X-Ray Tube Optical Arcing Detection Through Cooling Fluid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing X-ray tubes face challenges in efficiently detecting arcing events, which can lead to image artifacts, increased X-ray dose, and potential catastrophic failure, necessitating improved detection methods.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an optical sensor to detect optical arcing radiation tangentially through a cooling fluid-filled space between the vacuum-containing envelope and the housing, utilizing the cooling fluid as a light guide to enhance sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If acoustic sensors are used to detect arcing events, then the system can detect arcing, but the detection is unreliable due to noisy acoustic environment in the CT scanner room

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearcing detection reliabilityVSAvoidacoustic noise interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an optical sensor as an intermediary detection mechanism that converts acoustic/arcing events into optical signals. The optical sensor detects light emissions from arcing events and transmits these optical signals through the scanner tunnel to an external processing system, thereby mediating between the noisy acoustic environment and the detection system to achieve reliable arcing detection despite acoustic interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the acoustic detection system (mechanical/vibrational sensing) with an optical detection system. Instead of using acoustic sensors that are vulnerable to noise interference, the system uses optical sensors to detect light emissions from arcing events, substituting the detection modality from acoustic to optical domain where the harmful acoustic noise does not interfere

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the x-ray tube housing is made more shielded to protect against radiation, then radiation protection is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation protectionVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the housing structure into distinct functional zones: a radiation-shielded region containing the x-ray tube and focal spot, and a non-shielded or less-shielded region that serves as a heat dissipation pathway. This segmentation allows the housing to simultaneously provide radiation protection where needed while maintaining thermal management capabilities through dedicated heat escape routes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the x-ray tube operates at higher power to reduce scan time, then productivity is improved, but the risk of arcing events increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan speedVSAvoidarcing event risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback-based monitoring system using optical sensors that continuously detect light emissions indicative of arcing events during high-power operation. The system processes optical signals in real-time and can trigger alerts or shutdown sequences when arcing is detected, providing feedback control that enables safe operation at higher powers by immediately responding to instability conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preliminary diagnostic imaging (such as low-dose scout scans or pre-scan assessments) to identify patient characteristics or anatomical conditions that may predispose to arcing events. By performing these preliminary actions before high-power scanning, the system can adjust operating parameters or warn operators in advance, preventing arcing events before they occur during high-productivity scanning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The optical sensor effectively detects a significant amount of optical arcing radiation, providing high sensitivity and enabling timely intervention to prevent tube failure and optimize maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

an optical sensor positioned to detect photons emitted during an arcing event

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoton detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4588319B1Optical detection of arcing events in an x-ray tube

Publication Date: 2026.05.20 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

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AI summary

An X-ray tube (110) includes: a vacuum-containing envelope (120), a housing (130), a cooling fluid (140), and an optical sensor (150). The vacuum-containing envelope (120) and the housing (130) are separated by a space, and the space is filled by the cooling fluid (140). The optical sensor (150) is arranged to detect optical arcing radiation (160) passing tangentially around the vacuum-containing envelope through the cooling fluid-filled space, and which optical arcing radiation is generated within the vacuum-containing envelope in response to an arcing event (170).