A cooling system used in an X-ray generator having a cathode and anode that includes a target having a focal spot, wherein heat is generated in the anode and focal spot during operation of the X-ray generator. The system includes a heat transfer element attached to the anode wherein the heat transfer element includes a plurality of fin elements that transfer heat from the anode to surrounding air to cool the anode. The system also includes a liquid channel formed in the anode, wherein the liquid channel includes a cooling liquid. The liquid channel is located adjacent the target wherein heat from the focal spot is transferred to the cooling liquid to cool the focal spot wherein the heat transfer element, liquid channel and anode are unistructurally formed. Further, the cooling system includes a circulation pump that moves the cooling liquid in the liquid channel.

An x-ray emitter includes an x-ray tube and an x-ray emitter housing. In an embodiment, the x-ray tube includes an evacuated x-ray tube housing, a cathode for emitting electrons and an anode for generating x-rays as a function of the electrons. Further, in an embodiment, the x-ray emitter housing includes the x-ray tube and outside of the x-ray tube, a gaseous cooling medium. In an embodiment, the x-ray emitter further includes a compressor for a forced convection of the gaseous cooling medium for cooling the x-ray tube, a pressure ratio between the intake side and pressure side of the compressor being greater than 1.3.

Provided is an X-ray tube, including: an electron-beam emitting unit; a target having a first surface and a second surface; a solid heat diffusion member fixed onto the second surface of the target; and a flow-path forming member, which is arranged on a side of the solid heat diffusion member, the side being opposite to the target, and that is configured to define a film flow path in which a cooling fluid forms a film flow that is parallel to a surface shape of the solid heat diffusion member. A protruding portion protrudes toward the side of the solid heat diffusion member, which is opposite to the target. The film flow path has a shape extending along at least a part of a surface of the protruding portion.

The present invention relates to an X-ray tube (30) with an anode (36) that conducts a high voltage, preferably greater than 120 kV, particularly preferably greater than 300 kV, and heats up during operation, wherein the anode is connected in a thermally conductive way to a heat sink (4), which has a base body (10.4) composed of a metal with a heat absorbing surface (12.4) for coupling to the anode (36) as a heat source (36) and a heat dissipating surface (14.4) that is enlarged by means of heat dissipating elements (16.4) that are connected to the base body (10.4), wherein the heat dissipating elements (16.4) are composed of an electrically insulating material having a thermal conductivity on the same order of magnitude as that of the metal of the base body (10.4), and wherein the heat dissipating elements (16.4) have a height (H) starting from the base body (10.4) of the heat sink (4) so that taking into account the high voltage and an insulating medium surrounding the heat dissipating elements (16.4), there is a sufficient insulation breakdown resistance relative to the surroundings of the X-ray tube (30).

An X-ray module includes a housing in which an opening portion is formed; an electron gun that emits an electron beam; a target that transmits an X-ray generated when the electron beam is incident on the target and emits the X-ray from an X-ray-emitting surface; an X-ray-emitting window that seals the opening portion, and that transmits the X-ray and emits the X-ray to a first side in an axial direction; and a heat radiating unit disposed outside the housing. The housing includes a surface on which a protrusion protruding to the first side is formed, the opening portion is formed in the protrusion, and the target is disposed in the opening portion. The heat radiating unit includes a first portion extending along the surface and thermally connected to the surface, and a second portion extending from the first portion to a second side opposite the first side.

An X-ray module includes a housing in which an opening portion is formed; an electron gun that emits an electron beam; a target that transmits an X-ray generated when the electron beam is incident on the target and emits the X-ray from an X-ray-emitting surface; an X-ray-emitting window that seals the opening portion, and that transmits the X-ray and emits the X-ray to a first side in an axial direction; and a heat radiating unit disposed outside the housing. The housing includes a surface on which a protrusion protruding to the first side is formed, the opening portion is formed in the protrusion, and the target is disposed in the opening portion. The heat radiating unit includes a first portion extending along the surface and thermally connected to the surface, and a second portion extending from the first portion to a second side opposite the first side.

A cooling system used in an X-ray generator having a cathode and anode that includes a target having a focal spot, wherein heat is generated in the anode and focal spot during operation of the X-ray generator. The system includes a heat transfer element attached to the anode wherein the heat transfer element includes a plurality of fin elements that transfer heat from the anode to surrounding air to cool the anode. The system also includes a liquid channel formed in the anode, wherein the liquid channel includes a cooling liquid. The liquid channel is located adjacent the target wherein heat from the focal spot is transferred to the cooling liquid to cool the focal spot wherein the heat transfer element, liquid channel and anode are unistructurally formed. Further, the cooling system includes a circulation pump that moves the cooling liquid in the liquid channel.

Provided is an X-ray tube, including: an electron-beam emitting unit; a target having a first surface and a second surface; a solid heat diffusion member fixed onto the second surface of the target; and a flow-path forming member, which is arranged on a side of the solid heat diffusion member, the side being opposite to the target, and that is configured to define a film flow path in which a cooling fluid forms a film flow that is parallel to a surface shape of the solid heat diffusion member. A protruding portion protrudes toward the side of the solid heat diffusion member, which is opposite to the target. The film flow path has a shape extending along at least a part of a surface of the protruding portion.

An x-ray emitter includes an x-ray tube and an x-ray emitter housing. In an embodiment, the x-ray tube includes an evacuated x-ray tube housing, a cathode for emitting electrons and an anode for generating x-rays as a function of the electrons. Further, in an embodiment, the x-ray emitter housing includes the x-ray tube and outside of the x-ray tube, a gaseous cooling medium. In an embodiment, the x-ray emitter further includes a compressor for a forced convection of the gaseous cooling medium for cooling the x-ray tube, a pressure ratio between the intake side and pressure side of the compressor being greater than 1.3.

An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a rotatable gantry base; a housing that is fixed to the gantry base and that has an opening; an insert that is removably located in the housing and that includes a cathode that generates a thermal electron and an anode that receives collision of the thermal electron to generate an X-ray; and a blower that is removably attached to the side of the opening to flow air into the housing.