Liquid metal bearing with enhanced sealing structures
US12051558B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 2023 |
| Grant date | Jul 30, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 26, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J2235/1086
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A bearing structure for an X-ray tube is provided that includes a journal bearing shaft with a radially protruding thrust bearing encased within a sleeve. The structure of sleeve is formed with enlarged traps or voids in the sleeve that are disposed adjacent various rotating anti-wetting seals/seal surfaces formed between the sleeve and the shaft. The geometry of the traps is formed to retain liquid metal/lubricating fluid within the gap defined by the bearing assembly and to direct to liquid metal flowing outwardly from the gap defined between the sleeve and the shaft away from the rotating anti-wetting seals and back towards the gap. This geometry allows the centrifugal forces exerted on the liquid metal by the rotation of the bearing structure to move the outflowing liquid metal away from the rotating anti-wetting seals to significantly reduce contact of the liquid metal with the seals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.