SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR INTEGRATED X-RAY TUBE COOLING

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an integrated cooling system for an X-Ray tube which enhances heat transfer rates and efficiency, allowing higher-power and thus higher heat-producing applications while eliminating dependence on large and space-consuming conventional remote cooling systems.SOLUTION: A frame structure surrounding an electron beam source 304 and an electron beam target 306 has a cooling system integrated therein. The cooling system includes: at least one air/fin layer 312; and a subcooled working fluid in thermal contact with the at least one air/fin layer. The subcooled working fluid is adapted to undergo a phase transition in response to heat introduced to the frame structure by one or more of the electron beam source and the electron beam target, wherein the phase transition facilitates transfer of the heat to the at least one air/fin layer.