A liquid metal CT tube with a double-sealed structure

Abstract

This invention discloses a liquid metal CT X-ray tube with a double-sealed structure, comprising a tube shell, an anode target disk, a stator, and a rotor disposed within the tube shell. An upper bearing sleeve and a lower bearing sleeve are fitted around the stator. One end of the upper bearing sleeve is connected to the anode target disk, and the other end of the lower bearing sleeve is connected to the rotor. A double-sealed structure is provided at the connection points between the upper and lower bearing sleeves and between the lower bearing sleeve and the rotor. The double-sealed structure includes a superhydrophobic bamboo-joint type sealing structure and liquid storage tanks located at both ends of the superhydrophobic bamboo-joint type sealing structure. This invention uses a double-sealed structure to seal the liquid metal, which is more reliable and effectively prevents liquid metal leakage compared to a single sealing ring. Furthermore, the sealing structure is located on the bearing sleeve, avoiding complex disassembly and assembly issues and connection problems, and also solving the material loss problem caused by the aging of the sealing ring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of sealing device technology, specifically relating to a liquid metal CT tube with a duplex sealing structure. Background Technology

[0002] CT scanners, utilizing X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging technology, are widely used for examining diseases requiring visualization of internal human tissue structures. Liquid metal CT tubes, using gallium-based metal alloys as the lubricant and heat transfer medium, are the X-ray generators within CT equipment. The target disk of a liquid metal CT tube operates in a vacuum environment, preventing any leakage of liquid metal from the lubrication zone. Current liquid metal CT tubes utilize innovative bearings, departing from traditional ball or roller bearing structures, employing a liquid metal hydrodynamic sliding bearing structure. The sealing between the liquid metal lubricant and the bearing sleeve is crucial in liquid metal CT tubes. Currently, most liquid metal CT tubes use sealing rings, but this method is prone to rapid aging under the high-temperature operating conditions required by liquid metal CT tubes and exhibits poor sealing performance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention discloses a liquid metal CT tube with a double-sealed structure, which can effectively solve at least one of the technical problems involved in the background art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A liquid metal CT X-ray tube with a double-sealed structure includes a tube shell, an anode target disk, a stator, and a rotor disposed inside the tube shell. An upper bearing sleeve and a lower bearing sleeve connected at one end are fitted outside the stator. The other end of the upper bearing sleeve is connected to the anode target disk, and the other end of the lower bearing sleeve is connected to the rotor. A double-sealed structure is provided at the connection between the upper bearing sleeve and the lower bearing sleeve, and at the connection between the lower bearing sleeve and the rotor. The double-sealed structure includes a superhydrophobic bamboo-shaped sealing structure and liquid storage tanks disposed at both ends of the superhydrophobic bamboo-shaped sealing structure.

[0005] As a preferred improvement of the present invention, the upper bearing sleeve and the lower bearing sleeve are lubricated with the stator by liquid metal to form a liquid metal lubrication zone.

[0006] As a preferred improvement of the present invention, the liquid storage tank includes two walls, the wall away from the liquid metal lubrication area is perpendicular to the grooved surface, and the wall close to the liquid metal lubrication area forms an angle between 45° and 85° with the grooved surface.

[0007] As a preferred improvement of the present invention, the superhydrophobic bamboo-shaped sealing structure includes an upper wedge structure and a lower wedge structure processed on the bottom surface of the upper wedge structure. The included angle of the upper wedge structure is 1°-20°, and the included angle of the lower wedge structure is less than 10°.

[0008] As a preferred improvement of the present invention, the upper wedge structure is shaped like a bamboo joint, and the lower wedge structure is shaped like an isosceles triangle.

[0009] As a preferred improvement of the present invention, the superhydrophobic bamboo-shaped sealing structure is arranged from wide to narrow, with the wide end facing the liquid metal lubrication area and the narrow end facing the direction in which liquid metal leaks from the connection between the upper bearing sleeve and the lower bearing sleeve and the connection between the lower bearing sleeve and the rotor.

[0010] As a preferred improvement of the present invention, the superhydrophobic bamboo-shaped sealing structure obtains superhydrophobic properties by constructing a micro-nano rough structure on the surface and modifying it with low surface energy.

[0011] As a preferred improvement of the present invention, the processing method of the micro-nano rough structure includes laser processing, etching, template method, solution immersion method, anodic oxidation method, deposition method, phase separation method, solution gelation method and electrospinning method; the low surface energy modification material includes octadecyl mercaptan and polyisopropylacrylamide.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By employing a compound sealing structure of liquid reservoir - superhydrophobic bamboo-type sealing structure - liquid reservoir, the seal is more robust than the original single sealing ring seal, which can prevent the liquid metal lubricant from escaping to the greatest extent and has a good sealing effect. The first liquid reservoir can store most of the outflowing liquid metal, the superhydrophobic bamboo-type sealing structure plays the role of preventing the very small amount of liquid metal leaking from the liquid reservoir, and the second liquid reservoir plays the role of completely isolating the liquid metal from escaping. At the same time, the sealing structure is located on the bearing sleeve, avoiding complex disassembly and assembly and connection problems, and also solving the material loss problem caused by the aging of the sealing ring, which can maximize the service life of the liquid metal CT tube. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure provided for an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structural connection between the stator and the upper and lower bearing sleeves provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 Provided for embodiments of the present invention Figure 1 Enlarged view of A in the middle; Figure 4 This is a top view of the compound sealing structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the compound sealing structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a superhydrophobic bamboo-shaped sealing structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0015] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0016] Furthermore, in this invention, descriptions involving "first," "second," etc., are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0017] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixed" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0018] Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other, but only if they are feasible for those skilled in the art. If the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

[0019] See Figure 1-6As shown, this invention proposes a liquid metal CT tube with a double-sealed structure, including a tube shell 7. The tube shell 7 contains a cathode emitter 8, an anode target disk 1, a stator 4, a rotor 5, and a graphite block 2. The cathode emitter 8 and the anode target disk 1 are spaced apart and correspondingly arranged, and the graphite block 2 is fixedly connected to the anode target disk 1.

[0020] The stator 4 is fitted with an upper bearing sleeve 3 and a lower bearing sleeve 6. The bearing sleeves are clearance-fitted with the stator, and liquid metal lubricant is injected into the clearance to form a liquid metal lubrication zone.

[0021] The upper bearing sleeve 3 is connected to one end of the lower bearing sleeve 6, the other end of the upper bearing sleeve 3 is connected to the anode target disk 1, and the other end of the lower bearing sleeve 6 is connected to the rotor 5. A double-sealing structure is provided at the mating point between the upper bearing sleeve 3 and the lower bearing sleeve 6, and at the connection point between the lower bearing sleeve 6 and the rotor 5, to seal the liquid metal lubricant. The double-sealing structure is located on the bearing sleeve and includes a superhydrophobic bamboo-joint type sealing structure 9 and liquid storage tanks 10 located at both ends of the superhydrophobic bamboo-joint type sealing structure 9.

[0022] The superhydrophobic bamboo-joint sealing structure 9 includes an upper wedge structure 91 and a lower wedge structure 92 processed on the bottom surface of the upper wedge structure 91. Both the upper and lower wedge structures are formed by laser ablation using a femtosecond laser. Specifically, the upper wedge structure 91 is bamboo-joint shaped, and the lower wedge structure 92 is an isosceles triangle. The included angle of the upper wedge structure 91 is 1°-20°, and the included angle of the lower wedge structure 92 is less than 10°. In practical applications, the angle of the upper wedge structure is set to 8°. In the lower wedge structure, the angle of the first section is 2°, and the angles of the subsequent sections are 4°. Furthermore, except for the first section, each subsequent section of the lower wedge structure is located at the midpoint of the upper wedge structure. The depth of the superhydrophobic bamboo-joint sealing structure 9 is 0.3 mm, and the node length is 2 mm.

[0023] Specifically, the superhydrophobic bamboo-shaped sealing structure 9 is arranged from wide to narrow, with the wide end facing the liquid metal lubrication area and the narrow end facing the direction in which liquid metal leaks from the connection between the upper bearing sleeve 3 and the lower bearing sleeve 6 and the connection between the lower bearing sleeve 6 and the rotor 5.

[0024] The liquid storage tank 10 includes two walls. The wall away from the liquid metal lubrication area is perpendicular to the grooved surface, while the wall closer to the liquid metal lubrication area forms an angle between 45° and 85° with the grooved surface, facilitating the flow of liquid metal. The first storage tank, closer to the liquid metal lubrication area, can retain most of the leaked liquid metal before the superhydrophobic bamboo-shaped sealing structure takes effect, while the second storage tank completely prevents leakage of the liquid metal lubricant.

[0025] In this invention, since the liquid metal lubrication zone formed between the bearing sleeve and the stator is wedge-shaped, the volume of the lubrication zone space containing the liquid metal lubricant gradually decreases as the liquid metal lubricant passes through the double sealing structure, and the pressure in the lubrication zone space gradually increases, forming a wedge effect. This hinders the liquid metal lubricant from flowing from the position of low pressure to the position of high pressure, thereby preventing the liquid metal lubricant from leaking to the fixed joint between the bearing sleeve and the rotor.

[0026] The superhydrophobic bamboo-shaped sealing structure provided by this invention achieves its superhydrophobic properties by constructing a micro / nano rough structure and modifying it with low surface energy at the outlet position where the liquid metal lubrication zone connects to the bearing sleeve. Under the combined effects of the liquid repellency of the superhydrophobic surface, the narrow width limitation of the wedge angle, and gravity, the superhydrophobic bamboo-shaped sealing structure promotes the spontaneous transport of liquid metal towards the liquid metal lubrication zone, thereby suppressing leakage of liquid metal from the mating point between the upper and lower bearing sleeves and the fixed connection between the lower bearing sleeve and the rotor. The processing methods for constructing the micro / nano rough structure include, but are not limited to, laser processing, etching, template methods, solution immersion methods, anodizing, deposition methods, phase separation methods, sol-gel methods, and electrospinning methods; the low surface energy modification materials include, but are not limited to, organic substances such as octadecyl mercaptan and polyisopropylacrylamide.

[0027] The liquid storage tank provided by this invention has a superhydrophilic wetting property on its wall surface. By constructing a nano-roughened structure on the wall surface using a femtosecond laser, the processed liquid storage tank is then immersed in a container filled with sodium benzenesulfonate, sealed, and finally dried using a dryer, giving it superhydrophilic properties that make it easier for liquid metal to flow into the tank.

[0028] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By employing a compound sealing structure of liquid reservoir - superhydrophobic bamboo-type sealing structure - liquid reservoir, the seal is more robust than the original single sealing ring seal, which can prevent the liquid metal lubricant from escaping to the greatest extent and has a good sealing effect. The first liquid reservoir can store most of the outflowing liquid metal, the superhydrophobic bamboo-type sealing structure plays the role of preventing the very small amount of liquid metal leaking from the liquid reservoir, and the second liquid reservoir plays the role of completely isolating the liquid metal from escaping. At the same time, the sealing structure is located on the bearing sleeve, avoiding complex disassembly and assembly and connection problems, and also solving the material loss problem caused by the aging of the sealing ring, which can maximize the service life of the liquid metal CT tube.

[0029] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and all of these forms are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A liquid metal CT tube with a compound seal structure, characterized in that, The system includes a PV tube shell, within which an anode target disk, a stator, and a rotor are disposed. An upper bearing sleeve and a lower bearing sleeve, connected at one end, are fitted around the stator. The other end of the upper bearing sleeve is connected to the anode target disk, and the other end of the lower bearing sleeve is connected to the rotor. A double-sealing structure is provided at the connection points between the upper and lower bearing sleeves and between the lower bearing sleeve and the rotor. The double-sealing structure includes a superhydrophobic bamboo-joint type sealing structure and liquid storage tanks located at both ends of the superhydrophobic bamboo-joint type sealing structure. The upper and lower bearing sleeves are lubricated with the stator by liquid metal, forming a liquid metal lubrication zone. The liquid storage tank includes… The two walls, the wall away from the liquid metal lubrication area is perpendicular to the grooved surface, and the wall near the liquid metal lubrication area forms an angle between 45° and 85° with the grooved surface. The superhydrophobic bamboo-shaped sealing structure includes an upper wedge structure and a lower wedge structure machined on the bottom surface of the upper wedge structure. The included angle of the upper wedge structure is 1°-20°, and the included angle of the lower wedge structure is less than 10°. The superhydrophobic bamboo-shaped sealing structure is arranged from wide to narrow, with the wide end facing the liquid metal lubrication area and the narrow end facing the direction in which liquid metal leaks from the connection between the upper and lower bearing sleeves and the connection between the lower bearing sleeve and the rotor.

2. A liquid metal CT tube with a compound seal structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The superhydrophobic bamboo-shaped sealing structure achieves superhydrophobic properties by constructing a micro-nano rough structure on the surface and modifying it with low surface energy.

3. A liquid metal CT tube with a compound seal structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The processing methods for the micro-nano rough structures include laser processing, etching, template method, solution immersion method, anodic oxidation method, deposition method, phase separation method, solution gelation method and electrospinning method; the materials used for low surface energy modification include octadecyl mercaptan and polyisopropylacrylamide.

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