Thermal energy transfer device and x-ray tubes and x-ray systems incorporating same

An x-ray generating device, comprising:

• an anode assembly including a target and a shaft;
• a bearing structure rotatably supporting the shaft;
• a cathode assembly disposed at a distance from the anode assembly, the cathode assembly configured to emit electrons that strike the target of the anode assembly and produce x-rays and residual energy in the form of heat;
• a heat receptor positioned between the anode assembly and the bearing structure, the heat receptor for absorbing an amount of the residual energy;
• wherein the heat receptor has a first end and a second end and is an annular structure comprising an inner surface with an inner diameter and an outer surface with an outer diameter;
• and
• a heat exchanger, in thermal communication with the heat receptor and having an inlet end and an exit end, the heat exchanger for carrying a cooling medium and conducting an amount of the residual energy absorbed by the heat receptor away from the heat receptor.

An x-ray generating device, comprising:

• a vacuum vessel having an inner surface forming a vacuum chamber;
• an anode assembly including a target and a shaft;
• a bearing structure rotatably supporting the shaft;
• a cathode assembly disposed at a distance from the anode assembly, the cathode assembly configured to emit electrons that strike the target of the anode assembly and produce x-rays and residual energy in the form of heat;
• an annular heat receptor made of a thermally conductive material, positioned between the anode assembly and the bearing structure, the heat receptor having a first end and a second end and comprising an inner surface with an inner diameter and an outer surface with an outer diameter, the heat receptor for absorbing an amount of the residual energy;
• and
• an annular heat exchanger, in thermal communication with the heat receptor and having an inlet end and an exit end, the heat exchanger for carrying a cooling medium and conducting an amount of the residual energy absorbed by the heat receptor away from the heat receptor.

An x-ray system, 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;
• 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 of the anode assembly and produce x-rays and residual energy, said x-rays directed along a focal alignment path;
• a rotatable shaft coupled to the vacuum vessel;
• a bearing assembly comprising a lubricating medium disposed within the vacuum chamber, the bearing assembly providing for rotational movement of the shaft;
• an annular heat receptor made of a thermally conductive material positioned between the anode assembly and the bearing assembly, the heat receptor having an inner surface with an inner diameter and an outer surface with an outer diameter, the heat receptor for absorbing an amount of the residual energy;
• and
• an annular heat exchanger in thermal communication with the heat receptor, the heat exchanger having an inlet and an exit for carrying a cooling medium, the heat exchanger for conducting an amount of the residual energy absorbed by the heat receptor away from the heat receptor.