotation, then heat dissipation is improved, but the lubricants contaminate the vacuum environment and reduce x-ray generation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful effect of lubricant contamination by introducing a vacuum barrier that prevents lubricant vapors from reaching the high voltage environment where x-rays are generated. This allows the anode to rotate for heat dissipation without the detrimental side effect of lubricant contamination reducing x-ray generation efficiency.
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 effectively distributes heat across the anode, reduces the risk of overheating, maintains the high voltage environment, and allows for cost-effective maintenance by preventing lubricant contamination, thereby enhancing x-ray generation efficiency and extending the lifespan of the x-ray device.
Implementation Method 1
a cathode configured to emit an electron beam
Implementation Method 2
an anode having an anode surface configured to generate x-rays in response to the emitted electron beam impinging on a focal spot on the anode surface
Implementation Method 3
a reciprocating assembly including a drive shaft operatively coupled to the anode and a first bearing unit operatively coupled to the drive shaft, where the first bearing unit is configured to translate the anode via the drive shaft to distribute heat generated in the anode
Implementation Method 4
a first diaphragm disposed between the anode and the first bearing unit and configured to cease a flow of one or more first lubricants from the first bearing unit towards the anode
Data Source
AI summary
An x-ray device is presented. The x-ray device includes a cathode configured to emit an electron beam. Further, the x-ray device includes an anode having an anode surface configured to generate x-rays in response to the emitted electron beam impinging on a focal spot on the anode surface. Also, the x-ray device includes a reciprocating assembly including a drive shaft operatively coupled to the anode and a first bearing unit operatively coupled to the drive shaft, where the first bearing unit is configured to translate the anode via the drive shaft to distribute heat generated in the anode. Moreover, the x-ray device includes a first diaphragm disposed between the anode and the first bearing unit and configured to cease a flow of one or more first lubricants from the first bearing unit towards the anode.