The present approach relates to generating one or both of a failure prediction indication for an X-ray tube or a remaining useful life estimate for the X-ray tube. In one implementation, a trained static tube model is used in estimating health (e.g., thickness) of the electron emitter of the X-ray tube, which in turn may be used in predicting remaining useful life of an electron emitter of the X-ray tube.

A system for compensating for a back emission current in an X-ray generator is provided. The system includes a transformer, a common, and a voltage source. The transformer is operative to provide power to an electron emitter of the X-ray generator. The common is electrically coupled to an anode of the X-ray generator. The anode is operative to receive electrons emitted by the electron emitter such that the back emission current is generated between the common and the electron emitter. The voltage source electrically couples the common to the transformer and is operative to generate an offset voltage that reduces the back emission current.

An X-ray inspection device is configured to prevent water from flowing into areas of the X-ray inspection device during a washing operation. The X-ray inspection device is provided with an X-ray emitter, a cooler, a cooler cover, and an opening/closing member. The cooler cools the X-ray emitter. The cooler cover covers the cooler. Openings are formed in the cooler cover and, when open, provide interior-exterior air flow communication when the cooler is cooling the X-ray inspection device. An opening/closing member is configured for movement between an open orientation opening the opening and a closed orientation closing the openings formed in the cooler cover.

An X-ray inspection device is configured to prevent water from flowing into areas of the X-ray inspection device during a washing operation. The X-ray inspection device is provided with an X-ray emitter, a cooler, a cooler cover, and an opening/closing member. The cooler cools the X-ray emitter. The cooler cover covers the cooler. Openings are formed in the cooler cover and, when open, provide interior-exterior air flow communication when the cooler is cooling the X-ray inspection device. An opening/closing member is configured for movement between an open orientation opening the opening and a closed orientation closing the openings formed in the cooler cover.

A mobile X-ray apparatus includes: an X-ray radiation device configured to emit X-rays; a controller configured to control the X-ray radiation device; a power supply configured to supply operating power to the X-ray radiation device and the controller; and a charger configured to charge the power supply. The power supply includes a lithium ion battery including a plurality of battery cells, at least one current sensor configured to detect current of the lithium ion battery, and a battery management system (BMS) configured to detect an occurrence of an overcurrent in the lithium ion battery via the at least one current sensor in response to receiving an X-ray emission preparation signal, and to control an on-state or an off-state of a discharge current path in which a discharge current flows from the lithium ion battery to the controller and the X-ray radiation device.

A mobile X-ray apparatus includes: an X-ray radiation device configured to emit X-rays; a controller configured to control the X-ray radiation device; a power supply configured to supply operating power to the X-ray radiation device and the controller; and a charger configured to charge the power supply. The power supply includes a lithium ion battery including a plurality of battery cells, at least one current sensor configured to detect current of the lithium ion battery, and a battery management system (BMS) configured to detect an occurrence of an overcurrent in the lithium ion battery via the at least one current sensor in response to receiving an X-ray emission preparation signal, and to control an on-state or an off-state of a discharge current path in which a discharge current flows from the lithium ion battery to the controller and the X-ray radiation device.

In order to predict the lifetime of an X-ray generator, the data of at least one physical variable which influences the lifetime of the generator are regularly stored. The stored data are evaluated by means of stored statistics in order to determine the expected remaining lifetime of the X-ray generator.

In order to predict the lifetime of an X-ray generator, the data of at least one physical variable which influences the lifetime of the generator are regularly stored. The stored data are evaluated by means of stored statistics in order to determine the expected remaining lifetime of the X-ray generator.

Provided is a method for driving an X-ray source, which includes a cathode electrode, an electron source provided on the cathode electrode and configured to emit an electron beam, and an anode target including an electron beam irradiation surface with the electron beam irradiated thereto, the method including providing the electron beam in a plurality of main pulses, wherein each of the main pulses includes a plurality of short pulses having an idle time and a pulse time, and each of the idle time and the pulse time is shorter than a duration time of the main pulse, wherein applying the plurality of short pulses comprises irradiating the electron beam from the electron source towards the electron beam irradiation surface during the pulse time; and idling the electron beam during the idle time, wherein a duty cycle of the short pulse is 0.4 to 0.6, which is obtained by dividing the idle time by a sum of the pulse time and the idle time.

A circuit assembly includes plural voltage control modules configured to be operably coupled in series to a connection and configured to control voltage delivered to an X-ray electrode. Each voltage module includes an on/off circuit portion, a balancing circuit portion, and a tuning circuit portion. The on/off circuit portion is configured to provide a voltage for activating or deactivating the X-ray electrode. The balancing circuit portion is coupled in parallel to the on/off circuit portion, and includes a capacitor and a resistor coupled in parallel. The tuning circuit portion is coupled in parallel to the balancing circuit portion and the on/off circuit portion, and is configured to adjust a voltage provided to the X-ray electrode.