Application of space technology to X-ray tube bearings

This paper describes work done to transfer technology, developed during the SP-100 Space Reactor program, to commercial applications. The SP-100 program, intended to develop a high temperature nuclear reactor power source for space applications, was jointly funded by DOE, NASA and SDI. The specific area described in this paper is the use of high temperature bearings and lubricants under vacuum conditions. The work described in this paper covers the results from the SP-100 tests and describes the application of this technology to the Varian X-ray tubes using optimized MoS₂ deposition parameters. The results of this work to date and the conclusions resulting from the endurance testing are described in detail