Timer circuit for X-ray imaging system
A timer circuit for an X-ray imaging system having an X-ray generator used to generate images of a patient. The circuit includes a current sensor connected between a main power system and a circuit interrupter, wherein the circuit interrupter is also connected to the X-ray generator. The circuit also includes a timing device coupled between the current sensor and a control computer. The timing device is triggered when a current level detected by the current sensor exceeds an idle current level wherein X-rays are not generated by the X-ray generator. The timing device then measures a time period that the idle current level is exceeded. When the measured time period exceeds a predetermined time period by 10%, the circuit interrupter is activated to turn off current flow to the X-ray generator.
1. A timer circuit for a radiation device that generates radiation, comprising:
a main power system;
a circuit interrupter connected to the radiation device;
a control computer;
a current sensor connected between the main power system and the circuit interrupter, and
a timing device coupled between the current sensor and the control computer, wherein the timing device is triggered when a current level detected by the current sensor exceeds a predetermined current level and, wherein the timing device measures a time period that the predetermined current level is exceeded, and wherein when the measured time period exceeds a predetermined time period, the circuit interrupter is configured to turn off current flow to the radiation device.
2. The timer circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the radiation device is an X-ray imaging system having an X-ray generator and the predetermined current level is an idle current level when X-rays are not generated by the X-ray generator.
3. The timer circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the circuit interrupter is activated when the measured time period exceeds the predetermined time period by 10%.
4. The timer circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the current sensor includes a resistor.
5. The timer circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the timing device triggers operation of warning lights when the predetermined time period is exceeded.
6. The timer circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the timer circuit is a backup circuit that is activated when a primary method for detecting whether the predetermined time period is exceeded experiences a fault.
7. The timer circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the current sensor is connected on a power line of the main power system that supplies power only to the radiation device.
8. A timer circuit for an X-ray imaging system having an X-ray generator used to generate images of a patient, comprising:
a main power system;
a circuit interrupter connected to the X-ray generator;
a control computer;
a current sensor connected between the main power system and the circuit interrupter, and
a timing device coupled between the current sensor and the control computer, wherein the timing device is triggered when a current level detected by the current sensor exceeds an idle current level wherein X-rays are not generated by the X-ray generator, wherein the timing device measures a time period that the idle current level is exceeded, and wherein when the measured time period exceeds a predetermined time period by 10%, the circuit interrupter is configured to turn off current flow to the X-ray generator.
9. The timer circuit according to claim 8 , wherein the current sensor includes a resistor.
10. The timer circuit according to claim 8 , where the timing device triggers operation of X-ray warning lights when the predetermined time period is exceeded.
11. The timer circuit according to claim 8 , wherein the timer circuit is a backup circuit that is activated when a primary method for detecting whether the predetermined time period is exceeded experiences a fault.
12. The timer circuit according to claim 8 , wherein the current sensor is connected on a power line of the main power system that supplies power only to the X-ray generator.
13. A method of turning off an X-ray generator used to generate images of a patient, comprising:
providing a current sensor connected between a main power system and a circuit interrupter, wherein the circuit interrupter is connected to the X-ray generator;
triggering a timing device when a current level detected by the current sensor exceeds a predetermined current level;
measuring a time period that the predetermined current level is exceeded; and
activating the circuit interrupter to turn off current flow to the X-ray generator when the measured time period exceeds a predetermined time period.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the predetermined current level is an idle current level when X-rays are not generated by the X-ray generator.
15. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the circuit interrupter is activated when the measured time period exceeds the predetermined time period by 10%.
16. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the current sensor includes a resistor.
17. The method according to claim 13 , where the timing device triggers operation of X-ray warning lights when the predetermined time period is exceeded.
18. The method according to claim 13 , wherein a timer circuit includes the current sensor, the circuit interrupter, and the timing device, and wherein the timer circuit is backup circuit that is activated when a primary method for detecting whether the predetermined time period is exceeded experiences a fault.
19. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the current sensor is connected on a power line of the main power system that supplies power only to the X-ray generator.