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Coolant pump for x-ray deviceRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Motor Driven, Electric Or Magnetic Motor, Rotary Motor And Rotary Nonexpansible Chamber PumpCoolant pump for x-ray device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060228238, Coolant pump for x-ray device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to x-ray systems, devices, and related components. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the invention concern cooling systems and components for x-ray imaging systems. [0003] 2. Related Technology [0004] The ability to consistently develop high quality radiographic images is an important element in the usefulness and effectiveness of x-ray devices as diagnostic tools. However, various factors relating to the construction and/or operation of the x-ray device often serve to materially compromise the quality of radiographic images generated by the device. Such factors include, among others, various thermally induced effects such as the occurrence of physical changes in the x-ray device components as a result of high operating temperatures and/or thermal gradients. These factors are cause for concern in therapeutic x-ray devices as well. [0005] The physical changes that occur in the x-ray device components as a result of the relatively high operating temperatures typically experienced by the x-ray device are of particular concern. Not only do the high operating temperatures impose significant mechanical stress and strain on the x-ray device components, but the heat transfer effected as a result of those operating temperatures can cause the components to deform, either plastically or elastically. [0006] While plastic deformation of an x-ray device component is a concern because it may be symptomatic of an impending failure of the component, elastic deformation of the x-ray device components under high heat conditions is problematic as well. For example, as the various components and mechanical joints are subjected to repeated elastic deformation under the influence of thermal cycles, the connections between the components can loosen and the components may become misaligned or separated. In addition, the elastic deformation of x-ray device components has significant implications as well with respect to the performance of the x-ray device. [0007] Accordingly, various cooling systems, components and devices have been considered in an effort to confront the problems implicated by the high operating temperatures and thermal cycles typically experienced in x-ray devices and imaging system environments. As discussed below however, many cooling systems and devices, particularly coolant pumps, have proven to be problematic. [0008] One problem that is of particular concern relates to the nature of the construction of coolant pumps used in x-ray device cooling systems. For example, many of such coolant pumps include multiple parts that are separately manufactured and then attached together to form the coolant pump. Such parts may include the pump body, electrical feedthru, impeller housing, inlet fitting, and outlet fitting. These component parts are manufactured using a variety of different processes, such as fabrication, stamping, and drawing. The large number of coolant pump parts, as well as the wide variety of different manufacturing processes that must be employed to construct those parts, contribute significantly to the relatively high cost of such coolant pumps. [0009] A related problem with many coolant pumps concerns the methods used to assemble the various component parts together. One process commonly used in the assembly of coolant pumps is welding. Welding processes are often used because such processes allow a fair amount of flexibility in terms of the design and construction of the coolant pump. However, the cost of welding is often significant because it is a labor-intensive process. Thus, the use of welding processes contributes further to the expense associated with the construction of coolant pumps that employ a relatively large number of parts. [0010] Welding processes impose other constraints as well on the design and construction of coolant pumps. For example, x-ray device coolant pumps are often employed in harsh environments and so must be constructed of materials that are resistant to corrosion. The cost of the coolant pump can be reduced somewhat by selection of a corrosion resistant material that is relatively easier to weld than other materials, since a simpler welding process may translate to some reduction in cost. This type of approach is problematic however, because materials that are both corrosion-resistant and easy to weld, such as stainless steel, are relatively expensive. Thus, any cost savings that might be obtained by using materials that can be easily welded are often offset by the expense of the material that is used. [0011] The welded construction of some coolant pumps also causes problems later in the life cycle of the pump. In particular, it is sometimes necessary to remove and repair/replace certain pump components, such as the impeller for example, after those components have reached the end of their service life. A welded pump construction complicates the removal process since the welds that join the coolant pump components together must be machined or ground away so that the parts can be separated and the worn out component removed. [0012] Such machining and grinding processes inevitably result in the removal of not only the weld, but a portion of the base material of the component(s) as well. As a result of the removal of the base metal material, there is a practical limit to the number of times that a particular component can be separated from, and then rejoined to, another component before the component(s) must be completely replaced, or the pump scrapped. These machining and welding processes also add to the overall cost of maintaining the pump throughout its life cycle. [0013] The problems with many coolant pumps are not limited just to the construction of the pump itself. For example, another concern with typical coolant pumps is that they are sometimes integrated together with the x-ray tube housing. As a result of this configuration, the position and orientation of the coolant pump and pump connections cannot be readily modified, if at all. In addition, the repair of such coolant pumps can be complicated by the fact that the coolant pump is integral with the housing. Further, the design and construction of the housing are made more difficult if accommodation has to be made for integration of the coolant pump with the housing. BRIEF SUMMARY OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION [0014] In view of the problems in the field that have been identified herein, and other problems not specifically addressed here, it would be useful to provide a coolant pump that has a relatively low part count and that contributes to the ease with which repair, maintenance, and reconfiguration can be performed. Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the invention are generally concerned with a coolant pump suitable for use as an element of a fluid cooling system. [0015] In one exemplary embodiment of a coolant pump, the coolant pump includes a casing having a body with first and second ends. The casing includes a first fluid interface. A motor is disposed within the body and includes a shaft to which an impeller is attached. The casing also includes a first end cover having a second fluid interface and removably attached to the first end of the body, as well as a second end cover that includes an electrical interface and is removably attached to the second end of the body. Each of the end covers cooperates with a corresponding sealing element to aid in sealing the casing. [0016] In this way, pump components such as the impeller and motor can be readily removed and repaired/replaced without necessitating labor intensive disassembly and reassembly processes. These and other, aspects of exemplary embodiments of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other aspects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: [0018] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram indicating the arrangement of various components of an exemplary x-ray system that includes an x-ray tube and associated cooling system; [0019] FIG. 2A is an exploded view of a coolant pump with a casing that includes a body; [0020] FIG. 2B is a section view, showing the coolant pump illustrated in FIG. 2A, as assembled; [0021] FIG. 3A is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a coolant pump with a casing that includes a body; and Continue reading about Coolant pump for x-ray device... Full patent description for Coolant pump for x-ray device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Coolant pump for x-ray device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Coolant pump for x-ray device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Assembly used for cooling a circuit board or similar Next Patent Application: High pressure fuel pump for internal combustion engine Industry Class: Pumps ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Coolant pump for x-ray device patent info. 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