X-ray tube cooling system
US6366642B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J2235/1262
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A cooling system for use in conjunction with rotating anode and stationary anode x-ray tubes. The cooling system includes a reservoir containing a volume of coolant in which a portion of the x-ray tube is immersed. A bladder incorporated in the reservoir and in communication with the atmosphere automatically permits thermal expansion of the coolant while maintaining the coolant at atmospheric pressure. An external cooling unit directs a flow of coolant through a pressure drop device proximate to the x-ray tube so that the flowing coolant removes heat from the x-ray tube. Upon exiting the pressure drop device, the heated coolant is directed to the reservoir and ultimately returned to the external cooling unit where heat is removed from the coolant and the coolant then redirected back to the pressure drop device to repeat the cycle. The cooling system includes a pressure switch connected to a pressure tap located upstream of the pressure drop device so that the pressure switch is positioned to sense the pressure of the coolant upstream of the pressure drop device. Simultaneously, the pressure switch is in communication with the coolant disposed in the reservoir. The relatively consta…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.