General Electric Company
Method and apparatus for reducing wear of hydrodynamic bearing

Abstract:

A hydrodynamic or liquid metal or bearing structure for an x-ray tube and associated process for operating the bearing structure is provided that includes a bearing shaft rotatably disposed in a bearing housing or sleeve. Adjacent but separated by a gap from the portion of the sleeve enclosing the thrust flange is located an electromagnet. The electromagnet can be selectively operated in order to exert a magnetic force upon a permanent magnet disposed within the sleeve on the opposite side of the gap. The force exerted on the permanent magnet in the sleeve causes the sleeve to move axially along the shaft, such that the sleeve can engage one side of the thrust flange, landing the sleeve against the thrust bearing/surface to greatly reduce the wear on the sleeve as the sleeve rotation slows.