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US 9,449,782 B2Granted
X-ray tube target having enhanced thermal performance and method of making same
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsBen David Poquette, Thomas Carson Tiearney, Jr., Gregory Alan Steinlage, Michael Scott Hebert, Donald Robert Allen, Christian Bennett Fuller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An x-ray tube includes a frame enclosing a high vacuum, a cathode positioned within the enclosure, and a target assembly. The target assembly includes a target cap, a focal track material positioned on the target cap to receive electrons from the cathode, and a foam material positioned within a cavity of the target cap and positioned proximate the focal track. The x-ray tube also includes a bearing assembly attached to the frame and configured to support the target assembly.
Claims15
An x-ray tube comprising:
- a frame enclosing a high vacuum;
- a cathode positioned within the enclosure;
- a target assembly comprising:
- a target cap;
- a focal track material positioned on the target cap to receive electrons from the cathode;
- and
- a foam material positioned within a cavity of the target cap and positioned behind the focal track, the foam material having a directional thermal conductivity such that the thermal conductivity axially through the foam material is greater than the thermal conductivity radially through the foam material;
- and
- a bearing assembly attached to the frame and configured to support the target assembly.
6 more elements
An x-ray imaging system comprising:
- a detector positioned to receive x-rays that pass through an object;
- and
- an x-ray source positioned to emit x-rays toward the object, the x-ray source comprising:
- an electron emitter;
- a target assembly comprising:
- a target cap;
- a focal track attached to the target cap and positioned to receive electrons from the electron emitter;
- and
- a structural foam positioned within a hollow of the target cap that is positioned behind the focal track so as to enhance conduction through the thickness of the target cap, the structural foam comprising a plurality of continuous ligaments having a thermal conductivity greater than 1000 W/m-K, wherein the thermal conductivity of the plurality of continuous ligaments along a primary directional path is greater than the thermal conductivity of the plurality of continuous ligaments in a direction orthogonal to the primary directional path, the primary directional path being parallel to a direction of the thickness of the target cap;
- and
- a bearing assembly attached to a frame of the x-ray source and configured to support the target assembly.
8 more elements
An x-ray imaging system comprising:
- a detector positioned to receive x-rays that pass through an object;
- and
- an x-ray source positioned to emit x-rays toward the object, the x-ray source comprising:
- an electron emitter;
- a target assembly comprising:
- a target cap;
- a focal track attached to the target cap and positioned to receive electrons from the electron emitter;
- and
- a structural foam positioned within a hollow of the target cap that is positioned behind the focal track so as to enhance conduction through the thickness of the target cap, the structural foam comprising an open-cell foam that is impregnated with a heat storage material, the open cell foam comprising a plurality of ligaments having a thermal conductivity along a primary directional path that is greater than a thermal conductivity in a direction orthogonal to the primary directional path, the primary directional path being parallel to a direction of the thickness of the target cap;
- and
- a bearing assembly attached to a frame of the x-ray source and configured to support the target assembly.
8 more elements
An x-ray tube comprising:
- a frame enclosing a high vacuum;
- a cathode positioned within the enclosure;
- a target assembly comprising:
- a target cap;
- a focal track material positioned on the target cap to receive electrons from the cathode;
- and
- a foam material positioned within a cavity of the target cap, the foam material comprising a plurality of ligaments having a thermal conductivity along a primary directional path that is greater than a thermal conductivity in a direction orthogonal to the primary directional path, the primary directional path being parallel to a radial direction of the target cap;
- and
- a bearing assembly attached to the frame and configured to support the target assembly.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.