US 6,608,429 B1 · X-ray imaging system with convective heat transfer device

Abstract

Passive heat transfer apparatus is provided for an X-ray imaging system used in connection with mammaography, to rapidly conduct heat away from the system X-ray tube. The apparatus comprises a thermally conductive support plate located in the tube housing, in spaced apart relationship with the X-ray tube, and further comprises an elongated device for transferring heat by convection, such as a heat pipe. The heat transfer device has a first end joined to the tube, and a second end joined to the support plate. A quantity of selected working fluid sealably contained in the heat transfer device is disposed to transfer heat along the length thereof, from the tube to the support plate, and cooling fins extending through the housing from the support plate dissipate the heat into the surrounding environment. A layer of sound absorbing material is usefully positioned to surround the X-ray tube within the housing, to provide acoustic damping and substantially reduce the level of noise resulting from X-ray tube operation.

Claims21

Dependent claims

In an X-ray imaging system provided with a rotary anode x-ray tube enclosed within a thermally conductive tube casing, wherein said tube and said tube casing are contained within a housing, apparatus for transferring heat away from regions proximate to said X-ray tube comprising:

selected heat dissipating structure located in said housing in spaced apart relationship with said tube casing;
an elongated heat transfer device having a first end proximate to said tube and a second end proximate to said heat dissipating structure;
means for supporting said heat transfer device within said housing to position said first end of said heat transfer device proximate to said tube, and to position said second end thereof proximate to a wall of said housing in spaced apart relationship with said tube casing;
and
a quality of selected working fluid sealably contained in said heat transfer device, said working fluid disposed for bi-directional movement along said transfer to device to conduct heat from said first end thereof to said second end thereof.

2 more elements

In an X-ray imaging system provided with a rotary anode X-ray tube enclosed within a thermally conductive tube casing, wherein said tube and said tube casing are contained within a housing, apparatus for transferring heat away from regions proximate to said X-ray tube comprising:

an elongated heat transfer device having first and second ends;
means for supporting said heat transfer device within said housing to position said first end of said heat transfer device proximate to said tube, and to position said second end thereof proximate to a wall of said housing in spaced apart relationship with said tube casing;
a quantity of selected working fluid sealably contained in said heat transfer device, said working fluid disposed for bi-directional movement along said transfer device to conduct heat from said first end thereof to said second end thereof;
and
cooling means proximate to said second end of said heat transfer device for dissipating heat conducted along said heat transfer device into the air surrounding said housing.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

X-ray imaging system with convective heat transfer device

Life of this patent

X-ray imaging system with convective heat transfer device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21