Rotating anode x-ray tube

Abstract

A rotating anode X-ray generating tube having heat dissipating fins on the anode structure interleaved with heat receiving fins attached to the vacuum envelop with means for cooling the heat receiving fins, thereby allowing enhanced heat transfer from the anode structure to the outside environment. The operation of the foregoing structure may be enhanced further by judicious choice of materials.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An X-ray generating tube, comprising: (a) a vacuum envelope;   (b) an anode, within said envelope, adapted for rotation about an axis and including a peripheral track and a first set of fins for radiating thermal energy;   (c) cathode means within said envelope, for generating a beam of electrons to strike said peripheral track with sufficient energy to generate X-rays;   (d) a window allowing transmission of said X-rays outside the tube; and   (e) a second set of fins, mounted on the inside of said vacuum envelope, and in thermal contact with the exterior of the tube, said second set of fins being interleaved with said first set of fins.   
     
     
       2. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 1, further comprising means for cooling said second set of fins. 
     
     
       3. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 1, further comprising a third set of fins mounted exteriorly of said envelope and in thermal communication with said second set of fins for releasing thermal energy outside said envelope. 
     
     
       4. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 3, further comprising means for cooling said third set of fins. 
     
     
       5. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 1, wherein said first and second sets of interleaved fins are annular with respect to the axis of rotation of said anode. 
     
     
       6. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 5, wherein said annular fins are of rectangular cross section. 
     
     
       7. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 5, wherein said annular fins are of triangular cross section. 
     
     
       8. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 5, wherein said annular fins are of trapezoidal cross section. 
     
     
       9. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 1, wherein said first and second sets of fins are disk-shaped and extend in planes coaxial with said anode. 
     
     
       10. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 3, wherein said third set of fins extend in planes oriented radially with respect to the axis of rotation of said anode. 
     
     
       11. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 3, wherein each of said third set of fins is straight and parallel to the other of said fins. 
     
     
       12. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 3, wherein said third set of fins are annular with respect to the axis of rotation of said anode. 
     
     
       13. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 3, wherein said rotating anode is disk-shaped having first and second opposite faces; said peripheral track being positioned on said first anode face and said first set of fins projecting from said second anode face. 
     
     
       14. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 13, further comprising: (a) a fourth set of fins projecting from said first anode surface and positioned radially inward from said periphral track; and   (b) a fifth set of fins, mounted on said vacuum envelope, said fifth set of fins interleaving with said fourth set of fins, and in thermal communication with the exterior of said envelope.   
     
     
       15. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 14, further comprising a sixth set of fins in thermal contact with said fifth set of fins; said sixth set of fins being positioned outside the vacuum envelope, for releasing thermal energy. 
     
     
       16. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 14, wherein said fourth and fifth sets of fins are annular with respect to said axis of rotation of said anode. 
     
     
       17. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 16, wherein said annular fins are of rectangular cross section. 
     
     
       18. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 16, wherein said annular fins are of triangular cross section. 
     
     
       19. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 16, wherein said annular fins are of a trapezoidal cross section. 
     
     
       20. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 15, wherein said sixth set of fins extend in planes oriented radially with respect to the axis of rotation of said anode. 
     
     
       21. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 15, wherein each of said sixth set of fins is straight and parallel to the other of said fins. 
     
     
       22. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 15, wherein said sixth set of fins are annular. 
     
     
       23. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 15, further comprising means for cooling said sixth set of fins. 
     
     
       24. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 1, wherein said first set of fins comprises material of high thermal emissivity. 
     
     
       25. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 3, wherein said second and third sets of fins are of unitary construction and comprise material of high thermal conductivity. 
     
     
       26. An X-ray generating tube, comprising: (a) a vacuum envelope;   (b) a disk-shaped anode adapted for rotation about an axis comprising: (1) first and second opposite faces,   (2) a peripheral track mounted on said first face,   (3) a first set of annular fins projecting from said second face for radiating thermal energy accumulated by said anode;     (c) cathode means for generating a beam of electrons to strike said peripheral track with sufficient energy to produce X-rays;   (d) a window in said envelope allowing said X-rays to be transmitted exteriorly thereof;   (e) a second set of annular fins, mounted inside said envelope, interleaved with said first set of fins, for receiving thermal energy radiated from said first set of fins; and   (f) means for cooling said second set of fins.   
     
     
       27. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 26, wherein the means for cooling said second set of fins comprises a third set of fins, thermally connected to said second set of fins by material of high thermal conductivity, said third set of fins projecting outside said vacuum envelope into a fluid maintained substantially cooler than the operating temperature of said anode. 
     
     
       28. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 27, wherein said fluid is a dielectric liquid of high heat capacity which is circulated to enhance the transfer of thermal energy from said set of fins to said liquid. 
     
     
       29. An X-ray generating tube, as in claim 26, wherein said first and second sets of fins comprise material which enhances the radiative transfer of thermal energy therebetween.