SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SERVICING X-RAY TUBES IN SITU
First Claim
1. A coolant replacement system, comprisinga service port adapted to be operatively connected to a coolant conduit of a closed x-ray tube system;
- a vacuum tank operatively connected to the service port to supply replacement coolant to the coolant conduit;
a vacuum pump operatively connected to the vacuum tank to selectively draw a vacuum on the vacuum tank;
an inert gas supply operatively connected to the vacuum tank;
one or more flow control valves disposed between the vacuum pump and the vacuum tank and arranged to allow the vacuum pump to be selectively isolated from or fluidly connected to the vacuum tank, whereby the vacuum pump can draw a vacuum on the vacuum tank and the coolant conduit; and
one or more flow control valves disposed between the inert gas supply and the vacuum tank and arranged to allow the inert gas supply to be selectively isolated from or fluidly connected to the vacuum tank, whereby the inert gas supply can push coolant from the vacuum tank and into the evacuated coolant conduit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for replacing coolant of an x-ray tube assembly having a closed cooling system include a service port that is operatively installed in the cooling system and a vacuum assisted service kit that is operatively coupled to the service port. Used coolant is drained from the x-ray tube assembly, and thereafter a vacuum is drawn on the x-ray tube assembly via the service kit. Replacement coolant within a vacuum tank of the service kit is degassed under a vacuum. The degassed replacement coolant is provided into the cooling system from the vacuum tank, preferably by pushing under pressure with an inert gas to prevent the introduction of any air into the replacement coolant. The replacement coolant may be pressurized in the cooling system with the inert gas. Thereafter, the service port is closed, and the service kit may be disconnected from the service port.
8 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A coolant replacement system, comprising
a service port adapted to be operatively connected to a coolant conduit of a closed x-ray tube system; -
a vacuum tank operatively connected to the service port to supply replacement coolant to the coolant conduit; a vacuum pump operatively connected to the vacuum tank to selectively draw a vacuum on the vacuum tank; an inert gas supply operatively connected to the vacuum tank; one or more flow control valves disposed between the vacuum pump and the vacuum tank and arranged to allow the vacuum pump to be selectively isolated from or fluidly connected to the vacuum tank, whereby the vacuum pump can draw a vacuum on the vacuum tank and the coolant conduit; and one or more flow control valves disposed between the inert gas supply and the vacuum tank and arranged to allow the inert gas supply to be selectively isolated from or fluidly connected to the vacuum tank, whereby the inert gas supply can push coolant from the vacuum tank and into the evacuated coolant conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of replacing a coolant in a closed cooling system, the method comprising:
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opening the cooling system; removing used coolant from the opened cooling system; closing the cooling system after removing the used coolant; connecting a vacuum tank to the cooling system; evacuating air from the cooling system by drawing a vacuum on the vacuum tank and the cooling system; at least partially filling the vacuum tank with a quantity of replacement coolant; drawing a vacuum on the replacement coolant in the vacuum tank; pushing the replacement coolant out from the vacuum tank and into the evacuated cooling system with an inert gas; and re-closing the cooling system after the replacement coolant is pushed therein without allowing air to enter the cooling system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20)
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19. A service kit for replacing used coolant in a cooling system of an x-ray tube system having a selectively reclosable service port, the service kit comprising:
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a vacuum tank; a first recouplable vacuum connector for operatively coupling and decoupling the vacuum tank with the service port; a vacuum pump adapted to be operably coupled to the vacuum tank and arranged to draw a vacuum on the vacuum tank; a collapsible bladder adapted to be operatively coupled to the vacuum tank; a supply of inert gas adapted to be operatively coupled to the bladder; a first flow control valve adapted to be coupled between the supply of inert gas and the vacuum tank and arranged to selectively isolate the supply of inert gas from the vacuum tank; a second flow control valve adapted to be coupled between the vacuum pump and the vacuum tank and arranged to selectively isolate the vacuum pump from the vacuum tank; and a third flow control valve adapted to be coupled between the service port and the vacuum tank and arranged to selectively isolate the vacuum tank from the service port. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A linear accelerator, comprising:
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an x-ray tube; a heat exchanger; a circulation conduit for transferring coolant between the heat exchanger and the x-ray tube; a branch coupling connected in-line between first and second portions of the circulation conduit; a recouplable vacuum connector operatively connected to the branch coupling; and a flow control valve operatively disposed between the branch coupling and the recouplable vacuum connector and arranged to selectively isolate the branch coupling from the recouplable vacuum connector. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification