Contactless rotor state/speed measurement of x-ray tube

A vibration detection device adapted to be secured to an x-ray tube for non-invasively determining the operational state of a bearing assembly and anode within the tube, the device comprising:

• a securing mechanism capable of securing the device to an exterior of a frame of the x-ray tube;
• an accelerometer adapted to receive vibration data from the x-ray tube frame generated by the bearing assembly and anode;
• a digital signal processor operably connected to the accelerometer and including a signal processing algorithm capable of converting vibration data from the accelerometer to frequency data and analyzing the frequency data by comparing a number of analysis peak frequencies to a base peak frequency to determine if more than half of the analysis peak frequencies are different than the base peak frequency or if less than half of the analysis peak frequencies are different than the base peak frequency, wherein the bearing assembly is spinning if more than half of the analysis peak frequencies are different than the base peak frequency and wherein the bearing assembly is stalled if less than half of the analysis peak frequencies are different less than the base peak frequency;
• and
• an electronic storage medium operably connected to the digital signal processor.

An x-ray tube comprising:

• a frame;
• a rotating bearing assembly disposed within the frame;
• an anode secured to the bearing assembly to rotate therewith;
• and
• a vibration detection device secured to an exterior of the frame, the vibration detection device including a digital signal processor having a signal processing algorithm capable of converting vibration data to frequency data and analyzing the frequency data, and operable to detect the operational condition of the bearing assembly by comparing a number of analysis peak frequencies to a base peak frequency to determine if more than half of the analysis peak frequencies are different than the base peak frequency or if less than half of the analysis peak frequencies are different than the base peak frequency, wherein the bearing assembly is spinning if more than half of the analysis peak frequencies are greater than the base peak frequency and wherein the bearing assembly is stalled if less than half of the analysis peak frequencies are greater than the base peak frequency.