An x-ray tube cooling system including a heat sink at least partially
disposed within an evacuated housing of the x-ray tube and having a
cooling block partially received within the bearing housing so as to
absorb heat transmitted to the bearing assembly and bearing housing.
Extended surfaces, are disposed in a coolant chamber cooperatively defined
by the cooling block and a shell within which the cooling block is
partially received. The shell defines a coolant chamber entrance and
coolant chamber exit in fluid communication with the coolant chamber. The
coolant chamber entrance and exit communicate with corresponding coolant
inlet and outlet passageways, respectively, cooperatively defined by a
pair of insulators which retain the heat sink in a predetermined
orientation within an evacuated envelope of an x-ray device. A circulating
coolant contacts the extended surfaces and thereby removes heat from
various structures of the x-ray device.
