Patent GB-478348-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the control of x-ray apparatus
IPC: H05G1/46
Filed: 1936-06-11
Abstract: 478,348. Supply systems for X-ray tubes. TRIGGS, W. W. (Kelley-Koett Manufacturing Co.; Inc.) June 11, 1936, No. 16355. [Class 38 (iv)] In an electric supply system for an X-ray tube used for examination, treatment or radiographic purposes in connection with any part of the body, the voltage and the time of exposure may be varied in accordance with the kind of treatment, the distance of the tube from the patient, the part of the body affected, and its density and the characteristics of the tube, the high tension current being independently adjustable. A classification diagram mounted on the control board gives the distance, current strength setting, cone number and setting of the Potter-Bucky grid or diaphragm for various parts of the body. The control board is shown in Fig. 3, the general wiring diagram in Fig. 1 and details of the timer 71 for use in radiographic exposures in Fig. 2. The cathode of the R÷ntgen-ray tube 65 is heated by a transformer 63 and the main current is supplied from a transformer 52 through bridge rectifiers 60, the cathodes of which are heated through transformers 57,58, 59. The primary of the main transformer 52 is supplied from the A.C. main 25 through an auto-transformer 17 having tappings controlled by three and six pole switches 50, 51 operated in combination by the dial knob 15 to give a wide choice of voltages. The primaries of the cathode heating transformers 57, 58, 59, 63 may be supplied through a voltage stabilizer 41, the circuit of the rectifier heaters including an adjustable resistance 56, while the circuit of the cathode heating transformer 63 includes the secondary of a compensating transformer 61 and adjustable resistances 62, 64. The transformer 61 automatically reduces the voltage supplied to the transformer 63 as the voltage of the autotransformer 17 is increased. Ordinary exposures for examination or treatment. When the apparatus is used for examination or treatment, the five armed two pole switch 12 is moved to the left as shown in Fig. 1. Current may then be supplied from switch 51 of transformer 17 through pole 32 of switch 12, resistance 53 coil of relay 66 and double pole relay 54 to transformer 52 of tube 65. Resistance 53 limits the current to a safe value and relay 66 prepares the circuit of the winding of relay 54 for operation by the control switch 23. Relay 66 opens if the current flowing through relay 54 to transformer 52 is excessive. Pilot light 14 indicates closure of switch 54. Timed exposures for radiography. When the apparatus is to be used for radiographic purposes, switch 12 is moved to the right and the exposure timer 71, shown in detail in Fig. 2, is then brought into operation, the exposure being indicated by closure of push button switch 22 or by the closure of switch 22 and the switch 72 of the Potter-Bucky diaphragm. The exposure is terminated by the timer or previously if desired by releasing switch 22. The timer includes a grid controlled discharge tube 105 associated with a condenser 112, and a resistance 124 in such a way that when the condenser is charged through the valve, the exposure may be started on operation of the controlling switch or switches, the exposure being terminated when the valve becomes non- conductive through leakage of the positive grid potential resulting from discharge of the condenser 112 through one of the selected resist - ances 70, the time of exposure depending upon the resistance selected. When switch 12 is moved to the right for radiography, the timing circuit is prepared by current from terminal 30 through contact C, transformer primary 100, contact B and return lead 67 to voltage transformer 17. The several transformer secondaries 102, 102B, 103, 104 serve to close the thermal switch contact 109A and render the valve 105 conductive. Relay 119 then operates to place a shunt across resistance 124 so that condenser 112 can be freely charged by a succession of half cycles. The timing circuit is then ready for an exposure. On closure of switch 22 or switches 22 and 72, relay 114 is operated thus removing the shunt from resistance 124 which renders the valve 105 non-conductive. Relay 119 is consequently deenergized and closes a circuit through voltage relay 54 whereby the main R÷ntgen-ray tube 65 is supplied and the exposure started. At the same time condenser 112 discharges through one of the selected resistances 70 until the tube 105 again becomes conductive when the exposure terminates and the condenser is recharged in readiness for another exposure. The time of exposure may also be varied by adjustment of resistance 21 by knob 20. The five arm four pole switch 19 is adjusted to either of the first two positions for ordinary exposures, the exposure being initiated by closing switch 22. The second position gives three times the current of the first and one or the other is selected according to the part of the body exposed as indicated in column MA of the chart, Fig. 4. This difference is brought about by varying the amount of the resistances 56, 64 inserted in the heater and rectifier transformers 63, 57, 58, 59. The third and fourth positions of switch 19 are similarly related to one another and each supplies three times the current of the corresponding positions one and two. These positions are used when the Potter-Bucky diaphragm is employed, exposure switches 22 and 72 then being both operated. To adjust resistances 70 which controls the rate of discharges of condenser 112 and hence the timing of the exposure, handle 10 is moved up or down in accordance with the requirements of classification chart, Fig. 4, and correspondingly adjusts resistances in one of the four rows selected by switch 19. Handle 10 moves with transverse bar 122 which is always in contact through side bar 123 with terminal F, the other ends of the resistances being connected through the lowest arm 19<5> of switch 19 with terminal E. The voltage stabilizer 41 may be dispensed with and a voltage compensator may be placed in one leg of the auto-transformer 17. Timing condenser 112 may be made variable to compensate for changes in the speed of films or screens.