Rotating Union Coolant Slinging for X-ray Target Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
X-ray tube based imaging systems face coolant leakage issues due to high gravitational loads causing misalignment and wear in standard face seals, leading to uneven wear and shorter seal life, especially in high-speed CT systems.
Innovation Solution
A coolant-slinging device with a rotating shaft and slingers directing coolant to a drain annulus, which channels the coolant through a primary outlet, preventing leakage by collecting and redirecting any leaked coolant back to the stationary supply, and utilizing helical pumping grooves to enhance coolant flow and prevent further leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard face seal rotating union is used to transfer coolant from stationary supply to rotating component, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the seal fails under high G-loads causing coolant leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating union is divided into multiple functional segments: a stationary tube for coolant supply, a rotating shaft with coolant outlet, and a seal assembly with stationary and rotating faces. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability under high G-loads.
Solution Approach 2:
A coolant barrier is introduced as an intermediary substance between the stationary and rotating seal faces. This barrier prevents coolant leakage by creating a liquid seal that can accommodate the relative motion and misalignment caused by high G-loads, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring a complex mechanical seal structure.
2Productivity
If the gantry rotates at high speed to improve imaging productivity, then productivity increases, but centrifugal force causes shaft bending and seal misalignment leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The seal interface is changed from a rigid mechanical contact to a fluid-based coolant barrier. This parameter change allows the seal to dynamically adapt to shaft bending and misalignment caused by high-speed rotation, maintaining reliability while enabling high productivity imaging speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant barrier provides a dynamic sealing mechanism that can accommodate real-time changes in shaft position and orientation during high-speed rotation. Unlike static mechanical seals, the liquid coolant continuously adjusts to maintain the seal, ensuring reliability under dynamic high-G conditions.
3Reliability
If a mechanical face seal is used to prevent coolant leakage, then seal reliability improves initially, but uneven wear and misalignment under high G-loads cause leakage and shorter seal life
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical face seal contact is replaced with a coolant barrier that provides sealing through fluid pressure and adhesion rather than mechanical friction. This substitution eliminates the wear and tear inherent in mechanical contacts, dramatically extending seal service life while maintaining reliability under high G-loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant serves a dual function: it cools the rotating components and simultaneously acts as the sealing barrier. This self-service approach means the same fluid that performs the primary cooling function also prevents leakage, eliminating the need for separate seal components that would wear out and requiring replacement.
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
The solution effectively prevents coolant leakage, enhances the reliability and durability of the rotating union, and maintains operation under high G-loads, ensuring the integrity of the imaging system and its environment.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more slingers are configured to direct a coolant to the drain annulus
Implementation Method 2
utilizing helical pumping grooves to enhance coolant flow and prevent further leakage
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating union for an X-ray target is provided. The rotating union for the X-ray target comprises a housing, a coolant-slinging device comprising a rotating shaft having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a proximal end and a distal end, and a bore therein, one or more slingers coupled to a proximal end of the rotating shaft; a drain annulus coupled to the one or more slingers, wherein the one or more slingers are configured to direct a coolant to the drain annulus and the drain annulus is configured to direct the coolant through a primary coolant outlet; and a stationary tube having a first end and a second end, wherein at least a portion of the stationary tube is disposed within the bore of the rotating shaft.