X-Ray Tube Filament Flash Control for Rapid Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiographic examination apparatuses face challenges in promptly changing X-ray tube voltage and current settings when switching between low and high radiation dose requirements, leading to filament temperature inconsistencies that affect power output and delay necessary responses during fluoroscopy or continuous radiography, especially in dual energy subtraction radiography.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control element that conducts flash control by temporarily increasing or decreasing the filament electric current between pulses based on calculated variations in filament electric current, using a filament electric current variation calculation element to determine necessary adjustments for optimal power output and image brightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the filament electric current is controlled to a correct value based on stored table data, then the tube electric current should match the expected value, but the actual tube electric current deviates because the filament temperature is not the anticipated temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting a flash control that temporarily increases the filament electric current between pulses to pre-heat the filament to the anticipated temperature before the main pulse. This ensures that when the tube electric current is controlled based on stored table data, the filament is already at the correct temperature, eliminating the deviation between expected and actual tube electric current.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the radiation conditions are changed in a broad range to accommodate different body sizes and examination types, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to controlling multiple parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the filament electric current as a preliminary parameter before controlling the main tube electric current and voltage parameters. This additional parameter control enables the system to adapt to a broad range of radiation conditions for different body sizes and examination types while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic parameter management.
3Speed
If the filament electric current is temporarily raised to promptly heat the filament at the beginning of shooting, then the response speed is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing flash control that temporarily increases the filament electric current only between pulses rather than continuously. This periodic heating approach maintains high filament temperature for rapid response when needed while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous high-current operation, achieving a balance between speed and energy efficiency.
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
This approach allows for prompt and efficient changes in X-ray tube power output, improving the ability to follow fluoroscopy and continuous radiography by controlling filament temperature and ensuring timely responses to changes in radiation conditions, thereby enhancing the responsibility to capture high-quality images.
Implementation Method 1
a filament electric current is controlled to a correct value... if the filament temperature is lower than anticipated temperature... if temperature of the filament is higher than anticipated temperature
Implementation Method 2
a control method for filament electric current, i.e. so-to-speak pre-flash, is suggested, by which the filament electric current is raised temporarily to promptly heat the filament of X-ray tube at the beginning of shooting
Data Source
AI summary
A radiographic examination apparatus improves response to fluoroscopy or continuous shooting by changing promptly the power-output of an X-ray tube. The apparatus and method, when an absolute value of variation C per fixed time interval between the filament electric current of current pulse-output calculated by the filament electric current variation calculation element is more than a setup value, a flash control between pulse conducts increases or decreases temporarily the filament electric current between pulses to become the filament electric current on flash control between pulses calculated by a filament electric current calculation element based on a radiation condition of a current pulse-output and the radiation condition of following pulse-output.