Principles of Imaging Science II (RAD 120)

X-ray Imaging System Circuitry

X-ray Imaging System

Operating console
Set x-ray tube current (quantity) and voltage (quality)
Controls line compensation, kVp, mA and exposure time
(mAs) via digital meters
AEC devices

X-Ray Circuit

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 Operating Console
RT controls & meters are located within the low voltage
side (primary) of the x-ray circuit
Reduce shock potential

Operating Console -
Line Compensation
Incoming Line Voltage (Mains)
Electricity supply in US is 60 Hz AC, with a nominal
rms of 200 240 volts
Polarity reverses 120 times/sec
Voltages constantly fluctuate as resistors are activated
in circuit in accordance with Ohms Law
Can vary +5% affecting x-ray production
Supplied in the form of a three-phase power cycle

Single-Phase Power
A. Voltage drops to zero
with every change in
direction
Frequency of sine wave
is determined by # of
cycles/sec (cps)
60 Hz X 2 directions =
120 changes/sec
B. Full wave rectified
circuit (DC pulsating)
Produces no x-ray
photons 120X/sec

2
 Single-Phase Power 1o
RMS V of a single-phase
sinusoidal wave is
approximately 70.7% of
peak voltage
Calculate the rms voltage of
a single-phase sine wave
with 90 kVp peak?
63.6
65 kVp peak?
46
Inefficient, solve by using
three-phase power

Three-Phase Power 3o
Supplied by power co
As each wave peak begins
to drop toward 0, voltage
is boosted back to peak by
next phase
A. Sum of phasing never
drops to 0
Produces 3 pulses/half
cycle
6 pulses/Hz & 360
pulses/sec

X-Ray Circuit

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3
 Autotransformer
Single winding around an iron core
Operates on self-induction principle
Good for controlling voltage on low voltage side of
x-ray circuit
Supplies precise voltage to the high voltage
(secondary) and filament circuits
@220 volts delivered to primary side from
incoming line voltage
Voltage compensation automatic on 1o side
Follows the transformer law

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Autotransformer
A, A1: primary
connections that conduct
input power to
Autotransformer
C: Increases voltage due
to proximity to end and
number of turns encased
by the connections
E: Decreases voltage

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Kilovolt Peak (kVp) Selector

kVp selector on output side
kVp major, kVp minor controls
220 volts delivered to primary side output voltage of
autotransformer is usually between 100 to 400 volts
Output voltage is then delivered to input side of step up
transformer for x-ray tube operation

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4
 Milliamperage (mA) Selector
X-ray tube current is controlled
by the filament circuit
Thermionic emission is based
upon temp of the filament
measured in amperes (A)
Filaments operate at 3 6
amps, 6-12 volts
Fixed mA stations as resistors
Falling load generators
Max mA, drops

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Milliamperage (mA) Selector

Voltage from mA station is
delivered to filament
transformer (Step-Down)
Lower voltage, higher
current to filament
mA meter measures x-ray
tube current
Placed in the center on
output side of high
voltage transformer
May be placed on control
console

15

Exposure Timers
Determines exposure duration
Connected on the primary side of the high voltage transformer
Types:
Electronic: Most common, microprocessor controlled.
Short time 1ms
Good for multiple sequence imaging
mAs Timer: Electronic timer monitors tube current and is on the
output side of the high voltage transformer.
Uses the shortest exposure time for mAs selected
Used in falling load generators
Designed to work in 3 phase or high frequency generators
Kvp, mA regulated separately
Exposure begins at highest mA, then decreases
Permits better use of acceptable x-ray tube limits; less costly
AEC
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5
 Voltage Rectification
Required for x-ray tube operation
Process of changing alternating current (AC) to
pulsating direct current (DC)
A rectifier functions by allowing current to
flow through it in one direction only
Electron flow in the x-ray tube must be from
cathode to anode

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Semiconductors
Modern method of rectification
N type & P type semiconductors are used
N-type have loosely bound electrons that flow
easily between the atoms conduction bands
Silicon/Phosphorus, Silicon/Arsenic
P-type have electron traps (positive holes) that
attract and hold electrons instead of allowing
them to move to another atom
Silicon/Boron, Silicon/Gallium

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Diode
Joining of n-type and p-type semiconductors
Electrons are attracted toward positive charge
and move through the n-type material to the
junction between the semiconductors.
Additional electrons move in to replace
electrons that migrated
At the junction, electrons are attracted to the
positive holes keeping a continuous electric
potential in one direction only

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6
Solid-State Semiconductor Diode

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Types of Rectification
Half-wave Rectification
Single rectifier that
suppresses the negative
half of the alternating
cycle
No steady flow of
current
Energy loss in form of
heat

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Neg Cycle

Types of Rectification
Full-Wave Rectification
Four rectifiers that are
arranged to allow
Pos Cycle
electron flow from
negative - positive
Uses all the current flow
from the AC source
Rise and fall of current
potential
Rippling of current
produces lower energy
x-rays

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7
 Full-Wave Rectification
Positive Half Cycle
Diodes A & D permit
electron flow during the
positive half cycle
Diode C cannot conduct
electrons
Negative Half Cycle
Diodes B & C permit
electron flow
Diodes A & D block
electron flow

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Three-phase generators
Incorporates three out-of-
phase currents to produce
a steadier DC, eliminating
ripple
Three coils of wire are
wrapped around the
generator core.

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High-frequency DC
X-ray circuitry is designed
to increase the standard
60 cycle frequency to 50-
5,000 cycles/sec
Nearly constant potential
waveform
Smaller in design
Increased radiation
quality and quantity
Lower patient dose
Increase x-ray tube life

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8
 Voltage Ripple

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X-ray Circuit Diagram

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