Method and apparatus for active filament management
US10398011B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 2016 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05G1/34
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for actively managing the current provided to an X-ray filament is provided. A feedback measurement of the actual filament current supplied to an X-ray filament is provided into a current manager and feedback system. An error amplifier compares the feedback measurement to a filament reference command indicating the appropriate current amount to be supplied to the X-ray filament, and the output of the error amplifier runs a pulse width modulator to provide a signal to an inverter to supply a voltage to the X-ray filament transformer. When a comparator senses sufficient high voltage is supplied to the X-ray tube, a second error amplifier is allowed to add to the filament current command an amount sufficient to make the X-ray tube's emission current match the commanded emission current. Additional circuitry and electronic switches are provided to allow the apparatus to operate in a dual-filament system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.