US4625324A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High vacuum rotating anode x-ray tube
Assignee: Technicare Corp
•
Filing: 1984-02-10
•
Granted: 1986-11-25
•
Expires: 2004-02-10
Abstract
Abstract An all metal and ceramic high vacuum rotary anode x-ray tube adapted for mounting on a gantry of a rotational type CT scanner. The evacuated region where x-rays are generated is maintained at about 10 -7 Torr. Vacuum sealing about the rotating shaft of the anode is provided by a magnetic fluid. No bearings are utilized within the evacuated region. Large, long wearing ball bearings that transmit rotation through the vacuum seal are provided about the shaft outside of the high vacuum region where conventional lubricants may be applied. Circulating coolant is applied internally through the anode assuring continual operation of the tube without the need for frequent cool-down waits. A preferred embodiment discloses a modified path in the rotor for the coolant designed to disturb the conventional laminar type of flow which is heat transfer inefficient to one characterized by high turbulence resulting in approximately an order of magnitude improvement in the coefficient of heat transfer.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward A. Blaskis
- 👤 Roland W. Carlson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J35/00; H01J35/02; H01J35/04; H01J35/08; H01J35/10; H01J35/105; H01J35/106; H01J35/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
In a rotating anode x-ray tube having a liquid cooled anode assembly for rotation about an axis therethrough, said anode assembly having a generally disc shaped rotor including an annular target region on one face of said rotor and centered on said axis, and a rotatable shaft along said axis and extending outwardly from the face of said rotor opposite said one face, said shaft defining inflow and outflow channels for respective delivery and removal of coolant liquid to the interior of said rotor, the improvement comprising: (a) a first plurality of channels within said rotor, each communicating with said inflow channel and extending radially outwardly to an annular recess within said rotor and generally of like radius with said annular target; (b) a second plurality of radial channels disposed within said rotor and interiorly adjacent said annular target for heat exchange therewith, said second plurality of radial channels communicating with said outflow channel, each carrying material for inducing fluid turbulence; and (c) plural jet nozzle means, each being in aligned correspondence with one of said second plurality of channels, for spraying fluid from said annular reces to an associated one of said second plurality of radial channels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
In a rotating anode x-ray tube having a liquid cooled anode assembly for rotation about an axis therethrough, said anode assembly having a generally disc shaped rotor including an annular target region on one face of said rotor and centered on said axis, and a rotatable shaft along said axis and extending outwardly from the face of said rotor opposite said one face, said shaft defining inflow and outflow channels for respective delivery and removal of coolant liquid to the interior of said rotor, the improvement comprising: (a) a first plurality of channels within said rotor, each communicating with said inflow channel and extending radially outwardly to an annular recess within said rotor and generally of like radius with said annular target; (b) a second plurality of radial channels disposed within said rotor and interiorly adjacent said annular target for heat exchange therewith, said second plurality of radial channels communicating with said outflow channel, each carrying material for inducing fluid turbulence; and (c) plural jet nozzle means, each being in aligned correspondence with one of said second plurality of channels, for spraying fluid from said annular reces to an associated one of said second plurality of radial channels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein each of said jet nozzle means is located generally centrally with respect to an associated one of said radial channels, in order to bifurcate flow of coolant in said associated channel both radially inwardly and radially outwardly within said rotor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein each of said jet nozzle means forms a small diameter aperture for passing liquid substantially normally toward said one face.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A rotating anode x-ray tube according to claim 1 wherein said material for increasing turbulence of said cooling liquid is a low density foam of high porosity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A rotating anode x-ray tube according to claim 4 wherein said low density foam is fabricated of nickel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2754168A
Cited
US2329317A
Cited
US3546511A
Cited
US4094563A
Cited
US3870916A
Cited
SU502421A1
Cited
US4066310A
Cited
US4165472A
Cited
US4392238A
Cited
US4289317A
Cited
US4309637A
Cited
US4405876A
Cited
WO1983002850A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-11-24 | 1990-05-26 | 1990-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-24 | 1994-05-26 | 1994-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-24 | 1998-05-26 | 1998-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |