Short-Pulse X-Ray Tube Tuning Through Impedance Swapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray imaging systems face a trade-off between higher penetration using high-energy X-rays and better contrast, requiring separate sources and suffering from inefficiencies such as limited operating range, high heat generation, and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a short voltage pulse generator and cold cathode X-ray tubes with interchangeable components to tune X-ray dose and voltage by adjusting impedance through modular connectors and X-ray tubes, allowing for a single source to achieve either goal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high-energy X-rays are used for higher penetration, then penetration capability is improved, but X-ray dose increases which reduces contrast quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the voltage waveform parameters (amplitude, pulse width, repetition frequency) to optimize the balance between penetration and dose. The voltage source generator can vary these parameters in real-time based on imaging requirements, allowing the same X-ray tube to operate at different energy levels without physical changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameters (voltage, current, pulse duration) delivered to the X-ray tube to control the X-ray output characteristics. By adjusting these parameters, the system can produce high-energy X-rays for penetration or lower-dose X-rays for contrast imaging, eliminating the need for separate fixed sources.
2Measurement precision
If separate X-ray sources are used for penetration and contrast imaging, then imaging quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The X-ray imaging system is designed as a universal platform where a single X-ray tube can perform multiple functions (penetration imaging and contrast imaging) by adjusting the voltage waveform parameters. The interchangeable tube design with different impedance values allows the same generator to support various imaging modes, reducing system complexity while maintaining imaging quality.
3Power
If spiral generators are used for X-ray generation, then X-ray production is achieved, but temperature increases requiring frequent cooling which reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic pulsed voltage waveforms instead of continuous operation. The voltage source generator delivers short, controlled pulses to the X-ray tube, allowing cooling intervals between pulses. This periodic operation reduces average temperature and heat accumulation while maintaining the required peak power for X-ray generation.
4Device complexity
If fixed impedance X-ray tubes are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability for different imaging missions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The X-ray tube system is segmented into interchangeable modules with different impedance values. Each tube module is designed with specific electrical characteristics suitable for different imaging applications. The modular design allows users to swap tubes based on mission requirements while maintaining compatibility with the same voltage source generator and connector interface.
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 energy-efficient X-ray generation with superior battery operation, robust X-ray tubes, and longer mean time to failure by allowing user-selected trade-offs in X-ray imaging missions.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage source generator configured to produce a voltage waveform including one or more pulses
Implementation Method 2
The trade-off of a dose versus the X-ray voltage of the pulses is tunable in the field by adjusting the load impedance of the system via an interchange of a first X-ray tube with another second X-ray tube of the plurality of X-ray tubes
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for generating X-rays. The systems comprise: a voltage generator configured to generate a waveform comprising a plurality of pulses; a plurality of X-ray tubes that are each configured to emit pulses of X-rays responsive to the waveform; and a plurality of connectors that are each configured to be coupled to the voltage generator and communicate the waveform from the voltage generator to the X-ray tube. A dose and/or voltage of the pulses of X-rays is/are tunable in the field by adjusting at least one of (i) a line impedance of the system via an interchange of a first connector with another second connector of the plurality of connectors and (ii) a load impedance of the system via an interchange of a first X-ray tube with another second X-ray tube of the plurality of X-ray tubes.