X-ray tube anode cold plate

The present invention relates to the x-ray tube art. It finds particular application in conjunction with x-ray tubes having straddle bearing anode assemblies for use with CT scanners and the like and will be described with particular reference thereto. It is to be appreciated, however, that the invention will also find application in conjunction with other bearing assemblies used in conventional x-ray diagnostic systems and other penetrating radiation systems for medical and non-medical examinations. An x-ray tube assembly () includes a housing () and an insert frame () supported within the housing (), such that the insert frame () defines a substantially evacuated envelope in which a cathode assembly () and a rotating anode assembly () operate to produce x-rays. The rotating anode assembly () includes an anode target plate () coupled to a rotor () and bearing shaft (), which is rotatably supported within a bearing housing (), by a plurality of ball bearings (). A heat barrier () substantially surrounds the bearing housing () and is coupled, along with the bearing housing () to an anode cold plate (). The anode cold plate () includes a grooved cover (), a basin (), and a plurality of corrugated fins () disposed therein. Coupling both the bearing housing () and the heat barrier () to the anode cold plate () provides an effective means for cooling the bearing assembly ().