X-ray tube

摘要

The efficiency and permanence of hydrodynamic sliding bearings (sliding-contact bearings, slide bearings) which are used in X-ray tubes is improved by creating floating inserts. The hydrodynamic sliding bearings have a liquid-metal lubricant which fills the gap (gaps) between sliding-bearing surfaces. The floating inserts, such as for example flat rings or cylindrical sleeves, are immersed into the liquid metal between each pair of interacting bearing surfaces. The inserts float freely in the liquid lubricant without coming into contact with adjacent bearing surfaces. The inserts rotate at the mean speed of rotation of the bearing surfaces, the relative speed of rotation being reduced by a factor of 2. This permits higher operational speeds of rotation without leakage and with minimal frictional losses.