click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
production/circuit
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| anode | The positively charged electrode in an x-ray tube where electrons are attracted and decelerated. |
| autotransformer | A transformer that uses a single coil of wire to step up or step down voltage. |
| capacitors | Devices that store electrical energy in an electric field. |
| cathode | The negatively charged electrode in an x-ray tube that emits electrons when heated. |
| circuit | A closed path through which electric current flows. |
| dielectric | An insulating material that can be polarized by an electric field. |
| diode | An electronic component that allows current to flow in one direction only. |
| filament | A coiled wire in the cathode that, when heated, emits electrons through thermionic emission. |
| focusing cup | A component in the cathode that focuses the emitted electrons toward the anode. |
| leakage radiation | Radiation that escapes from the x-ray tube housing and does not contribute to the image. |
| mutual induction | The process by which a changing magnetic field in one coil induces a voltage in another coil. |
| off-focus radiation | Radiation that is produced outside the focal spot and can contribute to image blur. |
| rectification | The process of converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). |
| resistance | The opposition to the flow of electric current, measured in ohms. |
| resistors | Components used to limit current flow in an electrical circuit. |
| rotor | The rotating part of the anode in an x-ray tube that helps dissipate heat. |
| step-down transformers | Transformers that reduce voltage from primary to secondary coil. |
| step-up transformers | Transformers that increase voltage from primary to secondary coil. |
| stator | The stationary part of the motor that drives the rotor in an x-ray tube. |
| target | The area of the anode where electrons collide and produce x-rays. |
| thermionic emission | The process by which heated electrons are emitted from a material. |
| transformers | Devices that transfer electrical energy between two or more circuits through electromagnetic induction. |
| Focal Spot | The size of the focal spot selected on the control panel affects which filament is energized. |
| Rotating Anode | An anode that rotates at a speed ranging from 3000 to 10,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) to enhance x-ray production. |
| Stationary Anode | An anode that does not rotate, commonly used in dental x-ray tubes. |
| Target Angle | The angle of the anode face, typically ranging from 5 to 20 degrees, to help x-ray photons exit the tube. |
| Tungsten-Rhenium Alloy | The composition of the rotating target, with tungsten constituting 90% and rhenium 10%, used for its high heat resistance. |
| High Atomic Number | Tungsten has an atomic number of 74, making it effective for x-ray production. |
| High Melting Point | Tungsten has a melting point of 3400°C (6152°F), which is crucial for its use in x-ray tubes. |
| Anode Stem | A component made of molybdenum that connects the rotor to the target in a rotating anode tube. |
| Ball Bearings | High-strength components in the rotor that allow it to rotate smoothly at high speeds. |
| X-Ray Energy | A very small percentage of the energy produced at the anode during x-ray production, with most being heat. |
| Glass Envelope | The outer structure of the x-ray tube that contains the anode and cathode. |
| Focal Track | The area of the rotating target where the electrons strike, made of tungsten and rhenium alloy. |
| Heat Production | Most of the energy produced in an x-ray tube is heat, which can lead to melting of the target during high exposures. |
| Heat dissipation | The process of transferring heat produced during x-ray exposure to the dielectric oil surrounding the x-ray tube. |
| Dielectric oil | A nonconducting material that acts as an insulator and surrounds the x-ray tube to help dissipate heat. |
| Rotating anodes | Anodes that can withstand higher heat loads due to the rotation causing a greater physical area, or focal track, to be exposed to electrons. |
| Stationary anodes | Anodes that are limited to studies of small anatomic structures such as teeth due to their fixed focal spot. |
| X-ray tube housing | The glass or metal envelope that houses the components necessary for x-ray production. |
| X-ray circuit | A complex electronic circuit designed to produce a predictable x-ray beam and deliver the correct amount of electromagnetic energy. |
| Milliamperage levels | Precise levels of current used during x-ray exposure to control the flow of electrons. |
| Circuit safety features | Components designed to ensure that exposure parameters are within allowable limits and protect circuit components from damage. |
| Electron flow | The movement of electrons through circuits in electrical devices to create energy. |
| Aqueous solution | A water-based environment where electrons can flow. |
| Gaseous environment | An environment where electrons can flow in a gas. |
| Vacuum | An environment where electrons can flow in a vacuum, such as in an x-ray tube. |
| Solid conductor | A material, like copper wires, through which electrons can flow. |
| Layered circuit boards | Boards containing x-ray circuits with components positioned to ensure precise output in terms of amperage and voltage. |
| Glass x-ray tube | An x-ray tube made of glass, which is less commonly used compared to metal envelopes. |
| Metal envelopes | X-ray tube housings made of metal, preferred for their superior electrical properties. |
| X-ray exposure | The activation of the x-ray tube to produce x-rays, which generates heat that must be dissipated. |
| Higher heat loads | The increased amount of heat that rotating anodes can withstand due to their design. |
| Electromagnetic energy | The type of energy delivered by the x-ray beam to an image receptor. |
| Glass envelope x-ray tube | A type of x-ray tube where tungsten evaporated from the filament and anode surface can be deposited on the inside of the glass, affecting electron flow and potentially causing tube failure. |
| Metal window tube | A replacement for the glass envelope that prevents tungsten buildup, extends tube life, and reduces off-focus radiation. |
| Insulating oil | Oil used to provide insulation from electrical shock and to help dissipate heat away from the x-ray tube. |
| Metal tube housing | The outer casing of the x-ray tube that provides shielding from leakage radiation and allows the primary beam to exit through a port. |
| Leakage radiation limit | The maximum allowed leakage radiation is no more than 1 mGy/h (100 mR/h) when measured at 1 m from the source during maximum output. |
| Anode and cathode spacing | The typical distance between the anode and cathode electrodes in an x-ray tube, which is usually 1 to 2 cm. |
| Electrical power formula | The formula that expresses power in Watts (W) as the product of amperage (I) and voltage (V): Power (W) = Amps (I) × Volts (V). |
| X-ray production voltage range | The voltage range for x-ray production, which can vary from 50,000 to 150,000 Volts (50-150 kV). |
| Milliamperage (mA) | A unit of measurement for electrical current, where 1 mA equals 1/1000 amps. |
| X-ray machine power | Expressed in kilowatts (kW), typically ranging from 30 to 100 kW, with higher kW systems offering more power. |
| Kilovoltage peak (kVp) | The peak voltage applied across the x-ray tube, which influences the quality and intensity of the x-ray beam. |
| Shorter exposure times | A practical outcome for radiographers when using higher mA and kVp values, resulting in reduced time needed for imaging. |
| High-voltage side | One of the two major divisions of the x-ray circuit, responsible for high-voltage operations. |
| Low-voltage filament side | The other major division of the x-ray circuit, responsible for low-voltage operations. |
| Power input-output relationship | The principle that electrical power entering the system on the primary side must equal the output power delivered on the secondary side. |
| 10% power loss | A consideration in the power input-output relationship that accounts for potential losses in the system. |
| Primary circuit | The high-voltage side of the x-ray system that takes the incoming voltage (220 V/480 V) and increases it to kilovoltage peak (kVp) values during x-ray exposure. |
| Circuit breaker | A safety device that interrupts the flow of electricity in case of a fault. |
| Exposure timer | A device that controls the duration of the x-ray exposure. |
| Step-up transformer | A transformer that has fewer core windings on the primary side than on the secondary side and increases the incoming voltage to a higher value. |
| Rectifiers | Devices that convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). |
| Secondary circuit | The part of the x-ray circuit that delivers the high-voltage output to the x-ray tube. |
| X-ray tube | The component of the x-ray circuit where x-rays are produced. |
| High-voltage circuit | The section of the x-ray circuit that contains components operating at high voltage. |
| Incoming power supply | The source of electrical energy that powers the x-ray circuit. |
| kVp meter | An instrument used to measure kilovoltage peak in an x-ray circuit. |
| Diodes | Solid-state, semiconductor materials that permit current flow in only one direction. |
| Step-down transformer | A transformer that has more core windings on the primary side than on the secondary side and reduces the incoming voltage to a lower value. |
| Transformer | A device that regulates voltage in an x-ray system, consisting of copper wire coils wound around a central core material. |
| Electromagnetic induction | The principle discovered by Michael Faraday that describes the relationship between electricity and magnetic fields. |
| Primary Coil | The input side of a transformer where electrical current enters. |
| Secondary Coil | The output side of a transformer where electrical current and voltage are produced. |
| Kilovoltage Selection | Occurs through an autotransformer, which determines the induced voltage going to the primary side of the high-tension transformer. |
| X-Ray Production | Considered an ultra-high-voltage electrical process requiring large transformers to create very high voltages. |
| High-Voltage Transformer | Produces the characteristic soft 'humming' sound in x-ray systems and controls voltage values on the secondary side. |
| Amperes | The unit of electrical current that decreases proportionally when voltage is increased in transformers. |
| Conducting Pathways | Circuit pathways that inherently impede the flow of electrons, resulting in resistance. |
| Electrical Current | The flow of electric charge through a conductor. |
| Voltage | The electrical potential difference that drives current through a circuit. |
| Coiled Windings | The wire windings in transformers that determine the voltage ratio between primary and secondary sides. |
| Electrical Shock | A risk associated with high voltages produced during x-ray production. |
| Efficiency of Transformers | Transformers are considered very efficient as electrical components with no moving parts. |
| Humming Sound | The characteristic sound produced by the high-voltage transformer in x-ray systems. |
| Resistor | A circuit component designed to impede the flow of current. |
| Cathode Filament | The component in an x-ray tube that emits electrons when heated. |
| Incandescence | The production of light by heating a material, such as tungsten in a light bulb. |
| Power Maintenance Formula | A principle stating that P input = P output, where an increase in voltage results in a decrease in amperage. |
| Color-Coded Striping | A method used on resistors to indicate their resistive value and tolerance. |
| Amperage | The measure of electric current flowing through a circuit. |
| Filament Amperages | Typical current values ranging from 3 to 6 amps when not making an x-ray exposure. |
| X-ray System Cooling | The use of whisper fans and ventilation panels to maintain safe operating temperatures. |
| Resistive Values | The specific resistance levels at which resistors operate, indicated by color coding. |
| Exposure Time | The duration for which the x-ray tube is activated to produce an image, often in milliseconds. |
| Current Values | The specific amounts of current, such as 5 to 15 V and 3 to 5 amperes, used to keep the filament warm. |
| Digital Receptors | Modern imaging devices that require lower exposure levels for quality images compared to older systems. |
| Filament Variations | Fluctuations in the cathode filament that can affect x-ray output consistency. |
| Resistor Technology | The design and application of resistors to control specific mA values in circuits. |
| Current rectification | The process of changing alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) prior to entering the x-ray tube. |
| Rectification diodes | Devices that permit current flow in only one direction, used in the rectification process. |
| Solid-state semiconductor materials | Materials used in diodes that allow electrons to travel across in only one direction. |
| Current waveforms | The shape of the electrical current supplied to the x-ray system, which can be modified by inverters. |
| Ripple | A small voltage fluctuation in the current waveform. |
| Inverters | Devices that modify the DC current waveform to reduce ripple to approximately 1%. |
| High-frequency generators | Modern x-ray systems that utilize high-frequency technology for improved efficiency. |
| X-ray system circuits | Circuits designed to take incoming AC and increase it to kVp levels while converting AC to DC. |
| Three-phase alternating current (AC) | The type of electrical power typically supplied to modern x-ray systems. |
| Voltage fluctuation | The variation in voltage levels, which should be minimal in x-ray systems. |
| Phase-timing controller | A component that controls the sequential release of stored charges in capacitors. |
| High-tension transformer | A transformer that increases voltage levels for the x-ray tube. |
| Hertz (Hz) | A unit of frequency that measures the number of cycles per second, used to express the high-frequency waveform in x-ray systems. |
| Microprocessors in x-ray systems | Computer chips that monitor all electrical conditions of exposure in real time and provide feedback on exposure variances and errors to service personnel. |
| Filament regulators (stabilizers) | Devices used in many x-ray generators to provide a constant supply of voltage to the filament circuits. |
| Safe circuit components | Elements incorporated into the x-ray system circuit to protect critical components during high-voltage conditions that occur during exposure. |
| Anode rotation speeds | The speeds at which the anode rotates, controlled by safe circuit components to ensure proper x-ray exposure. |
| X-ray tube anode heat load calculations | Calculations performed to determine the heat load on the x-ray tube anode to prevent damage during exposure. |
| Generator consoles | Control panels that provide a 'ready light' as part of the exposure preparation sequence, indicating that the system is ready for x-ray exposure. |
| Error message display | A feature in modern x-ray systems that indicates incorrect exposure sequencing and alerts the operator to potential issues. |
| Ready light | A visual indicator that ensures the safe circuit is functioning correctly before x-ray exposure can occur. |
| High-voltage levels | Voltage levels that the x-ray circuit operates at momentarily during the x-ray exposure, requiring protective circuit designs. |
| Current stability | The ability of high-frequency generators to maintain a stable current flow through the x-ray tube, monitored by frequency sensors. |
| X-ray exposure preparation | The sequence of actions and checks that must be completed before an x-ray exposure can take place, including ensuring the safe circuit is operational. |
| Complexities of x-ray equipment | The intricate designs and components of x-ray-generating equipment that require careful attention to electronic circuit designs. |
| Circuit designers | Engineers who create the electronic circuits in x-ray systems, ensuring they meet safety and operational standards. |
| Electrical load on x-ray tube | The demand placed on the x-ray tube during exposure, influenced by the selected kVp. |
| Exposure variances | Differences in the expected and actual conditions during x-ray exposure that can affect image quality and safety. |
| Service engineers | Trained professionals responsible for maintaining and repairing x-ray systems, often alerted by error messages from the system. |
| User-friendly operator interface | An intuitive control system designed to make operating x-ray equipment easier for technicians. |
| Anode target | A metal with a high atomic number and melting point that abruptly decelerates and stops electrons. |
| Metal tube housing envelope | Surrounds all x-ray tube components except for a port, allowing the primary beam to exit the tube. |
| Air evacuation | The envelope allows air to be completely evacuated from the x-ray tube for efficient electron flow. |
| X-ray beam production | Complex electronic circuits and components are intended to produce a predictable x-ray beam. |
| X-ray circuit divisions | Divided into a high-voltage side and a low-voltage side which keeps the cathode filament ready for thermionic emission. |
| Low-voltage side | Controls the cathode filament in the x-ray circuit. |
| Capacitors with inverter circuits | Modify direct current waveform so the ripple is approximately 1%. |
| Microprocessor computer chips | In high-frequency generators, they produce x-ray systems that are more precise and user-friendly. |
| Source of electrons for x-ray production | Filament |
| Primary use of resistors in electric circuits | Regulate voltage |
| Electrical process converting alternating current to direct current | Rectification |
| Induced voltage supplied to the high-tension transformer | Secondary side |
| Controls the flow and intensity of electrons in the x-ray tube | Cathode |
| Burning or boiling-off of electrons at the cathode | Thermionic emission |
| Electrons interact with this to produce x-rays and heat | Target |
| Reason rotating anodes withstand greater heat loads | Greater physical area |
| Most energy produced during x-ray production | Heat |
| Measurement of electrical power | Kilovolts |
| Voltage ripple with modern high-frequency radiographic generators | Typically 13% |
| Regulates the x-ray tube voltage | Transformers |
| Element stabilizing rotating anode materials during high heat | Rhenium |
| Stability with high-frequency generators | Current |