Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Picker International, Inc.

Donald A Hescht

Theodore A Resnick

Walter A Dupuis

William E Szabo

Patrick J Kling

Xiangyu Huang

George M Mitchkash

A computed tomography (CT) imaging apparatus () includes a CT imaging scanner () that acquires projection data. Data acquisition electronics () communicate with the CT scanner (), and an acquisition computer () receives the projection data via the data acquisition electronics (). A communication network () communicates with the acquisition computer () and with at least one additional computer (). The at least one additional computer () cooperates with the data acquisition computer () and the communication network () to define a computational pipeline () that reconstructs selected projection data into a selected image representation.

Method and apparatus for computed tomography imaging

An x-ray tube (10) of a CT scanner has a rotating anode and rotor combination which is propelled by AC currents applied to run and phase windings (42, 46) by a starter (22). A monitor (24) includes Hall effect current detectors (40, 44) which detect the actual current flowing through the run and phase windings. The detected analog current values, voltage values, and the like are multiplexed (132) and digitized in a preselected order by an analog to digital converter (60) and stored in that order in a FIFO memory (62). A microprocessor (64) performs a Fourier transform (94, 96) to convert the digital run and phase signals into frequency spectra. The run and phase frequency spectra are compared (100, 102, 104, 106) with frequency spectra indicative of rotor speed, bearing wear, anode vibration, failure of the anode to rotate, and other conditions, analyzed for symmetry or other characteristics, or the like (FIG. 5 ) to generate digital run and phase reference signals. An error amplifier (54) controls a pulse width modulator ( 56) or other power amplifier controls in accordance with a deviation between analog reference signals converted from the digital signals by a reference digital to analog converter (66) and the actually sensed run and phase signals (40, 44) to adjust the starter. A direct coupled driver (122) adjusts DC offsets in the drive currents to maintain balance and drive efficiency.

High speed starter operations monitor

Growing community of inventors

Clinton, OH, United States of America

Donald A Hescht