The invention relates to a rolling bearing arrangement with: a housing (10), a shaft (20), a first rolling bearing and a second rolling bearing for rotatably supporting the shaft in the housing, wherein the first rolling bearing is designed as a fixed bearing in which an outer ring (32) of the first rolling bearing is positionally fixed in the housing and an inner ring (34) of the first rolling bearing is rigidly connected to the shaft, wherein the second rolling bearing is designed as a floating bearing in which the outer ring (42) of the second rolling bearing is arranged axially displaceably in the housing and the inner ring (44) of the second rolling bearing is connected axially displaceably to the shaft, and wherein both the outer ring (42) and the inner ring (44) of the second rolling bearing are each pressed in the axial direction towards the first rolling bearing by a pre-tensioning means in order to prevent a rotation of the outer ring (42) relative to the housing and a rotation of the inner ring (44) relative to the shaft.

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 self-lubricated sliding bearing for a rotary X-ray tube comprises a first bearing member, a second bearing member configured to concentrically enclose a portion of the first bearing member, and a lubricant comprised in a gap between cooperating surfaces of the first bearing member and the second bearing member. The cooperating surface of the second bearing member or the first bearing member comprises a first region comprising a pumping pattern configured to pump the lubricant. The cooperating surface of the second bearing member or the first bearing member comprises a second region having a modified pumping pattern or a smooth surface. The second region is disposed on the cooperating surface of the second bearing member or the first bearing member, such that a bearing force generated by the pumping action of the lubricant opposes a radial load force exerted on the self-lubricated sliding bearing to reduce an eccentricity of a longitudinal axis of the first bearing member with respect to a longitudinal axis of second bearing member.

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 bearing structure for an X-ray tube is provided that includes a journal bearing shaft with a radially protruding thrust bearing flange encased within a bearing housing or sleeve. The sleeve includes a thrust seal that is engaged with the sleeve in a manner to maintain coaxiality for the rotating liquid metal seal formed in the sleeve about the shaft. The shaft includes a central bore containing a cooling tube that directs coolant within the bore to maximize the heat transfer from the shaft to the coolant, allowing materials with lower thermal conductivities, such as steel, to be used to form the bearing shaft. The thrust flange on the shaft is formed with channel(s) therein that enable the coolant and/or the liquid metal to effect greater heat transfer on the components of the sleeve through the thrust flange, thereby reducing thermal deformation of the bearing components.

The invention relates to a rolling bearing arrangement with: a housing (10), a shaft (20), a first rolling bearing and a second rolling bearing for rotatably supporting the shaft in the housing, wherein the first rolling bearing is designed as a fixed bearing in which an outer ring (32) of the first rolling bearing is positionally fixed in the housing and an inner ring (34) of the first rolling bearing is rigidly connected to the shaft, wherein the second rolling bearing is designed as a floating bearing in which the outer ring (42) of the second rolling bearing is arranged axially displaceably in the housing and the inner ring (44) of the second rolling bearing is connected axially displaceably to the shaft, and wherein both the outer ring (42) and the inner ring (44) of the second rolling bearing are each pressed in the axial direction towards the first rolling bearing by a pre-tensioning means in order to prevent a rotation of the outer ring (42) relative to the housing and a rotation of the inner ring (44) relative to the shaft.

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 bearing structure for an X-ray tube is provided that includes a journal bearing shaft with a radially protruding thrust bearing flange encased within a bearing housing or sleeve. The sleeve includes a thrust seal that is engaged with the sleeve in a manner to maintain coaxiality for the rotating liquid metal seal formed in the sleeve about the shaft. The shaft includes a central bore containing a cooling tube that directs coolant within the bore to maximize the heat transfer from the shaft to the coolant, allowing materials with lower thermal conductivities, such as steel, to be used to form the bearing shaft. The thrust flange on the shaft is formed with channel(s) therein that enable the coolant and/or the liquid metal to effect greater heat transfer on the components of the sleeve through the thrust flange, thereby reducing thermal deformation of the bearing components.

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.