Abstract: A contactless and/or non-invasive system and method of determining the rotational state and/or speed of a rotor for an X-ray tube including a liquid metal bearing includes a vibration sensor that is affixed to the exterior of the x-ray tube and is utilized to detect the vibrations generated by the spinning of the rotor and liquid metal bearing assembly within the x-ray tube. The x-ray tube has signature vibration signal based on the construction and rotor speed of the x-ray tube. The system and method of the invention used to detect the rotor state/speed includes a sensor to pick up the vibration from the x-ray tube and perform signal processing, and a software algorithm stored within the device or on an operably connected device or system that can analyze the vibration data from the sensor to indicate whether the anode in the x-ray tube is spinning.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to prevent tampering with an x-ray tube are disclosed. An example circuit board device positioned with respect to the x-ray tube includes a processor and a memory. The example processor is to at least determine configuration information for the circuit board device. The example processor is to at least compare the determined configuration information to stored configuration information in the memory. The example processor is to at least, when the determined configuration information is verified with the stored configuration information, enable the circuit board device. The example processor is to at least, when the determined configuration information is not verified with the stored configuration information, i) disable the circuit board device and ii) process board reactivation before enabling the circuit board device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for predicting x-ray tube liquid bearing failure are disclosed. An example circuit board device includes a sensor to detect, in a free run mode of an x-ray tube, vibration in an x-ray tube housing. The example device includes a digital signal processor to process vibration information representing vibration detected to generate x-ray tube characterization information. The example device includes a communication interface to relay the x-ray tube characterization information to a cloud infrastructure to process the characterization information to generate a failure prediction based on x-ray tube bearing coast down characteristics extracted from the characterization information. Other example instructions cause a machine to receive x-ray tube characterization information related to bearing vibration in the x-ray tube.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for predicting x-ray tube liquid bearing failure are disclosed. An example circuit board device includes a sensor to detect, in a free run mode of an x-ray tube, vibration in an x-ray tube housing. The example device includes a digital signal processor to process vibration information representing vibration detected to generate x-ray tube characterization information. The example device includes a communication interface to relay the x-ray tube characterization information to a cloud infrastructure to process the characterization information to generate a failure prediction based on x-ray tube bearing coast down characteristics extracted from the characterization information. Other example instructions cause a machine to receive x-ray tube characterization information related to bearing vibration in the x-ray tube.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to prevent tampering with an x-ray tube are disclosed. An example circuit board device positioned with respect to the x-ray tube includes a processor and a memory. The example processor is to at least determine configuration information for the circuit board device. The example processor is to at least compare the determined configuration information to stored configuration information in the memory. The example processor is to at least, when the determined configuration information is verified with the stored configuration information, enable the circuit board device. The example processor is to at least, when the determined configuration information is not verified with the stored configuration information, i) disable the circuit board device and ii) process board reactivation before enabling the circuit board device.

Abstract: A contactless and/or non-invasive system and method of determining the rotational state and/or speed of a rotor is provided for an X-ray tube including a liquid metal bearing. The system includes a vibration sensor that is affixed to the exterior of the x-ray tube and is utilized to detect the vibrations generated by the spinning of the rotor and liquid metal bearing assembly within the x-ray tube. The x-ray tube has signature vibration signal based on the construction and rotor speed of the x-ray tube. The system and method of the invention used to detect the rotor state/speed includes a sensor to pick up the vibration from the x-ray tube and perform signal processing, and a software algorithm stored within the device or on an operably connected device or system that can analyze the vibration data from the sensor to indicate whether the anode in the x-ray tube is spinning.