X-ray tube anode cooling device and systems incorporating same

An anode assembly for use within an x-ray generating device, the anode assembly comprising:

• an annular target frame having an inner surface and an outer surface;
• a rotatable shaft coupled to the target frame;
• a bearing assembly for supporting the rotatable shaft;
• an annular heat exchanger having an inner surface and an outer surface, the heat exchanger comprising a cooling medium circulating through the heat exchanger for convectively cooling the anode assembly, at least a portion of the outer surface of the heat exchanger positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the inner surface of the target frame and at least a portion of the outer surface of the heat exchanger positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the rotatable shaft and the bearing assembly;
• and
• a thermal coupling medium disposed between the inner surface of the target frame and the outer surface of the heat exchanger, the thermal coupling medium thermally coupling the target frame with the heat exchanger while permitting relative motion between the target frame and the heat exchanger.

An x-ray generating device that generates x-rays and residual energy in the form of heat, the x-ray generating device comprising:

• a vacuum vessel having an inner surface forming a vacuum chamber;
• an anode assembly disposed with the vacuum chamber, the anode assembly including a target having a target frame with an inner surface and an outer surface;
• a rotatable shaft coupled to the vacuum vessel;
• a bearing assembly for supporting the anode assembly;
• a cathode assembly disposed within the vacuum chamber at a distance from the anode assembly, the cathode assembly configured to emit electrons that strike the target, producing x-rays and residual energy;
• a heat exchanger having an inner surface and an outer surface, the heat exchanger comprising a cooling medium circulating through the heat exchanger for convectively cooling the anode assembly, at least a portion of the outer surface of the heat exchanger positioned adjacent to and in a spaced apart relationship with at least a portion of the inner surface of the target frame and at least a portion of the outer surface of the heat exchanger positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the rotatable shaft and the bearing assembly;
• and
• a thermal coupling medium disposed between the inner surface of the target frame and the outer surface of the heat exchanger, the thermal coupling medium thermally coupling the target frame with the heat exchanger while permitting relative motion between the target frame and the heat exchanger.