Active thermal control of X-ray tubes
US8503615B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 2010 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 21, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05G1/54
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present embodiments relate to active thermal control of X-ray tubes. In one embodiment, a system includes an X-ray tube having an electron beam target, a rotary bearing supporting the target in rotation, and a coolant flow passage, at least a portion of the coolant flow passage being disposed in the center of the rotary bearing, and the coolant flow passage is configured to receive a coolant. The system also includes a coolant circulating system coupled to the coolant flow passage and configured to circulate the coolant thorough the coolant flow passage, and a control circuit coupled to the coolant circulating system and the rotary bearing, the control circuit being configured to control heat flow between components of the X-ray tube by regulating extraction of heat from the X-ray tube via the coolant and by regulating a rotation rate of the rotary bearing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.