Abstract:
A method for manufacturing an x-ray tube bearing cage includes the step of forming a bearing cage from a carbon-carbon composite material. A coating is applied to the carbon-carbon composite bearing cage. The coating includes an outer layer formed of a dry film lubricant. The coated carbon-carbon composite bearing cage is included in a bearing assembly in the x-ray tube and forms a lubricious enclosure for bearing balls positioned therein to minimize wear and heat generation in the bearing assembly.
Abstract:
A system for mitigating a gas load imposed upon a high vacuum chamber, thereby reducing the overall pressure, includes a device mounted onto a rotating gantry. The device has a first chamber enclosing a high vacuum and a first region in which anode bearings are positioned. A rotatable shaft has a first portion extending into the first chamber and a second portion extending into the first region. A ferrofluid seal is positioned about the rotatable shaft and positioned between the first portion and the second portion, the ferrofluid seal fluidically separating the first chamber from the first region. At least one pressure-reducing unit is fluidically connected to the first chamber.
Abstract:
A bearing assembly mounted in an x-ray tube includes a bearing race and a plurality of bearing balls positioned adjacent to the bearing race. The plurality of bearing balls are positioned within a bearing cage. The bearing cage is configured to evenly space the bearing balls within the bearing cage and prevent contact between adjacent bearing balls, thereby eliminating the problems of skidding wear and dynamic impact load between adjacent bearing balls in the bearing assembly.
Abstract:
A system for mitigating a gas load imposed upon a high vacuum chamber, thereby reducing the overall pressure, includes a device mounted onto a rotating gantry. The device has a first chamber enclosing a high vacuum and a first region in which anode bearings are positioned. A rotatable shaft has a first portion extending into the first chamber and a second portion extending into the first region. A ferrofluid seal is positioned about the rotatable shaft and positioned between the first portion and the second portion, the ferrofluid seal fluidically separating the first chamber from the first region. At least one pressure-reducing unit is fluidically connected to the first chamber.
Abstract:
A bearing assembly suitable for use in conjunction with x-ray device having a rotating target anode and electron source disposed in an evacuated enclosure. The bearing assembly includes a shaft having a rotor hub to which the anode is mounted. The shaft cooperates with front and rear bearing rings to define front and rear races, and a spacer facilitates positioning of the bearing rings. Front and rear ball sets are confined in the front and rear races, respectively. A bearing housing receives the bearing rings, spacer, front and rear ball sets, and part of the shaft. Finally, a magnet is disposed near the front bearing ring to prevent escape of foreign matter from the bearings and to prevent ingress of foreign matter to the bearings. Consequently, the magnet serves to extend the life of the bearings and to prevent foreign matter related arcing of the target anode and electron source.
Abstract:
Various methods and systems are provided for providing coatings and textures to surfaces of a bearing assembly in an x-ray system to control the wettability of the surfaces when components of the bearing assembly rotate during operation of the x-ray system. A lubricant is disposed in a gap formed between a shaft and a sleeve of the bearing assembly such that textured and coated surfaces of the shaft and sleeve alter wetting properties between the lubricant and surfaces. The coatings and textures can be wetting or anti-wetting to further enhance control over the behavior of the lubricant.
Abstract:
Various methods and systems are provided for providing coatings and textures to surfaces of a bearing assembly in an x-ray system to control the wettability of the surfaces when components of the bearing assembly rotate during operation of the x-ray system. A lubricant is disposed in a gap formed between a shaft and a sleeve of the bearing assembly such that textured and coated surfaces of the shaft and sleeve alter wetting properties between the lubricant and surfaces. The coatings and textures can be wetting or anti-wetting to further enhance control over the behavior of the lubricant.
Abstract:
A rotating anode X-ray tube includes a fixed body having a radial sliding bearing surface and a channel therein through which a coolant flows, a rotor including a discoid large-diameter portion, which has a recess fitted with one end portion of the fixed body with a clearance therebetween and constitutes an anode target, and a small-diameter portion, which has on an inner surface thereof a radial sliding bearing surface which faces the aforesaid radial sliding bearing surface with a clearance, and is united with the large-diameter portion at one end portion thereof, a lubricant filling the clearances, a cathode arranged opposite to the anode target, and a vacuum envelope which contains the fixed body, the rotor, the lubricant and the cathode, and fixes the fixed body at another end portion of the fixed body situated opposite the one end portion of the fixed body fitted in the recess.
Abstract:
A bearing assembly mounted in an x-ray tube includes a bearing race and a bearing ball positioned adjacent to the bearing race. A coating is deposited on one of the bearing race and the bearing ball includes a lubricant and a hard material having a hardness greater than a base material of the bearing race and a base material of the bearing ball.
Abstract:
There is provided an X-ray tube device having a configuration for preventing peeled-off solid lubrication films from scattering in an X-ray tube even when the solid lubrication film peels off a rotary bearing. The X-ray tube device includes: an anode (212) that is irradiated with an electron beam, thereby emitting X-rays; a rotary bearing (304) that rotatably supports the anode (212); a solid lubrication film which is formed on a front surface of the rotary bearing (304) and into which a ferromagnet is mixed from the rotary bearing (304); and an attractor (303) which attracts, with a magnetic force, the solid lubrication film that peels off the rotary bearing (304).