Heat pipe assisted cooling of x-ray windows in x-ray tubes
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorCarey S. Rogers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An x-ray tube for emitting x-rays through an x-ray transmissive window is disclosed herein. The x-ray tube includes a casing, an x-ray tube insert which generates x-rays, an x-ray transmissive window disposed in the x-ray tube insert, and at least one heat pipe thermally coupled to the x-ray transmissive window. The x-ray transmissive window provides an area through which the x-rays pass. The heat pipe transfers thermal energy away from the x-ray transmissive window, providing intense, localized cooling of the x-ray window.
Claims22
An x-ray tube for emitting x-rays through an x-ray transmissive window, the x-ray tube comprising:
- a casing;
- an x-ray tube insert which generates x-rays, the x-ray tube insert being located within the casing;
- an x-ray transmissive window disposed in the x-ray tube insert to provide an area through which the x-rays pass;
- and
- at least one heat pipe thermally coupled to the x-ray transmissive window to transfer thermal energy away from the x-ray transmissive window.
An x-ray tube for emitting x-rays with increased performance by effective heat dissipation, the x-ray tube comprising:
- an x-ray transmissive window;
- and
- means for locally removing heat energy from the x-ray transmissive window.
A method for dissipating heat from an x-ray transmissive window on an x-ray generating device, the method comprising:
- providing a heat pipe thermally coupled to the x-ray transmissive window;
- providing x-rays through the x-ray transmissive window;
- and
- transferring thermal energy away from the x-ray transmissive window through the heat pipe.
A method of assembling an x-ray tube having a casing;
- an x-ray tube insert;
- an x-ray transmissive window;
- and at least one heat pipe, the method comprising:
- locating an x-ray tube casing;
- orienting an x-ray tube insert within the casing, the x-ray tube insert including an x-ray transmissive window through which x-rays pass;
- and
- fastening at least one heat pipe to the x-ray transmissive window.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.