Patent Description:
An X-ray generating device is widely applied to analyzers, medical instruments, and the like. Generally, an X-ray generating device is configured to generate X-rays in a vacuum-sealed X-ray tube by accelerating electrons emitted from a cathode by a high voltage applied between an anode and the cathode to collide the electrons against a target formed on the surface of the anode.

When the degree of vacuum in the X-ray tube deteriorates due to aging, i.e., when the pressure rises, the replacement of the X-ray tube is required due to the generation of discharge. Therefore, a technique to predict the life of an X-ray tube by detecting the deterioration of the degree of vacuum in a non-destructive manner has been proposed. This technique is described in <CIT> (Patent Document <NUM>) and <CIT> (Patent Document <NUM>).

Patent Document <NUM> discloses a configuration in which a vacuum measuring unit with a built-in ion gauge sphere for an ionization vacuum gauge is attached to a vacuum envelope of an X-ray tube to measure the degree of vacuum inside the vacuum envelope.

Patent Document <NUM> discloses a technique for measuring the degree of vacuum of an X-ray tube. This technique utilizes the correlation between a measurement current and the degree of vacuum based on the measured current flowing between an anode and a cathode when gas molecules to be ionized in the X-ray tube is attracted to the anode with the electric field between the anode and the cathode opposite to the direction at which X-rays are generated.

However, in the configuration of Patent Document <NUM>, since the vacuum measuring unit is attached to the vacuum envelope, there are concerns about the deterioration of the degree of vacuum from the attachment point and increased costs due to the addition of the new structure. On the other hand, in the configuration of Patent Document <NUM>, there is no need to change the configuration of the X-ray tube including the vacuum envelope. However, when measuring the degree of vacuum, a mechanism is newly required to apply a voltage between the collecting element and the filament (electron source), and a mechanism for generating an electric field between the anode and the cathode in the direction opposite to that when the X-rays are generated is also newly required.

In the configuration of Patent Document <NUM>, a current corresponding to the amount of ions generated by the collision of electrons emitted from the cathode against gas molecules is measured in the same manner as an ionization vacuum meter to quantitively measure the gas molecules. For this reason, the measured current varies depending not only on the amount of gas molecules present in the X-ray tube but also on the electron emission amount. On the other hand, in the configuration of Patent Document <NUM>, the life of the X-ray tube is predicted from the previously determined correlation between the measured current and the degree of vacuum. Therefore, due to the aging of the device, the fluctuation of the power supply voltage, the individual difference in the X-ray tube, and the like, the following concerns arise. When the amount of electrons emitted from the cathode at the time of measuring the degree of vacuum differs from the electron emission amount at the time of determining the above-described correlation, there is a concern that errors may occur in the measurement of the degree of vacuum, that is, in the life diagnosis of the X-ray tube.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. It is an object of the present invention to perform deterioration diagnosis of an X-ray tube with high accuracy by a simple configuration.

A first aspect of the present invention related to an X-ray generating device. The X-ray generating device is provided with an X-ray tube, first and second DC current power supplies, first and second current sensors, and a control circuit. The X-ray tube includes a cathode and an anode which are sealed inside a vacuum envelope, and an ion-collecting conductor attached to the vacuum envelope so as to be in contact with an internal space of the vacuum envelope. The cathode includes an electron source for emitting electrons. The anode is arranged to face the cathode and configured to emit X-rays when electrons emitted from the electron source are incident. The first DC power supply is configured to apply a first DC voltage for supplying emission energy of electrons to the electron source. The second DC power supply is configured to apply a second DC voltage for generating an electric field for making the anode to be high potential between the cathode and the anode. The first current sensor is configured to measure 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. The second current sensor is configured to measure a value of a second current flowing between the anode and the cathode. The control circuit is configured to generate diagnostic information on a degree of vacuum of the X-ray tube based on a current ratio of the value of the first current measured by the first current sensor to the value of the second current measured by the second current sensor in a state in which the first DC voltage and the second DC voltage are being applied.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a diagnostic device for an X-ray generating device equipped with an X-ray tube including an anode and a cathode provided with an electron source, the anode and the cathode being sealed inside a vacuum envelope, and an ion-collecting conductor attached to the vacuum envelope so as to be in contact with an internal space of the vacuum envelope. The diagnostic device is provided with a current sensor and a control circuit. The current sensor is configured to measure a value of a first current flowing between the ion-collecting conductor and a node for applying potential for attracting positive ions in the vacuum envelope. The control circuit is configured to:.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a diagnostic method for an X-ray generating device. The X-ray generating device includes an X-ray tube including an anode and a cathode provided with an electron source, the anode and the cathode being sealed inside a vacuum envelope, and an ion-collecting conductor attached to the vacuum envelope so as to be in contact with an internal space of the vacuum envelope. The diagnostic method includes the steps of:.

According to the present invention, it is possible to perform a deterioration diagnosis of an X-ray tube with high accuracy by a simple configuration.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding component in the drawings is denoted by the same reference numeral, and the description thereof will not be repeated as a general rule.

<FIG> is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a typical X-ray generating device shown as Comparative Example.

Referring to <FIG>, the X-ray generating device <NUM># as Comparative Example is provided with a housing <NUM>, an X-ray tube <NUM>, and a DC power supplies <NUM> and <NUM>. The inside of the X-ray tube <NUM> is held in vacuum by being sealed by a vacuum envelope <NUM>.

The X-ray tube <NUM> has a cathode <NUM> and an anode <NUM> sealed inside the vacuum envelope <NUM>. A filament <NUM> is attached to the surface of the cathode <NUM>. A target <NUM> is formed at a position of the anode <NUM> facing the filament <NUM>.

The DC power supply <NUM> is connected to the filament <NUM>. The output voltage Vf of the DC power supply <NUM> is generally about <NUM> V. By energizing the filament <NUM> by the DC power supply <NUM>, the thermally excited electrons <NUM> are emitted from the filament <NUM>. That is, by the output voltage Vf of the DC power supply <NUM>, the emission energy of the electrons <NUM> is supplied to the filament <NUM>.

The output voltage Vdc of the DC power supply <NUM> is generally tens kV to hundreds kV. A high voltage is applied between the cathode <NUM> and the anode <NUM> by the DC power supply <NUM>. With this, between the cathode <NUM> and the anode <NUM>, the electric field in which the anode <NUM> side is high in potential is formed. The anode <NUM> generates X-rays when the electrons <NUM> emitted from the filament <NUM> are accelerated by the electric field and collide against the target <NUM>.

The X-rays are output to the outside of the X-ray tube <NUM> via an X-ray irradiation window <NUM> provided at the opening <NUM> of the vacuum envelope <NUM>. The X-ray irradiation window <NUM> is formed using a material having airtightness and high X-ray transmittance (for example, a film-like beryllium). The X-ray irradiation window <NUM> is fixed to the X-ray tube <NUM> (vacuum envelope <NUM>) via a flange-shaped fixing member <NUM>. The fixing member <NUM> is configured to have a contact region contacting the internal space of the vacuum envelope <NUM> and maintain the sealability by the vacuum envelope <NUM> to fixedly hold the X-ray irradiation window <NUM> to the vacuum envelope <NUM>. Further, the fixing member <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are electrically connected.

To the fixing member <NUM>, an external device <NUM> as an X-ray supply target is attached by screwing or the like. The external device <NUM> is typically an analytical or medical instrument. Normally, the external device <NUM> is attached and fixed to the fixing member <NUM>, so that the housing <NUM> and the fixing member <NUM> are grounded by a common ground common to the external device <NUM>.

The X-ray tube <NUM> is stored inside the housing <NUM> filled with insulation oil <NUM>. The insulation oil <NUM> electrically insulates the X-ray tube <NUM> to which a high voltage is applied, from the housing <NUM> and also has a cooling function of the X-ray tube <NUM>.

When the output voltages Vf and Vdc of the DC power supplies <NUM> and <NUM> are applied to the X-ray tube <NUM>, X-rays are output through the X-ray irradiation window <NUM> of the X-ray tube <NUM>. The irradiation quantity of the X-rays varies depending on the output voltages of the DC power supplies <NUM> and <NUM>. Specifically, depending on the output voltage Vf of the DC power supply <NUM>, the quantity of electrons to be emitted from the filament <NUM> changes, and the X-ray irradiation quantity changes. By arranging a current sensor <NUM> between the cathode <NUM> or the anode <NUM> and the DC power supply <NUM>, a value of a current Ie (hereinafter also referred to as an "emitter current Ie") depending on the quantity of electrons can be detected. It is also possible to change X-ray irradiation quantity by changing the output voltage Vdc of the DC power supply <NUM> to change the intensity of the electric field to accelerate electrons <NUM>.

In this embodiment, a configuration having a function of non-destructively diagnosing the degree of vacuum of the internal space of the X-ray tube <NUM> will be described with respect to the X-ray generating device <NUM># of Comparative Example shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the X-ray generating device according to this embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the X-ray generating device <NUM> according to this embodiment differs in that it is further provided with a control circuit <NUM> and a current sensor <NUM>, as compared with the X-ray generating device <NUM># of Comparative Example shown in <FIG>.

The current sensor <NUM> is electrically connected between the fixing member <NUM> and the ground node Ng. Note that since the fixing member <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are electrically connected, even by connecting the current sensor <NUM> to the housing <NUM>, it is possible to electrically connect the current sensor <NUM> between the fixing member <NUM> and the ground node Ng. As described below, the current sensor <NUM> detects the current value Ii in a diagnostic mode.

The control circuit <NUM> includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, an input/output I/O circuit <NUM>, and an electronic circuit <NUM>. The CPU <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, and the I/O circuit <NUM> can exchange signals with each other via the bus <NUM>. The electronic circuit <NUM> is configured to execute predetermined operation processing by dedicated hardware. The electronic circuit <NUM> can exchange signals between the CPU <NUM> and the I/O circuit <NUM>.

The control circuit <NUM> receives mode inputs and the detection values of the currents Ie and Ii detected by the current sensors <NUM> and <NUM> and outputs diagnostic information indicating the diagnostic result of the degree of vacuum in a diagnostic mode. The control circuit <NUM> may typically be configured by a microcomputer. Note that in the following description, processing in the diagnostic mode by the control circuit <NUM> will be mainly described. It should be, however, noted that the configuration example shown in <FIG> does not mean that the arrangement of a microcomputer dedicated to the diagnostic mode is essential. For example, in the X-ray generating device <NUM># of Comparative Example, the control circuit <NUM> can be configured by adding a diagnostic mode function (to be described later) to a microcomputer (not shown) arranged for controlling X-ray generation. Therefore, the X-ray generating device <NUM> according to this embodiment can be realized only by additionally arranging the current sensor <NUM> on hardware with respect to the X-ray generating device <NUM># of Comparative Example.

The X-ray generating device <NUM> has an X-ray generation mode for emitting X-rays and a diagnostic mode. The X-ray generation mode and the diagnostic mode can be selected by a mode input to the control circuit <NUM> responsive to a button operation, etc., by the user.

The operation of the X-ray generating device <NUM> in the X-ray generation mode is the same as that of the X-ray generating device <NUM> of <FIG>, so the detailed description is not repeated. Furthermore, in the X-ray generating device <NUM>, even in the diagnostic mode, the connecting relation of the DC power supply <NUM> to the cathode <NUM> is the same as that in the X-ray generation mode. Similarly, the output voltage Vdc of the DC power supply <NUM> is applied between the cathode <NUM> and the anode <NUM> with the same polarity as in the X-ray generation mode. That is, the DC power supply <NUM> corresponds to one example of the "first DC power supply", and the output voltage Vf corresponds to one example of the "first DC voltage". Similarly, the DC power supply <NUM> corresponds to one example of the "second DC power supply", and the output voltage Vdc corresponds to one example of the "second DC voltage".

The degree of vacuum of the X-ray tube <NUM> deteriorates in accordance with the increase of gas molecules <NUM> present in the internal space of the X-ray tube <NUM> due to the occluded gases coming out of the components of the X-ray tube <NUM>, gases generated by the heat generated by electron collisions, or the like. The gas molecule <NUM> changes to a positive ion <NUM> when ionized due to collision against the electron <NUM>.

The fixing member <NUM> is electrically connected to the ground node Ng for supplying the ground potential GND by the path <NUM> including the current sensor <NUM>. Therefore, the positive ion <NUM> generated in the internal space of the X-ray tube <NUM> is attracted to the fixing member <NUM>. As a result, a current Ii (hereinafter also referred to as an "ion current Ii") that depends on the amount of positive ions generated in the internal space of the vacuum envelope <NUM> is generated in the path <NUM>. The ion current Ii can be measured by the current sensor <NUM>. At the same time, the current sensor <NUM> can measure the emitter current Ie that depends on the electron emission from the filament <NUM>, in the same manner as when X-rays are generated. The value of the emitter current Ie corresponds to the "second current value", and the current sensor <NUM> corresponds to one example of the "value of the second current". Further, the value of the ion current Ii corresponds to the "value of the first current", and the current sensor <NUM> corresponds to one example of the "first current sensor" or the "current sensor".

Further, in the configuration of <FIG>, as in <FIG>, when the fixing member <NUM> or the housing <NUM> is grounded through a path not including the current sensor <NUM> by an external device <NUM> or the like, both ends of the current sensor <NUM> becomes the same potential. For this reason, it becomes impossible to measure the ion current Ii by the current sensor <NUM>. Therefore, the external device <NUM> is detached from the fixing member <NUM> so that the fixing member <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are grounded though the path <NUM> including the current sensor <NUM>. With this, it becomes possible to detect the ion current Ii by the current sensor <NUM>. Further, after the removal of the external device <NUM>, a member for shielding X-rays is mounted to the X-ray irradiation window <NUM>.

That is, in <FIG>, the fixing member <NUM> corresponds to one example of the "ion-collecting conductor", and the ground node Ng corresponds to one example of the "node for applying the potential for attracting a positive ion". With this, the "ion-collecting conductor" for diagnosing the degree of vacuum can be configured without adding a new member (hardware) to the X-ray generating device <NUM># of Comparative Example. If it is potential capable of attracting the positive ion <NUM>, the current sensor <NUM> may be electrically connected between a node for applying the potential other than a ground potential GND and the fixing member <NUM>.

Usually, the degree of vacuum of a closed space is quantitatively evaluated by the inner pressure of the space. Particularly, in an X-ray generating device, the generation of discharges due to the deterioration of the degree of vacuum inside the X-ray tube <NUM> becomes a point of the deterioration diagnostic. It is essential to diagnose the deterioration of the degree of vacuum in a non-destructive manner before the degree of vacuum deteriorates (the pressure increases) to such a level.

<FIG> shows an example of a Paschen curve showing discharging characteristics. The horizontal axis in <FIG> represents a pressure (Pa), and the vertical axis represents a discharge voltage (V). Note that in <FIG>, both the vertical axis and the horizontal axis are logarithmic scales, and the pressure and the discharge voltage increase <NUM> times for each grating in the drawing.

As is known, a Paschen curve can be obtained from a Passion's law, which shows the relation between the discharge voltage, the degree of vacuum, the interelectrode distance, and the constant for each gas type. As will be described later, in order to verify the diagnosis of the degree of vacuum according to this embodiment, the inventors of the present invention conducted a measurement experiment for actually targeting X-ray tubes including a deteriorated product in which discharges actually occurred. <FIG> shows Paschen curves <NUM> to <NUM> for four types of gases (helium, nitrogen, water vapor, and atmosphere) obtained by analyzing the actual interior gas of an X-ray tube targeted for the measurement experiment.

Referring to <FIG>, it is understood from the Paschen curves <NUM> to <NUM> that discharges occur at different voltages depending on the type of the gas. From the Paschen curves <NUM> to <NUM>, it is understood that discharges occur in the region in which the pressure is Px (hereinafter, also referred to as "discharge pressure Px") or higher. From the Paschen curve <NUM>, it is understood that discharges occur in the region in which the pressure is Py or higher. Therefore, for the diagnosis of the degree of vacuum for these X-ray tubes, information for quantitatively evaluating the margin for the discharge pressure Px is required in a range lower than the discharge pressure Px.

<FIG> shows measurement data of an X-ray tube by the diagnosis of the degree of vacuum by the X-ray generating device <NUM> according to this embodiment. In <FIG>, experimental results are shown in which the ion current Ii and the emitter current Ie described above were measured by changing the pressure in a vacuum chamber in a state in which an opened X-ray tube as a measurement target for a gas analysis was installed in the vacuum chamber.

In the horizontal axis of <FIG>, the current ratio Ii/Ie of the measured emitter current Ii to the measured ion current Ie is shown with a logarithmic axis. In the vertical axis, the measurement value of the pressure P(Pa) in the vacuum chamber is shown with a logarithmic axis. Experiments were performed using a plurality of X-ray tubes of the same model as measurement targets. In <FIG>, the combination of actual measurement values of the current ratio Ii/Ie and the pressure P are plotted with different symbols for each X-ray tube.

From <FIG>, it can be understood that in a region in which the current ratio Ii/Ie is small, the value of the current ratio Ii/Ie for the same pressure value varies from the individual X-ray tube to the individual X-ray tube. On the other hand, as the current ratio Ii/Ie rises, it is understood that there is a region <NUM> in which individual differences are resolved and the current ratio Ii/Ie for the same pressure value becomes approximately equal. In the region <NUM>, the slope of the change of the pressure P to the change of the current ratio Ii/Ie on the logarithmic graph Ii/Ie is substantially constant.

Hereinafter, the region <NUM> in which the characteristics of P to the current ratio Ii/Ie are plotted on substantially the same straight line on the logarithmic graph regardless of the individual differences of X-ray tubes is also referred to as a "diagnostic region <NUM> ". In the diagnostic region <NUM>, it is understood that the current ratio Ii/Ie can be used to quantitatively estimate the interior pressure of the X-ray tube <NUM> regardless of the individual differences in the X-ray tubes. The lower limit Pmin of the pressure range covered by the diagnostic region <NUM> is on the order of <NUM> × <NUM><NUM> times the discharge pressure Px shown in <FIG>.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is understood that an increase in pressure toward the discharge pressure Px, i.e., deterioration of the degree of vacuum, can be diagnosed in a non-destructive manner at a pressure range of Px·(<NUM>/<NUM><NUM>) or more based on the current ratio Ii/Ie.

<FIG> shows an enlarged view of the diagnostic region <NUM> of the scatter diagram of <FIG>. In <FIG>, the measurement data at the plurality of X-ray tubes shown in <FIG> is plotted with the same symbols, and the characteristic line <NUM> obtained as a regression line by statistical processing is also shown. That is, in the diagnostic region <NUM>, the pressure P(Pa) proportional to the kth power of the current ratio Ii/Ie can be estimated by the following Expression (<NUM>) indicating the characteristic line <NUM>.

Note that the constants C and k in Expression (<NUM>) are fixed values for each model of X-ray tubes <NUM> and can be handled as the same value in an X-ray tube of the same model. Therefore, the constants C and k can be predetermined by performing measurement experiments in advance for the model of the X-ray tube <NUM> mounted in the X-ray generating device <NUM>. That is, the characteristic line <NUM> or Expression (<NUM>) corresponds to one example of the "predetermined correspondence relation between the current ratio and the pressure in the vacuum envelope <NUM>". The information indicating the characteristic line <NUM> or the information indicating Expression (<NUM>) is stored in advance in the memory <NUM>.

The control circuit <NUM> can calculate the pressure estimation value inside the X-ray tube <NUM> (vacuum envelope <NUM>). This computation is performed using the information indicating the characteristic line <NUM> or Expression (<NUM>), which is stored in advance in the memory <NUM>, and the current ratio Ii/Ie calculated from the measurement values by the current sensors <NUM> and <NUM>.

For example, diagnostic information on the degree of vacuum indicating whether or not P > Px can be acquired by predetermining a threshold Pth lower than the discharge pressure Px with respect to the pressure estimation value P calculated as described above. Note that the threshold Pth may be set to multiple levels to generate the diagnostic information on the degree of vacuum so that the deterioration degree (the degree of increase in pressure) of the degree of vacuum is indicated at multiple levels. Alternatively, the pressure difference between the pressure estimation value P and the threshold Pth or the discharge pressure Px can be calculated as the diagnostic information on the quantitative degree of vacuum. The user convenience can be improved by providing diagnostic information capable of easily imagining the deterioration of the degree of vacuum by converting the deterioration into the pressure which is a physical quantity directly related to the discharge ocurrence in the X-ray tube <NUM>.

Further, according to the characteristic line <NUM>, it is possible to determine the threshold Jth of the current ratio Ii/Ie in advance in correspondence with the above-described threshold Pth of the pressure. This makes it possible to generate diagnostic information on the degree of vacuum based on the comparison between single or multi-stage thresholds Jth and the measurement value of the current ratio Ii/Ie. Alternatively, the difference between measurement value of the current ratio Ii/Ie and the threshold Jth can be calculated as the diagnostic information on the quantitative degree of vacuum.

<FIG> is a flowchart for explaining control processing in a diagnostic mode of the X-ray generating device according to this embodiment. The control processing according to <FIG> can be performed, for example, by the control circuit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the control circuit <NUM> determines whether or not the diagnostic mode is turned on by the mode input to the control circuit <NUM> in Step <NUM>. When the diagnostic mode is turned on (Yes in Step <NUM>), the processing in the diagnostic mode after Step <NUM> is initiated. On the other hand, when the diagnostic mode is turned off, that is, when it is in the X-ray generation mode (No in Step <NUM>), the processing after Step <NUM> will not be initiated.

The control circuit <NUM> operates the DC power supplies <NUM> and <NUM> with the fixing member <NUM> as the "ion-collecting conductor" in Step <NUM>. Thus, as described in <FIG>, the electron <NUM> emitted by the energization of the filament <NUM> by the DC power supply <NUM> is accelerated by the electric field generated by the output voltage Vdc of the DC power supply <NUM>. Then, a positive ion <NUM> generated by the collision of the electron <NUM> against a gas molecule <NUM> is attracted to the ion-collecting conductor, thereby generating the ion current Ii.

The control circuit <NUM> measures the emitter current Ie from the detection value of the current sensor <NUM> in Step <NUM> under the state of Step <NUM>. The control circuit <NUM> measures the ion current Ii from the detection value of the current sensor <NUM> in Step <NUM>. Note that Step <NUM> and Step <NUM> may be executed in the reverse order or may be executed simultaneously.

As described above, in a case where the fixing member <NUM> as the ion-collecting conductor or the housing <NUM> electrically connected to the fixing member <NUM> is grounded by a path not including the current sensor <NUM>, in Step <NUM>, the measurement value of the ion current Ii becomes zero (<NUM>). Accordingly, Step <NUM> for comparing the measurement value of the ion current Ii in Step <NUM> with the determination value ε is further performed together with Step <NUM>.

When it is determined that Ii < ε, i.e., Ii = <NUM> (YES in Step <NUM>), preferably, in Step <NUM>, a message prompting the confirmation of the states of the housing <NUM> and the fixing member <NUM> is output, and the processing of the diagnostic mode is once terminated. Specifically, a message prompting to confirm that the housing <NUM> or the fixing member <NUM> (ion-collecting conductor) is not electrically connected to a member other than the current sensor <NUM> is output, and the processing of the diagnostic mode is once terminated.

On the other hand, when the ion current Ii could be measured in Step <NUM> (NO in Step <NUM>), the control circuit <NUM> generates diagnostic information based on the current ratio Ii/Ie (Step <NUM>). As the diagnostic information, the information based on the relation between the pressure estimation value from the current ratio Ii/Ie and the threshold Pth (<FIG>) or the information based on the relation between the current ratio Ii/Ie and the threshold Jth (<FIG>) can be used.

The control circuit <NUM> outputs diagnostic information generated in Step <NUM> (Step <NUM>) and normally terminates the diagnostic mode (Step <NUM>). The output manner in Step <NUM> is not particularly limited. For example, the diagnostic information may be output in a manner using visible letters, numbers, illustrations, etc., on a certain display (not shown). Alternatively, the diagnostic information may be output by lighting and non-lighting of a lamp, such as, e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED). Alternatively, the diagnostic information may be output in such a manner that it is transmitted to the server of the service center via the Internet or the like.

As described above, according to the X-ray generating device of this embodiment, the deterioration of the degree of vacuum can be diagnosed based on the current ratio Ii/Ie of the ion current Ii and the emitter current Ie. Note that the degree of vacuum of the X-ray tube <NUM> depends on the number of gas molecules <NUM> present in the internal space of the X-ray tube <NUM>. By the ion current Ii, in the same manner as the measured current of Patent Document <NUM>, it is possible to quantitatively detect the amount of positive ions <NUM> generated by the collision of the gas molecule <NUM> against the electron <NUM>. However, the amount of positive ions depends not only on the number of gas molecules <NUM> present in the internal space of the X-ray tube <NUM> but also on the electron emission amount from the filament <NUM>.

Therefore, the current ratio Ii/Ie of the emitter current Ie to the ion current Ii that depends on the electron emissions from the filament <NUM> is used. This makes it possible to diagnose the number of gas molecules <NUM> present in the internal space of the X-ray tube <NUM>, i.e., the degree of vacuum, with higher accuracy than the diagnosis by the ion current Ii alone.

Further, in the X-ray generating device <NUM>, without changing the connection relation between the DC power supply <NUM>, the DC power supply <NUM>, the cathode <NUM>, and the anode <NUM> from the X-ray generation mode, the housing <NUM> and the fixing member <NUM> can be made to act as the "ion-collecting conductor". That is, no arrangement of a mechanism for switching the applying voltage to the cathode <NUM> and the anode <NUM> between the X-ray generation mode and the diagnostic mode is required. Thus, the diagnostics of the degree of vacuum can be performed with a simpler configuration than that of Patent Document <NUM>.

Furthermore, in the X-ray generating device <NUM> according to this embodiment <NUM>, the output voltage Vdc of the DC power supply <NUM> is preferably switched between the X-ray generation mode and the diagnostic mode.

<FIG> is a flowchart for explaining the control processing of the DC power supply <NUM> in the X-ray generating device <NUM> according to this embodiment. The control processing shown in <FIG> can be performed by the control circuit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the control circuit <NUM> determines in Step <NUM> whether or not it is in a diagnostic mode. When not in the diagnostic mode, i.e., when it is in the X-ray generation mode (NO in Step <NUM>), it is set to the output voltage Vdc = Vh of the DC power supply <NUM> in Step <NUM>. Vh is approximately equal to the output voltage Vdc at the X-ray generating device <NUM># according to Comparative Example, and is about several tens kV to several hundred kV.

On the other hand, when it is in the diagnostic mode (YES in Step <NUM>), the control circuit <NUM> sets the output voltage of the DC power supply <NUM> to Vdc = Vm in Step <NUM>. Vm is a voltage lower than Vh in the X-ray generation mode, and may be set to, for example, about <NUM> V. The discharging inside the X-ray tube <NUM> is likely to occur due to high voltage application. Therefore, by lowering the output voltage Vdc, the diagnostic mode can be stably performed by preventing the occurrence of discharges at the time of the diagnostic. Further, the generation of unnecessary X-rays can be suppressed.

The control of the output voltage Vdc shown in <FIG> can be realized in the following manner. That is, the DC power supply <NUM> is configured by a power converter having a function of changing the output voltage. To the DC power supply <NUM> from the control circuit <NUM>, a signal for switching the command value of the output voltage Vdc or a command value of the output voltage Vdc is given.

Note that in this embodiment, the internal structure of the X-ray tube <NUM> is one example. The diagnostics of the degree of vacuum according to this embodiment based on the measurement value of the current ratio of the ion current Ii to the emitter current Ie can be applied to the X-ray tube of any structure having a cathode provided with a filament for emitting electrons and an anode for generating X-rays by irradiation of electrons.

In this embodiment, the configuration of the X-ray generating device <NUM> having a built-in diagnostic function of the degree of vacuum has been described. However, the current sensor <NUM> and the control circuit <NUM> may be configured as a single unit "diagnostic device". For example, a diagnostic device integrally housing the current sensor <NUM> and the control circuit <NUM> within the housing is attached to the fixing member <NUM> from which the external device <NUM> is removed, or a housing <NUM> electrically connected to the fixing member. This allows the path <NUM> shown in <FIG> to be configured to be formed with respect to the fixing member <NUM>. In this case, in the diagnostic mode, the control circuit <NUM> acquires the measurement value of the emitter current Ie by the current sensor <NUM> of the X-ray generating device <NUM> and calculates the current ratio Ii/Ie of the ion current Ii by the current sensor <NUM> on the diagnostic device to the emitter current Ie. This allows the control circuit <NUM> to generate the diagnostic information.

Finally, the X-ray generating device disclosed in this embodiment, its diagnostic device, and the diagnostic method are summarized.

The first aspect of the present disclosure relates to the X-ray generating device <NUM>. The X-ray generating device is provided with the X-ray tube <NUM>, the first DC power supply <NUM>, the second DC power supply <NUM>, the first current sensor <NUM>, the second current sensor <NUM>, and the control circuit <NUM>. The X-ray tube is provided with the cathode <NUM> and the anode <NUM> sealed inside the vacuum envelope <NUM>, and the ion-collecting conductor <NUM> attached to the vacuum envelope so as to be in contact with the internal space of the vacuum envelope. The cathode has an electron source <NUM> for emitting electrons. The anode is arranged to face the cathode and is configured to emit X-rays when the electrons emitted from the electron source are incident. The first DC power supply applies a first DC voltage Vf for supplying the emission energy of electrons to the electron source. The second DC power supply applies the second DC voltage Vdc for generating the electric field for making the anode to be a high potential between the cathode and the anode. The first current sensor measures the value of the first current Ii flowing between the ion-collecting conductor <NUM> and the node Ng for supplying the potential for attracting positive ions in the vacuum envelope. The second current sensor measures the value of the second current Ie flowing between the anode and the cathode. The control circuit generates the diagnostic information on the degree of vacuum of the X-ray tube based on the current ratio Ii/Ie of the value of the first current measured by the first current sensor to the value of the second current measured by the second current sensor, in a state in which the first and second DC voltages are being applied.

According to the above-described first aspect of the present disclosure, the current ratio of the value of the first current that depends on the amount of positive ions generated by the collision of the gas molecule against the electron inside the X-ray tube (vacuum envelope) to the value of the second current that depends on the electron emission quantity is used. This makes it possible for the X-ray generating device to have the function of diagnosing the number of gas molecules present in the internal space of the X-ray tube, i.e., the degree of vacuum, with higher accuracy than the diagnosis by the value of the first current alone.

In the embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the control circuit <NUM> is provided with the storage unit <NUM>. The storage unit stores predetermined information indicating the correspondence relation <NUM> between the current ratio Ii/Ie and the pressure inside the vacuum envelope in the X-ray tube <NUM>. The diagnostic information is generated using the pressure estimation value calculated using the current ratio by the measurement value of the first and second current sensors <NUM> and <NUM> and the correspondence relation.

With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the user convenience by providing the diagnostic information capable of easily imaging the deterioration of the degree of vacuum by converting the degree of vacuum to the pressure that is a physical quantity directly related to the generation of discharges in the X-ray tube.

In the embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the X-ray tube <NUM> is further provided with the X-ray irradiation window <NUM> and the fixing member <NUM>. The X-ray irradiation window is arranged at the opening of the vacuum envelope <NUM> and is made of a material that has airtightness and transmits X-rays. The fixing member fixes the X-ray irradiation window to the vacuum envelope while maintaining the sealability of the vacuum envelope. The ion-collecting conductor is configured by the fixing member.

With such a configuration, it is possible to configure the "ion-collecting conductor" for diagnosing the degree of vacuum without adding a new member (hardware).

Further, in embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the operation mode of the X-ray generating device <NUM> has a first mode for outputting X-rays and a second mode for diagnosing the degree of vacuum by generating diagnostic information. The second DC voltage Vdc in the second mode is controlled to be lower than the second DC voltage in the first mode.

With such a configuration, the occurrence of discharges can be prevented, and the degree of vacuum can be stably diagnosed. Further, the generation of unwanted X-rays can be suppressed.

The second aspect of the present invention relates to the diagnostic device of the X-ray generating device <NUM> equipped with the X-ray tube <NUM>. The X-ray tube <NUM> is provided with the anode <NUM> and the cathode <NUM> with the electron source <NUM>, which are sealed inside the vacuum envelope <NUM>, and the ion-collecting conductor <NUM> attached to the vacuum envelope so as to be in contact with the internal space of the vacuum envelope. The diagnostic device is provided with the current sensor <NUM> and the control circuit <NUM>. The current sensor measures the value of the first current Ii flowing between the ion-collecting conductor <NUM> and the node Ng for applying the potential for attracting positive ions in the vacuum envelope. The control circuit <NUM> generates the diagnosis information on the degree of vacuum of the X-ray tube in the following manner in a state in which the first DC voltage Vf for supplying the emission energy of electrons is applied to the electron source and the second DC voltage Vdc for generating an electric field for making the anode to be high potential is applied between the cathode and the anode. That is, the control circuit <NUM> acquires the measurement value of the value of the second current Ie flowing between the anode and the cathode of the X-ray tube from the X-ray generating device. Then, the control circuit <NUM> generates the diagnostic information on the degree of vacuum of the X-ray tube based on the current ratio Ii/Ie of the value of the first current measured by the current sensor to the value of the second current.

According to the above-described second aspect of the present disclosure, the degree of vacuum can be diagnosed with higher accuracy than the diagnosis by the first current value alone by the diagnostic device attached to the X-ray generating device. That is, the diagnosis uses the current ratio of the value of the first current that depends on the anode ion amount generated by the collision of the gas molecule against the electron inside the X-ray tube (vacuum envelope) to the value of the second current that depends on the electron emission quantity from the electron source. This makes it possible to diagnose the number of gas molecules present in the internal space of the X-ray tube, i.e., the degree of vacuum, more accurately than the diagnosis by the first current value alone.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a diagnostic method of the X-ray generating device <NUM> equipped with the X-ray tube <NUM>. The X-ray tube <NUM> is provided with the anode <NUM> and the cathode <NUM> with the electron source <NUM>, which are sealed inside the vacuum envelope <NUM>, and the ion-collecting conductor <NUM> attached to the vacuum envelope so as to be in contact with the internal space of the vacuum envelope. The diagnostic method includes the following steps. That is, the method includes Step <NUM> for applying the first DC voltage Vf for supplying emission energy of electrons to the electron source and applying the second DC voltage Vdc for generating the electric field for making the anode to be high potential between the cathode and the anode. The method further includes Step <NUM> for measuring the value of the first current Ii flowing between the ion-collecting conductor <NUM> and the node Ng for applying the potential for attracting positive ions in the vacuum envelope under the condition in which the first and second DC voltages are being applied. The method further includes Step <NUM> for measuring the value of the second current Ie flowing between the anode and the cathode of the X-ray tube under the condition in which the first and second DC voltages are being applied. The method further includes Step <NUM> for generating the diagnostic information on the degree of vacuum of the X-ray tube based on the current ratio of the measured first current value to the measured second current value.

According to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the X-ray generating device uses the current ratio of the value of the first current that depends on the amount of positive ions generated by the collisions of gas molecules against the electrons inside the X-ray tube (vacuum envelope) to the value of the second current that depends on the electron emission quantity from the electron source. This makes it possible to diagnose the number of gas molecules present in the internal space of the X-ray tube, i.e., the degree of vacuum, more accurately than the diagnosis by the first current value alone.

Claim 1:
An X-ray generating device (<NUM>) comprising:
an X-ray tube (<NUM>) including a cathode (<NUM>), an anode (<NUM>), and an ion-collecting conductor (<NUM>), the cathode (<NUM>) and the anode (<NUM>) being sealed inside a vacuum envelope (<NUM>), the ion-collecting conductor (<NUM>) being attached to the vacuum envelope (<NUM>) so as to be in contact with an internal space of the vacuum envelope, the cathode (<NUM>) including an electron source for emitting electrons, the anode (<NUM>) being arranged to face the cathode (<NUM>) and configured to emit X-rays when the electrons emitted from the electron source are incident;
a first DC power supply (<NUM>) configured to apply a first DC voltage for supplying emission energy of the electrons to the electron source;
a second DC power supply (<NUM>) configured to apply a second DC voltage for generating an electric field for making the anode (<NUM>) to be high potential between the cathode (<NUM>) and the anode (<NUM>);
a first current sensor (<NUM>) configured to measure a value of a first current (Ii) flowing between the ion-collecting conductor (<NUM>) and a node for supplying potential for attracting positive ions in the vacuum envelope (<NUM>);
a second current sensor (<NUM>) configured to measure a value of a second current (Ie) flowing between the anode (<NUM>) and the cathode (<NUM>); and
a control circuit (<NUM>) configured to generate diagnostic information on a degree of vacuum of the X-ray tube (<NUM>) based on a current ratio of the value of the first current (Ii) measured by the first current sensor (<NUM>) to the value of the second current (Ie) measured by the second current sensor (<NUM>) in a state in which the first DC voltage and the second DC voltage are being applied.