Abstract: An X-ray tube, including: an envelope (11) that holds inside thereof at a predetermined pressure; a filament (12) for emitting electrons and a focus electrode (13) provided in the envelope: and a target (15) for generating X-ray provided in the envelope facing to the filament (12) and the focus electrode (13), wherein the envelope (11) has an envelope body (11a) and an X-ray window portion (16) having a higher X-rays transmissivity and a higher electric conductivity than the envelope body (11a), when the X-ray window portion (16) or the anode (14) is set to a lower electric potential than both of an electric potential of the anode (14) or the X-ray window portion (16) and an electric potential of the filament (12) and the focus electrode (13), detection of at least one of an ion current (Ii) or an electron current (Ie) through the X-ray window portion (16) or the anode (14) is possible.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnosis system comprises an inter-capacitor terminal, a first inter-switching-element terminal, a second inter-switching-element terminal, and a third inter-switching-element terminal, wherein the first inter-switching-element terminal, the second inter-switching-element terminal, and the third inter-switching-element terminal are configured to supply three-phase alternating current power, and the inter-capacitor terminal and two of the first inter-switching-element terminal, the second inter-switching-element terminal, and the third inter-switching-element terminal are configured to supply two-phase alternating current power.

Abstract: A method for asynchronous operation of a rotary anode of an x-ray emitter, where a torque is exerted onto the rotary anode by an electromagnetic alternating field of a stator with a first frequency is provided. The method includes increasing the first frequency to a second frequency. The second frequency is a whole number multiple of an x-ray trigger frequency. The method also includes simultaneously changing an output of the alternating field such that a rotational frequency of the rotary anode remains unchanged.

Abstract: A scanning method and device are provided. The method includes: determining values for a first scanning dosage and a second scanning dosage used in a scanning process based on a trigger condition which varies regularly and attenuation fluctuations of an object to be scanned, wherein the first scanning dosage is higher than the second scanning dosage, and at least one of the first scanning dosage and the second scanning dosage has an inconstant value; and scanning a target position with the determined values. In the present disclosure, a scanning dosage may be reduced and different image noises may be kept consistent.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, Switching units are configured to switch the intensity of X-rays to be generated by an anode. An X-ray controller controls the switching units to switch the intensity of the X-rays to be generated by the anode, and controls a rotor control power generator to rotate the anode. When a value approximately equal to an integer multiple of an X-ray intensity switching period designated by a user coincides with the rotor rotation period, the X-ray controller controls the rotor control power generator to shift the thermoelectron collision ranges of the anode in the first turn from thermoelectron collision ranges in the second turn.

Abstract: A multi-radiation unit includes: a multi-radiation tube which has a plurality of electron sources, a plurality of targets and an intermediate electrode having openings through which electrons emitted from the electron sources pass; a selection circuit that allows electrons to be emitted from a selected electron source selected from the plurality of electron sources; an intermediate electrode potential defining unit that defines a potential of the intermediate electrode; a storage unit that stores, for each of the plurality of electron sources, an electrostatic control condition of the intermediate electrode for obtaining a predetermined irradiated state of a target corresponding to the selected electron source; and a changing unit that changes, when electrons are emitted from the selected electron source, the electrostatic control condition of the intermediate electrode based on the electrostatic control condition stored in the storage unit for the selected electron source.

Abstract: A method for asynchronous operation of a rotary anode of an x-ray emitter, where a torque is exerted onto the rotary anode by an electromagnetic alternating field of a stator with a first frequency is provided. The method includes increasing the first frequency to a second frequency. The second frequency is a whole number multiple of an x-ray trigger frequency. The method also includes simultaneously changing an output of the alternating field such that a rotational frequency of the rotary anode remains unchanged.

Abstract: In order to provide an X-ray imaging apparatus including a two-phase anode rotation mechanism driving circuit having a small and light configuration, one end of the main stator coil is connected to a three-phase full-bridge inverter circuit and the midpoint between two semiconductor switches of the first arm, one end of the auxiliary stator coil is connected to the midpoint between two semiconductor switches of the second arm, and the other ends of the main stator coil and the auxiliary stator coil are connected to the midpoint between two semiconductor switches of the third arm. The semiconductor switches are switched using an inverting circuit and a delay circuit so that a first AC voltage is supplied to the one end of the main stator coil and a second AC voltage, which is shifted in phase by 90° from the first AC voltage, is supplied to the one end of the auxiliary stator coil.

Abstract: A medical imaging system includes an x-ray source (112) having a focal spot that emits radiation that traverses an examination region (108). The position of the focal spot along a longitudinal direction is a function of a temperature of one or more x-ray source components. The system further includes a detector (120) that detects the radiation and a collimator (116), disposed between the x-ray source (112) and the examination region (108), that collimates that radiation along the longitudinal direction. A focal spot position estimator (132) dynamically computes an estimated position of the focal spot along the longitudinal direction based on the temperature of one or more x-ray source components. A collimator positioner (128) positions the collimator (116) along the longitudinal direction based on the estimated focal spot position prior to performing a scan.

Abstract: A Betatron having a toroidal passageway disposed in a cyclical magnetic field with a main electron orbit circumnavigating the toroidal passageway. Within the toroidal passageway is a first electrode that is spaced apart from a second electrode. The combination of the first electrode and the second electrode define a central space having a first opening and a second opening. A cathode is disposed within the central space. This cathode has a first electron emitter aligned to inject electrons through the first opening and a second electron emitter aligned to inject electrons through the second opening. Electrons injected in a proper direction are accelerated in the main electron orbit. At a time of maximum electron acceleration, the electrons are deflected and impact a target that generates x-rays on impact.

Abstract: A medical imaging system includes an x-ray source (112) having a focal spot that emits radiation that traverses a examination region (108). The position of the focal spot along a longitudinal direction is a function of a temperature of one or more x-ray source components. The system further includes a detector (120) that detects the radiation and a collimator (116), disposed between the x-ray source (112) and the examination region (108), that collimates that radiation along the longitudinal direction. A focal spot position estimator (132) dynamically computes an estimated position of the focal spot along the longitudinal direction based on the temperature of one or more x-ray source components. A collimator positioner (128) positions the collimator (116) along the longitudinal direction based on the estimated focal spot position prior to performing a scan.

Abstract: A radiation image photographing apparatus capable of easily obtaining a high quality long length image representing the entirety of a subject by combining a plurality of images, without a noticeable step density difference at a joint, obtained by serially radiographing a plurality of adjacent areas of the subject using the same radiation source and the same radiation image detector, in which a photographing condition for performing each radiographing is obtained by a photographing condition obtaining unit, a photographable width in a long length direction in each radiographing is obtained by a photographable range obtaining unit from the photographing condition, and the plurality of areas of the subject is allocated by an allocation unit such that a photographing width in the long length direction in each radiographing does not exceed the photographable width.

Abstract: An X-ray tube apparatus (2) having an anode rotating mechanism for preventing damage of the anode (23) of the X-ray tube apparatus thereby to shorten the X-ray exposure waiting time. When the measured number of revolutions of a rotary anode is determined to be predetermined number from only the impedance or current information on the basis of both voltage information and current information on a stator coil (22) of motor constituent elements for rotating the rotary anode, a DC high voltage outputted from an X-ray high-voltage unit (1) is applied between the anode (23) and a cathode (24) of the X-ray tube apparatus, thus exposing a subject (130) to X-rays and imaging the subject. An X-ray generating device and a radiograph are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, the rotation anode of an X-ray tube is placed in rotation at a given low speed prior to examination of an object under examination by fluoroscopy. For fluoroscopy, the rotational speed of the rotation anode is switched from the low speed to a given medium speed. For X-ray photography, the rotational speed of the rotation anode is switched from the medium speed to a given high speed.

Abstract: In an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, the rotation anode of an X-ray tube is placed in rotation at a given low speed prior to examination of an object under examination by fluoroscopy. For fluoroscopy, the rotational speed of the rotation anode is switched from the low speed to a given medium speed. For X-ray photography, the rotational speed of the rotation anode is switched from the medium speed to a given high speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray apparatus, comprising a circuit arrangement for accelerating and decelerating the rotary anode of a rotary-anode X-ray tube in which phase-shifted alternating voltages can be applied to the stator windings of the drive motor for the rotary anode in an acceleration mode and a direct voltage acts on at least one of the windings in a deceleration mode, and also comprising a control device for the acceleration mode and the deceleration mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for driving the rotary anode of an X-ray tube, which device comprises a drive motor (5) having a stator (5a) and a rotor (5b), which are operated at anode potential, a rotor shaft (6) driving the rotary anode (7), the rotor (5b) of the drive motor (5) being constructed as an external rotor and the motor (5) being powered by means of a potential-isolating transmission means.

Abstract: A ferrofluidic seal arrangement for sealing a high-speed rotary shaft which passes between an environment at atmospheric or high pressure and an environment at high-vacuum is provided, which is especially useful in a high-speed rotating anode apparatus for generating x-rays in a CAT Scan apparatus or the like. A differentially-pumped region between a multi-stage ferrofluidic seal and a single-stage seal insures that no seal bursting into the high-vacuum region occurs. Bearings supporting the shaft are arranged in a mechanically-stable arrangement but are isolated from the high-vacuum environment. Thus, neither the high-vacuum environment nor the differentially-pumped region need be continually mechanically pumped, and a relatively light-weight apparatus results.

Abstract: An x-ray tube rotor controller uses the main high voltage inverters for acceleration. The rotor controller includes a DC voltage source, and a rotary anode drive circuit including a rotary anode motor designed as an induction motor. A first inverter circuit has a full bridge arrangement for accelerating the anode using a first switch to connect the induction motor to the full bridge output, and also generates high voltage for the x-ray tube. Once the anode is up to operating speed, the first switch is disconnected from the rotor causing the rotor to coast. Alternatively, a second small inverter may be employed for maintaining the rotor at speed during x-ray exposure, rather than allowing the rotor to coast. In such an instance, the first switch is disconnected from the rotor when the motor reaches a rated anode speed, and a second switch then connects the motor to the second inverter to maintain the rated anode speed.

Abstract: An x-ray tube rotor controller uses the main high voltage inverters for acceleration and speed maintenance. The rotor controller includes a DC voltage source, and a rotary anode drive circuit including a rotary anode motor designed as a two-winding induction motor. The rotor controller comprises first and second inverter circuits which may be either half bridge or full bridge arrangements, the first and second inverter circuits for accelerating the anode, and further for generating high voltage for the x-ray tube. Electronic switching means allow for instantaneous electronic switching of the output of the first and second inverter circuits between the high voltage power supply and the anode motor. A phase switching capacitor may be used to provide the other phase of the motor.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus is provided with an operation process in which an AC voltage is applied from a power source to a magnetic stator coil so that the components of bearings are heated by magnetic induction to melt a metal lubricant in the bearings. Thus, the lubricant can be efficiently melted before starting rotation without additionally using extra components in an X-ray tube, so that the apparatus can enjoy stable operation.

Abstract: An electromagnetic remote control exposure system including a receiver and transmitter for excitation of a mobile X-ray unit having a rotating anode X-ray tube and exposure mechanism. The transmitter of the remote control is adapted to transmit by a single switch, a first signal to initiate the rotation of the anode and a second signal for the initiation of the actual X-ray exposure. The receiver is provided with a time out delay which causes the X-ray unit to return to the standby mode if the second signal is not received within a predetermined interval of time after receipt of the first signal. The system will also return the X-ray unit to the standby mode if the second signal is interrupted before the exposure has been completed.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus has a vacuum tube with an envelope that contains an anode, a cathode and a filament. A motor has a rotor mechanically connected to the anode inside the envelope and a stator on the exterior of the envelope. The vacuum tube and the motor are enclosed in an electrically conductive casing which are grounded. A grounded shield of a conductive material is placed between the stator and the envelope to suppress high voltage discharges within the envelope from producing currents in a winding of the stator. Low pass filters are placed in series with each conductor between the vacuum tube and a power supply to suppress radio frequency signals produced by the high voltage discharges from being carried over the conductors.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and a method to control the speed of two-phase or three-phase A.C. motors by means of a three-phase converter. The switching-over instants of the switches of the converter for the control of a two-phase motor are computed so that the signals at the common points of each pair of switches are phase shifted with respect to one another and have no low-order harmonic components. The disclosed device and method are applicable to motors driving rotating anodes for X-ray tubes.

Abstract: A rotor speed adjustment circuit (60) reduces the rotational speed of an anode (32) of an x-ray tube (14) in a diagnostic apparatus (10). An AC current (64) from an AC current source (54) is applied to one stator winding (52). A parallel connected diode (70) and resistor (72) are connected between the current source and a second stator winding (50) to cause an effective DC magnetic braking component (66b) which reduces the rotational speed of the anode and an associated rotor (42). By selectively adjusting the resistor (72), the size of the DC magnetic braking component, hence the amount of effective drag is selectively adjustable to adjust the anode rotation speed.

Abstract: An x-ray diagnostics generator which includes a rotating anode x-ray tube includes circuitry for setting the speed of rotation of the anode dependent on exposure parameters. At particular rotational speeds, the motor bearing for the rotating anode is subject to mechanical resonances, causing vibrations which can damage the bearing. A vibration detector is provided in mechanical contact with the x-ray tube, and when vibrations due to such mechanical resonances are sensed, a signal is provided from the detector to a processor which automatically slightly alters the rotational speed.

Abstract: An x-ray tube (10) imaging system, such as a computed tomography scanner, includes a cathode (40) for generating a stream of electrons. A rotating anode (42) is placed in a path of the electron stream and generates x-rays as a result of collisions therewith. An induction rotor (44) causes rotation of the anode as a result of electromagnetic interaction with a stator (48) comprised of two windings: a run winding (50) and a phase winding (52). The run winding and the phase winding are connected to three nodes (54, 58, 60), one of which is common to both. The three nodes are actively driven with run, common, and phase signals, respectively. Actively driving the three nodes increases bus drive voltage over 40% over that achieved by half-bridge drives.

Abstract: A radiological device is provided of the type comprising a radiogenic tube with magnetic bearings, said radiogenic tube being contained in a sheath as well as electronic means for controlling said magnetic bearings.

Abstract: A boost circuit for providing rapid acceleration of anode rotating motors for X-Ray tubes features provision for supplying to the motor for a limited period of time a relatively high power AC excitation at a frequency well above that corresponding to the rotation speed to be maintained during exposure. Once proper operating speed is reached, the motor power supply voltage is reduced to a safe power level with respect to the stator windings, and the frequency is reduced to correspond to the desired running speed during exposure. In the preferred embodiment the changeover is governed by means of an empirically adjusted timer; however, changeover may be controlled by a variety of means.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, to reduce wear on the bearings of a rotary anode during radiography processes which require a high load of the tube, such as e.g. all types of series techniques, a control of the rotational frequency of the anode is effected according to which the rotational speed of the anode drive motor is increased as a function of increasing thermal load on the anode plate. For this purpose there takes place, in a static frequency changer, an increase of the frequency of the alternating current with which the motor is driven. The motor drive frequency can, for example, be controlled in dependence upon the temperature of the anode plate as sensed by a measuring probe. An inventive drive of rotary anodes is particularly suited for use in the case of X-ray examination apparatus, especially computer tomographs.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment a rotary anode motor is likewise supplied by the inverter circuit which is in the form of a full bridge with two pairs of alternately closable electronic switches. In one bridge diagonal the load (e.g. the x-ray tube) is disposed, while a d.c. voltage source is connected to the other bridge diagonal. The rotary anode motor is capable of connection, via a switch, to a connection point at one side of the load diagonal, and the bridge-half at the opposite side of the load diagonal is capable of being maintained in an open circuit condition during motor operation.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the tube vacuum envelope is disposed between the rotor and stator of the anode drive motor. Taking into account the required high voltage safety, hitherto concessions as to the anode drive had to be made. The disclosure provides an improvement in this regard in that the anode and stator are connected to the same potential until a desired rotational frequency is attained. Only then, subsequent to disconnection of the drive voltage, is the radiography voltage applied for the necessary exposure period. If necessary, subsequently a braking voltage, or again a drive voltage, respectively, can be applied to the stator. Methods and installations in which, in accordance with the disclosure, the drive of the rotary anode is intensified, are, in particular, suited for utilization in medical x-ray diagnostics, mainly computer tomography.