X-ray Tube Thermal Management via Segmented Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray tubes require complex cooling mechanisms to efficiently release heat from both the anode target and cathode, which complicates the design and can lead to insulating part deformation and dielectric breakdown due to high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray tube design incorporating a heat-transfer medium and a cooling system with a ceramic member for thermal insulation and an adapter of high thermal conductivity, allowing heat from the anode target and cathode to be efficiently transferred to a coolant through a simple structure, preventing insulating part deformation and stabilizing the high-voltage connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a high voltage is applied between the cathode and the anode target, then electrons are emitted and X-rays are generated, but the cathode and insulating parts become high temperature causing deformation and dielectric breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling function into separate components: a first cooling mechanism for the anode target and a second cooling mechanism for the cathode. This segmentation allows each component to be cooled independently and efficiently, preventing temperature-related deformation and dielectric breakdown while maintaining high power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat transfer medium that acts as an intermediary between the cathode and the cooling system. This medium facilitates efficient heat transfer from the cathode to the cooling mechanism, enabling effective temperature control without direct thermal contact between the high-voltage cathode and the cooling components.
2Loss of energy
If complex cooling mechanisms are used to release heat from the anode target and cathode, then heat release efficiency improves, but the design becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling functions for both the anode target and cathode into a single integrated cooling system design. While maintaining separate cooling pathways for each component, the overall structure is unified and streamlined, achieving efficient heat dissipation without excessive complexity in the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling mechanisms are designed to automatically dissipate heat from the anode target and cathode through inherent thermal conduction pathways and fluid circulation, without requiring complex external control systems. The system self-regulates temperature through passive heat transfer mechanisms.
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 design enables efficient heat release from both the anode target and cathode with a simple structure, preventing insulating part deformation and ensuring reliable high-voltage connections, thus stabilizing the X-ray tube operation.
Implementation Method 1
A heat-transfer medium and a cooling system which forms a cooling passage through which coolant flows are placed outside the vacuum envelope. Heat of the cathode transfers the heat-transfer medium and the adapter, and is released from the cooling system.
Implementation Method 2
a cooling system which forms a cooling passage through which coolant flows... Heat of the cathode transfers the heat-transfer medium and the adapter, and is released from the cooling system.
Implementation Method 3
an adapter, a heat-transfer medium, and a cooling system which forms a cooling passage through which coolant flows... an adapter of high thermal conductivity, allowing heat from the anode target and cathode to be efficiently transferred
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray tube has a cathode, an anode target to emit X-rays, and a vacuum envelope which houses the cathode and the anode target. The vacuum envelope has a first metal member connected to the anode target, a second metal member which is connected to the first metal member and has a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than that of the first metal member, and an electrically insulating annular ceramic member connected to the second metal member and the cathode. In addition, the X-ray tube has a cooling system which is connected to the first metal member and forms a cooling passage. Furthermore, the X-ray tube has an adapter which is in contact with the first metal member, surrounds the second metal member and has a thermal conductivity higher than that of the second metal member, and a heat-transfer medium placed between the ceramic member and the adapter.