X-RAY TUBE FILAMENT ENERGIZATION METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

X-ray Tube Filament Energization Method and Apparatus An X-ray tube filament energization method and apparatus with a filament energizing transformer mounted inside an X-ray tube housing while a high voltage generating transformer remains outside that housing. This arrangement allows a single high magnitude negative polarity input to be routed through the tube housing and coupled to the tube cathode. In one embodiment of the invention two cathode filaments are each energized when in use by an associated one of two filament transformers inside the housing. Selective energization of one or the other transformers determines which filament is to be energized. In an alternate embodiment a frequency sensing electronic switch chooses which filament to energize depending on the energization frequency input to a single filament transformer.