Liquid metal bearing and CT tube suitable for X-ray tube

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of X-ray tubes, and discloses a liquid metal bearing and a CT tube suitable for X-ray tubes, wherein the liquid metal bearing comprises: an anode target, a bearing sleeve and a rotor, and further comprises: a central axis, a convex block and a groove, wherein the convex block and the groove are filled with liquid metal; an adjusting component comprises an extrusion component and a flange, wherein a second cover is mounted on the inner wall of the flange, a piston cylinder is symmetrically mounted on the outer wall of the second cover, a piston rod is slidably mounted on the inner wall of the piston cylinder, a first cover is mounted on one side of the piston rod passing through the second cover, and a one-way valve is symmetrically mounted on the outer wall of the first cover; an extrusion component comprises a first round rod fixedly mounted on one side of the piston rod, a support block is mounted on the first round rod away from the piston rod, a first slide groove is provided on the outer wall of the support block, a second round rod is slidably mounted on the inner wall of the first slide groove, and sliders are symmetrically mounted on both ends of the second round rod. The present invention solves the problem of uneven support force caused by the reduction of liquid metal in the bearing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of X-ray tubes, and in particular to a liquid metal bearing and a CT tube suitable for X-ray tubes. Background Art

[0002] The X-ray tube is a vacuum diode operating at high voltage. It contains two electrodes: one is a filament for emitting electrons, which serves as the cathode, and the other is a target for receiving electron bombardment, which serves as the anode. Both electrodes are sealed in a high vacuum glass or ceramic shell. The bearing system in the X-ray tube is a key component to ensure that the X-ray tube can operate efficiently and stably during operation.

[0003] The Chinese patent disclosed "Blade-seal liquid metal bearing and CT tube suitable for X-ray tubes" with application number 202410390001.5 includes: a central axis constituting a stator; a bearing sleeve, which is rotatably sleeved on the central axis; a circular ring-shaped cover, which is gap-sleeved on the central axis; an impeller assembly, the impeller assembly includes a liquid-blocking fan impeller and a liquid-beating fan impeller, which are coaxially arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the central axis in an alternating manner; the liquid-blocking fan impeller includes a fixed collar fixedly sleeved on the central axis and a plurality of liquid-blocking static blades arranged in a circumferential array on the fixed collar; the liquid-beating fan impeller includes a rotating collar, an annular flange and a plurality of liquid-beating dynamic blades, the annular flange is fixedly mounted on the cover, and the rotating collar is gap-sleeved on the central axis; a cylindrical rotor.

[0004] During high-speed operation, the liquid metal exerts a large pressure on the cover due to centrifugal force, causing the liquid metal to overflow through the cover. At this time, although the patent attempts to guide the overflowing liquid metal back to the cover through a flapping mechanism, it is unable to effectively refill the liquid metal into the shaft seal gap. As the amount of liquid metal overflow increases, the liquid metal in the bearing will gradually decrease, resulting in uneven support force and affecting the working performance of the bearing. This situation may affect the stability and performance of the X-ray tube, so further improvements are needed to ensure the effective operation of the bearing system. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a liquid metal bearing and a CT tube suitable for an X-ray tube, and the present invention solves the problem of uneven support force caused by the reduction of liquid metal in the bearing.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a liquid metal bearing suitable for an X-ray tube, comprising an anode target, a bearing sleeve located inside the anode target, and a rotor located on one side of the bearing sleeve, and further comprising:

[0007] A central shaft, one end of which is provided with a protrusion, the outer wall of which is rotatably installed in the bearing sleeve through a groove provided in the inner wall of the bearing sleeve, and the space between the protrusion and the groove is filled with liquid metal;

[0008] An adjusting component comprises an extrusion component and a flange fixedly mounted on the outer wall of the bearing sleeve, a second cover sleeved on the outer wall of the central shaft is mounted on the inner wall of the flange, a piston cylinder is symmetrically mounted on the outer wall of the second cover, a piston rod is slidably mounted on the inner wall of the piston cylinder, the piston rod passes through one side of the second cover and a first cover sleeved on the central shaft is mounted, and a one-way valve is symmetrically mounted on the outer wall of the first cover; when the bearing sleeve rotates, the extrusion component drives the first cover to move axially through the piston rod, and the first cover squeezes the liquid metal between the protrusion and the groove during the movement, and at the same time, the extrusion component automatically adjusts the relative position of the first cover according to the amount and distribution of the liquid metal;

[0009] The extrusion assembly includes a first round rod fixedly installed on one side of the piston rod, a support block is installed on the side of the first round rod away from the piston rod, a first sliding groove is opened on the outer wall of the support block, a second round rod is slidably installed on the inner wall of the first sliding groove, and sliders are symmetrically installed at both ends of the second round rod.

[0010] Preferably, the outer wall of the protrusion is distributed in steps.

[0011] Preferably, a plurality of first through holes are evenly formed on the outer wall of the central shaft along its circumference, a second through hole is formed at the center of the protrusion, and the second through hole is communicated with the first through hole.

[0012] Preferably, support rods are symmetrically installed on the inner wall of the rotor, and a third sliding groove is symmetrically opened on the side of the support rod away from the rotor, and the inner wall of the third sliding groove is slidably connected to the sliding block.

[0013] Preferably, a spring is installed on the side of the slider facing the rotor, and the spring is installed on the rotor on the side away from the slider.

[0014] Preferably, a second sliding groove is provided on the inner wall of the flange, and the inner wall of the second sliding groove is slidably connected to the first cover.

[0015] Preferably, the flange and the outer wall of the anode target are respectively provided with a plurality of first threaded holes and second threaded holes evenly opened along their circumferences, and the first threaded holes and the second threaded holes correspond to each other one by one.

[0016] Preferably, the rotor is fixedly connected to the flange.

[0017] Preferably, a cavity is formed between the first cover and the bearing sleeve on a side away from the second cover.

[0018] Preferably, the CT tube comprises a vacuum glass tube arranged outside the anode target, and a cathode assembly is installed on the inner wall of the vacuum glass tube away from the anode target.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The present invention is provided with an adjusting component, when the rotor rotates, it drives the support rod to rotate, and the slider inside the third slide groove on the support rod will move outward due to centrifugal force, and the slider drives the second round rod to squeeze the first slide groove, and the first slide groove will drive the support block to move toward the side close to the first cover, and the support block drives the first round rod to move, and the first round rod drives the piston rod to move in the piston cylinder, and the piston rod drives the second cover to move toward the side of the protrusion in the second slide groove on the flange. At this time, the one-way valve on the second cover is closed, and the second cover will squeeze the liquid metal in the cavity so that the liquid metal is filled between the groove and the protrusion. When a small amount of liquid metal overflows between the first cover and the second cover, the slider will slide outward on the second slide groove again. At this time, the first cover always squeezes the liquid metal in the cavity to ensure that the amount of liquid metal between the protrusion and the groove will not decrease, and the overflowing liquid metal is blocked by the second cover, and the overflowing liquid metal will not cause leakage;

[0021] The present invention is provided with a one-way valve. When the support rod stops rotating, the slider is not affected by the centrifugal force, the spring extends outward, drives the slider to move toward the side close to the central axis, the slider drives the second round rod to move, the second round rod squeezes the first slide groove, the first slide groove drives the support block to move away from the first cover, the support block drives the first round rod to move, the first round rod drives the piston rod to move in the piston cylinder, the piston rod drives the first cover to move, and abuts against the second cover, at this time, the liquid metal overflowing from the first cover will return to the cavity through the one-way valve, at this time the cavity space is the largest, the liquid metal remains stationary and the pressure on the first cover becomes smaller, which can effectively prevent the liquid metal from overflowing when not working;

[0022] The present invention is provided with a first through hole and a second through hole. When the bearing sleeve rotates, part of the liquid metal between the groove and the protrusion will flow from the high part of the step surface to the low part due to centrifugal force, flow into the cavity, and then flow out from the second through hole through the first through hole. When the liquid metal flows, it can adapt to the slight deformation or irregularity between the groove and the protrusion, thereby improving the adaptability and stability, and can take away part of the heat to prevent the liquid metal from expanding in volume after being heated, causing the liquid metal to overflow to the first cover. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention without the vacuum glass tube;

[0025] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the explosion structure of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The enlarged schematic diagram of point A in the middle;

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram from another perspective;

[0028] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The enlarged schematic diagram of point B in the middle;

[0029] Figure 7 for Figure 6 The enlarged schematic diagram of the center C;

[0030] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the cavity of the present invention.

[0031] In the figure: 1. vacuum glass tube; 2. cathode assembly; 3. anode target; 4. bearing sleeve; 5. bump; 6. center axis; 7. rotor; 8. first cover; 9. one-way valve; 10. piston rod; 11. flange; 12. first threaded hole; 13. support rod; 14. spring; 15. support block; 16. first slide groove; 17. first round rod; 18. piston cylinder; 19. second slide groove; 20. second threaded hole; 21. groove; 22. first through hole; 23. third slide groove; 24. second cover; 25. slider; 26. second round rod; 27. second through hole; 28. liquid metal; 29. ​​cavity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] See also Figures 1 to 8 The present invention provides a technical solution: a liquid metal bearing suitable for an X-ray tube, comprising an anode target 3, a bearing sleeve 4 located inside the anode target 3, and a rotor 7 located on one side of the bearing sleeve 4, and further comprising:

[0033] A central shaft 6, one end of which is provided with a protrusion 5, the outer wall of which is rotatably installed in the bearing sleeve 4 through a groove 21 provided on the inner wall of the bearing sleeve 4, and the space between the protrusion 5 and the groove 21 is filled with liquid metal 28;

[0034] The adjusting assembly includes an extrusion assembly and a flange 11 fixedly mounted on the outer wall of the bearing sleeve 4, the inner wall of the flange 11 is mounted with a second cover 24 sleeved on the outer wall of the central shaft 6, the outer wall of the second cover 24 is symmetrically mounted with a piston cylinder 18, the inner wall of the piston cylinder 18 is slidably mounted with a piston rod 10, the piston rod 10 passes through the second cover 24 and one side is mounted with a first cover 8 sleeved on the central shaft 6, the outer wall of the first cover 8 is symmetrically mounted with a one-way valve 9; when the bearing sleeve 4 rotates, the extrusion assembly drives the piston rod 10 to rotate. The first sealing cover 8 moves, and the one-way valve 9 is closed at this time. The first sealing cover 8 squeezes the liquid metal 28 between the protrusion 5 and the groove 21. Even if a small amount of liquid metal 28 overflows between the first sealing cover 8 and the second sealing cover 24, the squeezing assembly always drives the first sealing cover 8 to squeeze the liquid metal 28; when the squeezing assembly does not squeeze the first sealing cover 8, the first sealing cover 8 returns to the initial position and abuts against the second sealing cover 24. At this time, the one-way valve 9 is opened, and the liquid metal 28 between the first sealing cover 8 and the second sealing cover 24 flows to the side of the first sealing cover 8 away from the second sealing cover 24;

[0035] The extrusion assembly includes a first round rod 17 fixedly mounted on one side of the piston rod 10, a support block 15 is mounted on the side of the first round rod 17 away from the piston rod 10, a first slide groove 16 is formed on the outer wall of the support block 15, a second round rod 26 is slidably mounted on the inner wall of the first slide groove 16, and sliders 25 are symmetrically mounted on both ends of the second round rod 26;

[0036] Further, such as Figure 3 As shown, the outer wall of the protrusion 5 is distributed in steps;

[0037] Liquid metal 28 is filled between the groove 21 and the protrusion 5 to increase the contact area and prevent the shaft from getting stuck. A small amount of liquid metal 28 flows from the high part of the step to the low part under the centrifugal force.

[0038] Further, such as Figure 5 and Figure 8 As shown, the outer wall of the central shaft 6 is uniformly provided with a plurality of first through holes 22 along its circumference, and a second through hole 27 is provided at the center of the protrusion 5, and the second through hole 27 is connected to the first through hole 22;

[0039] A small amount of liquid metal 28 flows out through the first through hole 22 and the second through hole 27, and flows in a small range;

[0040] Further, such as Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the inner wall of the rotor 7 is symmetrically mounted with a support rod 13, and the support rod 13 is symmetrically provided with a third slide groove 23 on one side away from the rotor 7, and the inner wall of the third slide groove 23 is slidably connected with a slider 25;

[0041] The rotor 7 drives the support rod 13 to rotate, and the support rod 13 drives the third slide slot 23 to rotate. The slider 25 on the third slide slot 23 slides toward the side close to the rotor 7 under the action of centrifugal force.

[0042] Further, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a spring 14 is installed on the side of the slider 25 facing the rotor 7, and the spring 14 is installed on the rotor 7 away from the side of the slider 25;

[0043] The spring 14 drives the slider 25 to reset;

[0044] Further, such as Figure 4 As shown, the inner wall of the flange 11 is provided with a second slide groove 19, and the inner wall of the second slide groove 19 is slidably connected with the first cover 8;

[0045] The first cover 8 slides in the second slide groove 19;

[0046] Further, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the flange 11 and the outer wall of the anode target 3 are respectively uniformly provided with a plurality of first threaded holes 12 and second threaded holes 20 along their circumferences, and the first threaded holes 12 and the second threaded holes 20 correspond to each other one by one;

[0047] The flange 11 and the anode target 3 are connected via a first threaded hole 12 and a second threaded hole 20;

[0048] Further, such as Figure 2 As shown, the rotor 7 is fixedly connected to the flange 11;

[0049] The flange 11 drives the rotor 7 to rotate;

[0050] Further, such as Figure 8 As shown, a cavity 29 is formed between the first cover 8 and the bearing sleeve 4 on the side away from the second cover 24;

[0051] The cavity 29 can contain liquid metal 28. When the liquid metal 28 overflows from the first cover 8, the liquid metal 28 inside the cavity 29 can replenish the space between the protrusion 5 and the groove 21 in time. When the cavity 29 is at its largest, the pressure of the liquid metal 28 on the first cover 8 is relatively small, thus preventing the liquid metal 28 from overflowing from the first cover 8.

[0052] Furthermore, the CT tube comprises a vacuum glass tube 1 arranged outside the anode target 3, and a cathode assembly 2 (existing technology) is installed on the inner wall of the vacuum glass tube 1 away from the anode target 3.

[0053] The working principle of the present invention is:

[0054] Step 1: When starting to work, the central shaft 6 remains fixed, and the bearing sleeve 4 drives the anode target 3 and the flange 11 to rotate, and the cathode assembly 2 starts to work, and the flange 11 drives the rotor 7, the first cover 8 and the second chute 19 to rotate, and the second chute 19 drives the second cover 24 to rotate;

[0055] Step 2: When the rotor 7 rotates, it drives the support rod 13 to rotate. The slider 25 inside the third slide groove 23 on the support rod 13 will move outward due to centrifugal force and squeeze the spring 14. The slider 25 drives the second round rod 26 to squeeze the first slide groove 16. The first slide groove 16 drives the support block 15 to move toward the side close to the first cover 8. The support block 15 drives the first round rod 17 to move. The first round rod 17 drives the piston rod 10 to move in the piston cylinder 18. The piston rod 10 drives the first cover 8 to move in the second slide groove 19 on the flange 11 toward the side of the protrusion 5. At this time, the first cover 8 When the one-way valve 9 is closed, the first cover 8 will squeeze the liquid metal 28 in the cavity 29, so that the liquid metal 28 fills the space between the groove 21 and the protrusion 5. When a small amount of liquid metal 28 overflows between the first cover 8 and the second cover 24, the slider 25 will slide outward on the second slide groove 19 again and squeeze the spring 14. At this time, the first cover 8 always squeezes the liquid metal 28 in the cavity 29 to ensure that the amount of liquid metal 28 between the protrusion 5 and the groove 21 will not decrease, and the overflowing liquid metal 28 is blocked by the second cover 24, so that the overflowing liquid metal 28 will not cause leakage.

[0056] Step 3: When the bearing sleeve 4 rotates, part of the liquid metal 28 between the groove 21 and the protrusion 5 will flow from the high part of the step surface to the low part due to the centrifugal force, flow into the cavity 29, and then flow out from the second through hole 27 through the first through hole 22. When the liquid metal 28 flows, it can adapt to the slight deformation or irregularity between the groove 21 and the protrusion 5, thereby improving the self-adaptation ability and stability, and can take away part of the heat, preventing the liquid metal 28 from expanding in volume after being heated, causing the liquid metal 28 to overflow to the first cover 8;

[0057] Step 4: When the work is completed, the anode target 3, the bearing sleeve 4 and the rotor 7 stop rotating, and the support rod 13 on the rotor 7 also stops rotating. At this time, the slider 25 is not affected by the centrifugal force, and the spring 14 extends outward, driving the slider 25 to move toward the side close to the central axis 6, and the slider 25 drives the second round rod 26 to move, and the second round rod 26 squeezes the first slide groove 16, and the first slide groove 16 drives the support block 15 to move away from the first cover 8. The support block 15 drives the first round rod 17 to move, and the first round rod 17 drives the piston rod 10 to move in the piston cylinder 18, and the piston rod 10 drives the first cover 8 to move and abuts against the second cover 24. At this time, the liquid metal 28 overflowing from the first cover 8 will return to the cavity 29 through the one-way valve 9. At this time, the space of the cavity 29 is the largest, and the liquid metal 28 remains stationary and the pressure on the first cover 8 becomes smaller, which can effectively prevent the liquid metal 28 from overflowing when not working.

[0058] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A liquid metal bearing suitable for an X-ray tube, comprising an anode target (3), a bearing sleeve (4) located inside the anode target (3), and a rotor (7) located on one side of the bearing sleeve (4). It is characterized in that Also includes: A central shaft (6), one end of the central shaft (6) being provided with a protrusion (5), the outer wall of the protrusion (5) being rotatably mounted inside the bearing sleeve (4) through a groove (21) formed on the inner wall of the bearing sleeve (4), and the space between the protrusion (5) and the groove (21) being filled with liquid metal (28); An adjusting component comprises an extrusion component and a flange (11) fixedly mounted on the outer wall of a bearing sleeve (4); a second cover (24) sleeved on the outer wall of a central shaft (6) is mounted on the inner wall of the flange (11); a piston cylinder (18) is symmetrically mounted on the outer wall of the second cover (24); a piston rod (10) is slidably mounted on the inner wall of the piston cylinder (18); a first cover (8) sleeved on the central shaft (6) is mounted on one side of the piston rod (10) passing through the second cover (24); a one-way valve (9) is symmetrically mounted on the outer wall of the first cover (8); when the bearing sleeve (4) rotates, the extrusion component drives the first cover (8) to move axially through the piston rod (10); the first cover (8) squeezes the liquid metal (28) between the protrusion (5) and the groove (21) during the movement; at the same time, the extrusion component automatically adjusts the relative position of the first cover (8) according to the amount and distribution of the liquid metal (28); The extrusion assembly comprises a first round rod (17) fixedly mounted on one side of a piston rod (10); a support block (15) is mounted on the side of the first round rod (17) away from the piston rod (10); a first slide groove (16) is formed on the outer wall of the support block (15); a second round rod (26) is slidably mounted on the inner wall of the first slide groove (16); and sliding blocks (25) are symmetrically mounted at both ends of the second round rod (26).

2. A liquid metal bearing suitable for an X-ray tube according to claim 1, Features: The outer wall of the protrusion (5) is distributed in a stepped manner.

3. A liquid metal bearing suitable for an X-ray tube according to claim 1, Features: The outer wall of the central shaft (6) is evenly provided with a plurality of first through holes (22) along its circumference, and a second through hole (27) is provided at the center of the protrusion (5), and the second through hole (27) is communicated with the first through hole (22).

4. A liquid metal bearing suitable for an X-ray tube according to claim 1, Features: The inner wall of the rotor (7) is symmetrically mounted with a support rod (13), and a third slide groove (23) is symmetrically opened on a side of the support rod (13) away from the rotor (7), and the inner wall of the third slide groove (23) is slidably connected to a slider (25).

5. A liquid metal bearing suitable for an X-ray tube according to claim 1, Features: A spring (14) is installed on the side of the slider (25) facing the rotor (7), and the side of the spring (14) facing away from the slider (25) is installed on the rotor (7).

6. A liquid metal bearing suitable for an X-ray tube according to claim 1, Features: The inner wall of the flange (11) is provided with a second sliding groove (19), and the inner wall of the second sliding groove (19) is slidably connected to the first cover (8).

7. A liquid metal bearing suitable for an X-ray tube according to claim 1, Features: The flange (11) and the outer wall of the anode target (3) are respectively provided with a plurality of first threaded holes (12) and second threaded holes (20) evenly disposed along their circumferences, and the first threaded holes (12) and the second threaded holes (20) correspond one to one.

8. The liquid metal bearing suitable for an X-ray tube according to claim 1, Features: The rotor (7) is fixedly connected to the flange (11).

9. The liquid metal bearing suitable for an X-ray tube according to claim 1, Features: A cavity (29) is formed between the side of the first cover (8) away from the second cover (24) and the bearing sleeve (4).

10. A CT tube, using the liquid metal bearing suitable for an X-ray tube according to claim 1, Features: It comprises a vacuum glass tube (1) arranged outside an anode target (3), wherein a cathode assembly (2) is installed on a side of the inner wall of the vacuum glass tube (1) away from the anode target (3).

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