Liquid metal bearing with heat dissipation channel and X-ray tube
By incorporating heat-conducting components and coolant channels within the liquid metal bearing, the problems of bearing thermal deformation and corrosion were solved, resulting in higher reliability and lifespan, and improved X-ray tube performance.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing liquid metal bearings absorb heat radiated from the anode assembly during operation, leading to thermal deformation and metal corrosion, which affects the bearing's lifespan.
A heat-conducting component is installed inside the shaft body, and a coolant inflow channel and an outflow channel are provided on the heat-conducting component. The coolant absorbs the heat of the bearing assembly, and the heat exchange area is increased and the flow rate is reduced through the spiral channel to improve the cooling effect.
It effectively reduces the temperature of bearing assemblies, improves bearing reliability and lifespan, and enhances the performance and reliability of X-ray tubes.
Smart Images
Figure CN224064721U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of X-ray tube technology, and in particular to a liquid metal bearing with a heat dissipation channel and an X-ray tube. Background Technology
[0002] The rotating anode X-ray tube is one of the core components of a CT imaging diagnostic system, and its performance parameters directly affect the accuracy and imaging rate of CT images. The X-ray tube mainly consists of several parts, including the electron gun assembly, the anode target disk assembly, and the tube shell assembly. Among these, the bearing in the anode target disk assembly is a critical component, directly affecting the performance parameters, reliability, and lifespan of the X-ray tube.
[0003] Currently, high-performance X-ray tubes typically utilize liquid metal sliding bearing structures. Liquid metal sliding bearings mainly consist of a rotating assembly and a fixed shaft component, with liquid metal serving as the lubricating medium filling the gap between them. The liquid metal is generally composed of gallium, indium, tin, or alloys of these metals. These alloys are typically liquid at room temperature and have a relatively low saturated vapor pressure at operating temperatures, making them suitable for X-ray tubes requiring a high vacuum environment. During X-ray generation, the anode target disk is struck by the electron beam, and the portion along the circular path is heated to extremely high temperatures. X-ray generation typically results in the anode assembly being heated to temperatures of 1200°C to 1400°C. During X-ray tube operation, the anode assembly is passively cooled using oil or other coolants flowing within the casing. However, some of the heat radiated from the anode assembly is also absorbed by the rotor and bearing assembly, subjecting the bearing assembly to extremely high temperatures, leading to significant thermal deformation and increased corrosion of the contact metal by the liquid metal, thus affecting the bearing's lifespan. Utility Model Content
[0004] Based on this, the present invention provides a liquid metal bearing and an X-ray tube with a heat dissipation channel, aiming to solve the problem that existing liquid metal bearings absorb some of the heat radiated from the anode assembly during operation, resulting in thermal deformation and metal corrosion, which affects the service life of the bearing.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, on the one hand, this utility model provides a liquid metal bearing with a heat dissipation channel, including a shaft, a rotating assembly, and a heat-conducting component; a gap is provided between the shaft and the rotating assembly; the shaft includes a shaft body and a shaft protrusion annularly disposed on the shaft body, and the rotating assembly is rotatable around the shaft body; the shaft body is sleeved on the outside of the heat-conducting component;
[0006] The heat-conducting component includes a heat-conducting body, a coolant inflow channel, and at least one coolant outflow channel; the coolant inflow channel is disposed through the heat-conducting body, the coolant outflow channel is disposed on the outer surface of the heat-conducting body, and the coolant outflow channel abuts against the inner surface of the shaft body.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the coolant outlet channel is a spiral channel; one end of the coolant inflow channel abuts against the inner surface of the shaft body. The spiral channel design significantly increases the heat exchange area of the coolant and reduces its flow rate, effectively increasing the coolant's residence time inside the shaft. This allows for better heat absorption, reducing the temperature of the liquid metal bearing, especially its bearing load area, thereby effectively improving bearing reliability.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment, multiple coolant outflow channels are provided, and the multiple coolant outflow channels are equally spaced on the outer surface of the heat-conducting body.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the heat-conducting body and the shaft body are configured with an interference fit; one end of the heat-conducting body protrudes from the shaft body.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the heat-conducting body is a heat-conducting body made of a material with high thermal conductivity; the material with high thermal conductivity is copper.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, along the axial direction of the shaft body, the gap includes a bearing bearing area, a thrust sealing area, and a leakage suppression area that are connected in sequence; both the bearing bearing area and the thrust sealing area are filled with liquid metal; a herringbone groove is provided on the surface of the shaft body near the bearing bearing area.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the rotating assembly includes a bushing fitted onto one end of the shaft body, a sealing partition disposed at one end of the bushing, and a sealing flange disposed on one side of the sealing partition; the bushing and the sealing flange respectively abut against the shaft protrusion, and the sealing partition is fitted onto the outer side of the shaft protrusion; the inner surface of the sealing flange is provided with a liquid storage tank communicating with the leakage suppression zone.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the bearing bearing area is disposed between the bushing and the shaft body; the thrust sealing area is disposed between the shaft protrusion and the bushing, between the shaft protrusion and the sealing partition, and between the shaft protrusion and the sealing flange; and the leakage suppression area is disposed between the sealing flange and the shaft body.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the bushing and the sealing partition, as well as the sealing partition and the sealing flange, are fixedly connected by screws.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the liquid metal bearing further includes a motor rotor, which is sleeved on the outside of the rotating assembly near the shaft end, and one end of the motor rotor is fixed to the bushing.
[0016] On the other hand, embodiments of this application also provide an X-ray tube, the X-ray tube including the liquid metal bearing with heat dissipation channels.
[0017] The beneficial effects achieved by this utility model are as follows: By incorporating a heat-conducting component within the shaft body and providing coolant inflow and outflow channels on the heat-conducting component, the coolant can effectively absorb heat from the bearing assembly during its entry and exit from the heat-conducting component, thereby rapidly reducing the temperature of the bearing assembly and effectively improving the reliability of the liquid metal bearing and X-ray tube. This structure is highly practical and economical, and can be manufactured and used as a general-purpose product. Attached Figure Description
[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a liquid metal bearing with a heat dissipation channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the exploded structure of a liquid metal bearing with heat dissipation channels;
[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a liquid metal bearing with heat dissipation channels (connected to an anode target disk);
[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the heat-conducting component;
[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the heat-conducting component.
[0024] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation
[0025] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not 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 effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0026] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, top, bottom, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.
[0027] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.
[0028] It should be noted that when a component is described as "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intervening component. When a component is described as "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component.
[0029] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. If the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.
[0030] Specifically, on the one hand, such as Figures 1 to 5As shown, this utility model embodiment provides a liquid metal bearing with a heat dissipation channel, including a shaft 10, a rotating assembly 20, and a heat-conducting element 30; a gap 40 is provided between the shaft 10 and the rotating assembly 20; the shaft 10 includes a shaft body 11 and a shaft protrusion 12 circumferentially disposed on the shaft body 11, and the rotating assembly 20 is rotatable around the shaft body 11; the shaft body 11 is sleeved on the outside of the heat-conducting element 30;
[0031] The heat-conducting component 30 includes a heat-conducting body 31, a coolant inflow channel 32, and at least one coolant outflow channel 33; the coolant inflow channel 32 is disposed through the heat-conducting body 31, the coolant outflow channel 33 is disposed on the outer surface of the heat-conducting body 31, and the coolant outflow channel 33 abuts against the inner surface of the shaft body 11.
[0032] As a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the coolant outflow channel 33 is a spiral channel; one end of the coolant inflow channel 32 abuts against the inner surface of the shaft body 11. The coolant inflow channel and the coolant outflow channel are connected, and the coolant outflow channel 33 is set as a spiral channel, which can significantly increase the heat exchange area of the coolant and reduce the flow rate of the coolant, and can effectively increase the residence time of the coolant inside the shaft, thereby better absorbing heat and reducing the temperature of the liquid metal bearing, especially its bearing load area, thereby effectively improving the reliability of the bearing.
[0033] In this application, the coolant inflow channel and the coolant outflow channel are adapted to each other (including the depth, width and volume of coolant contained in the channel are adapted to each other), and the heat-conducting body is uniformly arranged (i.e. the size and aperture of the entire heat-conducting body are the same). In this way, the temperature drop of the entire bearing can be kept consistent, effectively avoiding the impact of local high temperature on the performance of the entire bearing.
[0034] For a preferred embodiment, please refer again. Figure 4 Multiple coolant outflow channels 33 are provided, and these channels are equally spaced on the outer surface of the heat-conducting body 31. This arrangement can further increase the heat exchange area of the coolant and reduce the coolant flow rate, and effectively increase the residence time of the coolant inside the shaft, thereby better absorbing heat and reducing the temperature of the liquid metal bearing, especially its bearing load area, thus effectively improving the reliability of the bearing.
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the heat-conducting body 31 is interference-fitted with the shaft body 11; one end of the heat-conducting body 31 protrudes from the shaft body 11. This facilitates the installation and removal of the heat-conducting component 30, making the assembly and disassembly of the heat-conducting component 30 convenient and quick.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the heat-conducting body 31 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity; the material with high thermal conductivity is copper. In this application, the material of the heat-conducting body 31 can be selected according to actual needs, as long as it can meet the heat conduction function.
[0037] As a preferred embodiment, such as Figures 2 to 3 As shown, along the axial direction of the shaft body 11, the gap 40 includes a bearing bearing area 41, a thrust sealing area 42, and a leakage suppression area 43 connected in sequence; liquid metal 50 is poured into both the bearing bearing area 41 and the thrust sealing area 42; a herringbone groove 111 is provided on the surface of the shaft body 11 near the bearing bearing area 41.
[0038] The number of herringbone grooves 111 (one, two, or more), the shape of the herringbone grooves 111, and the depth of the herringbone grooves 111 can be set according to actual needs. By setting the herringbone grooves 111 here, radial bearing capacity is provided during rotation, ensuring rotational stability.
[0039] As a preferred embodiment, such as Figures 2 to 3 As shown, the rotating assembly 20 includes a bushing 21 sleeved on one end of the shaft body 11, a sealing partition 22 disposed on one end of the bushing 21, and a sealing flange 23 disposed on one side of the sealing partition 22; the bushing 21 and the sealing flange 23 respectively abut against the shaft protrusion 12, and the sealing partition 22 is sleeved on the outside of the shaft protrusion 12; the inner surface of the sealing flange 23 is provided with a liquid storage tank 231 communicating with the leakage suppression zone 43.
[0040] The number of liquid storage tanks 231 (one, two, or more), 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 liquid metal. The liquid storage tanks 231 facilitate the storage of liquid metal flowing from the thrust sealing area into the leakage suppression area, preventing liquid metal from leaking into the vacuum environment outside the bearing.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the bearing bearing area 41 is disposed between the bushing 21 and the shaft body 11; the thrust sealing area 42 is disposed between the shaft protrusion 12 and the bushing 21, between the shaft protrusion 12 and the sealing partition 22, and between the shaft protrusion 12 and the sealing flange 23; and the leakage suppression area 43 is disposed between the sealing flange 23 and the shaft body 11.
[0042] When the bushing 21 rotates relative to the shaft body 11, a high hydrodynamic pressure is generated in the middle region (i.e., the geometric center) of each herringbone groove 111. The pressure in several regions of the thrust sealing area is approximately equal, so the entire rotating assembly is basically balanced in the axial direction.
[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the bushing 21 and the sealing partition 22, as well as the sealing partition 22 and the sealing flange 23, are fixedly connected by screws 60. The sealing partition 22 is disposed between the bushing 21 and the sealing flange 23, and the sealing partition 22 abuts against the bushing 21 and the sealing flange 23 respectively to form a rotating assembly.
[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the liquid metal bearing further includes a motor rotor 70, which is sleeved on the outer side of the rotating assembly 20 near the shaft protrusion 12, and one end of the motor rotor 70 is fixed to the bushing 21.
[0045] In this embodiment, the shaft body 11 and the axle protrusion 12 are integrally formed. The bushing 21, the sealing partition 22, and the sealing flange 23 are all fitted onto the shaft body 11, that is, the rotating assembly 20 is fitted onto the shaft body 11. In use, the anode target disk 80 is fitted and fixed to the end of the bushing 21 away from the axle protrusion 12.
[0046] On the other hand, embodiments of this application also provide an X-ray tube, the X-ray tube including the liquid metal bearing with heat dissipation channels.
[0047] When the X-ray tube is working, the anode target disk 80 generates a large amount of heat, which is transferred to the bushing and liquid metal through radiation or heat conduction. For example... Figure 3 As shown (see the coolant inflow and outflow arrows), the coolant at a lower temperature enters the heat-conducting body through the coolant inflow channel and then flows out through the coolant outflow channel, thereby carrying away the heat from the bushing and liquid metal and achieving an effective cooling effect.
[0048] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "an embodiment," "example," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.
[0049] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style of the specification is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider 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.
[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. All equivalent structural transformations made under the inventive concept of the present utility model using the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A liquid metal bearing having a heat dissipation channel, characterized in that, The application relates to a liquid metal bearing with a heat dissipation channel. The heat dissipation channel comprises a heat conduction body, a coolant inflow channel and at least one coolant outflow channel.
2. The liquid metal bearing with heat dissipation channels of claim 1, wherein, The coolant outflow channel is a spiral channel.
3. The liquid metal bearing with heat dissipation channels of claim 2, wherein, The coolant outflow channel is provided with a plurality of channels which are arranged at equal intervals on the outer surface of the heat conduction body.
4. The liquid metal bearing with heat dissipation channels of claim 1, wherein, The heat conduction body is arranged in interference fit with the shaft body.
5. The liquid metal bearing with heat dissipation channels of claim 1, wherein, In the axial direction of the shaft body, the gap comprises a bearing bearing area, a thrust seal area and a leakage suppression area which are sequentially connected.
6. The liquid metal bearing with heat dissipation channels of claim 5, wherein, The rotating assembly comprises a shaft sleeve arranged on one end of the shaft body, a sealing partition plate arranged on one end of the shaft sleeve and a sealing flange arranged on one side of the sealing partition plate.
7. The liquid metal bearing with heat dissipation channels of claim 6, wherein, The shaft sleeve, the sealing flange and the sealing partition plate are in abutment with the shaft protrusion.
8. The liquid metal bearing with heat dissipation channels of claim 6, wherein, The bearing bearing area is arranged between the shaft sleeve and the shaft body.
9. The liquid metal bearing with heat dissipation channels of claim 6, wherein, The thrust seal 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.
10. An X-ray tube, characterized by The leakage suppression area is arranged between the sealing flange and the shaft body. The shaft sleeve and the sealing partition plate and the sealing partition plate and the sealing flange are fixedly connected through screws. The liquid metal bearing further comprises a motor rotor which is arranged on the outer side of one end of the rotating assembly close to the shaft protrusion and one end of the motor rotor is fixed to the shaft sleeve. The X-ray tube comprises the liquid metal bearing with a heat dissipation channel according to any one of claims 1 to 9.