High emissive coatings on x-ray tube components
AssigneeVarian Medical Systems, Inc.
InventorRicky B. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An x-ray tube having one or more components, such as the rotor, that include a coating of relatively high emissivity. The coating, a metal oxide composition for example, is selectively applied to desired portions of the component by plasma spray or similar process. The relatively high emissivity of the coating enhances the ability of the coated surface to radiate heat, and thereby aids in implementation of a cooling effect with respect to the x-ray tube.
Claims33
An x-ray tube comprising:
- a vacuum enclosure having an electron source and anode disposed therein, said anode having a target surface positioned to receive electrons emitted by said electron source;
- a rotor at least partially received within said anode, and wherein the rotor is operably connected to the anode;
- a bearing assembly rotatably supporting said rotor and at least partially received within said anode so that said rotor is at least partially interposed between said bearing assembly and said anode;
- and
- an emissive coating disposed on at least a portion of said rotor that is disposed within the anode, the coating being comprised of a material that increases the emissivity of the rotor surface.
A rotor assembly suitable for use in conjunction with a device having a rotatable component wherein a bearing assembly is at least partially received, the rotor assembly comprising:
- a rotor at least partially received within the rotatable component so that said rotor is interposed between the rotatable component and the bearing assembly, said rotor being rotatably supported by the bearing assembly;
- and
- an emissive coating disposed on a portion of said rotor.
A heat dissipation system suitable for use in conjunction with an x-ray tube having a vacuum enclosure containing an electron source and an anode having a target surface positioned to receive electrons emitted by the electron source, the anode at least partially receiving a rotor and being connected thereto, the x-ray tube further including a bearing assembly rotatably supporting the rotor and at least partially received within the anode so that the rotor is interposed between the bearing assembly and the anode, the heat dissipation system comprising;
- an emissive coating disposed on a portion of the rotor;
- and
- a cooling structure disposed proximate said emissive coating.
An x-ray tube comprising:
- a vacuum enclosure having an electron source and anode disposed therein, said anode having a target surface positioned to receive electrons emitted by said electron source;
- a rotor at least partially received within said anode and connected thereto;
- a bearing assembly rotatably supporting said rotor and at least partially received within said anode so that said rotor is interposed between said bearing assembly and said anode;
- and
- means for emitting heat from said rotor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.