Loading patent…
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsEdward Emaci, Ian Strider Hunt, Alexander Ryan, Michael Gorrilla
Estimating the term…
A structure and method of operation of a journal bearing is disclosed that minimizes contact of the shaft with the sleeve during start up and slow down of the rotation of the shaft relative to the sleeve, or vice versa. The bearing assembly includes a gravitational load reduction mechanism with magnets disposed on the sleeve and on the shaft in alignment with one another. The magnet(s) on the shaft interacts with the magnet(s) disposed on the sleeve to provide a force against the pressure of the shaft towards the sleeve generated by gravity acting on the rotating component. The magnets enable centering of the rotating component within the stationary component during low rotation and non-rotation. This prevents rubbing of the rotating journal bearing component surfaces, e.g., sleeve, against the stationary journal bearing component, e.g., shaft, during assembly, ramp-up, and coast-down when the journal bearing fluid provides minimal or no bearing centering capability.
A gravitational load reducing mechanism for an x-ray tube bearing assembly, the load reducing mechanism comprising at least one magnet disposed on one of a rotating component of the bearing assembly or a stationary component of the bearing assembly, wherein the at least one magnet is configured to create a magnetic force in conjunction with another portion of the bearing assembly to reduce the gravitational load of the rotating component relative to the stationary component.
An x-ray tube comprising:
A method for maintaining the position of a rotating component relative to a stationary component in a journal assembly of an x-ray tube, the method comprising the steps of:
A method for maintaining the position of a rotating component relative to a stationary component in a journal assembly of an x-ray tube, the method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.