Thrust flange for x-ray tube with internal cooling channels
US10438767B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 2017 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J2235/1279
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A bearing structure for an X-ray tube is provided that includes a journal bearing shaft with a radially protruding thrust bearing flange encased within a bearing housing or sleeve. The sleeve includes a thrust seal that is engaged with the sleeve in a manner to maintain coaxiality for the rotating liquid metal seal formed in the sleeve about the shaft. The shaft includes a central bore containing a cooling tube that directs coolant within the bore to maximize the heat transfer from the shaft to the coolant, allowing materials with lower thermal conductivities, such as steel, to be used to form the bearing shaft. The thrust flange on the shaft is formed with channel(s) therein that enable the coolant and/or the liquid metal to effect greater heat transfer on the components of the sleeve through the thrust flange, thereby reducing thermal deformation of the bearing components.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.