Rotary anode x-ray tube starter device

Abstract

To provide a starter device and an inspection method for easily determining the existence of a failure without adding a new circuit.SOLUTION: A starter device according to the present invention is connected to a winding portion 200 of a rotary anode X-ray tube having a main coil terminal 19, a sub-coil terminal 20, and a common terminal 18, and includes a terminal portion having a first terminal 12, a second terminal 13, and a third terminal 14 respectively connected to the common terminal 18, the main coil terminal 19, and the sub-coil terminal 20, a power supply device 50 that supplies power to a main coil 21 and a sub-coil 22 via the terminal portion, and a control circuit 30 that causes the power supply device 50 to perform a first operation of supplying a direct current from the first terminal 12 and a second operation of supplying a direct current from the second terminal 13 and the third terminal 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a starter device connected to a rotating anode X-ray tube and an inspection method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] The starter device and the rotating anode X-ray tube are connected by three wires. If these wires are broken or wired incorrectly, the rotating anode will not rotate normally, and there is a risk that the X-ray tube will be damaged during X-ray exposure. Typically, starter devices are equipped with an output current detection circuit and a function to detect wire breaks. Furthermore, there are also starter devices that are equipped with a function to check for incorrect wiring (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-297894 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The starter device of Patent Document 1 has a new resistance detection circuit to check for miswiring, which makes it difficult to reduce the size and cost of the starter device. Also, even if the starter device of Patent Document 1 detects an abnormality, it is difficult to determine whether the abnormality is due to miswiring or an internal malfunction of the starter device.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a starter device and an inspection method that do not require the addition of a new circuit and that make it easy to determine whether a malfunction exists. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the starter device of the present invention utilizes a conventional current detection circuit for determining whether a wire has been broken, and identifies the defective location from the results when a DC current is passed through a rotating anode X-ray tube in one direction and the results when a DC current is passed through the rotating anode X-ray tube in the other direction.

[0007] Specifically, the starter device according to the present invention is a starter device connected to a rotating anode X-ray tube, the starter device having a main coil, a sub-coil, a main coil terminal connected to one end of the main coil, a sub-coil terminal connected to one end of the sub-coil, and a common terminal connected to both the other end of the main coil and the other end of the sub-coil, a terminal portion having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal to be connected to the common terminal, the main coil terminal, and the sub-coil terminal, respectively; a power supply device that supplies power to the main coil and the sub coil via the terminal portion; a current detection circuit for detecting the currents flowing through the main coil and the sub-coil; a control circuit that causes the power supply device to perform a first operation of supplying a direct current from the first terminal and a second operation of supplying a direct current from the second terminal and the third terminal; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0008] The starter device according to the present invention does not increase in cost or size because it detects the current values ​​of the main coil and sub coil by passing current in the forward and reverse directions using a current detection circuit for determining whether a wire has been broken and then identifies the location of the abnormality from the current values. Therefore, the present invention can provide a starter device and inspection method that does not require the addition of a new circuit and that makes it easy to determine the presence of a malfunction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention can provide a starter device and an inspection method that can easily determine the presence of a defect without adding a new circuit. In other words, according to the present invention, a function for checking for faulty wiring can be realized by utilizing a circuit that detects wire breaks without adding a new circuit to a conventional starter device, thereby preventing damage to the X-ray tube due to faulty wiring. Furthermore, it is possible to determine whether the abnormality is in the wiring or in the power supply of the starter device without adding a separate circuit, allowing for quick response in the event of an abnormality. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a starter device according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the starter device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the starter device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the starter device according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the starter device according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the starter device according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the starter device according to the present invention. [Figure 8] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the starter device according to the present invention. [Figure 9] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the starter device according to the present invention. [Figure 10] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the starter device according to the present invention. [Figure 11] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the starter device according to the present invention. [Figure 12] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the starter device according to the present invention. [Figure 13] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the starter device according to the present invention. [Figure 14] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an inspection method according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiments described below are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments. In this specification and the drawings, components having the same reference numerals are intended to represent the same components.

[0012] 1 is a diagram illustrating a starter device 100 according to this embodiment. The starter device 100 is connected to a winding section 200 of a rotating anode X-ray tube, which has a main coil 21, a sub-coil 22, a main coil terminal 19 connected to one end of the main coil, a sub-coil terminal 20 connected to one end of the sub-coil, and a common terminal 18 connected to both the other end of the main coil and the other end of the sub-coil. Each coil of the winding section 200 is used to drive the rotating anode of the X-ray tube.

[0013] The starter device 100 includes: a terminal section having a first terminal 12, a second terminal 13, and a third terminal 14 for connection to a common terminal 18, a main coil terminal 19, and a sub-coil terminal 20, respectively; a power supply device 50 that supplies power to the main coil 21 and the sub coil 22 via the terminal portion; current detection circuits (10, 11) for detecting the currents flowing through the main coil 21 and the sub-coil 22, respectively; a control circuit 30 that causes the power supply device 50 to perform a first operation of supplying a direct current from a first terminal 12 and a second operation of supplying a direct current from a second terminal 13 and a third terminal 14; Equipped with.

[0014] In this embodiment, the power supply device 50 is described as an inverter in which six switching elements (4 to 9) are connected in a three-phase bridge configuration, but the configuration of the power supply device is not limited to this configuration. The starter device 100 and the winding section 200 of the rotating anode X-ray tube are connected by wiring 60 made up of three cables (15, 16, 17). The starter device 100 uses switching elements (4 to 9) to supply power to the main coil 21 and the sub-coil 22, causing the rotating anode to rotate. The starter device 100 monitors the current and includes a main current detection circuit 10 and a sub-current detection circuit 11 for detecting breaks in the cables (15 to 17).

[0015] The control circuit 30 performs the following two-stage operation to determine whether the wiring 60 is broken or incorrectly wired and whether the power supply device 50 is faulty. [First operation] The common upper arm switching element 4, the main lower arm switching element 7, and the sub lower arm switching element 9 are simultaneously turned on (ON). All other switching elements are turned off. In this operation, DC current is supplied from the DC power supply 3 to the winding section 200 of the rotating anode X-ray tube via the first terminal 12. [Second operation] The common lower arm switching element 5, the main upper arm switching element 6, and the sub upper arm switching element 8 are simultaneously turned on. The other switching elements are turned off. In this operation, a DC current is supplied from the DC power supply 3 to the winding portion 200 of the rotating anode X-ray tube via the second terminal 13 and the third terminal 14.

[0016] It is preferable to turn on and off the switching element (4 or 5) to make the DC current a pulse waveform. This can prevent the coils (21, 22) from being damaged by the DC current flowing for a long time. In this specification, the term "pulse waveform" refers to a waveform in which sudden changes occur continuously in a short period of time, such as a square wave, a triangular wave, or a sine wave.

[0017] The control circuit 30 determines the connectivity between the common terminal 18, the main coil terminal 19, and the sub-coil terminal 20 and the terminal sections (first terminal 12, second terminal 13, third terminal 14) and the quality of the power supply device 50 based on the current values ​​detected by the current detection circuits (10, 11) during the first and second operations. In this specification, "connectivity" refers to whether the wiring connections between the above terminals are correct or whether there are any breaks. In addition, in this specification, "determining the quality of the power supply device" refers to determining whether the switching elements of the power supply device are normal or faulty.

[0018] If the wiring 60 is connected correctly and the power supply device 50 is not faulty, a current will flow in the first operation as shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 2 and subsequent figures, the "+" mark indicates that the potential is the same as the potential on the positive side of the DC power supply 3, and the "-" mark indicates that the potential is the same as the potential on the negative side of the DC power supply 3 (ground). A current flows through the main coil 21 along the current path "3 → 4 → 12 → 15 → 18 → 21 → 19 → 16 → 13 → 10 → 7 → 3." This current is detected by the main current detection circuit 10. Further, a current flows through the sub-coil 22 along the current path "3 → 4 → 12 → 15 → 18 → 22 → 20 → 17 → 14 → 11 → 9 → 3." This current is detected by the sub-current detection circuit 11.

[0019] If the wiring 60 is properly connected and the power supply device 50 is not faulty, a current will flow as shown in FIG. 3 in the second operation. A current flows through the main coil 21 along the current path "3 → 6 → 10 → 13 → 16 → 19 → 21 → 18 → 15 → 12 → 5 → 3." This current is detected by the main current detection circuit 10. Further, a current flows through the sub-coil 22 along the current path "3 → 8 → 11 → 14 → 17 → 20 → 22 → 18 → 15 → 12 → 5 → 3." This current is detected by the sub-current detection circuit 11.

[0020] In both the first and second operations, the impedance of the main coil 21 is smaller than the impedance of the sub-coil 22, and therefore the current flowing through the main coil 21 is larger than the current flowing through the sub-coil 22. Therefore, the current value detected by the main current detection circuit 10 is larger than the current value detected by the sub-current detection circuit 11.

[0021] Therefore, the control circuit 30 (a) The value of the current flowing through the main coil 21 is not zero; (b) the value of the current flowing through the sub-coil 22 is not zero; and (c) The current value flowing through the main coil 21 is greater than the current value flowing through the sub-coil 22. When the above three conditions are met, it is judged as normal, and when the above three conditions are not met, it is judged as abnormal. The control circuit 30 then determines whether the connectivity of the wiring 60 and the quality of the power supply device 50 are good or bad based on a combination of the determination results of the first operation and the determination results of the second operation.

[0022] If any of the common wiring 15, main wiring 16, and sub-wiring 17 is broken, either or both of the detected values ​​in the main current detection circuit 10 and sub-current detection circuit 11 will be zero. Furthermore, if there is an abnormality in which the switching elements (4, 7, 9) or the switching elements (5, 6, 8) are not conducting, this will be the same as if the wiring 60 were broken, so that a failure in the power supply device 50 can also be detected.

[0023] There are five types of miswiring that can occur when the wiring 60 is connected incorrectly, and all of these can be detected by simultaneously turning on (ON) the switching elements (4, 7, 9) and turning off the other switching elements in the first operation. However, since only the switching elements (4, 7, 9) are used in the first operation, it is not possible to detect a fault in the switching elements (5, 6, 8). Therefore, following the first operation, a second operation is performed in which the switching elements (5, 6, 8) are simultaneously turned on (ON) and the other switching elements are turned off, and the switching elements (5, 6, 8) are inspected. If there is a wiring error in the first and second operations, the following results will occur.

[0024] (Miswired 1) 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the state of the current when the common wiring 15 and the main wiring 16 are incorrectly connected. Fig. 4 shows the first operation, and Fig. 5 shows the second operation. In the first operation of FIG. 4, current flows through the main coil 21 along the current path "3 → 4 → 12 → 15 → 19 → 21 → 18 → 16 → 13 → 10 → 7 → 3." This current is detected by the main current detection circuit 10. However, because both ends of the sub-coil 22 are at the same potential (negative potential), no current flows through the sub-coil 22. Therefore, no current flows through the sub-current detection circuit 11 either, and the current value is zero. Seeing this result, the operator determines that an abnormality has occurred. Note that, if automatic determination is to be made, the control circuit 30 determines that an abnormality has occurred.

[0025] In the second operation of Figure 5, current flows through the main coil 21 along the current path "3 → 6 → 10 → 13 → 16 → 18 → 21 → 19 → 15 → 12 → 5 → 3." This current is detected by the main current detection circuit 10. However, because both ends of the sub-coil 22 are at the same potential (positive potential), no current flows through the sub-coil 22. Therefore, no current flows through the sub-current detection circuit 11 either, and the current value is zero. Seeing this result, the operator determines that an abnormality has occurred. Note that, if automatic determination is to be made, the control circuit 30 determines that an abnormality has occurred.

[0026] (miswiring 2) 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining the state of the current when the common wiring 15 and the sub-wiring 17 are connected incorrectly. Fig. 6 shows the first operation, and Fig. 7 shows the second operation. In the first operation of Figure 6, current flows through the sub-coil 22 along the current path "3 → 4 → 12 → 15 → 20 → 22 → 18 → 17 → 14 → 11 → 9 → 3." This current is detected by the sub-current detection circuit 11. However, because both ends of the main coil 21 are at the same potential (negative potential), no current flows through the main coil 21. Therefore, no current flows through the main current detection circuit 10 either, and the current value is zero. Seeing this result, the operator determines that there is an abnormality. Note that, if automatic determination is to be made, the control circuit 30 determines that there is an abnormality.

[0027] In the second operation of Figure 7, current flows through the sub-coil 22 along the current path "3 → 8 → 11 → 14 → 17 → 18 → 22 → 20 → 15 → 12 → 5 → 3." This current is detected by the sub-current detection circuit 11. However, because both ends of the main coil 21 are at the same potential (positive potential), no current flows through the main coil 21. Therefore, no current flows through the main current detection circuit 10 either, and the current value is zero. Seeing this result, the operator determines that there is an abnormality. Note that, if automatic determination is to be made, the control circuit 30 determines that there is an abnormality.

[0028] (Miswired 3) 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the state of current when the main wiring 16 and the sub-wiring 17 are incorrectly connected. Fig. 8 shows the first operation, and Fig. 9 shows the second operation. In the first operation of Fig. 8, a current flows through the main coil 21 along the current path "3 → 4 → 12 → 15 → 18 → 21 → 19 → 17 → 14 → 11 → 9 → 3". This current is detected by the sub current detection circuit 11. Also, a current flows through the sub coil 22 along the current path "3 → 4 → 12 → 15 → 18 → 22 → 20 → 16 → 13 → 10 → 7 → 3". This current is detected by the main current detection circuit 10.

[0029] In the second operation of Figure 9, a current flows through the main coil 21 along the current path "3 → 8 → 11 → 14 → 17 → 19 → 21 → 18 → 15 → 12 → 5 → 3". This current is detected by the sub current detection circuit 11. Also, a current flows through the sub coil 22 along the current path "3 → 6 → 10 → 13 → 16 → 20 → 22 → 18 → 15 → 12 → 5 → 3". This current is detected by the main current detection circuit 10.

[0030] As mentioned above, the impedance of the main coil 21 is smaller than the impedance of the sub-coil 22, so the current flowing through the main coil 21 is larger than the current flowing through the sub-coil 22. In the case of this faulty wiring, the current flowing through the main coil 21 is detected by the sub-current detection circuit 11, and the current flowing through the sub-coil 22 is detected by the main current detection circuit 10, resulting in a situation opposite to that when there is no faulty wiring, in that the current value detected by the sub-current detection circuit 11 is larger than the current value detected by the main current detection circuit 10. Therefore, upon seeing this result, the operator determines that an abnormality has occurred. Note that, in the case of automatic determination, the control circuit 30 determines that an abnormality has occurred.

[0031] (Miswired 4) 10 and 11 are diagrams for explaining the state of the current when all the connections of the wiring 60 are incorrect (part 1). Fig. 10 shows the first operation, and Fig. 11 shows the second operation. In the first operation of Figure 10, current flows through the main coil 21 along the current path "3 → 4 → 12 → 15 → 19 → 21 → 18 → 17 → 14 → 11 → 9 → 3." This current is detected by the sub-current detection circuit 11. However, because both ends of the sub-coil 22 are at the same potential (negative potential), no current flows through the sub-coil 22. Therefore, no current flows through the main current detection circuit 10 either, and the current value is zero. Seeing this result, the operator determines that an abnormality has occurred. Note that, if automatic determination is to be made, the control circuit 30 determines that an abnormality has occurred.

[0032] In the second operation of Figure 11, current flows through the main coil 21 along the current path "3 → 8 → 11 → 14 → 17 → 18 → 21 → 19 → 15 → 12 → 5 → 3." This current is detected by the sub-current detection circuit 11. However, because both ends of the sub-coil 22 are at the same potential (positive potential), no current flows through the sub-coil 22. Therefore, no current flows through the main current detection circuit 10 either, and the current value is zero. Seeing this result, the operator determines that an abnormality has occurred. Note that, if automatic determination is to be made, the control circuit 30 determines that an abnormality has occurred.

[0033] (miswiring 5) 12 and 13 are diagrams for explaining the state of the current when all the connections of the wiring 60 are incorrect (part 2). Fig. 12 shows the first operation, and Fig. 13 shows the second operation. In the first operation of Figure 12, current flows through the sub-coil 22 along the current path "3 → 4 → 12 → 15 → 20 → 22 → 18 → 16 → 13 → 10 → 7 → 3." This current is detected by the main current detection circuit 10. However, because both ends of the main coil 21 are at the same potential (negative potential), no current flows through the main coil 21. Therefore, no current flows through the sub-current detection circuit 11 either, and the current value is zero. Seeing this result, the operator determines that an abnormality has occurred. Note that, if automatic determination is to be made, the control circuit 30 determines that an abnormality has occurred.

[0034] In the second operation of Figure 13, current flows through the sub-coil 22 along the current path "3 → 6 → 10 → 13 → 16 → 18 → 22 → 20 → 15 → 12 → 5 → 3." This current is detected by the main current detection circuit 10. However, because both ends of the main coil 21 are at the same potential (positive potential), no current flows through the main coil 21. Therefore, no current flows through the sub-current detection circuit 11 either, and the current value is zero. Seeing this result, the operator determines that an abnormality has occurred. Note that, if automatic determination is to be made, the control circuit 30 determines that an abnormality has occurred.

[0035] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the inspection method of this embodiment. By combining the results of the first and second operations described above, it is possible to identify the defective location as shown in FIG. 14. If the results of both the first and second operations are normal, it is determined that there is no miswiring or disconnection in the wiring 60 and no malfunction of the power supply device 50 (failure of the switching element) (Decision 1). If the results of the first or second operation are abnormal, it is determined that there is no miswiring or disconnection in the wiring 60 and that there is a malfunction of the power supply device 50 (Decision 2). Furthermore, if the results of both the first and second operations are abnormal, it is determined that it is difficult to determine whether there is miswiring or disconnection in the wiring 60 or a malfunction of the power supply device 50, and a detailed inspection by an operator is required (Decision 3). These determinations may be made by an operator or by the control circuit 30.

[0036] This inspection method is not a method for identifying detailed malfunctioning parts of the starter device 100, but rather a method for performing a simple check at the work site. If this inspection method results in "Decision 1," there is no malfunction of the power supply device 50 and no incorrect wiring, so it is okay to perform X-ray exposure. If this inspection method results in "Decision 2," work will involve replacing the power supply device 50 (replacing the assembly of six switching elements) or taking the power supply device 50 back from the work site for repair. If this inspection method results in "Decision 3," work will involve a detailed check of the malfunctioning parts. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 3:DC power supply 4: Common upper arm switching element 5: Common lower arm switching element 6: Main upper arm switching element 7: Main lower arm switching element 8: Sub upper arm switching element 9: Sub-lower arm switching element 10: Main current detection circuit 11: Sub current detection circuit 12: First terminal (terminal for connecting to the common terminal of the winding part of the rotating anode X-ray tube) 13: Second terminal (terminal for connecting to the main coil terminal of the winding part of the rotating anode X-ray tube) 14: Third terminal (terminal for connecting to the sub-coil terminal of the winding part of the rotating anode X-ray tube) 15: Common wiring 16: Main wiring 17: Sub wiring 18: Common terminal 19: Main coil terminal 20: Sub-coil terminal 21: Main coil 22: Sub coil 30: Control circuit 50: Power supply 60: Wiring 100: Starter device 200: Winding part of rotating anode X-ray tube

Claims

1. A starter device connected to a winding section of a rotary anode X-ray tube, the starter device having a main coil, a sub-coil, a main coil terminal connected to one end of the main coil, a sub-coil terminal connected to one end of the sub-coil, and a common terminal connected to both the other end of the main coil and the other end of the sub-coil, a terminal unit having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal connected to the common terminal, the main coil terminal, and the sub-coil terminal, respectively; a power supply device that supplies power to the main coil and the sub coil via the terminal portion; a current detection circuit for detecting the currents flowing through the main coil and the sub-coil; a control circuit that causes the power supply device to perform a first operation of supplying a direct current from the first terminal and a second operation of supplying a direct current from the second terminal and the third terminal; A starter device comprising:

2. 2. The starter device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit determines the connectivity between the common terminal, the main coil terminal, and the sub-coil terminal and the terminal portion, and whether the power supply device is good or bad, based on the current values ​​detected by the current detection circuit during the first and second operations.

3. The control circuit determining that the current is normal when three conditions are met: that the current value flowing through the main coil is not zero, that the current value flowing through the sub-coil is not zero, and that the current value flowing through the main coil is greater than the current value flowing through the sub-coil; and determining that the current is abnormal when the three conditions are not met; The quality determination is performed based on a combination of the determination result of the first operation and the determination result of the second operation.

3. The starter device according to claim 2, wherein:

4. The control circuit (1) When both the first operation and the second operation are normal, determining that the common terminal, the main coil terminal, and the sub-coil terminal are properly connected to the terminal portion and that the power supply device is not faulty; (2) When the first operation or the second operation is abnormal, determining that the connections between the common terminal, the main coil terminal, and the sub-coil terminal and the terminal portion are correct and that the power supply device is faulty; (3) When both the first operation and the second operation are abnormal, Determining that the common terminal, the main coil terminal, and the sub-coil terminal are connected incorrectly to the terminal section, that the wiring is broken, or that the power supply device is faulty.

4. The starter device according to claim 3, wherein:

5. 5. The starter device according to claim 1, wherein the DC current has a pulse waveform.

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