LARGE SURFACE AREA X-RAY TUBE SHIELD STRUCTURE

An improved x-ray tube cooling system is disclosed. The system utilizes a shield structure (108) that is integrated within an evacuated x-ray tube housing (107) and is disposed between the electron source (106) and the target anode (104). The shield (108) includes a plurality of cooling fins (110) to improve overall cooling of the x-ray tube and the shield (108) so as to extend the life of the x-ray tube and related components. When immersed in a reservoir of coolant fluid (114), the fins facilitate improved heat transfer by convention from the shield to the coolant fluid. Fluid passageways (131, 132) are provided within the shield, with one or more epressions of "V" shaped cross sections (111B, 113B, 115B) defined on the surfaces of the fluid passageways (131) served to facilitate nucleate boiling of the coolant in the passageway, and thus increase the heat flux through the passageway to the coolant.