Cooling spiral groove bearing assembly
US10460901B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 2017 |
| Grant date | Oct 29, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J2235/1283
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A liquid metal or spiral groove bearing structure for an x-ray tube and associated process for manufacturing the bearing structure is provided that includes a bearing shaft rotatably disposed in a bearing housing or shell. The shell includes a thrust seal engaged with a sleeve to maintain co-axiality for the rotating liquid metal seal formed in the shell about the shaft. The shaft has a bore for the introduction of a cooling fluid into the bearing assembly in which is disposed a cooling tube. The cooling tube includes turbulence-inducing features to increase the turbulence of the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling tube, consequently enhancing the heat exchange between the cooling fluid and the shaft. This maximizes the heat transfer from the shaft to the oil, allowing materials with lower thermal conductivities, such as non-refractory materials, to be used to form the bearing shaft and shell.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.