Improved cooling x-ray tube anode head

Abstract

An x-ray tube includes a source for releasing electrons and an anode head with a central axis. A target is formed on an end face of the anode head, on which target during operation the electrons impinge in an excited region. The anode head provides a flow path for a cooling fluid, which flow path leads from at least one inlet connection via a radially outer portion, further via a cooling gap, and further via a radially inner portion to at least one outlet connection. The excited region of the target is essentially annular, where in a region of the anode head opposite the excited region of the target, a local height of the cooling gap increases continuously from radially outside to radially inside. The x-ray tube can be operated at a higher power and/or with less wear.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.