X-ray tube assembly with movable divider for thermal expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing x-ray tube housings face challenges in accommodating high temperatures and providing reliable high-voltage coupling while shielding unwanted radiation, as insulating fluids can expand and cause pressure issues and electrical arcing.
Innovation Solution
The use of a housing with a movable divider separating an oil-filled volume for heat transfer and a gas-filled volume for expansion, combined with solid insulation for high-voltage conductors, ensures reliable heat management and electrical isolation, preventing arcing and fluid leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If insulating fluid is used to provide heat transfer and electrical insulation, then heat management and electrical isolation are improved, but the fluid expands at high temperatures causing pressure issues and potential electrical arcing
Solution Approach 1:
The housing interior volume is divided into two separate volumes: a first volume filled with insulating fluid for heat transfer and electrical insulation, and a second volume filled with compressible gas to accommodate fluid expansion. This segmentation allows each fluid to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable electrical isolation and managing thermal expansion pressure.
2Temperature
If insulating fluid is used for heat transfer, then thermal management is improved, but electrical arcing may occur due to gas expansion into the fluid
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the housing interior into a first volume containing insulating fluid and a second volume containing compressible gas, the invention prevents gas from mixing with or expanding into the insulating fluid. The movable divider maintains a physical barrier, ensuring the insulating fluid remains free of gas bubbles that could cause electrical arcing, while still allowing efficient heat transfer from the x-ray tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable divider acts as an intermediary element between the insulating fluid and compressible gas. It allows the gas volume to expand and contract in response to temperature changes while preventing direct contact between the gas and insulating fluid, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of gas-induced electrical arcing in the heat transfer fluid.
3Volume of moving object
If housing volume is limited for compactness, then device size is reduced, but accommodating thermal expansion and high-voltage coupling becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The movable divider provides a dynamic solution to the volume constraint problem. It can move freely within the housing to accommodate thermal expansion of the insulating fluid, allowing the system to adapt to temperature changes without requiring excessive housing volume. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables compact housing design while maintaining the capability to handle thermal expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
Segmenting the housing into two functional volumes allows efficient use of limited space. The first volume contains the insulating fluid for heat transfer, while the second volume contains compressible gas for expansion accommodation. This segmentation enables both functions to coexist in a compact configuration, resolving the contradiction between limited housing volume and the need to accommodate thermal expansion.
4Reliability
If solid insulation is used for high-voltage conductors, then electrical isolation reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Solid insulation is applied locally and specifically to the high-voltage conductor, providing enhanced electrical isolation exactly where it is needed for reliable high-voltage coupling. This targeted approach to insulation improves reliability at the critical high-voltage interface without requiring complex insulation structures throughout the entire housing, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 maintains reliable high-temperature operation and prevents electrical arcing, ensuring consistent performance and longevity of the x-ray tube assembly by isolating gases from insulating fluids and using solid insulation for high-voltage connections.
Implementation Method 1
an oil-filled volume between the housing and the x-ray tube... providing good heat transfer from the x-ray tube
Implementation Method 2
providing good heat transfer from the x-ray tube
Implementation Method 3
Another portion of the interior volume of the housing may be filled with a gas, such as an inert gas (e.g. Nitrogen, Argon), air, or another compressible gas, to allow for expansion of the oil at high temperatures through compression of the gas
Implementation Method 4
A connector at the end of the high-voltage lead provides ease of coupling and decoupling. With only solid insulators around the electrical conductor and with gas isolated from the oil within the interior volume, the oil-filled portion of the interior is gas-free which provides good reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is an x-ray tube assembly that includes: a housing that encloses an inner volume; a movable divider within the inner volume, the movable divider dividing the inner volume into a first volume and a second volume; an x-ray tube within the first volume; the first volume between the housing and the x-ray tube filled with an insulating fluid; and the second volume filled with a compressible gas.