X-Ray Tube Filament Circuit Resonance-Based Failure Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray tube filament drive circuits face challenges in accurately diagnosing component failures, leading to unnecessary repairs and increased costs due to difficulty in distinguishing between filament and high-voltage transformer issues, and the addition of switches for isolation increases cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating diagnostic capacitors at strategic locations in the filament drive circuit to alter the resonant frequency based on component degradation, allowing for quick and efficient identification of failed components without additional switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If switches are added to the filament drive circuit to isolate portions for diagnostic purposes, then the ability to diagnose component failures is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches with an electrical measurement system. Instead of physically isolating circuit portions using switches, the system uses a multimeter to measure impedance at different locations to identify failures. This substitution eliminates the need for additional switching components while maintaining diagnostic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multimeter as an intermediary measurement device to diagnose circuit failures. The multimeter acts as a mediator between the operator and the circuit, enabling indirect detection of component failures through impedance measurements without requiring direct circuit modification or isolation switches.
2Measurement precision
If switches and high-voltage insulation are added for circuit isolation, then component diagnosis capability is improved, but the X-ray tube size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical isolation mechanisms (switches and insulation) with an electrical measurement approach. By using impedance measurements through a multimeter, the system achieves diagnostic capability without adding physical components that would increase the X-ray tube volume.
3Reliability
If multiple components are repaired simultaneously due to inability to identify specific failed component, then system reliability is improved, but loss of time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary diagnostic measurements before repair to identify the specific failed component. By measuring impedance at different circuit locations beforehand, the system determines which component actually needs replacement, preventing unnecessary repairs and reducing overall repair time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from impedance measurements to guide the repair process. The multimeter provides feedback about circuit conditions, allowing operators to identify the specific failed component based on measured values, thereby avoiding unnecessary replacement of working components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and automated diagnosis of degraded components, reducing repair time and costs by identifying specific parts needed for repair, and eliminating the need for manual troubleshooting.
Implementation Method 1
alter the resonant frequency based on component degradation, allowing for quick and efficient identification of failed components
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for detecting and identifying a degraded component of a filament drive circuit of an X-ray imaging system. In one example, the degraded component may be identified by including diagnostic capacitors at various location in the filament drive circuit, which may alter a resonant frequency of the filament drive circuit in the event of a degraded filament, cable, or different component of the filament drive circuit. During a diagnostic procedure, a voltage pulse may be performed on the filament drive circuit, and a resulting current may be measured and converted into a digital signal. The digital signal may be compared to a set of reference resonant frequencies stored in a lookup table in a memory of the X-ray imaging system, where a matching resonant frequency may indicate which component of the filament drive circuit is degraded.