SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHANGING COOLANT IN A LINEAR ACCELERATOR
First Claim
1. A coolant replacement system, comprisinga service port adapted to be operatively connected to a closed x-ray tube system;
- a vacuum tank operatively connected to the service port to supply replacement coolant to a cooling system of the closed x-ray tube system;
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 cooling system; 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 cooling system.
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 connected to a portion of the x-ray tube assembly 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 kit may be disconnected from the service port.
11 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A coolant replacement system, comprising
a service port adapted to be operatively connected to a closed x-ray tube system; -
a vacuum tank operatively connected to the service port to supply replacement coolant to a cooling system of the closed x-ray tube system; 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 cooling system; 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 cooling system. - 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 of an x-ray tube system, the method comprising:
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opening the cooling system; removing used coolant from the opened cooling system; operatively connecting a service port to the cooling system; connecting a vacuum tank to the service port; evacuating air from the cooling system by drawing a vacuum on the vacuum tank and the cooling system through the service port; 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, through the service port, and into the evacuated cooling system with an inert gas; and closing the cooling system after the replacement coolant is pushed therein while substantially preventing air from entering the cooling system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A service kit for replacing used coolant in a cooling system of an x-ray tube system having a 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 (24, 25)
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Specification