Evaluating the performance of an X-ray tube by: recording arcing events that occurred during the use of the X-ray tube; classifying the arcing events by severity; generating, on the basis of the classified arcing events, a first growth pattern for occurrences of arcing events; and determining a level of bubbles in the X-ray tube by finding, on the basis of the first growth pattern, a matching second growth pattern associated with a known level of bubbles in the X-ray tube. An X-ray tube may be checked and replaced in a timely manner, without the need for an on-site inspection, by remotely predicting trends or patterns for growth of levels of bubbles in the X-ray tube.

A device for monitoring vacuum quality of a vacuum circuit breaker, the device including at least one rigid assembly including a first stationary conductive surface that is separated by an insulating layer from a second stationary conductive surface that is grounded. The assembly forms a first capacitor having a fixed value, the first stationary conductive surface being arranged opposite an electrically active portion of the vacuum circuit breaker to form, together with the portion, a second capacitor, and an electronic circuit for measuring a variation in voltage of the first capacitor that is representative of a change in state of the vacuum of the circuit breaker.

A device for monitoring vacuum quality of a vacuum circuit breaker, the device including at least one rigid assembly including a first stationary conductive surface that is separated by an insulating layer from a second stationary conductive surface that is grounded. The assembly forms a first capacitor having a fixed value, the first stationary conductive surface being arranged opposite an electrically active portion of the vacuum circuit breaker to form, together with the portion, a second capacitor, and an electronic circuit for measuring a variation in voltage of the first capacitor that is representative of a change in state of the vacuum of the circuit breaker.

The thermionic valve tester (10) has a casing (11) and three valve sockets (12) each of which is adapted to receive and has terminals for connection with the electrode pins of different types of thermionic valves. The thermionic valve tester (10) also has a display (13) comprising a series of LED lights, three user operated buttons (16), and a single power supply socket or terminal (14) which supplies power to all components of the valve tester and which is adapted for connection to a low voltage DC power supply lead. Internally, the thermionic valve tester (10) has a plurality of voltage regulators each with a switchable connection to at least one valve electrode terminal of the valve sockets (12) and a memory in which is stored the tests and the performance criteria for different types of thermionic valves. A controller controls connection of the voltage regulators with the terminals of the valve sockets (12) and the voltages applied to the terminals and also monitors current flow in the thermionic valve during testing. The thermionic valve tester is a small, portable unit which is simple and easy to use and enables people, other than qualified specialists and audio technicians, to regularly monitor valve performance.

The thermionic valve tester (10) has a casing (11) and three valve sockets (12) each of which is adapted to receive and has terminals for connection with the electrode pins of different types of thermionic valves. The thermionic valve tester (10) also has a display (13) comprising a series of LED lights, three user operated buttons (16), and a single power supply socket or terminal (14) which supplies power to all components of the valve tester and which is adapted for connection to a low voltage DC power supply lead. Internally, the thermionic valve tester (10) has a plurality of voltage regulators each with a switchable connection to at least one valve electrode terminal of the valve sockets (12) and a memory in which is stored the tests and the performance criteria for different types of thermionic valves. A controller controls connection of the voltage regulators with the terminals of the valve sockets (12) and the voltages applied to the terminals and also monitors current flow in the thermionic valve during testing. The thermionic valve tester is a small, portable unit which is simple and easy to use and enables people, other than qualified specialists and audio technicians, to regularly monitor valve performance.

The present invention relates to a method and system for predicting X-ray degradation, the system comprising; a generator (10) configured to generate a deployment fingerprint data set for recording cumulative radiation exposure of a currently deployed X-ray tube; a database (20) configured to provide a training data set comprising multiple tube fingerprint data sets for recording cumulative radiation exposure of previously deployed X-ray tubes correlated with failures of the previously deployed X-ray tubes; and a neural network (30) configured to be trained using the training data set and configured to predict at least one parameter of the currently deployed X-ray tube based on the training.

A modular computer system includes a plurality of circuit modules, each of which includes one or more components that are subject to failure, such as a vacuum tube. A carrier assembly is added to each circuit module of the modular computer system. The carrier assembly hosts monitoring circuitry that indicates the proper functioning of one or more components on the attached module. In one implementation, each module includes a vacuum tube, and a coil located on the carrier assembly is connected in series with the heater of the vacuum tube. A Hall effect sensor is positioned near the coil. If the heater of the vacuum tube fails, the flow of current through the coil is interrupted and is detected by the Hall effect sensor. The Hall effect sensor is connected to an LED that indicates failure of the vacuum tube.

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.

Ground and test devices (G&TD) have an interchangeable test configuration using serially releasably mountable first and second ground assemblies and releasably mounted primary arm conductors thereby allowing for onsite field modification of a base test unit for use to test either the load side or line side terminals without requiring two separate base test devices providing an economic and less bulky test solution for end users.

An example electrical drain test device includes a battery interface system having electrical cables to connect in-line with a negative battery post of a battery and an electrical system under test without losing connectivity to test the electrical system under test without having to reset test or vehicle modules. The example electrical drain test device also includes a battery disconnect switch. The battery disconnect switch in a first position provides continuous electrical current between the battery and the electrical system. The battery disconnect switch in a second position electrically connects the electrical system under test to the battery through a test circuit to test the electrical system under test for parasitic drain. After an initial connection, the system under test remains in electrical connection with the battery regardless of switch position.