US4641332A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
X-ray tube comprising anode disc rotatably supported by bearing having push-pull bearing on an axial face
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1984-11-02
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Granted: 1987-02-03
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Expires: 2004-11-02
Abstract
Abstract The bearing in an X-ray tube comprising a liquid metal lubricated helical-groove bearing is provided with a push-pull bearing at one or both end faces of a bearing member. Consequently, the bearing member need not be further secured so that, notably in the case of suitable cooling of the anode disc and the bearing, extremely precise positioning of the radiation object point in the tube can be achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan Gerkema
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:26
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/02; F16C33/04; F16C33/06; F16C33/10; F16C33/1025; F16C33/106; F16C33/107; F16C17/00; F16C17/10; F16C17/102; F16C17/107; H; H01; H01J; H01J35/00; H01J35/02; H01J35/04; H01J35/08; H01J35/10; H01J35/101; H01J35/1017; H01J35/104; H01J2235/00; H01J2235/10; H01J2235/1046; H01J2235/106; H01J2235/1066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
An X-ray tube comprising an anode disc which is rotatably supported by a bearing member comprising cylindrical and axial face components; the improvement therein comprising said bearing member having a push-pull bearing on an axial face, said axial face having a pattern of helical grooves on it, and a liquid metal lubricant cooperating with said pattern of helical grooves so that a comparatively strong negative pressure occurs on said axial face upon rotation of said bearing member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
An X-ray tube comprising an anode disc which is rotatably supported by a bearing member comprising cylindrical and axial face components; the improvement therein comprising said bearing member having a push-pull bearing on an axial face, said axial face having a pattern of helical grooves on it, and a liquid metal lubricant cooperating with said pattern of helical grooves so that a comparatively strong negative pressure occurs on said axial face upon rotation of said bearing member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An X-ray tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bearing member comprises bearing surfaces made of molybdenum or tungsten, or a combination thereof, and said metal lubricant contains a Ga alloy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An X-ray tube as claimed in claim 2, wherein a titanium acetylacetonate anti-wetting layer coats boundary surfaces which adjoin said axial face of said bearing member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An X-ray tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein said liquid metal lubricant contains one of the metals Bi, In and Sn or a combination thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An X-ray tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rotary shaft is provided and said anode disc is mounted on said rotary shaft which has a rotor and a bearing sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An X-ray tube as claimed in claim 5, wherein said bearing sleeve comprises ducts for circulation of said lubricant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
An X-ray tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bearing member is constructed to be double-acting, said bearing member having two end faces and comprisng push-pull bearings being provided at each of its end faces, each with a pattern of helical grooves which produces a negative pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
An X-ray tube as claimed in claim 5, wherein said bearing member has two axial faces and said rotary shaft is provided with a counterweight at a side of said bearing member which is remote from said anode disc so that the center of gravity of the bearing-disc combination is situated at least substantially halfway between the two axial faces of said bearing member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An X-ray tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein an anode shaft and an intermediate ceramic structural material support the anode disc in the tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
An X-ray tube as claimed in claim 9, wherein a cooling device for said anode disc and said bearing member limits the temperature of said anode disc and said bearing member for precise, stable positioning of a target for an electron beam on said anode disc.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-02-02 | 1990-08-04 | 1991-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-02 | 1994-08-04 | 1995-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-02 | 1998-08-04 | 1999-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |