X-ray Tube Anode Thermal Conductivity Gradient
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray tubes face challenges in achieving efficient heat dissipation, which affects their performance and service life, despite existing cooling methods like rotating anodes with heat exchangers and thermally conductive materials.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray tube features a continuous spatial increase in thermal conductivity from the interaction area to the cooling contact, achieved through a gradient in material composition, specifically transitioning from a transition metal like molybdenum to a high thermal conductivity metal like copper, ensuring efficient heat dissipation without thermal resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If rotating anodes with heat exchangers and thermally conductive materials are used, then heat dissipation is improved, but thermal resistance remains at interfaces between different materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by creating a continuous gradient in thermal conductivity from the interaction area to the cooling contact. The material composition varies spatially, with the thermal conductivity parameter changing continuously rather than abruptly, eliminating thermal resistance at interfaces between discrete materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials with a spatially varying composition. Instead of discrete layers of different materials, the anode consists of a continuous composite structure where the material composition changes gradually, creating an interpenetrating network that provides continuous thermal conductivity improvement without interface resistance.
2Temperature
If discrete material layers are used in the anode, then thermal conductivity is improved, but abrupt changes in thermal conductivity create thermal resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the thermal conductivity a local property that varies continuously through the anode structure. Different regions of the anode have different material compositions optimized for their specific thermal requirements, with the transition area providing gradual change rather than abrupt boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to transition smoothly between material properties. The material composition parameter changes continuously in the transition area, avoiding abrupt changes in thermal conductivity that would create thermal stress concentrations at material boundaries.
3Temperature
If high thermal conductivity materials are used throughout the anode, then heat dissipation is maximized, but mechanical strength and other properties may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing material composition for different functional requirements in different regions. The interaction area maintains properties suitable for electron beam interaction, the transition area provides gradual thermal conductivity improvement, and the cooling contact area maximizes thermal conductivity for heat dissipation, with each region having locally optimized properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the anode into functional zones (interaction area, transition area, cooling contact area) with different material compositions. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity through the continuous gradient transition.
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 approach enables fail-safe operation and extended service life by maximizing heat dissipation and minimizing mechanical stresses, resulting in improved cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
In an area leading thermally from the interaction area to the cooling contact, the anode exhibits a non-vanishing and continuous spatial increase in thermal conductivity
Implementation Method 2
the heat dissipation to the cooling contact and the heat transfer by means of the cooling contact is advantageously maximized
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The X-ray tube comprises an anode (40) having an interaction region (35) and a cooling contact (80), wherein the anode (40) has, in a region leading thermally from the interaction region (35) to the cooling contact (80), a non-disappearing and continuous spatial increase in thermal conductivity. The X-ray device has an X-ray tube of this kind. In the method for manufacturing an X-ray tube (20) of this kind or an X-ray device (10) of this kind, the region is formed by means of additive manufacture with a spatial change in the material composition or by means of a partially porous material and infiltration of the material.