Patent · US Expired

X-ray detector array maintained in isothermal condition

US6249563A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
4References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 8, 1999
Grant dateJun 19, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 8, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2223/419
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

X-ray detector apparatus is provided for use in a CT imaging system having a rotatable gantry. The apparatus comprises a selected number of X-ray detector cells and two curved rails, which hold the detector cells in an array comprising an arcuate configuration and mount them onto the gantry for rotation therewith. Conduit segments are distributed along the rails, each conduit segment being proximate to a corresponding group of X-ray detector cells, and a quantity of selected working fluid and a porous wick structure is sealably enclosed in each conduit segment. The fluid is disposed to move along a conduit segment in gaseous form by means of convection, and to move in the opposing direction through the wick structure, in liquid form, by means of capillary action Heat is thereby transferred along a conduit segment to maintain a substantially isothermal condition among the detector cells proximate thereto.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.