Inventors:
John T. Perry - Salt Lake City UT
James A. Grichnik - Park Ridge IL
Joel J. Schmutzer - Oak Park IL
Assignee:
Varian Associates - Palo Alto CA
International Classification:
H05G 130
Abstract:
Failure inducive operating conditions of an X-ray generator tube are sensed. Some of the sensed operating conditions are events such as hot overload of the target and thermal shock of the target, while other sensed operating conditions include hot target bearing use and thermionic cathode filament heater use. Certain of the sensed operating conditions are integrated, with the integrated output being compared against a predetermined standard to yield a prediction of remaining operating life. Other sensed conditions, if present, are indicative of incipient failure without integration. The integrated signals are stored in electrochemical cells and read out periodically for a prediction of incipient tube failure.