US 11,676,791 B2
X-ray tube liquid metal bearing structure for reducing trapped gases
Ian Strider Hunt, Sussex, WI (US); and Andrew Thomas Cross, Waterford, NY (US)
Assigned to GE Precision Healthcare LLC, Wauwatosa, WI (US)
Filed by GE Precision Healthcare LLC, Wauwatosa, WI (US)
Filed on Feb. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/181,303.
Prior Publication US 2022/0270843 A1, Aug. 25, 2022
Int. Cl. H01J 35/02 (2006.01); F16C 17/10 (2006.01); F16C 33/10 (2006.01)
CPC H01J 35/02 (2013.01) [F16C 17/102 (2013.01); F16C 33/1065 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bearing assembly for an X-ray tube, the bearing assembly comprising:
a shaft;
a sleeve disposed around the shaft, wherein one of the shaft and the sleeve is rotatable with regard to the other to form a rotating component and a stationary component;
a lubricating fluid disposed between the shaft and the sleeve within a gap between the sleeve and the shaft; and
at least one vent groove disposed on the stationary component.