Heat transfer techniques for moving thermal energy from high power X-ray tubes on rotating CT gantries to a remote location
US5299249A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 27, 1992 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 27, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF28F13/00
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A CT scanner has an x-ray tube (B) which is carried by a rotating gantry portion around a patient receiving region (12). A large diameter, annular radiator (30) is connected to the rotating gantry for rotation with the x-ray tube. A cooling oil is circulated around the x-ray tube and through passages (32, 74, 100) of the rotating radiator. An annular stationary member is mounted to a stationary gantry portion (A) of the CT scanner. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the stationary member is an annular tube (36) which substantially surrounds the rotating radiator except for an annular access aperture (38). Spray jets (40) spray the rotating radiator with water which is drained (42), circulated to a remote heat exchange or cooling apparatus (D), and recirculated to the spray nozzles. Baffles (52, 54), gutters (58), lip and baffle arrangements (54, 56), and the like, inhibit the sprayed water from escaping from the tube (36). In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the water is sprayed on a wick member (76). Water evaporates from the wick, cooling the rotating radiator with evaporative cooling. In the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, the rotating and stationary members include interleaved fins van…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.