A cylindrical target container

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of target containers in boron neutron capture therapy technology, particularly to a cylindrical target container; the target container includes a container housing, a rotating target, a rotating sealing ring, a transmission device, a liquid collecting tank, an evaporation crucible, a cleaning assembly, a sealing door, and a film thickness gauge; the container housing, the liquid collecting tank, and the sealing door form a container cavity; the rotating target includes a cylindrical target and a rotating shaft; the rotating target is connected to the container housing through the rotating sealing ring; the sealing door is installed at the opening of the container cavity; the cylindrical target is arranged inside the container cavity; the cylindrical target includes a flow guiding plate and a surface substrate; the flow guiding plate is arranged inside the cylindrical target; the surface substrate is arranged on the outer side surface of the cylindrical target. The flow guiding plate and the surface substrate form a heat exchange channel; using this target container can achieve functional integration, non-contact automatic target material replacement, reduce the target material replacement frequency, improve the heat exchange efficiency of the target, save space, and have a self-cleaning function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of target containers in boron neutron capture therapy technology, and particularly to a cylindrical target container. Technical Background

[0002] In cancer treatment and the like, radiotherapy is highly evaluated. In particular, neutron capture therapy (NCT) has attracted attention because of the possibility of cell-level selective treatment in principle. In NCT, stable isotopes with a high capture cross-section for neutrons are first introduced into cancer cells, and nuclear reactions occur between the neutrons and the isotopes to generate heavy ions with a short range and high LET (linear energy transfer), which can kill cancer cells with less impact on normal cells. At present, as NCT, B, Gd, thermal neutrons or epithermal neutrons are used for cancer treatment.

[0003] Many activities using neutron sources are currently carried out in neutron-rich nuclear research reactors. However, many practical problems (such as safety, nuclear material handling, and methods for the end-of-life and decommissioning of many research reactors) make this method challenging. Accelerator-based neutron sources can be used as relatively low-cost compact alternatives. For example, relatively inexpensive small linear accelerators can be used to accelerate ions, such as protons bombarding a lithium target. However, as the target is used for a longer time, impurities will appear in the lithium due to irradiation, resulting in a reduction in neutron generation performance. Therefore, traditional solid neutron generation targets are consumables and need to be replaced after a certain period of time. In addition, the production, transportation, and installation of lithium targets all require additional costs. In addition, the traditional neutron generation target structure uses a planar target, and the heat flux density that can be tolerated has reached the upper limit. The planar rotating lithium target is large in size, high in vibration intensity, and has a large amount of nuclear waste. In response to the above problems, the present patent proposes a cylindrical rotating solid lithium target that can be automatically repaired, which has the functions of realizing functional integration, non-contact automatic target material replacement, reducing the target material replacement frequency, saving space, and self-cleaning. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention aims to make a breakthrough innovation in the prior art and provides a cylindrical target container, which has the functions of realizing functional integration, non-contact automatic target material replacement, reducing the target material replacement frequency, improving the heat exchange efficiency of the target, saving space, and self-cleaning.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a cylindrical target container, the target container includes a container housing, a rotating target, a rotating sealing ring, a transmission device, a liquid collecting tank, an evaporation crucible, a cleaning assembly, a sealing door, and a film thickness gauge;

[0006] The container housing, the liquid collecting tank and the sealing door form a container cavity;

[0007] The rotating target includes a cylindrical target and a rotating shaft;

[0008] The rotating target is connected to the container housing through a rotating sealing ring;

[0009] The sealing door is installed at the opening of the container cavity.

[0010] Further, the cylindrical target is arranged inside the container cavity;

[0011] The cylindrical target includes a flow guide plate and a surface substrate;

[0012] The flow guide plate is arranged inside the cylindrical target;

[0013] The surface substrate is arranged on the outer side surface of the cylindrical target.

[0014] Further, the flow guide plate and the surface substrate form a heat exchange channel.

[0015] Further, a coolant inlet pipe and a coolant outlet pipe are arranged inside the rotating shaft;

[0016] The rotating shaft is respectively connected to a transmission device and a rotating sealing ring.

[0017] Further, the heat exchange channel is respectively communicated with the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe.

[0018] Further, the evaporation crucible is installed inside the container cavity and is arranged below the rotating target;

[0019] The evaporation crucible includes a crucible, a heating device and a heat insulating layer.

[0020] Further, one side surface of the sealing door is movably connected to the container housing;

[0021] A sealing strip is arranged on the sealing door;

[0022] A driving device is arranged on the container housing;

[0023] The driving device is connected to the sealing door through a transmission shaft.

[0024] Further, the cleaning assembly is one or more cleaning nozzles;

[0025] The cleaning nozzles are distributed inside the container cavity and correspond to the surface substrate.

[0026] Further, the lower end of the container cavity is connected to a liquid collecting tank;

[0027] An outflow pipe interface is arranged at the bottom of the liquid collecting tank.

[0028] Further, a ventilation and drying pipeline communicating with the container cavity is provided on the container housing.

[0029] The film thickness gauge is installed on an inner side surface of the container cavity and is arranged above the rotating target.

[0030] The beneficial effects of the present invention are embodied in:

[0031] First, the present invention can achieve functional integration: an evaporation crucible, a cleaning component and a ventilation and drying pipeline are provided in the target container, so that functions such as evaporation coating, cleaning and drying of the lithium target can be realized; at the same time, through the mutual coordination of the container cavity and the sealing door in the target container, an external accelerator vacuum system can be used to construct an operating environment that meets the functions such as evaporation coating, cleaning and drying of the lithium target.

[0032] Second, the present invention can achieve non-contact automatic target material replacement: the rotating target is cleaned in the container cavity by the cleaning component to clean the waste target material on the rotating target. After drying the target container, evaporation coating operation is carried out through the evaporation crucible to supplement the target material on the rotating target, so as to realize the replacement of the target material; during this process, the rotating target keeps rotating, making the cleaning work of the rotating target more stable, preventing incomplete cleaning, uniformly receiving the evaporation-coated target material, and ensuring that the thickness of the target material on the rotating target is consistent; the whole process does not require manual contact, and the replacement of the target material can be completed without replacing the rotating target and without polluting the container cavity, effectively simplifying the process of target material replacement.

[0033] Third, the present invention can achieve a self-cleaning function: the cleaning component is one or more cleaning nozzles, and the cleaning nozzles are distributed in the container cavity corresponding to the surface substrate of the rotating target. Spray is ejected through the cleaning nozzles, and the rotating target rotates. The target material reacts chemically with the sprayed liquid and dissolves in the sprayed liquid; the sprayed liquid flows into the liquid collecting tank to complete the collection of the waste liquid; the waste liquid can be discharged from the target container through the outflow pipeline interface; during the cleaning process, gas is introduced through the ventilation and drying pipeline to take away other substances generated by the chemical reaction. After the cleaning is completed, high-temperature gas is introduced through the ventilation and drying pipeline to evaporate the residual liquid in the target container to complete the cleaning work of the target container.

[0034] Fourth, the present invention can achieve a reduction in the frequency of target material replacement: the rotation axis of the rotating target in the target container is perpendicular to the proton beam direction. During the target shooting process, the rotating target keeps rotating to make the target uniformly receive the beam shooting, which can effectively extend the service life of the overall target and reduce the frequency of target material replacement.

[0035] Fifth, the present invention can achieve space saving: the rotating target of the target container is a cylindrical rotatable structure, which can rotate during the target shooting process, and can increase the area for receiving the target shooting beam in a limited space.

[0036] 6. The present invention can improve the heat exchange efficiency of the target. The rotating target of the target container can perform a rotating operation, and the rotating target can have a larger heat dissipation area when rotating; when the rotating target rotates, the heated surface can rotate to the non-heated area for heat dissipation, and at the same time, cooling water circulates in the heat exchange channel, increasing the heat exchange intensity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0038] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the target container in the present invention.

[0039] Figure 2 It is a front view structure schematic diagram of the target container in the present invention.

[0040] Figure 3 It is a side view structure schematic diagram of the target container in the present invention.

[0041] Figure 4 It is a top view structure schematic diagram of the target container in the present invention.

[0042] Figure 5 is Figure 2 The cross-sectional structure schematic diagram of the A-A part of

[0043] Figure 6 is Figure 2 The cross-sectional structure schematic diagram of the B-B part of

[0044] Explanation of the reference numerals in the drawings: 1 - container shell, 11 - groove, 12 - driving device, 2 - container cavity, 21 - ventilation and drying pipeline, 3 - rotating target, 31 - cylindrical target, 311 - guide plate, 312 - surface substrate, 313 - heat exchange channel, 32 - rotating shaft, 321 - coolant inlet pipeline, 322 - coolant outlet pipeline, 4 - rotating seal ring, 5 - transmission device, 6 - liquid collecting tank, 61 - outflow pipeline interface, 7 - evaporation crucible, 8 - cleaning spray head, 9 - sealing door, 91 - sealing strip, 92 - transmission shaft, 10 - film thickness gauge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0045] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0046] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the embodiments of the present application.

[0047] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a replaceable connection, or an integral connection. It can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection. It can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. It can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to specific situations.

[0048] The embodiments of the present application disclose a target container, especially a cylindrical target container applied to the boron neutron capture therapy technology.

[0049] As shown in the figure, a target container for a regenerable lithium target provided in the embodiments of the present application includes a container housing 1, a container cavity 2, a rotating target 3, a rotating sealing ring 4, a transmission device 5, a liquid collecting tank 6, an evaporation crucible 7, a cleaning assembly, a sealing door 9, and a film thickness meter 10; the container housing 1 serves as the housing of the whole machine device; the container cavity 2 provides an operating environment for the device; the rotating target 3 is used to carry the target material as the target; the rotating sealing ring 4 is used to connect the rotating target 3 and the container housing 1 to ensure the rotation function of the rotating target 3 while ensuring the sealing performance inside the container cavity 2; the transmission device 5 provides power for the rotation of the rotating target 3; the liquid collecting tank 6 can collect the waste liquid after the target is cleaned; the evaporation crucible 7 is used for the evaporation of the target material to add the target material to the rotating target 3; the cleaning assembly is used to clean the waste target material on the rotating target 3 and at the same time complete the cleaning work inside the cavity; the sealing door 9 is used to close the container cavity 2 to build a closed operating environment; the film thickness meter 10 is used to detect the thickness of the target material added to the rotating target 3 when the target material is evaporated.

[0050] One side of the container housing 1 is provided with a groove 11, and the groove 11 is connected to the accelerator vacuum system. The target container can be evacuated through the acceleration vacuum system to create a vacuum environment for the operation of the target container;

[0051] The container cavity 2 is arranged inside the container housing 1; the rotating target 3 is connected to the container housing 1 through a rotating seal ring 4. The rotating seal ring 4 can ensure the rotation function of the rotating target 3 while ensuring the sealing performance at the connection between the container housing 1 and the rotating target 3;

[0052] The sealing door 9 is installed at the opening of the container cavity 2. Through the coordination between the container cavity 2 in the target container and the sealing door 9, a closed environment can be constructed for operations such as evaporation coating, cleaning, and drying of the lithium target, without polluting the environment outside the container cavity 2; the evaporation crucible 7, the cleaning component, and the film thickness gauge 10 are respectively installed inside the container cavity 2, which can meet the operation requirements of functions such as evaporation coating, cleaning, and drying of the lithium target, realizing functional integration.

[0053] The rotating target 3 includes a cylindrical target 31 and a rotating shaft 32; the cylindrical target 31 is arranged inside the container cavity 2 and is used to carry the target material and serve as the target for target shooting; the rotating shaft 32 is respectively connected to the transmission device 5 and the rotating seal ring 4 and serves as the connecting part of the rotating target 3; a coolant inlet pipe 321 and a coolant outlet pipe 322 are arranged inside the rotating shaft 32, which are used to connect the cooling working medium to provide cooling function for the heat exchange function of the rotating target 3; a flow guide plate 311 is arranged inside the cylindrical target 31, and a surface substrate 312 is arranged on the outer side surface. There is a hydrogen diffusion layer on the surface substrate 312, and the hydrogen diffusion layer is combined on the surface of the substrate; the flow guide plate 311 and the surface substrate 312 form a heat exchange channel 313; the heat exchange channel 313 is respectively communicated with the coolant inlet pipe 321 and the coolant outlet pipe 322. It is used to connect the cooling working medium to remove the internal heat deposition when the rotating target 3 is running.

[0054] Before target shooting, the pipeline is evacuated to a vacuum state through the vacuum pump pipeline. Open the sealing door 9 of the target container, and connect the groove 11 of the target housing to the accelerator vacuum system. The target container can be evacuated through the acceleration vacuum system to create a vacuum environment for target shooting; set the rotation speed of the rotating target 3 to be between 1000 RPM and 10000 RPM, connect the cooling working medium through the coolant inlet pipe 321, start the cooling water circuit of the rotating target 3 to make the flow rate of the target cooling water reach the rated state, start the accelerator system, and the protons directly shoot at the rotating target 3 through the proton pipeline to generate epithermal neutrons. Due to the periodic motion of the target, the requirement for the shape of the proton beam spot is low, the heat exchange is reliable, and it is easy to cope with abnormal working conditions.

[0055] The evaporation crucible 7 is installed inside the container cavity 2 and is disposed below the rotating target 3; the evaporation crucible 7 corresponds to the surface substrate 312 of the cylindrical target 31, so that the surface substrate 312 can receive the evaporated target material more effectively; the evaporation crucible 7 includes a crucible, a heating device and a heat insulation layer, which can meet the evaporation function of the target material. When the evaporation crucible 7 starts evaporating the target material during operation, the sealing door 9 of the target container is closed, and the target container is evacuated to make the deposition pressure in the target container appropriate. The rotation speed of the target is set to be between 1 RPM and 100 RPM, and the rotating target 3 starts to rotate. A cooling medium is introduced through the coolant inlet pipe 321, and the cooling medium circulates in the heat exchange channel 313 to cool the rotating target 3, which is convenient for receiving the evenly evaporated target material; metallic lithium is heated and evaporated, and the gaseous particles are rapidly transmitted in a straight line with basically no collision to form clusters on the surface substrate 312. Through the contact and combination of adjacent stably aggregated particles, a continuous thin film is formed; at this time, the thickness gauge 10 of the target container detects the thickness of the evaporated target. When the predetermined value is reached, the evaporation operation is stopped and a reminder is given; the thickness gauge 10 is installed on an inner side surface of the container cavity 2 and is disposed above the rotating target 3.

[0056] One side surface of the sealing door 9 is movably connected to the container housing 1; a sealing strip 91 is provided on the sealing door 9 to ensure the sealed environment inside the container cavity 2 after the sealing door 9 is closed. A driving device 12 is provided on the container housing 1; the driving device 12 includes, but is not limited to, a servo motor, a stepper motor, etc.; the driving device 12 is connected to the sealing door 9 through a transmission shaft 92, and the automatic control of the opening and closing of the sealing door 9 can be realized through the driving device 12, so as to achieve intelligent control during the operation in the container cavity 2.

[0057] The connection mode between one side surface of the sealing door 9 and the container housing 1 in the process of this embodiment includes, but is not limited to, hinge connection, hinge connection and sliding connection, etc.

[0058] The cleaning component is one or more cleaning nozzles 8, and the cleaning nozzles 8 have the functions of rotatable angle and atomization; the cleaning nozzles 8 are distributed in the container cavity 2 corresponding to the surface substrate 312 of the rotating target 3. After the target works for a period of time, impurities are generated in the target material, which will cause the performance of the target to decline. Therefore, the target material needs to be replaced for the target after a period of time. When removing the waste target material, the sealing door 9 of the target container is closed to construct a sealed environment, the rotation speed of the rotating target 3 is set to be between 1 RPM and 100 RPM, and the rotation of the rotating target 3 is maintained. At the same time, the cleaning nozzles 8 at different positions spray an oxidant spray. The spray continuously corrodes the target material, and its oxide dissolves in the spray liquid and finally flows into the liquid collecting tank 6.

[0059] The lower end of the container cavity 2 is connected to a liquid collection tank 6 for collecting waste liquid; the bottom of the liquid collection tank 6 is inclined to facilitate the flow of waste liquid into the bottom end of the liquid collection tank 6; an outflow pipe interface 61 is provided at the bottom end of the inclined structure of the liquid collection tank 6 to facilitate the outflow of waste liquid from the container cavity 2.

[0060] After the target body is cleaned, there are still liquid droplets remaining on the surface substrate 312 of the rotating target body 3, which becomes a safety hazard for the next evaporation coating. A ventilation and drying pipe 21 communicating with the container cavity 2 is provided on the container housing 1. Through the ventilation and drying pipe 21, high-temperature gas is introduced to evaporate the residual liquid in the target body container. At this time, the rotation speed of the target body is between 1 RPM and 100 RPM.

[0061] A visual probe is provided in the container cavity 2 to assist the BNCT device in hitting the target through the visual probe, and at the same time, it can monitor the cleaning, drying, evaporation coating, operation, etc. of the target body to ensure the stable operation of the target body container.

[0062] The cylindrical target body 31 of the rotating target body 3 can be cylindrical or in other shapes.

[0063] Through the above evaporation coating, cleaning, and drying, non-contact automatic target material replacement can be achieved. The surface substrate 312 of the cylindrical target body 31 is cleaned in the container cavity 2 by a cleaning component to remove the waste target material on the surface substrate 312, and then evaporation coating operation is carried out through the evaporation coating crucible 7 to supplement the target material on the surface substrate 312, realizing the replacement of the target material; this process does not require manual contact throughout, and can complete the replacement of the target material without replacing the rotating target body 3 and without polluting the container cavity 2, effectively simplifying the process of target material replacement.

[0064] Using this kind of target body container can achieve functional integration, non-contact automatic target material replacement, reduce the target material replacement frequency, improve the heat exchange efficiency of the target body, save space, and have a self-cleaning function.

[0065] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and does not impose any limitation on the technical scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art, inspired by this technical solution, can make some deformations and modifications. Any modifications, equivalent changes, and decorations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cylindrical target container, characterized in that: The target container includes a container housing, a rotating target, a rotating sealing ring, a transmission device, a liquid collecting tank, an evaporation crucible, a cleaning assembly, a sealing door, and a film thickness gauge; the container housing, the liquid collecting tank, and the sealing door form a container cavity; The rotating target includes a cylindrical target and a rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is respectively connected to the transmission device and the rotating sealing ring; the cylindrical target is arranged in the container cavity; the evaporation crucible is installed inside the container cavity and is arranged below the rotating target; one side of the sealing door is movably connected to the container housing; the lower end of the container cavity is connected to the liquid collecting tank; the film thickness gauge is installed on an inner side surface of the container cavity and is arranged above the rotating target; The rotating target is connected to the container housing through the rotating sealing ring; The sealing door is installed at the opening of the container cavity.

2. The cylindrical target container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylindrical target includes a flow guide plate and a surface substrate; the flow guide plate is arranged inside the cylindrical target; the surface substrate is arranged on the outer side surface of the cylindrical target; the flow guide plate and the surface substrate form a heat exchange channel.

3. The cylindrical target container according to claim 2, wherein: The cleaning assembly is one or more cleaning nozzles; the cleaning nozzles are distributed in the container cavity and correspond to the surface substrate.

4. A cylindrical target container according to claim 1, characterized in that: A coolant inlet pipe and a coolant outlet pipe are arranged inside the rotating shaft; the heat exchange channel is respectively communicated with the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe.

5. A cylindrical target container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The evaporation crucible includes a crucible, a heating device, and a heat insulation layer.

6. The cylindrical target container according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing strip is arranged on the sealing door; a driving device is arranged on the container housing; the driving device is connected to the sealing door through a transmission shaft.

7. A cylindrical target container according to claim 1, characterized in that: An outflow pipe interface is arranged at the bottom of the liquid collecting tank.

8. A cylindrical target container according to claim 1, characterized in that: A ventilation and drying pipe communicating with the container cavity is opened on the container housing.

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