An x-ray source assembly includes an anode stack including a source spot upon which electrons impinge with power being supplied to the assembly, and a control system to facilitate maintaining intensity of output x-rays from the x-ray source assembly during operation. The control system is configured to actively control temperature of the anode stack relative to a setpoint or defined setpoint range. The control system heats the anode stack in a heating mode, when an anode stack temperature is below the setpoint or defined setpoint range, and switches to a cooling mode to cool the anode stack when the anode stack temperature rises above the setpoint or defined setpoint range.

An x-ray source assembly includes an anode stack including a source spot upon which electrons impinge with power being supplied to the assembly, and a control system to facilitate maintaining intensity of output x-rays from the x-ray source assembly during operation. The control system is configured to actively control temperature of the anode stack relative to a setpoint or defined setpoint range. The control system heats the anode stack in a heating mode, when an anode stack temperature is below the setpoint or defined setpoint range, and switches to a cooling mode to cool the anode stack when the anode stack temperature rises above the setpoint or defined setpoint range.

A method is provided for compensating the settings of a pulsed X-ray system. A current, voltage and intended pulse width settings are selected for the X-ray pulses to be provided. Then, the selected pulse width setting for the set voltage and tube current is compensated, in accordance with stored normalized value or values at a predetermined temperature, taking into account the environmental temperature of the electric circuitry of the X-ray tank. The normalized values are obtained in a calibration step from the actual or effective pulse width and the difference thereof with the intended width, normalizing said value with the temperature of the circuitry providing pulsed voltage and current to the source.

A method is provided for compensating the settings of a pulsed X-ray system. A current, voltage and intended pulse width settings are selected for the X-ray pulses to be provided. Then, the selected pulse width setting for the set voltage and tube current is compensated, in accordance with stored normalized value or values at a predetermined temperature, taking into account the environmental temperature of the electric circuitry of the X-ray tank. The normalized values are obtained in a calibration step from the actual or effective pulse width and the difference thereof with the intended width, normalizing said value with the temperature of the circuitry providing pulsed voltage and current to the source.

Provided is an X-ray inspection apparatus including: an X-ray tube configured to generate X-rays; a high-voltage power source configured to supply a tube voltage to the X-ray tube to generate X-rays; an X-ray irradiation control section configured to output a first control signal and a second control signal to the high-voltage power source to control the high-voltage power source; and a determination section configured to count at least one of the first control signal and the second control signal output from the X-ray irradiation control section to the high-voltage power source, compare a counted count value with a preset threshold value, and determine a deterioration state of a component constituting the X-ray tube.

Provided is an X-ray inspection apparatus including: an X-ray tube configured to generate X-rays; a high-voltage power source configured to supply a tube voltage to the X-ray tube to generate X-rays; an X-ray irradiation control section configured to output a first control signal and a second control signal to the high-voltage power source to control the high-voltage power source; and a determination section configured to count at least one of the first control signal and the second control signal output from the X-ray irradiation control section to the high-voltage power source, compare a counted count value with a preset threshold value, and determine a deterioration state of a component constituting the X-ray tube.

The present disclosure relates to a high voltage generator including multiple high voltage generating modules configured to provide a total voltage. Each of the multiple high voltage generating modules may be configured to receive a driving pulse and generate a voltage component of the total voltage according to the driving pulse. The multiple high voltage generating modules may be in a series connection. Time points when the multiple high voltage generating modules receive driving pulses may be different, and waveforms of the driving pulses may be the same.

The present disclosure relates to a high voltage generator including multiple high voltage generating modules configured to provide a total voltage. Each of the multiple high voltage generating modules may be configured to receive a driving pulse and generate a voltage component of the total voltage according to the driving pulse. The multiple high voltage generating modules may be in a series connection. Time points when the multiple high voltage generating modules receive driving pulses may be different, and waveforms of the driving pulses may be the same.

An X-ray tube is provided with: a cathode and an anode sealed inside a vacuum envelope; and an ion-collecting conductor attached to the vacuum envelop so as to be in contact with an internal space of the vacuum envelope. A first current sensor measures a value of a first current flowing between the ion-collecting conductor and a node for supplying potential for attracting positive ions in the vacuum envelope. A second current sensor measures a value of a second current flowing between the anode and the cathode. A control circuit generates diagnostic information on the degree of vacuum of the X-ray tube based on a current ratio file of the first current value measured by the first current sensor to the second current value measured by the second current sensor.

An X-ray tube is provided with: a cathode and an anode sealed inside a vacuum envelope; and an ion-collecting conductor attached to the vacuum envelop so as to be in contact with an internal space of the vacuum envelope. A first current sensor measures a value of a first current flowing between the ion-collecting conductor and a node for supplying potential for attracting positive ions in the vacuum envelope. A second current sensor measures a value of a second current flowing between the anode and the cathode. A control circuit generates diagnostic information on the degree of vacuum of the X-ray tube based on a current ratio file of the first current value measured by the first current sensor to the second current value measured by the second current sensor.