Method And Apparatus For Reducing Wear Of Hydrodynamic Bearing

An x-ray tube comprising:

• a cathode assembly;
• and
• an anode assembly spaced from the cathode assembly, wherein the anode assembly comprises:
• a sleeve including a magnetic portion and defining a radial cavity defined in part by a pair of opposed radial surfaces;
• a shaft rotatably disposed within the sleeve and including a thrust flange located within the radial cavity and having a pair of thrust surfaces adjacent the pair of radial surfaces;
• an electromagnet spaced from the magnetic portion of the sleeve and operable to exert a force on the magnetic portion of the sleeve;
• and
• an anode target operably connected to the sleeve.

A method for reducing wear on a bearing assembly within an x-ray tube, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an x-ray tube comprising:
• a cathode assembly;
• and
• an anode assembly spaced from the cathode assembly, wherein the anode assembly comprises:
• a sleeve including a magnetic portion and defining a radial cavity defined in part by a pair of opposed radial surfaces;
• a shaft rotatably disposed within the sleeve and including a thrust flange located within the radial cavity and having a pair of thrust surfaces adjacent the pair of radial surfaces;
• an electromagnet spaced from the magnetic portion of the sleeve and operable to exert a force on the magnetic portion of the sleeve;
• and
• an anode target operably connected to the sleeve;
• and
• energizing the electromagnet to move one of the radial surfaces into engagement with an adjacent thrust surface.