Patent ID: 8523448

Claim:
An X-ray tube bearing comprising: an outer housing including an axial bore therein; a shaft at least partially received within the axial bore; a first outer ring positioned within the axial bore and surrounding a first portion of the shaft; a first plurality of rolling elements positioned between the first outer ring and the first portion of the shaft for rotatably supporting the first portion of the shaft relative to the first outer ring; a second outer ring at least partially received within the axial bore and surrounding a second portion of the shaft, the second outer ring including a radially outwardly extending flange engaged with the outer housing to limit the extent to which the second outer ring is received within the axial bore; a second plurality of rolling elements positioned between the second outer ring and the second portion of the shaft for rotatably supporting the second portion of the shaft relative to the second outer ring; a first biasing member biasing the flange into engagement with the outer housing; and a second biasing member positioned within the axial bore for exerting an axial preload force between the first and second outer rings.