US-20260128250-A1 - COOLED ANODES, X-RAY TUBES, AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME

US20260128250A1US 20260128250 A1US20260128250 A1US 20260128250A1US-20260128250-A1

Abstract

Anodes with integrated heat exchangers, x-ray tubes including the same, and methods of manufacturing anodes are disclosed. An anode for an x-ray tube can include a body portion defining an inner channel, an outer channel, and a radial channel. The radial channel can be configured to direct a coolant between the inner channel and the outer channel.

Inventors

Brandon Robbins
Matt Pierce
Gregory C. Andrews
Kasey Otho Greenland

Assignees

VAREX IMAGING CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251003

Claims (20)

1 . An anode for an x-ray tube, the anode comprising: a body portion defining: an inner channel; an outer channel; and a radial channel configured to direct a coolant between the inner channel and the outer channel.
2 . The anode of claim 1 , wherein: the inner channel is configured to direct the coolant in a first direction; and the outer channel is configured to direct the coolant in a second direction opposite the first direction.
3 . The anode of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of extended surfaces extending into the inner channel.
4 . The anode of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the body portion facing away from the inner channel comprises a plurality of extended surfaces extending into the outer channel.
5 . The anode of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the body portion facing the inner channel comprises a plurality of extended surfaces extending into the outer channel.
6 . The anode of claim 1 , further comprising an end plate coupled to the body portion, the end plate at least partially defining the radial channel and having a thickness in a range from 0.2 inches to 0.5 inches.
7 . The anode of claim 1 , further comprising: an end plate coupled to the body portion; and an x-ray target layer attached to a first surface of the end plate; wherein the radial channel is configured to direct the coolant along a second surface of the end plate opposite the first surface.
8 . The anode of claim 1 , wherein the body portion defines a plurality of outer channels disposed at different radial distances in the body portion.
9 . An x-ray tube comprising: a cathode; an anode defining a plurality of channels, the plurality of channels comprising: an inner channel configured to direct a flow of a coolant in a first direction; and an outer channel configured to direct a flow the coolant in a second direction opposite the first direction; a cooling system coupled to the channels, the cooling system comprising a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet; and an enclosure at least partially surrounding the cathode, the anode, and the cooling system.
10 . The x-ray tube of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of channels further comprise a radial channel in fluid communication with the inner channel and the outer channel.
11 . The x-ray tube of claim 10 , wherein: the cooling system is coupled to the plurality of channels at a proximal end of the anode; and the radial channel is disposed within a distal end of the anode.
12 . The x-ray tube of claim 9 , wherein the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet are concentrically arranged.
13 . The x-ray tube of claim 9 , wherein: the plurality of channels further comprise a plurality of outer channels; the plurality of outer channels is disposed at greater radial distances from a center of the anode than the inner channel; and the plurality of outer channels at least partially encircle the inner channel.
14 . The x-ray tube of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of channels further comprise a plurality of radial channels, each of the radial channels being in fluid communication with the inner channel and at least two of the outer channels.
15 . A method of manufacturing an anode, comprising: providing a body portion defining a first channel and a second channel extending through a length of the body portion; and coupling an end plate to the body portion, the end plate at least partially defining a radial channel fluidly coupled between the first channel and the second channel.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein providing the body portion comprises: concentrically arranging a first body portion relative to a second body portion; and coupling the first body portion to the second body portion.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein: providing the body portion comprises concentrically arranging a first body portion relative to a second body portion; the first body portion and the second body portion define the first channel and the second channel; and coupling the end plate to the body portion comprises coupling the first body portion and the second body portion to the end plate.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein providing the body portion comprises machining the first channel and the second channel in the body portion.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein providing the body portion further comprises machining the body portion to at least partially define the radial channel.
20 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising forming the body portion by an additive manufacturing process.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/717,122 filed 6 Nov. 2024, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD The described embodiments relate generally to x-ray tubes, and more particularly, to x-ray tubes including anodes with integrated heat exchangers that provide improved thermodynamic properties, including improved cooling. BACKGROUND X-ray tubes are tools that are used in a wide variety of applications, both industrial and medical. An x-ray tube typically includes a cathode assembly and an anode positioned within an evacuated enclosure. The cathode assembly includes an electron source, and the anode includes a target surface that is oriented to receive electrons emitted by the electron source. During operation of the x-ray tube, an electric current is applied to the electron source, which causes electrons to be produced by thermionic emission. The electrons are accelerated toward the target surface of the anode by applying a high-voltage potential between the cathode assembly and the anode. When the electrons strike the anode target surface, the kinetic energy of the electrons causes the production of x-rays. The x-rays are produced omnidirectionally. The x-ray tube can include a window through which a portion of the x-rays exits the x-ray tube. The x-rays that exit the x-ray tube can then interact with a material sample, a patient, or another object. The generation of x-rays in an x-ray tube can also generate heat in components of the x-ray tube. In some examples, this heat can damage the components of the x-ray tube. For example, when electrons impact the anode target surface, some of their kinetic energy can be converted to x-rays, while at least a portion of their kinetic energy can be converted to heat. This heat can raise temperatures of the anode and other structures of the x-ray tube. High temperatures in the anode and other structures of the x-ray tube can damage the components of the x-ray tube and shorten its operational life. As such, it is desirable to produce x-ray tubes with improved heat dissipation to prevent damage to the x-ray tubes, extend the operational life of the x-ray tubes, and the like. Further, improving heat dissipation in the x-ray tubes can allow for the x-ray tubes to operate with higher power capacity, which can increase performance of the x-ray tubes. SUMMARY One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an anode for an x-ray tube, the anode including a body portion defining an inner channel, an outer channel, and a radial channel. The radial channel can be configured to direct a coolant between the inner channel and the outer channel. In some examples, the inner channel can be configured to direct the coolant in a first direction. The outer channel can be configured to direct the coolant in a second direction opposite the first direction. In some examples, the anode can further include a plurality of extended surfaces extending into the inner channel. In some examples, a surface of the body portion facing away from the inner channel can include a plurality of extended surfaces extending into the outer channel. In some examples, a surface of the body portion facing towards the inner channel can include a plurality of extended surfaces extending into the outer channel. In some examples, the anode can further include an end plate coupled to the body portion. The end plate can at least partially define the radial channel. The end plate can have a thickness in a range from 0.2 inches to 0.5 inches. In some examples, the anode can further include an end plate coupled to the body portion and an x-ray target layer attached to a first surface of the end plate. The radial channel can be configured to direct the coolant along a second surface of the end plate opposite the first surface. In some examples, the body portion can include a plurality of outer channels disposed at different radial distances in the body portion. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an x-ray tube including a cathode, an anode defining a plurality of channels, a cooling system coupled to the channels, the cooling system comprising a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, and an enclosure at least partially surrounding the cathode, the anode, and the cooling system. The channels can include an inner channel configured to flow a coolant in a first direction and an outer channel configured to flow the coolant in a second direction opposite the first direction. In some examples, the channels can further include a radial channel in fluid communication with the inner channel and the outer channel. In some examples, the cooling system can be coupled to the channels at a proximal end of the anode. The radial channel can be disposed within a distal end of the anode. In some examples, the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet can be arranged concentric to one another. In some examples, the channel