In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray source. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to an anode and configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a coupling portion extending between an interior of a vacuum envelope and an exterior of the vacuum envelope and a winding portion coupled to the coupling portion. Windings may at least partially surround the winding portion.

In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray tube. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to the anode and may be configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a first pole and a second pole oriented towards the lift shaft. Windings may be positioned around the first pole. The lift assembly may include a heat dissipating structure.

In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray source. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to the anode and configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a curved surface that contours around at least a portion of the shaft wall. A radius of curvature of the curved surface of the lift electromagnet may be greater than a radius of curvature of the lift shaft, and the spacing between the curved surface of the lift electromagnet and the shaft wall may be non-uniform.

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.

In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray source. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to the anode and configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a curved surface that contours around at least a portion of the shaft wall. A radius of curvature of the curved surface of the lift electromagnet may be greater than a radius of curvature of the lift shaft, and the spacing between the curved surface of the lift electromagnet and the shaft wall may be non-uniform.

In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray tube. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to the anode and may be configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a first pole and a second pole oriented towards the lift shaft. Windings may be positioned around the first pole. The lift assembly may include a heat dissipating structure.

In one example, a lift assembly may exert a force on a rotatable anode of an X-ray source. The lift assembly may include a lift shaft and a lift electromagnet. The lift shaft may be coupled to an anode and configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet may be configured to apply a magnetic force to the lift shaft in a radial direction. The lift electromagnet may include a coupling portion extending between an interior of a vacuum envelope and an exterior of the vacuum envelope and a winding portion coupled to the coupling portion. Windings may at least partially surround the winding portion.

A structure and method of operation of a journal bearing is disclosed that minimizes contact of the shaft with the sleeve during start up and slow down of rotation of the shaft relative to the sleeve, or vice versa. The bearing assembly includes a gravitational load reduction mechanism with magnets disposed on the sleeve and on the shaft in alignment with one another. The magnet(s) on the shaft interacts with the magnet(s) disposed on the sleeve to provide a force against the pressure of the shaft towards the sleeve generated by gravity on the rotating component. The magnets enable centering of the rotating component within the stationary component during low rotation and non-rotation. This prevents rubbing of the rotating journal bearing component surfaces, e.g., sleeve, against the stationary journal bearing component, e.g., shaft, during assembly, ramp-up, and coast-down when the journal bearing fluid provides minimal or no bearing centering capability.

A bearing housing in which a rolling bearing is built includes a cylindrical inner circumferential surface and an end face formed continuously with an axial end of the inner circumferential surface in an orientation perpendicular to a central axis of the inner circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surface has an annular groove that is radially outwardly recessed around an entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface. A snap ring is attached into the annular groove to reduce displacement of the rolling bearing. A recess recessed in an axial direction and extending in a radial direction is provided in the end face of the bearing housing.

A rolling bearing of the present invention includes an inner ring, an outer ring and a rolling element which are all made of a steel material, and (A) a surface of the rolling element is formed with an Ag coating film, and a raceway of at least one of the inner ring and the outer ring is formed with a Cr coating film or (B) a surface of the rolling element is formed with a Cr coating film, and a raceway of at least one of the inner ring and the outer ring is formed with a Cr coating film.