EP0229192A1 - X-ray tube rotor mounting - Google Patents
X-ray tube rotor mounting Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0229192A1 EP0229192A1 EP85108686A EP85108686A EP0229192A1 EP 0229192 A1 EP0229192 A1 EP 0229192A1 EP 85108686 A EP85108686 A EP 85108686A EP 85108686 A EP85108686 A EP 85108686A EP 0229192 A1 EP0229192 A1 EP 0229192A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- bearing
- anode
- envelope
- central bore
- assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J35/00—X-ray tubes
- H01J35/02—Details
- H01J35/04—Electrodes ; Mutual position thereof; Constructional adaptations therefor
- H01J35/08—Anodes; Anti cathodes
- H01J35/10—Rotary anodes; Arrangements for rotating anodes; Cooling rotary anodes
- H01J35/101—Arrangements for rotating anodes, e.g. supporting means, means for greasing, means for sealing the axle or means for shielding or protecting the driving
- H01J35/1017—Bearings for rotating anodes
- H01J35/1024—Rolling bearings
Definitions
- This invention relates to a unique mounting for rotating anode assemblies in x-ray tubes. More particularly, this invention relates to a rotating anode x-ray tube wherein the anode shaft assembly is supported by a ball bearing at each end of the supporting shaft.
- the present invention discloses a mounting for rotating anodes in an x-ray tube where the anode is mounted on a hollow assembly including a motor rotor and is supported by two bearings with one bearing secured against axial movement by a threaded fastener engaging a threaded stud projecting from an end wall of the x-ray tube envelope.
- an evacuated or vacuum-tight x-ray tube envelope 10 carries a rotating anode assembly 12 having a central bore 14. Anode 16 is carried at a point on the assembly intermediate its ends. A motor rotor 18 is carried at one end of the assembly 12. Envelope 10 is made up (in part) of an end wall 20, a set of wall laminations 22, a sleeve 24, and a rotor end plate 26. A stud or cylindrical projection 28 is secured to end wall 20. Distal end 30 of stud 28 is threaded.
- the rotor end of tube envelope 10 is preferably formed by positioning laminations 22 on sleeve 24 and casting a copper end wall 20 to retain stud 28. This results in a relatively inaccessible bearing mounting location on stud 28.
- the rotor mounting of this invention overcomes this relative inaccessibility, however, as will be later described.
- the tube envelope 10 is further made up of a cylindrical wall 32 carrying a conventional x-ray transparent window 34.
- the vacuum integrity of the tube envelope is completed by an anode end plate 36 through which an anode connector 38 and a cathode connector 40 project.
- An anode insulator 42 is mounted on end plate 36 and also forms a bearing mounting. Electrical connection to the anode is made by means of wire connector 44 which is trapped below a lip 46 of a metallic spring cup 48 which permits current to flow through a bearing 50 and a shaft 52 to anode 16. Bearing 50 is retained by a snap ring 54 on the end of shaft 52.
- Anode 16 is electrically isolated from rotor 18 by ceramic spacer 56.
- a bearing 58 is retained in rotor 18 by a snap ring 60.
- Bearing 58 and snap ring 60 are carried by a sleeve 62, which is preferably formed of Kovar to enable its attachment to the ceramic spacer 56 by brazing.
- a set of rotor laminations 64 form a squirrel cage construction with a pair of end rings 66 and a rotor balancing weight 68.
- the rotor laminations 64, end rings 66, and balancing weight 68 are carried by a rotor sleeve insert 70 which is secured to sleeve 62.
- Bearing 58 is axially positioned by a shoulder 72 on stud 28.
- a nut 74 holds bearing 58 against shoulder 72.
- Nut 74 carries a slotted cap or head 76 which is secured thereto.
- an equivalent part may be formed corresponding to nut 74 and cap 76 which has internal threads to engage threaded distal end 30 of stud 28 and further has an appropriate configuration on end 78 to receive torque delivered by a tool (such as a screw or nut driver) through bore 14.
- nut 74 is loosely inserted into the rotor end of assembly 12.
- Bearing 58 and snap ring 60 are then installed, loosely retaining nut 74.
- Assemby 12 is then loaded into tube envelope 10 which may be complete except for end plate 36 and its respectively attached parts.
- a screw driver (or other appropriate tool) is inserted through central bore 14 to engage slot 80 in cap 76.
- any appropriate configuration between a driving tool and cap 76 may be provided at end 78 to permit torque transmission from the tool to cap 76.
- Cap 76 is then threaded onto and secured to stud 28.
- end wall 36 with its associated parts is then joined with the remainder of envelope 10 in a vacuum-tight relationship, as, for example, by brazing.
- Insulator 42 engages bearing 50 providing a bearing mounting which prevents radial movement, but allows axial movement of bearing 50 to accommodate thermal expansion of assembly 12 which occurs during normal tube operation.
Landscapes
- X-Ray Techniques (AREA)
Abstract
A mounting system for securing a rotating anode (16) of an x-ray tube against axial movement locates a bearing (58) on a stud (28) projecting from a tube end wall (20) and secures the bearing (58) on the stud (28) by means of a threaded fastener (30, 74) which is accessed through a central bore (14) of the rotating anode assembly (12) prior to closure of the tube vacuum envelope (10).
Description
- This invention relates to a unique mounting for rotating anode assemblies in x-ray tubes. More particularly, this invention relates to a rotating anode x-ray tube wherein the anode shaft assembly is supported by a ball bearing at each end of the supporting shaft.
- It is important in rotating anode type x-ray tubes to positively locate the anode target axially to obtain the necessary focal spot stability.
- Conventional mounting techniques for securing the anode against axial movement while allowing rotational freedom have proven to be difficult or impossible to apply to modern tube constructions.
- One prior art technique of securing anode assemblies against axial movement provides radially disposed set screws as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,316,129.
- The prior art also teaches peening a bearing housing to secure the bearing in its respective associated parts, as is taught in U.S. Patent 4,326,144.
- Such methods and mounting structures are inapplicable to the anode mounting structure disclosed herein due to the relative inaccessibility of the area used to secure the rotor assembly.
- The present invention discloses a mounting for rotating anodes in an x-ray tube where the anode is mounted on a hollow assembly including a motor rotor and is supported by two bearings with one bearing secured against axial movement by a threaded fastener engaging a threaded stud projecting from an end wall of the x-ray tube envelope.
- The drawings show an example of an x-ray tube with features according to the present invention.
- Figure 1 is a section view of the x-ray tube showing the environment of the present invention.
- Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the rotor end of the tube of Figure 1 showing details of the present invention.
- Referring to Figure 1, an evacuated or vacuum-tight
x-ray tube envelope 10 carries a rotatinganode assembly 12 having acentral bore 14.Anode 16 is carried at a point on the assembly intermediate its ends. Amotor rotor 18 is carried at one end of theassembly 12.Envelope 10 is made up (in part) of anend wall 20, a set ofwall laminations 22, asleeve 24, and arotor end plate 26. A stud orcylindrical projection 28 is secured toend wall 20.Distal end 30 ofstud 28 is threaded. - The rotor end of
tube envelope 10 is preferably formed by positioninglaminations 22 onsleeve 24 and casting acopper end wall 20 to retainstud 28. This results in a relatively inaccessible bearing mounting location onstud 28. The rotor mounting of this invention overcomes this relative inaccessibility, however, as will be later described. - The
tube envelope 10 is further made up of acylindrical wall 32 carrying a conventional x-raytransparent window 34. The vacuum integrity of the tube envelope is completed by ananode end plate 36 through which ananode connector 38 and acathode connector 40 project. Ananode insulator 42 is mounted onend plate 36 and also forms a bearing mounting. Electrical connection to the anode is made by means ofwire connector 44 which is trapped below alip 46 of ametallic spring cup 48 which permits current to flow through abearing 50 and ashaft 52 toanode 16. Bearing 50 is retained by asnap ring 54 on the end ofshaft 52.Anode 16 is electrically isolated fromrotor 18 byceramic spacer 56. - Referring now more particularly to Figure 2, the rotor end of
tube assembly 10 androtor 18 may be seen in more detail. Abearing 58 is retained inrotor 18 by asnap ring 60. Bearing 58 andsnap ring 60 are carried by asleeve 62, which is preferably formed of Kovar to enable its attachment to theceramic spacer 56 by brazing. A set ofrotor laminations 64 form a squirrel cage construction with a pair ofend rings 66 and arotor balancing weight 68. Therotor laminations 64,end rings 66, and balancingweight 68 are carried by arotor sleeve insert 70 which is secured to sleeve 62. Bearing 58 is axially positioned by ashoulder 72 onstud 28. Anut 74 holds bearing 58 againstshoulder 72.Nut 74 carries a slotted cap orhead 76 which is secured thereto. Alternatively, an equivalent part may be formed corresponding tonut 74 andcap 76 which has internal threads to engage threadeddistal end 30 ofstud 28 and further has an appropriate configuration onend 78 to receive torque delivered by a tool (such as a screw or nut driver) throughbore 14. - To assemble this bearing mounting,
nut 74 is loosely inserted into the rotor end ofassembly 12. Bearing 58 andsnap ring 60 are then installed, loosely retainingnut 74. Assemby 12 is then loaded intotube envelope 10 which may be complete except forend plate 36 and its respectively attached parts. A screw driver (or other appropriate tool) is inserted throughcentral bore 14 to engageslot 80 incap 76. As has been mentioned, any appropriate configuration between a driving tool andcap 76 may be provided atend 78 to permit torque transmission from the tool tocap 76.Cap 76 is then threaded onto and secured tostud 28. Finally,end wall 36 with its associated parts is then joined with the remainder ofenvelope 10 in a vacuum-tight relationship, as, for example, by brazing.Insulator 42 engages bearing 50 providing a bearing mounting which prevents radial movement, but allows axial movement of bearing 50 to accommodate thermal expansion ofassembly 12 which occurs during normal tube operation.
Claims (11)
1. A rotating anode mounting for x-ray tubes comprising:
a) a double-ended rotating assembly having a central bore (14) open from end to end of said assembly (12) and carrying:
i) an x-ray target anode (16),
ii) a motor rotor (18) disposed at one end thereof and supported by a first bearing (58), and
iii) a second bearing (50) disposed at the other end thereof;
i) an x-ray target anode (16),
ii) a motor rotor (18) disposed at one end thereof and supported by a first bearing (58), and
iii) a second bearing (50) disposed at the other end thereof;
b) an x-ray tube envelope (10) having a stud (28) coaxial with said central bore (14); and
c) fastening means (74, 76) accessible through said central bore (14) to secure one of said bearings (58) to said stud (28) to prevent axial motion therebetween.
2. The mounting of Claim 1 wherein said fastening means (74, 76) secures said first bearing (58) to said stud (28).
3. The mounting of Claim 1 further comprising means (60) to secure said first bearing (58) to said rotating assembly (12) to prevent axial motion therebetween.
4. The mounting of Claim 3 further comprising means (54) to secure said second bearing (50) to said rotating assembly to prevent axial motion therebetween.
5. The mounting of Claim 4 further comprising a bearing mounting member (42) mounted on said envelope (10) and having a bore to slideably receive said second bearing (50) to permit axial motion of said second bearing (50) in said bore.
6. The mounting of Claim 5 wherein said bearing mounting member (42) comprises an insulator.
7. In an x-ray tube of the type having a bearing-mounted rotating anode assembly contained within a vacuum-tight envelope (10), the improvement comprising:
a) a hollow-central bore (14) projecting entirely through said anode assembly (16, 52, 56),
b) rotatable fastening means (74, 76) axially driving against one end of an anode supporting bearing (58) and adapted to be rotated by a tool projecting through said central bore (14) of said rotating anode assembly; and
c) a cylindrical projection (28) coaxial with said central bore (14), secured to said envelope (10), having a shoulder (72) to receive and positively locate the other end of said bearing (58), and adapted to receive said fastening means (74, 76) to secure said anode assembly from further axial motion relative to said envelope (10).
8. The improvement of Claim 7 wherein said rotatable fastening means (74, 76) and said projection (28) are threaded together.
9. In a rotating anode x-ray tube, the improvement comprising:
a) a rotating anode and rotor assembly (12) having a central bore (14) therethrough and supported for rotation by a pair of ball bearings (50, 58);
b) a vacuum-tight tube envelope (10) having a threaded stud (28) with a shoulder (72) projecting inwardly from an end wall of said envelope coaxially with said central bore (14);
c) a threaded nut (74) captured within said rotating assembly (12) and adapted to drive one of said bearings (58) onto said stud (28) by a tool projecting through said central bore (14);
whereby said anode (16) is positively positioned axially with respect to said envelope (10) by locating said driven bearing (58).
a) a rotating anode and rotor assembly (12) having a central bore (14) therethrough and supported for rotation by a pair of ball bearings (50, 58);
b) a vacuum-tight tube envelope (10) having a threaded stud (28) with a shoulder (72) projecting inwardly from an end wall of said envelope coaxially with said central bore (14);
c) a threaded nut (74) captured within said rotating assembly (12) and adapted to drive one of said bearings (58) onto said stud (28) by a tool projecting through said central bore (14);
whereby said anode (16) is positively positioned axially with respect to said envelope (10) by locating said driven bearing (58).
10. The improvement of Claim 9 wherein said nut (74) has a slotted head (76) to receive torque.
11. The improvement of Claim 9 further comprising a bearing (58) mounted secured to said tube envelope (10) and adapted to allow axial movement the other of said bearings (50).
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US06/546,616 US4545064A (en) | 1983-10-28 | 1983-10-28 | X-ray tube rotor mounting |
EP85108686A EP0229192A1 (en) | 1985-07-11 | 1985-07-11 | X-ray tube rotor mounting |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP85108686A EP0229192A1 (en) | 1985-07-11 | 1985-07-11 | X-ray tube rotor mounting |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0229192A1 true EP0229192A1 (en) | 1987-07-22 |
Family
ID=8193615
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP85108686A Withdrawn EP0229192A1 (en) | 1983-10-28 | 1985-07-11 | X-ray tube rotor mounting |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0229192A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0319244A2 (en) * | 1987-11-30 | 1989-06-07 | Theratronics International Limited | Air cooled metal ceramic x-ray tube construction |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2216888A (en) * | 1939-07-19 | 1940-10-08 | Machlett Lab Inc | X-ray tube |
US3758801A (en) * | 1972-05-22 | 1973-09-11 | Machlett Lab Inc | Cylindrical target x-ray tube |
DE2748069A1 (en) * | 1977-10-26 | 1979-05-03 | Braun M Gmbh | Rotating anode unit in X=ray generator - has hollow anode held between two half-shafts supplying and evacuating coolant |
FR2439476A1 (en) * | 1978-10-16 | 1980-05-16 | Philips Nv | RONTGEN TUBE PROVIDED WITH A ROTATING ANODE |
FR2453498A1 (en) * | 1979-04-03 | 1980-10-31 | Siemens Ag | ROTATING ANODE FOR X-RAY TUBE |
US4316129A (en) * | 1977-11-02 | 1982-02-16 | The Machlett Laboratories, Incorporated | X-Ray tube control system |
US4519093A (en) * | 1980-08-19 | 1985-05-21 | Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Rotary anode X-ray tube |
-
1985
- 1985-07-11 EP EP85108686A patent/EP0229192A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2216888A (en) * | 1939-07-19 | 1940-10-08 | Machlett Lab Inc | X-ray tube |
US3758801A (en) * | 1972-05-22 | 1973-09-11 | Machlett Lab Inc | Cylindrical target x-ray tube |
DE2748069A1 (en) * | 1977-10-26 | 1979-05-03 | Braun M Gmbh | Rotating anode unit in X=ray generator - has hollow anode held between two half-shafts supplying and evacuating coolant |
US4316129A (en) * | 1977-11-02 | 1982-02-16 | The Machlett Laboratories, Incorporated | X-Ray tube control system |
FR2439476A1 (en) * | 1978-10-16 | 1980-05-16 | Philips Nv | RONTGEN TUBE PROVIDED WITH A ROTATING ANODE |
FR2453498A1 (en) * | 1979-04-03 | 1980-10-31 | Siemens Ag | ROTATING ANODE FOR X-RAY TUBE |
US4519093A (en) * | 1980-08-19 | 1985-05-21 | Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Rotary anode X-ray tube |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0319244A2 (en) * | 1987-11-30 | 1989-06-07 | Theratronics International Limited | Air cooled metal ceramic x-ray tube construction |
EP0319244A3 (en) * | 1987-11-30 | 1989-09-13 | Medical Electronic Imaging Corporation | Air cooled metal ceramic x-ray tube construction |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6242830B1 (en) | Motor | |
EP0732724B1 (en) | Rotary cathode x-ray tube equipment | |
US4545064A (en) | X-ray tube rotor mounting | |
EP0351225A3 (en) | A bearing assembly for a rotating anode X-ray tube device | |
EP1292964B1 (en) | Drive assembly for an x-ray tube having a rotating anode | |
EP0138042B2 (en) | Thermally compensated x-ray tube bearings | |
US5838763A (en) | X-ray tube with a plain bearing | |
JPS60160552A (en) | X-ray tube with spiral groove bearing | |
US5654999A (en) | Liquid metal plain bearing | |
US7248673B2 (en) | Integrated component mounting system | |
US4413356A (en) | Flat rotary-anode X-ray tube | |
EP0229192A1 (en) | X-ray tube rotor mounting | |
US4870283A (en) | Electric multipole lens | |
US4969172A (en) | X-ray tube rotor structure | |
US3956653A (en) | Rotating anode X-ray tube | |
US4866748A (en) | Rotor structure brazed joint | |
JP2966279B2 (en) | Method for producing rotary anode type X-ray tube | |
JP2001216928A (en) | X-ray tube | |
JPH07114543B2 (en) | Electric retarder for vehicles | |
US5592525A (en) | Method for making a rotating anode with an integral shaft | |
US5303280A (en) | Large diameter anode X-ray tube with reinforced support | |
US5345492A (en) | Rotating anode x-ray tube | |
EP2269209B1 (en) | Ball bearing design temperature compensating x-ray tube bearing | |
EP0055828A2 (en) | X-ray tube having a unitary target, stem and rotor hub | |
US6157702A (en) | X-ray tube targets with reduced heat transfer |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB LI NL |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19870801 |