JP2010500714A - Handwheel electrode - Google Patents

Abstract

  In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an inspection device can be provided that temporarily stores energy in a gantry rotor. The rotatably mounted electrode of the X-ray tube can be used as an energy storage device for energy buffering to drive the X-ray tube of the rotating part of the inspection device in order to avoid high peak power transmission. In particular, the X-ray tube collects the storage energy of the rotating electrode during X-ray irradiation, converts the energy, and supplies the tube current and high voltage to the X-ray tube due to the X-ray irradiation time of the X-ray tube May be used.

Description

  The present invention relates to the field of tomographic imaging. In particular, the present invention relates to an inspection device having a flywheel electrode, an electrode used in the inspection device, an inspection method of interest, a computer readable medium, a program element, and a computer chip.

  Future computational tomography systems provide incremental resolution and greater detector range per revolution and require increased instantaneous power. Larger detectors can drive the tube with less total energy throughput per patient, and the x-ray tube is on for less scan time, but the instantaneous power increases.

  As a result, to rotate the computed tomography system, the main power supply and output transmission from the fixed gantry to the rotating part of the computed tomography system is more labor intensive and costly when designed for full peak power ratings. Take it. The increase in energy per X-ray irradiation in an X-ray tube mounted on the rotating part of the computed tomography system should be powered from the stationary part of the computed tomography system, including the output supply to supply power. This results in a serious problem in terms of power transmission to the gantry rotator as the rotating part of the computed tomography system including the X-ray tube.

  On the other hand, there is no need to transmit power from the gantry as the fixed part to the rotating part at the peak level of the electric power within the time interval between the two X-ray irradiations.

  It is desirable to reduce the peak level of power to be supplied from the main power supply and stationary part to the rotating part of the computed tomography system.

  The present invention provides an inspection device, an electrode, a method of inspecting an object of interest with an inspection device, a computer-readable medium, a program element, and a computer chip having functions according to the dependent claims.

  It should be noted that the embodiments described below of the present invention also apply to inspection methods of interest, computer readable media, electrodes, program elements, and computer chips.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, an inspection device for inspection of an object of interest can be provided, the inspection device comprising an X-ray tube having at least one rotatable electrode and an electric machine adapted to operate as a generator. Using the rotatable electrode as a flywheel to contain and store kinetic energy, the rotatable electrode is coupled to the electric machine so that the kinetic energy of the rotating electrode can be converted to electric energy by means of the electric machine.

  Thus, the inspection device can be adapted for temporary storage of energy as the kinetic energy of a rotating electrode used as a flywheel, thereby averaging the instantaneous level of energy transmitted. This mechanism drives the electrode if the coil is energized or recovers electrical energy while braking the electrode when connected to a suitable generator / motor system. This constitutes an electromechanical energy storage device that can be compared to a flywheel.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the inspection apparatus further includes a high voltage circuit adapted to provide power to the electrodes of the x-ray tube.

  Thus, the X-ray tube may be given the high voltage required to produce X-ray radiation.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the inspection apparatus further includes a first output supply, the electric machine is also adapted to be operated as a motor, and the first output supply is power when operated as a motor. Suitable for providing electrical machines.

  Thus, the rotatable electrode can be driven to increase X-ray force and electrode life and can be driven to store electrical energy there as kinetic energy depending on inertia and the rotational speed of the rotating electrode.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the inspection apparatus further connects the first output supply to the electric machine when operated as an electric motor, and alternately connects the electric machine to the high voltage circuit when operated as a generator. Includes a switch suitable for

  It is therefore possible to change between the following two states: That is, a first state in which power is supplied to a rotatable electrode and accelerated to store kinetic energy therein, and when operated as a generator to supply energy recovered from the rotating electrode to a high voltage circuit. It is possible to change between a second state in which the stored kinetic energy is recovered by means of reconverting kinetic energy into electrical energy by mechanical means.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the testing device further includes a second output supply adapted to supply power to the high voltage circuit.

  Therefore, it is possible to supply power to the high voltage circuit additionally from the power recovered from the rotating electrodes.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the second output supply is mounted on a stationary part or gantry of the inspection device.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, the X-ray tube is attached to the rotating part of the inspection apparatus.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the second output supply and the high voltage circuit are coupled by means of an inverter / transformer / diode / capacitor network.

  Therefore, the radiation source may be moved to maintain the basic function of the computed tomography instrument, and the mass of the moved parts can be kept low, while the moving mass of the power supply is reduced on the gantry. Kept constant.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the switch is attached to the rotating part of the inspection device.

  Therefore, the recovered energy only needs a significantly reduced power rating of the transmission between the rotating part and the fixed part, without the need for further transmission of energy between the rotating part and the fixed part. It can be maintained in the rotating part of the computed tomography system.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the electric machine includes a cylindrical rotor body.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the electric machine includes a fixed coil system.

  It is therefore possible to drive the rotor body of the electric machine with respect to the stationary coil system in order to drive the rotatable electrode.

  According to one embodiment, the cylindrical rotor body or disk mold is provided within the vacuum section of the x-ray tube and the stationary coil system is provided outside the vacuum section of the x-ray tube.

  Therefore, a boundary between the vacuum and non-vacuum parts is provided between the cylindrical rotor body of the electric machine and the stationary coil system in order to keep the coil system out of vacuum.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the rotor body includes a magnetic coupling to a stationary coil system.

  Therefore, the driving force can optimize the driving of the rotor body in the X-ray tube.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the inspection apparatus includes a multi-tube arrangement.

  Therefore, the computed tomography system may be provided with multiple x-ray irradiation systems to reduce the overall examination time of the object of interest. This may be important when examining the human body.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the electrode is an anode.

  Since the anode is always an electrode with higher material completion and heating means, rotating the anode increases the power rating and life of the X-ray tube.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the electrode is adapted for use in an x-ray tube of the inspection apparatus to be used as a flywheel for kinetic energy storage.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an inspection method using an inspection device of interest is an electrical machine adapted to be operated as a generator by rotating an electrode coupled to the electrical machine in the x-ray tube. And using the rotatable electrode as a flywheel for storing kinetic energy and converting the kinetic energy of the rotating electrode into electrical energy by means of an electrical machine when operated as a generator.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the step of supplying output to the electric machine by means of a first output supply.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method includes supplying a high voltage to the electrodes of the x-ray tube.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes coupling a first output supply to the electric machine when operated as a motor and coupling the electric machine to a high voltage circuit when operated as a generator. .

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method includes providing an output to a high voltage circuit by means of a second output supply.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a computer readable medium storing a computer program of examination of interest is adapted to perform the steps of the above method when executed by a processor.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the program of interest test program is adapted to perform the steps of the method when executed by a processor.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computer chip storing a computer program of examination of interest is adapted to perform the steps of the method when executed by a processor.

  Energy for buffering energy for X-ray tube driving of the rotating part of the inspection apparatus in order to temporarily store energy in the gantry rotor and to avoid high peak transmission of the output of the X-ray tube that is rotatably mounted The fact that it may be used as a storage can be seen as the gist of an embodiment of the present invention, in particular by the X-ray irradiation by recovering the storage energy of the rotating electrode for the X-ray irradiation time of the X-ray tube. The ability to sometimes convert energy and the ability to supply tube current and high voltage to the X-ray tube can be seen as a gist of embodiments of the present invention.

  These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent with reference to the examples described below.

  Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following drawings.

  The representation of the drawing is schematic. In different drawings, identical or similar elements in the figures are provided with the same reference numerals.

1 schematically shows a representative example of a tube of an X-ray tube according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 schematically shows a representative example of a circuit of an inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. 3 schematically shows a representative example of a circuit of an inspection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. 3 schematically shows a representative example of an inspection apparatus having a plurality of tube arrangements according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 schematically shows a representative example of a tube of an inspection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. 2 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

  FIG. 1 shows a simplified tube of an X-ray tube according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  The tube shown in FIG. 1 includes a housing in which a rotatable electrode 111 is located. The housing includes a ceramic insulator or bushing 118 for contacting the metal frame 119 and the rotatable electrode 111 and a counter electrode 115. According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotatable electrode 111 is provided as an anode and the counter electrode 115 is provided as a cathode. The rotating anode may be provided with a graphite support. A rotor 151 for rotating the rotatable electrode 111 may be provided in the X-ray tube 110.

  The rotatable electrode 111 is coupled to a rotor 151 that is part of the electric machine 150. The stator 155 of the electric machine 150 may be provided outside the vacuum tube and provided as a fixed coil system, while the rotor 151 may be provided within the vacuum tube and provided as a cylindrical rotor body. The eddy current creates torque in the rotor body and increases the rotation speed of the anode to about 10,000 rpm and above.

  FIG. 2 shows a simplified representative example of a circuit of an inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  The circuit of the inspection apparatus includes a fixed unit 101 and a rotating unit 102. The fixed part may be provided on the gantry and the rotating part may be provided on the gantry rotator. The fixed portion of the circuit of FIG. 2 includes an output supply 130 that can provide a three-phase rectified voltage. However, a different number of phases, such as a single phase system, may also be applied to the output supply 130. The output supply 130 may include a converter suitable for providing an alternating current of a sine wave, a square wave, a sawtooth wave, a triangular wave, or any other alternating waveform. The rotator 102 includes a high voltage circuit 120 that includes a buffer capacitor that also functions as a rectifier and a smoothing capacitor. Note that any other high voltage waveform can be provided. The rotating part further includes an X-ray tube 110 including a rotatable 111 electrode and a counter electrode 115. According to one embodiment, the rotatable electrode 111 may be provided as an anode and the counter electrode as a cathode.

  The fixed unit 101 and the rotating unit 102 may be coupled by a capacitor 140. It should be noted that any other coupling means, contact system or contactless system such as a transformer may also be provided. The transmission may be a low frequency transmission, a high frequency transmission, or a super high frequency transmission.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows a simplified representative example of a circuit of an inspection apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention.

  The circuit of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes a fixed portion 101 and a rotating portion 102 similar to FIG. The fixed part may include an output supply 130 having a three-phase output supply with a rectifier and a converter for producing an alternating current. The output supply may also be in another form as outlined above with respect to FIG. The rotating unit 102 may include a high voltage circuit 120 and an X-ray tube 110. The x-ray tube may be provided with a rotatable electrode 111 and a counter electrode 115. The rotatable electrode 111 may be provided as an anode and the counter electrode 115 may be provided as a cathode. The rotatable electrode may be coupled to an electric machine 150 operable as an electric motor and generator.

  The fixed part 101 and the rotating part 102 may be coupled with a condenser 140, and the coupling between the fixed part 101 and the rotating part 102 may also be another type already outlined with respect to FIG.

  The inspection apparatus 100 of FIG. 3 may also be further provided with an output supply 160 suitable for providing output to the electric machine 150 when operated as an electric motor.

  The inspection apparatus 100 of FIG. 3 is also adapted to connect the output supply 160 to the electric machine 150 when operated as an electric motor and alternately connect the high voltage circuit 120 to the electric machine 150 when operated as a generator. A switch 180 may be provided.

  The switch 180 may be provided to the rotating unit 102 of the inspection apparatus 100. It should be noted that the switch 180 may also be provided on a fixed part of the inspection device.

  The output supply 130 and the output supply 160 may be provided to the fixed unit 101 of the inspection apparatus 100. It should be noted that the output supply 130 or the output supply 160 or both the output supply 130 and the output supply 160 may also be provided to the rotating part 102 of the inspection device 100.

  With the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to store kinetic energy by driving the electric machine 150 with the output supply 160 to accelerate the rotatable electrode 111. The rotatable electrode 111 acts as a flywheel due to inertia and rotational speed. When electric power for supplying a high voltage to the X-ray tube 110 is required for X-ray irradiation, the kinetic energy stored in the rotating electrode 111 drives the electric machine 150 by means of rotating the electrode 111 acting as a flywheel. The kinetic energy that can be recovered by the process and that is to be converted into electrical energy is recovered by means of an electrical machine that acts as a generator. In this case, the switch 180 connects the high voltage circuit 120 for providing energy to the X-ray tube 110 in the form of a high voltage and the electric motor 150 acting as a generator. During two subsequent X-ray exposure times, until the next exposure period, switch 180 causes output supply 160 to re-drive rotatable electrode 111 to store kinetic energy again using rotatable electrode 111 as a flywheel. Therefore, it connects with the electric machine 150 which acts as an electric motor. It should be noted that the term “high voltage” is used for any voltage suitable for driving an x-ray tube.

  The control element 190 can control the timing of any element of the inspection device 100 and in particular acts as an output supply 130, an output supply 160, a high voltage circuit 120, a switch 180, and / or a motor or as a generator. Control of the electric machine 150 is also possible.

  The electric motor of FIG. 4 schematically shows a representative example of an inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  The inspection apparatus 100 may be provided with a plurality of tube arrangements, and the rotating unit 102 of the inspection apparatus 100 may be provided with a plurality of X-ray tubes 110, for example, two X-ray tube electrodes 110. It should be noted that the rotating section 102 of the inspection apparatus may also be provided with any other number of x-ray tubes other than two.

  Thus, faster inspection of the object of interest 107 is possible with multiple tube placement. This is important when examining the moving organs of the human body.

  FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an X-ray tube used in an inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  X-ray tube 110 includes a rotatable electrode 111 coupled to a cylindrical rotor body 151 that is part of electric machine 150. The cylindrical rotor body 151 may be provided in a vacuum tube. The electric machine 150 may be provided with a fixed coil system 155. The stationary coil system 155 may be provided outside the tube in the non-vacuum region. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical rotor body 151 includes a magnetic coupling to the stationary coil system 155. A counter electrode 115 is provided on the side opposite to the rotatable electrode 111. The rotatable electrode may be an anode and the counter electrode 115 may be a cathode. The cathode may be located on the rotation axis of the cylindrical rotor body 151, and the rotatable electrode 111 may be coupled thereto or offset to the rotation axis.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for operating an inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

  During operation, two different modes of operation are possible, one of which drives an electric machine that is adapted to be operated as a generator by rotating an electrode in the x-ray tube coupled to the electric machine. Generator operation including step S1 for converting and using a rotatable electrode as a flywheel to store kinetic energy and converting the kinetic energy of the rotating electrode into electrical energy by means of an electric machine when operated as a generator Mode.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an operation mode as an electric motor operation mode including step S3 of supplying output to the electric machine by means of the first output supply.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, the generator operation mode includes step S4 of providing a high voltage to the electrodes of the X-ray tube.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the motor operation mode includes step S5 for connecting the first output supply to the electric machine when operated as a motor, and the generator operation mode is high when operated as a generator. Including a step S6 of connecting the voltage to the electric machine.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the generator operating mode further comprises step S7 of supplying output to the high voltage circuit by means of a second output supply.

  It should be noted that the method of the present invention is not limited to the above steps and further includes steps for driving the inspection apparatus.

  The method illustrated by the flowchart of FIG. 6 may also be implemented as a computer program of examination of interest stored on a computer readable medium, which is suitable for performing the above steps when performed by a processor. The method illustrated by the flowchart of FIG. 6 may also be implemented in the program element of the examination of interest.

  Note that the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word “a” does not exclude a plurality. Elements described in connection with different embodiments can also be combined.

  It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims shall not limit the scope of the claims.

Claims (23)

With inspection equipment for the inspection of the object of interest:
An x-ray tube having at least one rotatable electrode;
An electric machine adapted to be operated as a generator;
Including
An apparatus wherein the rotatable electrode is coupled to the electric machine so that the electric machine can convert the kinetic energy of the rotatable electrode into electric energy using the rotatable electrode as a flywheel to store kinetic energy.   The inspection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a high voltage circuit adapted to provide power to the electrodes of the x-ray tube. First output supply;
Further including
The electric machine is also adapted to be operated as an electric motor; and the first output supply is adapted to provide an output to the electric machine when the electric machine is operated as an electric motor. Inspection device.   A switch adapted to connect the first output supply to the electric machine when the electric machine is operated as a motor and to alternately connect the electric machine to the high voltage circuit when operated as a generator; The inspection apparatus of Claim 3 containing.   5. The inspection device of any of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a second output supply adapted to supply power to the high voltage circuit.   6. The inspection apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second output supply is attached to a fixed portion of the inspection apparatus.   The inspection apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the X-ray tube is attached to a rotating part of the inspection apparatus.   8. The inspection device according to claim 5, wherein the second output supply and the high voltage circuit are coupled by means of a transformer.   The inspection device according to claim 4, wherein the switch is attached to the rotating part of the inspection device.   The inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric machine includes a cylindrical rotor body.   The inspection device of one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical machine comprises a fixed coil system.   The inspection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the cylindrical rotor body includes a magnetic coupling to the fixed coil system.   2. The inspection device of claim 1, wherein the inspection device comprises a multiple tube arrangement.   The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrode is an anode.   An electrode adapted for use in an x-ray tube of an inspection apparatus of claim 1 adapted to be used as a flywheel for storing kinetic energy. In a method for inspecting an object of interest using an inspection device:
Driving an electric machine suitable to be operated as a generator by rotating an electrode coupled to the electric machine in an x-ray tube; and using the rotatable electrode as a flywheel to store kinetic energy; Converting the kinetic energy of the rotating electrode into electrical energy by means of the electrical machine when operated as a generator.   The method of claim 16, further comprising supplying electrical power to the electric machine by means of a first power supply, the electric machine also adapted to be operated as a motor.   18. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing a high voltage to the electrode of the x-ray tube. Connecting a first output supply to the electric machine when the electric machine is operated as an electric motor; and connecting a high voltage circuit to the electric machine when the electric machine is operated as a generator; The method of any of claims 16 and 17.   18. A method according to any of claims 16 and 17, further comprising the step of providing an output to the high voltage circuit by means of a second output supply. When a computer readable medium having a computer program of an examination of interest stored thereon and executed by a processor:
Driving an electric machine adapted to be operated as a generator by rotating an electrode coupled to the electric machine within an x-ray tube; and using the rotatable electrode as a flywheel to store kinetic energy A medium adapted to perform the step of converting the kinetic energy of the rotating electrode into electrical energy by means of the electrical machine when the electrical machine is operated as a generator. When executed by the processor:
Driving an electric machine adapted to be operated as a generator by rotating an electrode coupled to the electric machine within an x-ray tube; and using the rotatable electrode as a flywheel to store kinetic energy A program element for stored examination of an object of interest adapted to perform the step of converting the kinetic energy of the rotating electrode into electrical energy by means of the electric machine when the electric machine is operated as a generator . A computer chip that stores a computer program of the test of interest and when it is executed by the processor:
Driving an electric machine adapted to be operated as a generator by rotating an electrode coupled to the electric machine within an x-ray tube; and using the rotatable electrode as a flywheel to store kinetic energy A computer chip adapted to perform the step of converting the kinetic energy of the rotating electrode into electrical energy by means of the electrical machine when the electrical machine is operated as a generator.

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