Anodes, cooling systems, and x-ray sources including the same
Embodiments include a system, comprising: a vacuum enclosure; an anode support structure penetrating the vacuum enclosure and including a plurality of first cooling passages; and an anode disposed within the vacuum enclosure, coupled to and supported by the anode support structure, and including: a target; and a plurality of second cooling passages; wherein: each of the second cooling passages is coupled to a corresponding first cooling passage; the anode is coupled to the anode support structure on a side of the anode different from a side of the anode including the target and different from axial ends of the anode on a major axis of the anode; and the anode is a linear anode.
1. A system, comprising:
a vacuum enclosure;
an anode support structure penetrating the vacuum enclosure and including a plurality of first cooling passages; and
an anode disposed within the vacuum enclosure, coupled to and supported by the anode support structure, and including:
a target; and
a plurality of second cooling passages;
wherein:
each of the second cooling passages is coupled to a corresponding first cooling passage;
the anode is coupled to the anode support structure on a side of the anode different from a side of the anode including the target and different from axial ends of the anode on a major axis of the anode; and
the anode is a linear anode.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the anode is coupled to the anode support structure on a side of the anode opposite to the target.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the anode support structure is the only structural support for the anode within the vacuum enclosure.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the anode support structure is the only electrical connection to the anode within the vacuum enclosure.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the anode is a stationary anode.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the linear anode has a length to width aspect ratio greater than or equal to 4:1.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the target is one of a plurality of targets extending in a line or plane perpendicular to the anode support structure.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the anode further comprises:
a base; and
a first end cap and a second end cap disposed on opposite ends of the base;
wherein:
the target is disposed on the base;
the second cooling passages extend through the base from the first end cap to the second end cap; and
for each of the end caps, the end cap couples together at least in part at least some of the second cooling passages.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein:
the anode support structure is coupled to the base at a location on the base that is at least 25% of a length of a longest dimension of the base from either of the opposite ends along the longest dimension of the base; and
the second cooling passages extend from the anode support structure to the opposite ends of the base.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein:
a first one of the second cooling passages is disposed along a central axis of the anode; and
a second one of the second cooling passages and a third one of the second cooling passages are disposed on opposite sides of the first one of the second cooling passages.
11. The system of claim 8 , wherein:
the end caps are separate from walls of the vacuum enclosure.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
one of the first cooling passages of the anode support structure is coupled to multiple second cooling passages of the anode.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the anode support structure forms an electrical connection to the anode from outside of the vacuum enclosure.
14. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a shroud disposed over the target and electrically coupled to the anode, the shroud including a plurality of openings configured to permit at least one electron beam to reach the target.
15. A method, comprising:
directing a coolant through an anode support structure penetrating a vacuum enclosure towards a linear anode within the vacuum enclosure;
dividing the coolant at or in the linear anode to flow in a plurality of different directions in first cooling passages within the linear anode;
redirecting the coolant at the ends of the first cooling passages into second cooling passages extending towards the anode support structure; and
passing the coolant from the second cooling passages into the anode support structure.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising electrically connecting to the linear anode through the anode support structure.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein dividing the coolant at the linear anode comprises dividing the coolant to extend perpendicular to the anode support structure.
18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising supporting the linear anode with only the anode support structure.
19. A system, comprising:
linear means for converting an electron beam into x-rays within a vacuum enclosure;
means for supporting the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays and for supplying coolant to the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays;
means for directing the coolant through the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays within the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays;
means for dividing the coolant supplied to the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays within the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays; and
means for supporting the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays and for supplying coolant to the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays.
20. The system of claim 19 , further comprising means for electrically connecting to the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays within the means for supporting the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays and for supplying coolant to the linear means for converting the electron beam into the x-rays.