Liquid metal bearing and X-ray tube

Abstract

The utility model relates to a liquid metal bearing which comprises a shaft and a rotating component, a gap is formed between the shaft and the rotating assembly; the shaft comprises a shaft body and a shaft bulge annularly arranged on the shaft body, and the rotating assembly can rotate around the shaft body; in the axial direction of the shaft body, the gap comprises a bearing carrying area, a thrust sealing area and a leakage restraining area which are sequentially communicated. The bearing carrying area and the thrust sealing area are both filled with liquid metal. A herringbone groove is formed in the surface, close to the bearing carrying area, of the shaft body. And at least one high-pressure introduction channel is arranged at one end, close to the herringbone groove, of the shaft body. The utility model also relates to an X-ray tube. Through the structure, the gap of the thrust sealing area can be reduced, liquid metal is prevented from leaking through the gap, and the reliability of the X-ray tube is effectively improved. The structure has high practicability and economical efficiency, and can be produced and used as a general product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of X-ray tubes, in particular to a liquid metal bearing and an X-ray tube. Background Art

[0002] The rotating anode X-ray tube is one of the core components of a CT imaging diagnosis system, and its performance parameters directly affect the accuracy and imaging rate of CT images. The X-ray tube mainly consists of several parts such as an electron gun assembly, an anode target disk assembly, and a tube shell assembly. Among them, the bearing in the anode target disk assembly is a key component, which has a direct impact on the performance parameters, reliability, and lifespan of the X-ray tube.

[0003] At present, high-performance X-ray tubes usually use a liquid metal sliding bearing structure. The liquid metal sliding bearing mainly includes a rotating component and a fixed shaft component, and liquid metal is filled as a lubricating medium in the gap between the rotating component and the fixed shaft component. Liquid metal is generally composed of gallium, indium, tin, or an alloy of these metals. It is usually in a liquid state at room temperature and has a relatively low saturated vapor pressure at the working temperature, making it suitable for use in X-ray tubes that require a high-vacuum environment. Since the liquid metal is connected to the vacuum space inside the X-ray tube, during the transportation and start-stop operation of the bearing, the liquid metal may migrate along the gaps of the bearing components, thereby leaking into the vacuum space inside the X-ray tube, which may lead to the problem of the X-ray tube failing due to arcing under high voltage. At the same time, after the liquid metal leaks, the components inside the bearing may also come into contact or wear due to insufficient lubrication. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] Based on this, the utility model provides a liquid metal bearing and an X-ray tube, aiming to solve the problems of defects such as the liquid metal leaking into the vacuum space inside the X-ray tube during the operation of the existing liquid metal bearing, resulting in the X-ray tube failing due to arcing under high voltage, and the components inside the bearing coming into contact or even wearing.

[0005] To achieve the above object, on the one hand, an embodiment of the utility model provides a liquid metal bearing, including a shaft and a rotating component; a gap is provided between the shaft and the rotating component;

[0006] The shaft includes a shaft body and shaft protrusions annularly arranged on the shaft body, and the rotating component can rotate around the shaft body; along the axial direction of the shaft body, the gap includes a bearing load zone, a thrust seal zone, and a leakage suppression zone that are sequentially connected; liquid metal is filled in both the bearing load zone and the thrust seal zone;

[0007] Chevron grooves are provided on the surface of the shaft body close to the bearing load zone; at least one high-voltage introduction channel is provided at one end of the shaft body close to the chevron grooves.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, one end of the high-pressure introduction channel is communicated with the chevron groove, and the other end is communicated with the axial end face of the shaft body.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, a receiving groove communicated with the high-pressure introduction channel is arranged on the axial end face; one end of the high-pressure introduction channel close to the axial end face is arranged in the receiving groove.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the high-pressure introduction channels are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the receiving grooves; one end of the high-pressure introduction channel close to the chevron groove is arranged at the geometric center of the chevron groove.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, when there are multiple high-pressure introduction channels, one ends of the multiple high-pressure introduction channels close to the chevron groove are arranged on the same circumference of the shaft body; the multiple receiving grooves are arranged in a spiral shape.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the rotating assembly includes a shaft sleeve sleeved on one end of the shaft body, a sealing partition plate arranged at one end of the shaft sleeve, and a sealing flange arranged on one side of the sealing partition plate; the shaft sleeve and the sealing flange respectively abut against the shaft protrusion, and the sealing partition plate is sleeved on the outside of the shaft protrusion; a liquid storage groove communicated with the leakage suppression area is arranged on the inner surface of the sealing flange.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, the bearing load area is arranged between the shaft sleeve and the shaft body; the thrust sealing area is arranged between the shaft protrusion and the shaft sleeve, between the shaft protrusion and the sealing partition plate, and between the shaft protrusion and the sealing flange; the leakage suppression area is arranged between the sealing flange and the shaft body.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the shaft sleeve and the sealing partition plate, and the sealing partition plate and the sealing flange are both fixedly connected by screws.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, the liquid metal bearing further includes a motor rotor, the motor rotor is sleeved on the outside of the rotating assembly close to one end of the shaft protrusion, and one end of the motor rotor is fixed on the shaft sleeve.

[0016] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application further provides an X-ray tube, and the X-ray tube includes the liquid metal bearing.

[0017] Advantages achieved by the present utility model: In this application, herringbone grooves and high-pressure introduction channels are provided on the surface of the shaft body near the bearing load-bearing area, and the herringbone grooves are connected to the shaft end face through the high-pressure introduction channels, enabling liquid metal to be introduced into the shaft end face through the high-pressure introduction channels, so that the rotating assembly moves to one side under pressure, thereby reducing the gap in the thrust seal area and preventing liquid metal from leaking through the gap, effectively improving the reliability of the X-ray tube. The structure of this application has high practicability and economy and can be produced and used as a general-purpose product. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present utility model. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the overall structure of the liquid metal bearing according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 is Figure 1 exploded structure diagram of the liquid metal bearing;

[0021] Figure 3 is Figure 2 enlarged structure diagram at A;

[0022] Figure 4 is Figure 1 cross-sectional structure diagram of the liquid metal bearing (connected to the anode target disc);

[0023] Figure 5 is Figure 2 pressure distribution diagram of the herringbone groove.

[0024] The realization, functional characteristics, and advantages of the objectives of the present utility model will be further described in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0026] It should be noted that if there are directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, top, bottom...) involved in the embodiments of the present utility model, then such directional indications are only used to explain the relative positional relationship, movement conditions, etc. between components in a specific posture (as shown in the attached drawings). If this specific posture changes, then the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0027] In this application, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected to", "fixed", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly limited. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0028] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there can also be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time.

[0029] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present utility model, then such descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In addition, the technical solutions between various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the fact that those of ordinary skill in the art can implement it. When the combination of technical solutions results in contradictions or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the protection scope required by the present utility model.

[0030] Specifically, on the one hand, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, the embodiments of the present utility model provide a liquid metal bearing, including a shaft 10 and a rotating assembly 20; a gap 30 is provided between the shaft 10 and the rotating assembly 20;

[0031] The shaft 10 includes a shaft body 11 and shaft protrusions 12 provided around the shaft body 11, and the rotating assembly 20 can rotate around the shaft body 11; along the axial direction of the shaft body 11, the gap 30 includes a bearing load zone 31, a thrust seal zone 32, and a leakage suppression zone 33 that are sequentially communicated; liquid metal 40 is filled in both the bearing load zone 31 and the thrust seal zone 32;

[0032] On the surface of the shaft body 11 close to the bearing load area 31, there is a chevron groove 111; at one end of the shaft body 11 close to the chevron groove 111, there is at least one high-pressure introduction channel 50.

[0033] The number of chevron grooves 111 (it can be set to one, or two, or more), the shape of the chevron grooves 111, and the depth of the chevron grooves 111 can be set according to actual needs. By setting the chevron grooves 111 here, it is used to provide radial bearing capacity during rotation to ensure the stability of rotation.

[0034] The number of high-pressure introduction channels 50 (it can be set to one, or two, or more), the shape of the high-pressure introduction channels 50, and the depth and length of the high-pressure introduction channels 50 can be set according to actual needs, as long as it is convenient to introduce the liquid metal into the shaft end face.

[0035] As a preferred embodiment, one end of the high-pressure introduction channel 50 is communicated with the chevron groove 111, and the other end is communicated with the shaft end face 112 of the shaft body 11.

[0036] As a preferred embodiment, there is a receiving groove 60 communicated with the high-pressure introduction channel 50 on the shaft end face 112; one end of the high-pressure introduction channel 50 close to the shaft end face 112 is arranged in the receiving groove 60.

[0037] As a preferred embodiment, the high-pressure introduction channels 50 and the receiving grooves 60 are arranged in one-to-one correspondence; one end of the high-pressure introduction channel 50 close to the chevron groove 111 is arranged at the geometric center of the chevron groove 111.

[0038] When the rotating assembly rotates relative to the shaft body, a relatively high hydrodynamic pressure is generated in the middle area (i.e., the geometric center) of each chevron groove. Therefore, the high-pressure introduction channel 50 is communicated at the geometric center of the chevron groove 111 in the bearing load area 31 to introduce the liquid metal into the shaft end face 112, so that a relatively high pressure is formed in the liquid metal between the bottom surface of the bearing sleeve and the shaft end face 112. This pressure pushes the rotating assembly to move towards the side of the anode target disc, thereby reducing the gap in the thrust seal area 32 and greatly reducing the leakage of the liquid metal through the gap, ensuring the reliability of the bearing.

[0039] As a preferred embodiment, when there are multiple high-pressure introduction channels 50, one ends of the multiple high-pressure introduction channels 50 close to the chevron groove 111 are arranged on the same circumference of the shaft body 11; the multiple receiving grooves 60 are arranged in a spiral shape.

[0040] As a preferred embodiment, the rotating assembly 20 includes a shaft sleeve 21 sleeved on one end of the shaft body 11, a sealing partition plate 22 disposed at one end of the shaft sleeve 21, and a sealing flange 23 disposed on one side of the sealing partition plate 22; the shaft sleeve 21 and the sealing flange 23 are respectively in contact with the shaft protrusion 12, and the sealing partition plate 22 is sleeved on the outside of the shaft protrusion 12; a liquid storage tank 231 communicating with the leakage suppression area 33 is provided on the inner surface of the sealing flange 23.

[0041] The number of the liquid storage tanks 231 (one, two, or more can be set), the shape of the liquid storage tanks 231, and the depth of the liquid storage tanks 231 can be set according to actual needs to facilitate the storage of the liquid metal. Through the liquid storage tank, it is convenient to store the liquid metal flowing from the thrust sealing area into the leakage suppression area and prevent the liquid metal from leaking into the vacuum environment outside the bearing.

[0042] As a preferred embodiment, the bearing load-bearing area 31 is disposed between the shaft sleeve 21 and the shaft body 11; the thrust sealing area 32 is disposed between the shaft protrusion 12 and the shaft sleeve 21, between the shaft protrusion 12 and the sealing partition plate 22, and between the shaft protrusion 12 and the sealing flange 23; the leakage suppression area 33 is disposed between the sealing flange 23 and the shaft body 11.

[0043] As Figure 5 shown in the pressure distribution diagram of the herringbone groove, when the shaft sleeve and the shaft body rotate relative to each other, a relatively high hydrodynamic pressure is generated in the middle area (i.e., the geometric center) of each herringbone groove. The pressures in several areas of the thrust sealing area 32 are approximately equal, so the forces on the entire rotating assembly in the axial direction are basically balanced.

[0044] As a preferred embodiment, the shaft sleeve 21 and the sealing partition plate 22 and the sealing partition plate 22 and the sealing flange 23 are fixedly connected by screws 70. The sealing partition plate is disposed between the shaft sleeve and the sealing flange, and the sealing partition plate is respectively in contact with the shaft sleeve and the sealing flange to form a rotating assembly.

[0045] As a preferred embodiment, the liquid metal bearing further includes a motor rotor 80, the motor rotor 80 is sleeved on the outside of the rotating assembly 20 near one end of the shaft protrusion 12, and one end of the motor rotor 80 is fixed on the shaft sleeve 21.

[0046] In the embodiment of the present application, the shaft body 11 and the shaft protrusion 12 are integrally formed. The shaft sleeve 21, the sealing partition plate 22, and the sealing flange 23 are all sleeved on the shaft body, that is, the rotating assembly 20 is sleeved on the shaft body. During use, the anode target disk 90 can be sleeved and fixed at one end of the shaft sleeve 21 away from the shaft protrusion 12.

[0047] In another aspect, an embodiment of the present utility model further provides an X-ray tube, and the X-ray tube includes the liquid metal bearing.

[0048] In this application, a chevron groove and a high-voltage introduction channel are provided on the surface of the shaft body near the bearing load-bearing area, and the chevron groove is communicated with the shaft end face through the high-voltage introduction channel, so that the liquid metal can be introduced into the shaft end face through the high-voltage introduction channel, thereby enabling the rotating assembly to move to one side under the action of pressure, further reducing the gap in the thrust seal area, avoiding the leakage of the liquid metal through the gap, and effectively improving the reliability of the X-ray tube. The structure of this application has high practicability and economy, and can be produced and used as a general-purpose product.

[0049] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "an embodiment", "an example", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present utility model. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0050] In addition, it should be understood that although this specification is described according to embodiments, not every embodiment only contains an independent technical solution. This narrative manner of the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0051] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present utility model, and do not limit the patent scope of the present utility model accordingly. All equivalent structural transformations made under the inventive concept of the present utility model by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present utility model, or directly / indirectly applied in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A liquid metal bearing, characterized in that, It includes a shaft and a rotating assembly; there is a gap between the shaft and the rotating assembly; The shaft includes a shaft body and shaft protrusions annularly arranged on the shaft body, and the rotating assembly can rotate around the shaft body; along the axial direction of the shaft body, the gap includes a bearing load-bearing area, a thrust seal area, and a leakage suppression area that are sequentially connected; liquid metal is filled in both the bearing load-bearing area and the thrust seal area; Chevron grooves are provided on the surface of the shaft body close to the bearing load-bearing area; at least one high-pressure introduction channel is provided at one end of the shaft body close to the chevron grooves.

2. The liquid metal bearing according to claim 1, wherein, One end of the high-pressure introduction channel is communicated with the chevron grooves, and the other end is communicated with the axial end face of the shaft body.

3. The liquid metal bearing according to claim 2, wherein A receiving groove communicated with the high-pressure introduction channel is provided on the axial end face; one end of the high-pressure introduction channel close to the axial end face is arranged in the receiving groove.

4. The liquid metal bearing according to claim 3, wherein, The high-pressure introduction channels are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the receiving grooves; one end of the high-pressure introduction channel close to the chevron grooves is arranged at the geometric center of the chevron grooves.

5. The liquid metal bearing according to claim 4, wherein, When there are multiple high-pressure introduction channels, one ends of the multiple high-pressure introduction channels close to the chevron grooves are arranged on the same circumference of the shaft body; the multiple receiving grooves are arranged in a spiral shape.

6. The liquid metal bearing according to claim 1, wherein The rotating assembly includes a shaft sleeve sleeved on one end of the shaft body, a sealing partition plate arranged at one end of the shaft sleeve, and a sealing flange arranged on one side of the sealing partition plate; the shaft sleeve and the sealing flange are respectively abutted against the shaft protrusions, and the sealing partition plate is sleeved outside the shaft protrusions; a liquid storage groove communicated with the leakage suppression area is provided on the inner surface of the sealing flange.

7. The liquid metal bearing according to claim 6, characterized in that The bearing load-bearing area is arranged between the shaft sleeve and the shaft body; the thrust seal area is arranged between the shaft protrusions and the shaft sleeve, between the shaft protrusions and the sealing partition plate, and between the shaft protrusions and the sealing flange; the leakage suppression area is arranged between the sealing flange and the shaft body.

8. The liquid metal bearing according to claim 6, wherein The shaft sleeve and the sealing partition plate, and between the sealing partition plate and the sealing flange are both fixedly connected by screws.

9. The liquid metal bearing according to claim 6, wherein The liquid metal bearing further includes a motor rotor, the motor rotor is sleeved on the outside of the rotating assembly close to one end of the shaft protrusions, and one end of the motor rotor is fixed on the shaft sleeve.

10. An X-ray tube, characterized in that, The X-ray tube includes the liquid metal bearing according to any one of claims 1-9.

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