# US 5,703,926 A · X-radiator with constraint-cooled rotating anode

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- Number: US 5,703,926 A
- Document ID: US5703926A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/821,440
- Filed: 1997-03-21
- Granted: 1997-12-30
- Earliest claimed: 1996-03-29
- Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
- Inventors: Norbert Bischof
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5703926A

## CPC

- H05G 1/04: Mounting the X-ray tube within a closed housing
- H01J 35/10: Rotary anodes; Arrangements for rotating anodes; Cooling rotary anodes
- H01J 35/305: {by using a rotating X-ray tube in conjunction therewith}
- H05G 1/025: {Means for cooling the X-ray tube or the generator}
- H01J 2235/1216: of the vessel
- H05G: X-RAY TECHNIQUE (investigating or analysing materials by the use of X-rays G01N23/00; apparatus for X-ray photography G03B42/02; X-ray tubes H01J35/00; TV systems having X-ray input H04N5/321)
- H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H)

## Abstract

X-radiator with an X-ray tube with a vacuum housing to which an anode and a cathode are firmly connected, has a coolant container that surrounds the X-ray tube and is filled with a coolant, and a radiation protection housing that surrounds the coolant container. The X-ray tube and the coolant container are rotatably seated relative to the radiation protection housing, with the drive of the X-ray tube and/or the coolant container operating such that the X-ray tube and the coolant container rotate around a rotational axis during operation of the X-radiator. An electron beam deflection system that is stationary with respect to the radiation protection housing is arranged inside the radiation protection housing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An X-ray radiator comprising:
an X-ray tube having a vacuum housing with an anode and a cathode rigidly mounted in said vacuum housing, said cathode emitting an electron beam;
a coolant container surrounding said X-ray tube and filled with a coolant;
a radiation protection housing surrounding said coolant container;
means for mounting said X-ray tube and said coolant container in said radiation protection housing for permitting rotation of said X-ray tube and said coolant container relative to said radiation protection housing;
drive means for rotating at least one of said X-ray tube and said coolant container in said radiation protection housing around a rotational axis during operation of said X-ray tube, said X-ray tube emitting an X-ray beam during said operation; and
deflection means, disposed inside said radiation protection housing and mounted stationarily relative to said radiation protection housing, for deflecting said electron beam onto a stationary focal spot on said anode.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An X-ray radiator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coolant container has at least one coolant admission connector and at least one coolant discharge connector for respectively admitting and discharging coolant to and from said coolant container.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

An X-ray radiator as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for rigidly connecting said X-ray tube and said coolant container to each other.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

An X-ray radiator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said anode has a diameter and wherein said X-ray tube and said coolant container respectively have coinciding sections of a diameter less than said diameter of said anode, and wherein said deflection means is disposed adjacent an exterior of said section of said coolant container.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

An X-ray radiator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said X-ray tube and said coolant container in said radiation protection housing comprise rolling bearings.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

An X-ray radiator as claimed in claim 5 wherein said rolling bearings are disposed in said coolant at said coolant container.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

An X-ray radiator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coolant comprises a liquid.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

An X-ray radiator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coolant comprises insulating oil.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

An X-ray radiator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said anode forms a portion of a wall of said vacuum housing.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

An X-ray radiator as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for supplying operating voltage to said X-ray tube, including wiper rings exposed to said coolant.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

An X-ray radiator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said deflection means comprises at least one electromagnet.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

An X-ray radiator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a prime mover with gearing connected between said prime mover and said at least one of said X-ray tube and said coolant container.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

An X-ray radiator as claimed in claim 12 wherein said prime mover comprises an electric motor.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

An X-ray radiator as claimed in claim 12 wherein said prime mover comprises a pneumatic drive.