With Specific Bearing Means Patents (Class 378/132)
  • Patent number: 11676791
    Abstract: A bearing structure for an X-ray tube is provided that includes a journal bearing shaft with a radially protruding thrust bearing encased within a bearing sleeve, one of which rotates relative to the other. The stationary component, e.g., the journal bearing and/or the thrust bearing includes at least one vent groove formed therein that improves the ability of the journal bearing structure to enable gases trapped by the liquid metal within the bearing assembly to escape through the vent groove to the exterior of the X-ray tube. By adding a strategically located channel or vent groove of sufficient size in at least one of the journal bearing or the thrust bearing, the pressures resisted by the seal created between the liquid metal and the vent groove(s) in the bearing components is significantly reduced, allowing escape of the gases to avoid detrimental effects to the operation of the X-ray tube, while maintaining the load carrying capacity of the bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Ian Strider Hunt, Andrew Thomas Cross
  • Patent number: 11592057
    Abstract: A bearing device includes a rotational shaft; a first outer ring; a second outer ring; first balls; second balls disposed; and a C-spacer and a second spacer. ?>?d is satisfied, where ?d represents a difference between an inside diameter of the second spacer at an end portion on a second side and an outside diameter of a shaft outer circumferential face, and ? represents a half of a difference between a diameter of a cylindrical face of the C-spacer on an outer circumferential side and a diameter of the cylindrical face of the C-spacer on an inner circumferential side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Matsunami, Kouichi Okuda
  • Patent number: 11271466
    Abstract: This document discloses a means of toothed magnetic gearing with improved dynamic efficiency. In embodiments, a magnetic gearing component comprises: a magnetic core; an endcap adjacent to the magnetic core; and a plurality of helical flutes formed on a surface of the endcap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Anthony A. Gallistel
  • Patent number: 11075052
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an x-ray device including a housing configured to provide a vacuum therein, a cathode arranged inside the housing and configured to emit electrons, an anode arranged inside the housing and configured to produce x-ray radiation when impacted by electrons emitted by the cathode, and a converter configured to convert the x-ray radiation produced by the anode into monochromatic x-ray radiation, wherein the anode is configured to produce x-ray radiation in transmission and is arranged between the cathode and the converter. The present disclosure may be used in medical imaging, therapy, spectroscopy, and the like. Geometries and configurations may be improved compared to previously known x-ray devices when it comes to requirements for space, materials used, complexity of electrical wiring, distance between cathode and anode, and providing supplementary functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Freudenberger, Anja Fritzler, Peter Geithner, Peter Hackenschmied, Thomas Weber
  • Patent number: 10804064
    Abstract: Technology is described for a magnetic lift device for an x-ray tube. In one example, an anode assembly includes an anode, a bearing assembly, a ferromagnetic shaft, and a lift electromagnet. The anode is configured to receive electrons emitted by a cathode. The bearing assembly is configured to stabilize the anode during a rotation of the anode. The ferromagnetic shaft is coupled to the anode and has an axis of rotation that is substantially collinear with an axis of rotation of the anode. The lift electromagnet is configured to apply a magnetic force to the ferromagnetic shaft in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATION
    Inventors: James E. Burke, Marina Samuels, Santosh Ramachandran, V. Ward Coon, Christopher J. Lewis, Christopher D. Ginzton, Gregory C. Andrews, Patrick K. Lewis, Jacob Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10714298
    Abstract: An X-ray arrangement includes a vacuum vessel, a rotating anode and a rotor of an electrical machine being non-rotatably interconnected rotatably mounted in the vacuum vessel, a stator being disposed in a region of the rotor, externally enclosing the vacuum vessel. The stator includes a laminated core which, viewed orthogonally to the axis of rotation, includes a yoke running around the axis of rotation and from which stator teeth extend onto the axis of rotation. A winding system is disposed in spaces between the stator teeth of the laminated stator core. The winding system includes windings, individual turns of the windings each being configured to respectively engage over a plurality of the stator teeth, and the stator being designed such that when identical phase voltages are applied to the individual phases of the winding system, the individual phases are each respectively configured to produce stray magnetic fields of identical magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Oliver Heuermann, Karin Soeldner, Carsten Voss
  • Patent number: 10690136
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a turbocharger. In one example, the turbocharger may include one or more cooling devices for cooling a compressor. The cooling devices may include a ventilation system arranged in a compressor impeller and shaft, the ventilation system configured to allow ambient air to flow into the shaft without being compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Wirth, Vanco Smiljanovski, Jan Linsel, Frank Kraemer, Carsten Weber, Jan Mehring
  • Patent number: 10544831
    Abstract: 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
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: GEBRÜDER REINFURT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang May
  • Publication number: 20150117604
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray tube with an active balancing arrangement, hi order to provide improved balancing for a minimized imbalance during operation, an X-ray tube (10) with an active balancing arrangement (12) is provided, comprising a rotating anode arrangement (14), a bearing arrangement (20, 22, 24), a driving arrangement (26, 28, 30) for rotating the anode arrangement, an imbalance detection arrangement (32), and active balancing means (34, 36, 38, 40, 42). The bearing arrangement is provided as a fixed bearing of the rotating anode arrangement for supporting the rotating anode arrangement. The imbalance detection arrangement is configured to detect an imbalance of the anode. The active balancing means are electro-magnetic balancing means configured to provide a magnetic field and to apply magnetic eccentricity forces to the rotating arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Wolfgang Chrost
  • Patent number: 9014337
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary-anode X-ray tube which includes a sleeve bearing having an axial bearing section and a radial bearing section. Furthermore, radial sealing sections (601, 602) are provided in an outer bearing member (605, 607, 608) which have no functional relation to the axial bearing surfaces (2012) of the axial bearing section. Thus, additional sealing principles like gaskets or sealing edges can be used although this may result in degradation of surface parallelism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Michael Luebcke
  • Patent number: 9014333
    Abstract: An image reconstruction method for differential phase contrast imaging includes receiving data corresponding to a signal produced by an X-ray detector and corresponding to X-rays that passed through a subject and a grating system to reach the X-ray detector. The method also includes performing a fringe analysis on the received data. The fringe analysis includes a non-integer fringe fraction correction utilizing one or more adapted basis functions in the Fourier domain to determine one or more Fourier coefficients. A differential phase image of the subject is generated by utilizing the one or more Fourier coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Immanuel Sperl, Dirk Beque
  • Patent number: 9014461
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus that processes a radiation image obtained from a detector in which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged includes: an obtainment unit that obtains a radiation image; a control unit that controls, in accordance with radiation dose characteristics of a first pixel in the detector and a first pixel value of the first pixel in the radiation image, a weighting coefficient for the first pixel value of the first pixel and a weighting coefficient for second pixel values that are different from the first pixel value; and a correction unit that corrects the first pixel value in the obtained radiation image based on the weighting coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinsuke Hayashida
  • Patent number: 8964941
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bearing system (1) for a rotary anode (24) of an X-ray tube (23). The bearing system comprises a shaft (2) for supporting the rotary anode (24), the shaft being surrounded by two swash rings (7). Further, a gimbal ring (4) surrounding the shaft (2) and being arranged in between the two swash rings (7) is provided. This gimbal ring (4) is hingeably connected with the shaft (2) such that the gimbal ring (4) is tiltable relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft (2). Further, the invention relates to an X-ray tube (19) and an imaging system (15) having such a bearing system (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Volker Onken
  • Patent number: 8897420
    Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a cathode adapted to emit electrons, a bearing assembly comprising a rotatable shaft having a rotor hub, a target assembly attached to the rotatable shaft and positioned to receive the emitted electrons in order to generate x-rays therefrom, a rotor attached to the rotor hub at an attachment face, wherein the attachment face comprises a first material compressed against a second material, and a first anti-wear coating attached to one of the first material and the second material and positioned between the first material and the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ian Strider Hunt, Andrew Thomas Triscari
  • Patent number: 8855270
    Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a frame enclosing a high vacuum, a cathode positioned within the enclosure, a bearing assembly a stationary component comprised of a first base substrate, the first base substrate having a first surface, a rotatable component comprised of a second base substrate, the second base substrate having a second surface, wherein the rotatable component is positioned proximate the stationary component such that a gap is formed between the first surface and the second surface, a liquid metal positioned within the gap, and an antiwetting coating attached to at least one of the first surface and the second surface, the coating includes titanium nitride attached to the at least one of the first surface and the second surface, and an oxide of titanium attached to the titanium nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Robert Allen, Michael John Danyluk
  • Patent number: 8848875
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards the prevention of high voltage instabilities within X-ray tubes. For example, in one embodiment, an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube generally includes a stationary member, and a rotary member configured to rotate with respect to the stationary member during operation of the X-ray tube. The X-ray tube also includes a liquid metal bearing material disposed in a space between the shaft and the sleeve, a seal disposed adjacent to the space to seal the liquid metal bearing material in the space, and an enhanced surface area material disposed on a side of the seal axially opposite the space and configured to trap within the enhanced surface area material liquid metal bearing material that escapes the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ian Strider Hunt, Donald Robert Allen, Kenwood Dayton, Andrew Triscari
  • Patent number: 8796893
    Abstract: A device having a directly driven rotating body (1), its circumference (11) being radially seated on radial bearings (4, 4?) in relation to the stationary body (2), and its at least one first face side (10) being axially seated in relation to the stationary body (2), wherein aerostatic bearings (5, 5?, 5?) are provided for the axial support mounting, characterized in that the first face side (10) has an annular magnet arrangement (32), which is configured coaxially to the axis of rotation (X) of the rotating body (1), and that the stationary body (2) has at least one electric coil arrangement (30), which is located opposite the annular magnet arrangement (32) in the axial direction and which forms together with the annular magnet arrangement (32) the components of an electrical direct drive (3) for the rotating body (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: AeroLas GmbH Aerostatische Lager-Lasertechnik
    Inventor: Michael Muth
  • Patent number: 8774367
    Abstract: An X-ray tube for generating X-radiation includes a rotary structure having a rotating anode, a stationary structure for rotatably supporting the rotary structure, and a hydrodynamic bearing which is arranged between the rotary structure and the stationary structure. The bearing includes a gap between the rotary structure and the stationary structure, a stabilizer configured to stabilize dimensions of the gap with respect to distortions because of thermo-mechanical causes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Rolf Karl Otto Behling, Christoph Bathe, Michael Luebcke, Van-Minh Duong, Krishna Swamy
  • Patent number: 8744047
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to the thermal regulation of components within an X-ray tube, and more specifically to heat transfer between the anode and the rotary mechanism to which the anode is attached. For example, in one embodiment, an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube generally includes a fixed shaft, a rotating bearing sleeve disposed about the fixed shaft and configured to rotate with respect to the fixed shaft via a rotary bearing, an electron beam target disposed about the bearing sleeve and configured to rotate with the bearing sleeve, and a thermally conductive, deformable metallic gasket disposed between the target and the bearing sleeve and configured to conduct heat between the target and the bearing sleeve in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Robert Allen, Michael Hebert, Ian Strider Hunt, Kenwood Dayton
  • Patent number: 8582723
    Abstract: In a rotatable anode (4) of an X-ray tube, a heat transfer between the rotating disc of the anode (4a) and the second bearing element (11) is achieved by providing a contact material (14) within a gap (16a, b) between the anode disc (4a) and the second bearing element (11). Contact elements (15) protrude from the second bearing element (11) into the contact material (14), thus allowing a heat transfer from anode disc (4a) to second bearing element (11) via contact material (14) and contact element (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Rolf Karl Otto Behling, Michael Lübcke, Christoph Bathe, Wolfgang Chrost
  • Patent number: 8582722
    Abstract: A rotary anode X-ray tube apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a stationary shaft, a cooling bath that is provided in the stationary shaft, a rotary cylinder that is rotatably supported to the stationary shaft, a target that is provided in the rotary cylinder, a cathode that is disposed to face the target, and a vacuum enclosure that stores these components. The stationary shaft has a large-diameter portion provided in a portion thereof and is provided with a flow passage through which a cooling fluid flows. The cooling bath is provided by thinning the wall thickness of the large-diameter portion to increase the flow passage diameter of a portion of the flow passage. The rotary cylinder covers an area of the stationary shaft including the large-diameter portion through a liquid metal and is rotatably supported to the stationary shaft. The target has a hollow circular plate shape that is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the rotary cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Electron Tubes & Devices Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Chiharu Tadokoro, Yasutaka Ito, Hitoshi Hattori, Ryoichi Takahashi, Tetsuya Yonezawa, Hironori Nakamuta
  • Patent number: 8553844
    Abstract: This invention relates to high power X-ray sources, in particular to those equipped with a rotating X-ray anode capable of delivering a higher short time peak power than conventional rotating x-ray anodes. This invention can overcome the thermal limitation of peak power by allowing fast rotation of the anode and by introducing a lightweight material with high thermal conductivity in the region adjacent to the focal track material. The fast rotation can be provided by using sections of the rotating anode disk made of anisotropic high specific strength materials with high thermal stability that can be specifically adapted to the high stresses of anode operation. Uses include high speed image acquisition for X-ray imaging, for example, of moving objects in real-time such as in medical radiography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Astrid Lewalter, Rainer Pietig, Albert Langkamp, Heiko Richter, Thomas Behnisch, Werner Hufenbach, Rolf Karl Otto Behling, Christoph Bathe
  • Patent number: 8542799
    Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a cathode adapted to emit electrons, a bearing assembly comprising a bearing hub, a target assembly positioned to receive the emitted electrons, the assembly having a target hub coupled to the bearing hub at an attachment face, wherein the attachment face comprises a first material compressed against a second material, and a first anti-wear coating attached to one of the first material and the second material and positioned between the first material and the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Benjamin Eric Frey
  • Patent number: 8523448
    Abstract: An X-ray tube bearing includes an outer housing having an axial bore, a shaft at least partially received within the axial bore, a first outer ring positioned within the axial bore and surrounding a first portion of the shaft, and a second outer ring at least partially received within the axial bore and surrounding a second portion of the shaft. The second outer ring includes a radially outwardly extending flange engaged with the outer housing to limit the extent to which the second outer ring is received within the axial bore. The X-ray tube bearing also includes a first biasing member biasing the flange into engagement with the outer housing, and a second biasing member positioned within the axial bore for exerting an axial preload force between the first and second outer rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventor: Frank Damato
  • Publication number: 20130208869
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tumble disc bearing (100) to provide an efficient axial bearing for a rotating anode (216) of an X-ray source (212) having a tumble disc (102) for axially bearing the rotating anode (216), and a mounting component (120) for supporting the tumble disc (102). The mounting component (120) comprises an inner mounting face (122) for attaching to a supporting structure (194, 204). The mounting component (120) is supported in the tumble disc (102) at a tumble position (140) in which an inner supporting face (104) of the tumble disc (102) matches an outer supporting face (124) of the mounting component (120) such that the tumble disc (102) is enabled to perform a tumble motion in all directions in relation to the mounting component (120). The mounting component (120) is adapted to be inserted in an inserting position (142) traverse to the tumble position (140) into the tumble disc (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Volker Onken, Willem Potze, Bernardus Wilhelmus Johannes Wassink
  • Patent number: 8488862
    Abstract: Some embodiments include obtaining a projection image of a plurality of fiducials associated with a coordinate system irradiated by a radiotherapy radiation source at a plurality of discrete locations on a trajectory path model, determination of a projection matrix from projection images of the fiducials irradiated by the radiotherapy radiation source at each of the discrete locations, determination of the actual coordinate of the radiotherapy radiation source in the coordinate system associated with the fiducials at the plurality of discrete locations based on the determined projection matrices, and correlating the trajectory path model of the radiotherapy radiation source to the determined actual position of the radiotherapy radiation source at the discrete locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Supratik Bose, Himanshu P. Shukla
  • Patent number: 8465437
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method, system, and devices relating to quantitatively measuring regional lung tissue damage by combining the CT scan measurements of the mineral density deviations and/or mineral composition deviations in airway tissue, with the measurements of airflow lung function measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Kitware, Inc.
    Inventor: Ricardo Avila
  • Publication number: 20130034214
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary- anode X-ray tube which includes a sleeve bearing having an axial bearing section and a radial bearing section. Furthermore, radial sealing sections (601, 602) are provided in an outer bearing member (605, 607, 608) which have no functional relation to the axial bearing surfaces (2012) of the axial bearing section. Thus, additional sealing principles like gaskets or sealing edges can be used although this may result in degradation of surface parallelism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Michael Luebcke
  • Patent number: 8363787
    Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a cathode and a target assembly positioned to receive electrons emitted from the cathode. The target assembly includes a target, and a spiral groove bearing (SGB) configured to support the target. The SGB includes a rotatable component having a first surface and a first material attached to the first surface, a stationary component having a second surface and a second material attached to the second surface, the stationary component positioned such that a gap is formed between the first material and the second material, and a liquid metal positioned in the gap, wherein at least one of the first and second materials comprises tantalum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Michael Allan Lathrop
  • Publication number: 20130022174
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bearing system (1) for a rotary anode (24) of an X-ray tube (23). The bearing system comprises a shaft (2) for supporting the rotary anode (24), the shaft being surrounded by two swash rings (7). Further, a gimbal ring (4) surrounding the shaft (2) and being arranged in between the two swash rings (7) is provided. This gimbal ring (4) is hingeably connected with the shaft (2) such that the gimbal ring (4) is tillable relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft (2). Further, the invention relates to an X-ray tube (19) and an imaging system (15) having such a bearing system (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Volker Onken
  • Patent number: 8240923
    Abstract: A thermally stable tribological coating is applied to the outer surface of a moveable bearing outer ring in a bearing assembly for an x-ray tube rotating anode and/or the surface of a housing bore of the X-ray tube rotating anode which receives the bearing assembly. If the tribological coating is applied to the outer surface of the bearing outer ring, it is made of a material that is metallurgically incompatible with the material from which the housing containing the bearing is made. The coating includes one or more of the following: Cr, W, Mo, or Nb, or nitrides, carbides, oxides, or sulfides of Cr, W, Mo, or Nb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Martin Scott Galehouse, Ryan D. Evans, Gary L. Doll, Joseph P. Greathouse
  • Publication number: 20120106710
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to the thermal regulation of components within an X-ray tube, and more specifically to heat transfer between the anode and the rotary mechanism to which the anode is attached. For example, in one embodiment, an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube generally includes a fixed shaft, a rotating bearing sleeve disposed about the fixed shaft and configured to rotate with respect to the fixed shaft via a rotary bearing, an electron beam target disposed about the bearing sleeve and configured to rotate with the bearing sleeve, and a thermally conductive, deformable metallic gasket disposed between the target and the bearing sleeve and configured to conduct heat between the target and the bearing sleeve in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Donald Robert Allen, Michael Hebert, Ian Strider Hunt, Kenwood Dayton
  • Publication number: 20120106712
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards the prevention of high voltage instabilities within X-ray tubes. For example, in one embodiment, an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube generally includes a stationary member, and a rotary member configured to rotate with respect to the stationary member during operation of the X-ray tube. The X-ray tube also includes a liquid metal bearing material disposed in a space between the shaft and the sleeve, a seal disposed adjacent to the space to seal the liquid metal bearing material in the space, and an enhanced surface area material disposed on a side of the seal axially opposite the space and configured to trap within the enhanced surface area material liquid metal bearing material that escapes the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ian Strider Hunt, Donald Robert Allen, Kenwood Dayton, Andrew Triscari
  • Publication number: 20120106711
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to the thermal regulation of components within an X-ray tube by transferring heat between the anode and the rotary mechanism to which the anode is attached. For example, in one embodiment, an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube generally includes a fixed shaft, a rotating bearing sleeve disposed about the fixed shaft and configured to rotate with respect to the fixed shaft via a rotary bearing, and an electron beam target disposed about the bearing sleeve and configured to rotate with the bearing sleeve. The electron beam target is permanently bonded to the bearing sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Donald Robert Allen, Michael Hebert, Kenwood Dayton
  • Patent number: 8102969
    Abstract: An x-ray device has a cathode aligned on a target region in a tube housing with a rotating anode unit. The rotating anode unit is borne to rotate around a rotational axis inside the tube housing. The rotating anode unit has a rotating anode plate with the target region and a shaft rotationally connected with the rotating anode plate. A magnetic bearing supports the shaft without contact in the tube housing. The rotating anode plate has an axial extension facing away from the shaft. The axial extension dips into a fluid-filled receptacle space of the tube housing for heat dissipation. Such an x-ray device allows high rotation speeds of the rotating anode unit, and thus a high operational power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Herbert Bittl
  • Publication number: 20110280376
    Abstract: The invention describes an X-ray tube for generating X-radiation, wherein the tube comprises a rotary structure, which comprises a rotating anode, a stationary structure for rotatably supporting the rotary structure, a hydrodynamic bearing, which is arranged between the rotary structure and the stationary structure, wherein the bearing comprises a gap between the rotary structure and the stationary structure, means for stabilising the dimensions of the gap with respect to distortions because of thermo-mechanical causes. A further aspect, which is described, is a method for manufacturing the tube according to the invention, wherein means for stabilising the dimensions of the gap are arranged. It is also described an X-ray system for diagnostic use comprising the tube according to the invention, wherein the X-ray system is adapted to stabilise the dimensions of the gap. Another aspect of the specification is a method for manufacturing the X-ray system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Rolf Karl Otto Behling, Christoph Bathe, Michael Luebcke, Van-Minh Duong, Krishna Swamy
  • Publication number: 20110255668
    Abstract: The invention relates to X-ray analytical instruments (RX), more precisely a device for providing a high energy X-ray beam, typically above 4 keV, for X-ray analysis applications. The device comprises an X-ray tube with a turning anode and an X-ray lens for shaping the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Hoghoj, Pascal Boulee, Paraskevi Ntova, Sergio Rodrigues
  • Publication number: 20110228905
    Abstract: In a rotatable anode (4) of an X-ray tube, a heat transfer between the rotating disc of the anode (4a) and the second bearing element (11) is achieved by providing a contact material (14) within a gap (16a, b) between the anode disc (4a) and the second bearing element (11). Contact elements (15) protrude from the second bearing element (11) into the contact material (14), thus allowing a heat transfer from anode disc (4a) to second bearing element (11) via contact material (14) and contact element (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Rolf Karl Otto Behling, Michael Luebcke, Christoph Bathe, Wolfgang Chrost
  • Patent number: 8009806
    Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a center shaft having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface forming a portion of a cavity therein, a mount having an inner surface, the mount having an x-ray target attached thereto, and a liquid metal positioned between the outer surface of the center shaft and the inner surface of the mount. The x-ray tube further includes a flow diverter positioned in the cavity, the flow diverter having a wall with an inner surface, and a plurality of jets passing through the wall, wherein the plurality of jets are configured such that when a fluid is flowed into the flow diverter and passes along its inner surface, a portion of the fluid passes through the plurality of jets and is directed toward the inner surface of the center shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Edwin L. Legall
  • Patent number: 7991121
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube comprises an anode configured to rotate at an operating frequency, and a bearing assembly configured to rotatably support the anode and tuned to a resonant frequency that is different than the operating frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ricky Smith
  • Patent number: 7970104
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing unit (1) for rotary anodes of X-ray tubes, with a shaft (2) and a flange element (3), to which a rotary anode can be attached, wherein the bearing unit (1) can be inserted into a cutout within the X-ray tube and locked there. The shaft (2) is held via a first and a second bearing element (4, 5), wherein the first bearing element (4) comprises an inner race (6) fitted on the shaft (2) and a separate outer ring (7). The second bearing element (5) comprises a roller bearing fitted on the shaft (2) with an inner ring (8) and an outer ring (9), wherein a spacer element (10) is fitted between the outer rings (7, 8) of the first and the second bearing element (4, 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Paul Mueller GmbH & Co. KG Unternehmensbeteiligungen
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kaika, Stefan Tritthart, Thomas Maussner
  • Publication number: 20110129068
    Abstract: The present invention is related to high power X-ray sources, in particular to those ones that are equipped with rotating X-ray anodes capable of delivering a much higher short time peak power than conventional rotating X-ray anodes according to the prior art. The herewith proposed design principle thereby aims at overcoming thermal limitation of peak power by allowing extremely fast rotation of the anode and by introducing a lightweight material with high thermal conductivity (2) in the region adjacent to the focal track material (4). The extremely fast rotation is enabled by providing sections of the rotary anode disk made of anisotropic high specific strength materials with high thermal stability (1, 3, 6) which will be specifically adapted to the high stresses building up when the anode is operated, as for example fiber-reinforced ceramic materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Astrid Lewalter, Rainer Pietig, Albert Langkamp, Heiko Richter, Thomas Behnisch, Werner Huffenbach, Rolf K.O. Behling, Christoph Bathe
  • Patent number: 7933382
    Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a cathode and a target assembly positioned to receive electrons emitted from the cathode. The target assembly includes a target and a spiral groove bearing (SGB) configured to support the target. The SGB includes a rotatable component having a first surface and a first material attached to the first surface, a stationary component having a second surface and a second material attached to the second surface, the stationary component positioned such that a gap is formed between the first material and the second material, and a liquid metal positioned in the gap. At least one of the first and second materials has a thickness greater than 0.1 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ian Strider Hunt, Gregory Alan Steinlage, Kenwood Dayton, Thomas C. Tiearney, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110038459
    Abstract: In one example, an assembly comprises a hub and a shaft. The hub defines an axis of rotation and includes first and second flanges that at least partly define a substantially cylindrical hub opening. The shaft is connected to the hub and includes a first end and a shaft cavity. The first end is received within the hub opening. The shaft cavity is formed in the first end and includes a bottom having a substantially curved transition area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory C. Andrews, Ricky Smith, Santosh Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 7881425
    Abstract: An x-ray source is disclosed comprising: an anode disk with first and second beveled annuli at a periphery of the anode disk, the anode disk rotatably coupled to a housing structure via a support shaft; first and second cathodes mounted to a yoke support structure, the yoke support structure configured to direct cathode emissions at x-ray generating material disposed on the beveled annuli; and a high-voltage insulator configured to electrically insulate the yoke support structure from the housing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark E Vermilyea, James E Simpson
  • Publication number: 20110007877
    Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a center shaft having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface forming a portion of a cavity therein, a mount having an inner surface, the mount having an x-ray target attached thereto, and a liquid metal positioned between the outer surface of the center shaft and the inner surface of the mount. The x-ray tube further includes a flow diverter positioned in the cavity, the flow diverter having a wall with an inner surface, and a plurality of jets passing through the wall, wherein the plurality of jets are configured such that when a fluid is flowed into the flow diverter and passes along its inner surface, a portion of the fluid passes through the plurality of jets and is directed toward the inner surface of the center shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Edwin L. Legall
  • Publication number: 20100322385
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube comprises an anode configured to rotate at an operating frequency, and a bearing assembly configured to rotatably support the anode and tuned to a resonant frequency that is different than the operating frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ricky B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100322384
    Abstract: One example embodiment includes an anode. The anode comprises an anode hub, an annular target and a plurality of spokes. The spokes connect the anode hub to the annular target. The spokes are configured to substantially mechanically and/or thermally isolate the anode hub from the annular target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Todd S. Parker
  • Publication number: 20100322383
    Abstract: In one example, an x-ray tube comprises an evacuated enclosure and a cathode disposed within the evacuated enclosure. An anode is also disposed within the evacuated enclosure opposite the cathode so as to receive electrons emitted by the cathode. A rotor sleeve is coupled to the anode, the rotor sleeve being responsive to applied electromagnetic fields such that a rotational motion is imparted to the anode. A magnetic assist bearing assembly rotatably supports the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Ward Vincent Coon, Dennis Runnoe
  • Patent number: 7852989
    Abstract: The rotating anode x-ray tube has a composite outer bearing made from two rings of a high hot-hardness material and a spacer between the two rings made of a constant coefficient of thermal expansion material. The spacer is welded to the two rings providing the composite outer bearing. One inner bearing race is formed from the shaft and the other inner bearing race is a one-piece inner race mounted on the shaft while the two rings have the corresponding outer races.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Edward Albanetti, Robert O'Donnell