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Reverse-engineering and testing an x-ray filament supply

2012-10-29

[public] 36.2K views, 703 likes, 10.0 dislikes audio only

I bought a set of x-ray equipment on eBay, which included an x-ray head unit, 50KV supply, and filament power supply. The filament supply has a 25-pin connector, and no data or markings on the case or board. I spent some time reverse-engineering the circuit, and determined how it should be connected to make an emission-controlled x-ray system. I tested the whole thing, and it appears to be working as intended at 50KV / 1 mA. The head unit produces a beam of about 25 degrees total angle.


control the filament temperature
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measuring the voltage at this node in the circuit with the oscilloscope
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measuring the current through the resistor with this meter
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put a power supply in place of the x-ray tube
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plug in the high voltage supply
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