Coolant pump for x-ray device

Abstract

This disclosure generally concerns x-ray device cooling systems and related components. One example of such a component is a coolant pump that includes an casing with a pair of fluid interfaces and an electrical interface. The casing includes a body with first and second ends. A motor is disposed within the casing and includes a shaft to which an impeller is attached. A first end cover is attached to the first end of the casing body, and a second end cover includes an electrical interface and is attached to the second end of the casing. Each of the end covers cooperates with a corresponding sealing element to aid in sealing the casing. One or both of the end covers is removably attached to the body of the casing to permit removal and repair/replacement of components disposed within the casing.

1 . A casing for housing a pump, comprising: 
 a body having first and second ends;    a first end cover including a first fluid interface, the first end cover being removably attachable to the first end of the body, and a second fluid interface being included in one of: the body; or, the first end cover; and    a second end cover including an electrical interface, the second end cover being removably attachable to the second end of the body, and the second end cover cooperating with the first end cover and the body to substantially define a cavity when the first and second end covers are attached to the body, the cavity being in fluid communication with the first and second fluid interfaces.    
   
   
       2 . The casing as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body substantially comprises a single piece construction.  
   
   
       3 . The casing as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body is formed by one of: extrusion; casting; or, molding.  
   
   
       4 . The casing as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the casing substantially comprises aluminum.  
   
   
       5 . The casing as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the electrical interface comprises a hermetically sealed wiring harness.  
   
   
       6 . The casing as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body includes an integral mounting base.  
   
   
       7 . The casing as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a plurality of glands, each of which is configured to at least partially receive a corresponding sealing element.  
   
   
       8 . The casing as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first sealing element interposed between the body and the first end cover; and    a second sealing element interposed between the body and the second end cover.    
   
   
       9 . The casing as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a snap ring and a wave spring, each of which is configured to be positioned within a respective groove defined by the body.  
   
   
       10 . A pump, comprising: 
 a casing that substantially defines a cavity, the casing including a first fluid interface and comprising: 
 an extrusion body with first and second ends;  
 first and second sealing elements;  
 a first end cover including a second fluid interface, the first end cover being removably attachable to the first end of the extrusion body and cooperating with the first sealing element to at least partially seal the casing; and  
 a second end cover including an electrical interface, the second end cover being removably attachable to the second end of the extrusion body and cooperating with the second sealing element to at least partially seal the casing;  
   an impeller; and    a motor including a shaft to which the impeller is attached, at least the motor being disposed within the casing, and the motor being in electrical communication with the electrical interface and in fluid communication with the cavity and first and second fluid interfaces.    
   
   
       11 . The pump as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the pump comprises a centrifugal pump.  
   
   
       12 . The pump as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the extrusion body substantially comprises a single piece construction.  
   
   
       13 . The pump as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the motor is a submerged stator/rotor type.  
   
   
       14 . The pump as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first fluid interface comprises an element of the first end cover, the first fluid interface being in fluid communication with the second fluid interface and with the cavity.  
   
   
       15 . The pump as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first fluid interface comprises an element of the extrusion body, the first fluid interface being in fluid communication with the second fluid interface and with the cavity.  
   
   
       16 . The pump as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first end cover substantially encloses the impeller.  
   
   
       17 . The pump as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the pump further comprises a snap ring and a wave spring, each of which is configured to be positioned within a respective groove defined by the body so that both the wave spring and the snap ring contact the motor.  
   
   
       18 . A cooling system suitable for use in connection with an x-ray device, comprising: 
 a heat exchanger; and    a pump configured for fluid communication with the heat exchanger, and comprising: 
 a casing that substantially defines a cavity, the casing including a first fluid interface and comprising: 
 an extrusion body with first and second ends;  
 first and second sealing elements;  
 a first end cover including a second fluid interface, the first end cover being removably attachable to the first end of the extrusion body and cooperating with the first sealing element to at least partially seal the casing; and  
 a second end cover including an electrical interface, the second end cover being removably attachable to the second end of the extrusion body and cooperating with the second sealing element to at least partially seal the casing;  
 
 an impeller; and  
 a motor including a shaft to which the impeller is attached, at least the motor being disposed within the casing, and the motor being in electrical communication with the electrical interface and in fluid communication with the first and second fluid interfaces and the cavity.  
   
   
   
       19 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the extrusion body substantially comprises a single piece construction.  
   
   
       20 . The cooling system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the motor is a submerged stator/rotor type.