A ring seal is engaged with a liquid metal bearing assembly and operates to contain metal fluid lubricant leaking through the primary compression seals of a liquid metal bearing to prevent the fluid from entering the high voltage space within the x-ray tube and causing high voltage instability. The ring seal engages the existing configuration for the bearing assembly without deforming the bearing, including effects of thermal expansion and inertial body forces, thus maintaining the tight tolerances for the proper operation of the component parts of the bearing structure. The ring seal retains the leaking liquid metal within the ring seal regardless of the operating state and/or condition of the bearing assembly, such as during operating conditions. i.e., rotation of the bearing assembly or gantry, and non-operating conditions, e.g., shipping and stand-by, and regardless of the corresponding pressures and their locations exerted on the ring seal by the liquid metal.

A liquid metal or spiral groove bearing structure for an x-ray tube and associated process for manufacturing the bearing structure is provided in which journal bearing sleeve is formed with a number of structures thereon that function to dissipate heat transmitted to the sleeve during operation of the bearing assembly within the x-ray tube to minimize thermal deformation of the sleeve, thereby minimizing gap size alteration within the bearing assembly. The structures formed within the sleeve are slots disposed within the section of the sleeve in which the highest temperature gradients develop. The slots enable an increase in thermal conductance away from the sleeve while minimizing the stresses created from the deformation of the portion(s) of the sleeve between the slots.

A hydrostatic bearing assembly or structure for an x-ray tube and associated process for manufacturing and operating the bearing assembly is provided to reduce and potentially eliminate wear from landing or takeoff of the rotating component of the bearing assembly on the non-rotating component. The shaft and sleeve are separated by a gap in which an amount of a liquid metal is placed in order to provide the sleeve with the ability to rotate about the shaft, or vice versa. The non-rotating component of the hydrostatic bearing assembly is formed with a number of fluid channels extending through the component and in communication with the gap. The liquid metal is pumped into and out of the gap via the channels under pressure supplied by a magnetohydrodynamic pump to maintain the separation of the rotating and non-rotating components of the bearing assembly.

A roller for deflecting or guiding a metal strip to be coated in a metal melt bath may include bearing journals disposed coaxially with one another for rotationally supporting the roller. To obtain a high coating quality while hot-dip coating the metal strip, in particular steel strip, and to increase the service life of such a roller, each bearing journal may comprise a plurality of axially spaced annular elevations that have or are formed from a plain-bearing coating. The roller may comprise a steel roller shell, and each bearing journal may include a substantially cylindrical or circular-disk-shaped connecting steel portion that extends radially in the direction of the roller shell. At least one of the connecting portions may comprise a passage opening at an end face of the roller shell. The passage may be closed by means of a gas-permeable plug element comprised of ceramic material.

A hydrodynamic or liquid metal or bearing structure for an x-ray tube and associated process for operating the bearing structure is provided that includes a bearing shaft rotatably disposed in a bearing housing or sleeve. Adjacent but separated by a gap from the portion of the sleeve enclosing the thrust flange is located an electromagnet. The electromagnet can be selectively operated in order to exert a magnetic force upon a permanent magnet disposed within the sleeve on the opposite side of the gap. The force exerted on the permanent magnet in the sleeve causes the sleeve to move axially along the shaft, such that the sleeve can engage one side of the thrust flange, landing the sleeve against the thrust bearing/surface to greatly reduce the wear on the sleeve as the sleeve rotation slows.

A hydrostatic bearing assembly or structure for an x-ray tube and associated process for manufacturing and operating the bearing assembly is provided to reduce and potentially eliminate wear from landing or takeoff of the rotating component of the bearing assembly on the non-rotating component. The shaft and sleeve are separated by a gap in which an amount of a liquid metal is placed in order to provide the sleeve with the ability to rotate about the shaft, or vice versa. The non-rotating component of the hydrostatic bearing assembly is formed with a number of fluid channels extending through the component and in communication with the gap. The liquid metal is pumped into and out of the gap via the channels under pressure supplied by a magnetohydrodynamic pump to maintain the separation of the rotating and non-rotating components of the bearing assembly.

A ring seal is engaged with a liquid metal bearing assembly and operates to contain metal fluid lubricant leaking through the primary compression seals of a liquid metal bearing to prevent the fluid from entering the high voltage space within the x-ray tube and causing high voltage instability. The ring seal engages the existing configuration for the bearing assembly without deforming the bearing, including effects of thermal expansion and inertial body forces, thus maintaining the tight tolerances for the proper operation of the component parts of the bearing structure. The ring seal retains the leaking liquid metal within the ring seal regardless of the operating state and/or condition of the bearing assembly, such as during operating conditions. i.e., rotation of the bearing assembly or gantry, and non-operating conditions, e.g., shipping and stand-by, and regardless of the corresponding pressures and their locations exerted on the ring seal by the liquid metal.

A structure and associated method for forming a liquid metal or spiral groove bearing assembly for an x-ray tube is illustrated that utilizes a unitary sleeve and a thrust ring or seal each formed of a weldable, non-refractory material. The sleeve and the thrust seal are welded to one another to provide an improved construction for minimizing leaks of the liquid metal bearing fluid. The structure of the sleeve and the thrust seal are formed with deformation restricting features that maintain the integrity of the bearing surfaces of the assembly when the thrust seal is secured within the sleeve and welded thereto to form the bearing assembly.

Technology is described for an antiwetting coating attached to a substrate (e.g., metal substate) on a liquid metal container. In one example, the liquid metal container includes a first enclosure member, a second enclosure member, liquid metal, and an antiwetting coating. The first enclosure member includes a first substrate with a first surface. The second enclosure member includes a second substrate with a second surface. The first enclosure member is positioned proximate to the second enclosure member such that a gap is formed between the first surface and the second surface. The liquid metal positioned within the gap. An antiwetting coating attached to the first surface and/or the second surface. The antiwetting coating includes chromium nitride (CrN), dichromium nitride (Cr.sub.2N), chromium (III) oxide (Cr.sub.2O.sub.3), and/or titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) attached to the first surface and/or the second surface.

Liquid metal bearing assemblies and methods for operation of said assemblies are provided. One example liquid metal bearing assembly includes a channel fluidly coupling a liquid metal reservoir to a gap between a sleeve and a shaft, and the channel comprising a first section sloped at a first angle and a second section sloped at a second angle, wherein the first angle is different from the second angle, and a curved transition section is positioned between the first section and the second section.