Anodes, cooling systems, and x-ray sources including the same
AssigneeVarex Imaging Corporation
InventorsDavid Kirkham, Vance Scott Robinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments include a system, comprising: a vacuum enclosure; an anode support structure penetrating the vacuum enclosure and including a plurality of first cooling passages; and an anode disposed within the vacuum enclosure, coupled to and supported by the anode support structure, and including: a target; and a plurality of second cooling passages; wherein: each of the second cooling passages is coupled to a corresponding first cooling passage; the anode is coupled to the anode support structure on a side of the anode different from a side of the anode including the target and different from axial ends of the anode on a major axis of the anode; and the anode is a linear anode.
Claims20
A system, comprising:
- a vacuum enclosure;
- an anode support structure penetrating the vacuum enclosure and including a plurality of first cooling passages;
- and
- an anode disposed within the vacuum enclosure, coupled to and supported by the anode support structure, and including:
- a target;
- and
- a plurality of second cooling passages;
- wherein:
- each of the second cooling passages is coupled to a corresponding first cooling passage;
- the anode is coupled to the anode support structure on a side of the anode different from a side of the anode including the target and different from axial ends of the anode on a major axis of the anode;
- and
- the anode is a linear anode.
A method, comprising:
- directing a coolant through an anode support structure penetrating a vacuum enclosure towards a linear anode within the vacuum enclosure;
- dividing the coolant at or in the linear anode to flow in a plurality of different directions in first cooling passages within the linear anode;
- redirecting the coolant at the ends of the first cooling passages into second cooling passages extending towards the anode support structure;
- and
- passing the coolant from the second cooling passages into the anode support structure.
A system, comprising:
- linear means for converting an electron beam into x-rays within a vacuum enclosure;
- means for supporting the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays and for supplying coolant to the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays;
- means for directing the coolant through the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays within the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays;
- means for dividing the coolant supplied to the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays within the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays;
- and
- means for supporting the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays and for supplying coolant to the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.