An X-ray accelerator tube

By adjusting the positions of the cathode and anode in the accelerating tube electron gun structure and changing the electron beam emission characteristics, the complexity and cost issues of adjusting the X-ray dose rate and focal spot size of traditional accelerating tubes are solved, flexible X-ray radiation parameter adjustment is achieved, system reliability is improved and costs are reduced.

CN120417195BActive Publication Date: 2025-09-05INST OF APPLIED ELECTRONICS CHINA ACAD OF ENG PHYSICS
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202510918703.0
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-07-04
Publication Date
2025-09-05
Estimated Expiration
2045-07-04

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

When adjusting the X-ray dose rate and focal spot size, traditional accelerator tubes require the addition of complex electrode control modules, resulting in high system cost and low reliability, making it difficult to achieve focal spot adjustment.

Method used

By adjusting the relative position between the cathode and anode in the accelerating tube electron gun structure, and using a retractable flexible bellows and an adjustment mechanism, the emission characteristics of the electron beam are changed to achieve the adjustment of the X-ray dose rate and the focal spot size.

Benefits of technology

The structure is simplified, the development cost is reduced, the system reliability is improved, the flexible adjustment of the X-ray dose rate and the focal spot size is achieved, and no additional auxiliary electronic equipment is required.

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Abstract

The present invention provides an X-ray accelerator tube comprising a sequentially connected accelerator tube electron gun assembly, an accelerator tube high-frequency assembly, and an X-ray conversion target. The accelerator tube electron gun assembly, the accelerator tube high-frequency assembly, and the X-ray conversion target are arranged in sequence along the direction of the electron beam flow and form a vacuum environment. The accelerator tube electron gun assembly includes a cathode and an anode, and the relative position between the cathode and the anode is physically adjustable. Adjusting the relative position of the cathode and the anode changes the emission characteristics of the electron beam of the accelerator tube electron gun assembly, thereby adjusting the dose rate and / or focal spot size of the X-rays output by the X-ray conversion target. The present invention can generate electron beams of varying intensities and beam waist sizes by simply changing the relative position of the cathode and the anode, without changing the high voltage between the cathode and the anode of the accelerator tube electron gun assembly, thereby achieving X-ray radiation with varying dose rates or focal spots.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of design of X-ray accelerator tubes, and in particular to an X-ray accelerator tube. Background Art

[0002] Conventional accelerator tubes often employ either a two-stage gun + accelerator tube high-frequency structure or a grid-controlled electron gun + accelerator tube high-frequency structure to achieve variable X-ray dose rate and focus. Both types of conventional accelerator tubes utilize an electron gun with fixed electrode positions to emit electrons. For the former, adjusting the X-ray dose rate and the X-ray focal spot size is impossible without changing the electron gun high voltage or the magnetron high voltage. This requires adding a high-voltage adjustment module and function. By simultaneously adjusting the electron gun high voltage and the magnetron high voltage to synchronize the electron gun emission with the acceleration phase of the microwave field in the accelerator tube high-frequency structure, the X-ray dose rate can be adjusted. However, this method struggles to achieve accurate X-ray focal spot adjustment. For the latter, since the accelerator tube utilizes a grid-controlled electron gun, a grid voltage control module or control power supply is required. Furthermore, accelerator tubes employing a grid-controlled electron gun are also difficult to adjust the X-ray focal spot. Therefore, achieving dose rate adjustment in conventional accelerator tubes increases system technical complexity, reduces system reliability, and increases system cost. Furthermore, adjusting the X-ray focal spot size is difficult with conventional accelerator tubes.

[0003] Therefore, the existing technology needs to be further developed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the above technical deficiencies and provide an X-ray accelerator tube to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above technical objectives, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an X-ray accelerator tube, comprising an accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly, an accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly, and an X-ray conversion target connected in sequence, wherein the accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly, the accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly, and the X-ray conversion target are arranged in sequence along the direction of the electron beam and form a vacuum environment;

[0006] The accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly includes a cathode and an anode, and the relative position between the cathode and the anode can be physically adjusted;

[0007] The electron beam emission characteristics of the accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly are changed by adjusting the relative position between the cathode and the anode, thereby adjusting the dose rate and / or focal spot size of the X-rays output by the X-ray conversion target.

[0008] Specifically, the accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly further includes a cathode tube, a retractable flexible bellows, and a movable end surface of the flexible bellows;

[0009] The cathode is fixedly arranged on the cathode tube holder, one end of the retractable flexible bellows is connected to the movable end surface of the flexible bellows, and the retractable flexible bellows is used to maintain a high vacuum environment of the entire X-ray accelerator tube.

[0010] Specifically, the cathode tube is fixedly connected to the movable end face of the flexible bellows, and the cathode tube slides axially under the guidance of the telescopic flexible bellows. The telescopic flexible bellows is connected to the cathode tube via the movable end face of the flexible bellows. When the movable end face of the flexible bellows is displaced, the cathode and the cathode tube are driven to slide synchronously.

[0011] Specifically, the accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly further includes a focusing electrode, which is located between the cathode and the anode and is used to focus the electron beam emitted from the cathode.

[0012] Specifically, the accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly has an adjusting mechanism, and the adjusting mechanism is used to adjust the relative position between the cathode and the anode.

[0013] Specifically, the adjustment mechanism includes a rotating dial and a threaded engagement structure, and the accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly includes a shell;

[0014] The rotating dial is used to provide a rotation position indication. The rotating dial is arranged outside the housing of the accelerating tube electron gun assembly. The threaded engagement structure is located inside the housing of the accelerating tube electron gun assembly. The rotating dial is connected to the threaded engagement structure through a mechanical transmission device.

[0015] Specifically, the adjustment mechanism also includes a cathode sliding assembly, one end of the cathode sliding assembly is connected to the threaded engagement structure, and the other end of the cathode sliding assembly is connected to the cathode tube holder through the movable end face of the flexible bellows. The threaded engagement structure is used to convert the rotational motion of the rotating dial into linear displacement, thereby pushing the cathode sliding assembly to move axially.

[0016] Specifically, the accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly includes an electron beam injection port and an electron beam extraction port. The electron beam output by the accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly enters the accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly through the electron beam injection port, and then passes through the electron beam extraction port to be incident on the X-ray conversion target.

[0017] Specifically, the accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly is a standing-wave accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly or a traveling-wave accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly;

[0018] The high-frequency structural assembly of the standing-wave accelerating tube includes a microwave feed inlet, and the high-frequency structural assembly of the traveling-wave accelerating tube includes a microwave feed inlet and a microwave feed outlet.

[0019] Specifically, the accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly and the X-ray conversion target both include a water-cooling structure, and the water-cooling structure is used for heat dissipation of the accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly and the X-ray conversion target.

[0020] Beneficial effects:

[0021] The present invention provides an X-ray accelerator tube. The X-ray accelerator tube in the present application adopts an accelerator tube electron gun structural assembly with adjustable cathode position and a design method for an accelerator tube high-frequency structural assembly. Without changing the high voltage between the cathode and anode of the accelerator tube electron gun structural assembly, the relative position between the cathode and anode can be changed only by physical sliding of the cathode and the cathode tube, thereby generating electron beams of different intensities and different beam waist sizes, achieving X-ray radiation of different dose rates or focal points, and greatly improving the reliability of the X-ray accelerator tube. The X-ray accelerator tube has a simple structure and does not require any additional electronic equipment, thereby greatly reducing the development cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an X-ray accelerator tube provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a high-frequency structural assembly of a standing wave accelerating tube provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a high-frequency structural assembly of a traveling-wave or backward-wave accelerating tube provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] The reference numerals of the above drawings are as follows:

[0026] 1. Accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly; 2. Accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly; 3. X-ray conversion target; 4. Cathode; 5. Anode; 6. Cathode tube holder; 7. Retractable flexible bellows; 8. Flexible bellows movable end face; 9. Focusing electrode; 10. Rotating dial; 11. Threaded engagement structure; 12. Cathode sliding assembly; 13. Electron beam injection port; 14. Electron beam extraction port; 15. Microwave feed port; 16. Microwave feed port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the technical solution of the present invention is clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of the present invention. Based on the embodiments in this application, other similar embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work should fall within the scope of protection of this application. In addition, the directional words mentioned in the following embodiments, such as "up", "down", "left", "right", etc., are only reference to the directions of the drawings. Therefore, the directional words used are used to illustrate rather than limit the invention.

[0028] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0029] See also Figure 1 This embodiment provides an X-ray accelerator tube comprising an accelerator tube electron gun assembly 1, an accelerator tube high-frequency assembly 2, and an X-ray conversion target 3, which are sequentially connected. The accelerator tube electron gun assembly 1, the accelerator tube high-frequency assembly 2, and the X-ray conversion target 3 are arranged in sequence along the direction of the electron beam flow and form a vacuum environment for electron beam generation, acceleration, and target shooting. The accelerator tube high-frequency assembly 2 is used to accelerate the electron beam from the accelerator tube electron gun assembly 1, and the X-ray conversion target 3 is used to generate X-rays when bombarded by the electron beam.

[0030] For further information, see Figure 1 The accelerating tube electron gun structural assembly 1 includes a cathode 4 and an anode 5 with an anode hole 5, and the relative position between the cathode 4 and the anode 5 can be physically adjusted; wherein, by adjusting the relative position between the cathode 4 and the anode 5, the emission characteristics of the electron beam of the accelerating tube electron gun structural assembly 1 are changed, thereby adjusting the dose rate and / or focal spot size of the X-rays output by the X-ray conversion target 3.

[0031] Specifically, the emission characteristics of the electron beam refer to the intensity and waist size of the electron beam. When the relative position between the cathode 4 and the anode 5 of the accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly 1 changes, the electric field distribution between the cathode 4 and the anode 5 changes, thereby causing the electron emission capability, emission position and focusing electric field shape of the electron gun to change accordingly, thereby generating electron beams of different intensities and waist sizes. When electron beams of different intensities and waist sizes are accelerated by the accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly 2 and then drawn out to hit the X-ray conversion target 3, different X-ray dose rates and focal points can be obtained.

[0032] It can be understood that the X-ray accelerator tube in this embodiment can achieve X-ray radiation with different dose rates or focal points only by physically adjusting the cathode 4 and the cathode tube 6 in the accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly 1, overcoming the limitation that when a traditional accelerator tube or accelerator wants to achieve X-ray radiation with different dose rates or focal points, it is necessary to simultaneously change the high voltage settings in the electron gun high-voltage power supply and the magnetron high-voltage power supply to achieve the purpose. At the same time, the present invention achieves X-ray radiation with different dose rates or focal points through a physical adjustment method, which has the advantages of simplicity, reliability, and low cost, greatly reducing the cost and further improving the usability and reliability of the present invention.

[0033] See also Figure 1 In the X-ray accelerator tube of this embodiment, the accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly 1 further includes a cathode tube holder 6, a retractable flexible bellows 7, and a flexible bellows movable end surface 8. The cathode 4 is fixedly mounted on the cathode tube holder 6 and slides synchronously with the cathode tube holder 6. One end of the retractable flexible bellows 7 is connected to the flexible bellows movable end surface 8. The retractable flexible bellows 7 is used to maintain a high vacuum environment for the entire X-ray accelerator tube. When the retractable flexible bellows 7 retracts and contracts in the axial direction, it drives the flexible bellows movable end surface 8 to move synchronously in the axial direction.

[0034] See also Figure 1 In the X-ray accelerator tube of this embodiment, the cathode tube 6 is fixedly connected to the movable end surface 8 of the flexible bellows. The cathode tube 6 slides axially under the guidance of the telescopic flexible bellows 7. The telescopic flexible bellows 7 is connected to the cathode tube 6 via the movable end surface 8 of the flexible bellows. When the movable end surface 8 of the flexible bellows is displaced, the cathode 4 and the cathode tube 6 are driven to slide synchronously.

[0035] It can be understood that the cathode 4 of the accelerating tube electron gun structural assembly 1 is fixedly arranged on the cathode tube 6, the cathode tube 6 is connected to the movable end face of the flexible bellows wall, and slides back and forth along the axial direction under the guidance of the flexible bellows. The wall of the retractable flexible bellows 7 is connected to the cathode tube 6 through the movable end face of the flexible bellows wall. When the movable end face of the flexible bellows wall is displaced, the cathode 4 and the cathode tube 6 are driven to slide synchronously, thereby changing the relative position between the cathode 4 and the anode 5, causing a change in the electric field distribution between the two, thereby affecting the electron emission capability, emission position and focusing electric field shape, and achieving the final output X-ray dose rate and focus.

[0036] Furthermore, the accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly 1 further includes a focusing electrode 9 , which is located between the cathode 4 and the anode 5 and is used to focus the electron beam emitted from the cathode 4 .

[0037] See also Figure 1In the X-ray accelerator tube of this embodiment, the accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly 1 has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the relative position between the cathode 4 and the anode 5. The adjustment mechanism includes a rotating dial 10 and a threaded engagement structure 11. The accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly 1 includes a housing. The rotating dial 10 is used to provide a rotational position indication. The rotating dial 10 is disposed outside the housing of the accelerator tube electron gun assembly. The threaded engagement structure 11 is located inside the housing of the accelerator tube electron gun assembly. The rotating dial 10 is connected to the threaded engagement structure 11 via a mechanical transmission device. The adjustment mechanism also includes a cathode sliding assembly 12. One end of the cathode sliding assembly 12 is connected to the threaded engagement structure 11. The other end of the cathode sliding assembly 12 is connected to the cathode tube holder 6 via the movable end face 8 of the flexible bellows. The threaded engagement structure 11 is used to convert the rotational motion of the rotating dial 10 into linear displacement, thereby driving the cathode sliding assembly 12 to move axially.

[0038] It should be further explained that the adjustment mechanism in this embodiment can form a linkage between the cathode 4, cathode tube 6, cathode sliding assembly 12, threaded engagement structure 11 and retractable flexible bellows 7 by rotating the dial 10, thereby changing the electric field distribution between the cathode and anode 5 of the accelerating tube electron gun structure, thereby generating initial electron beams with different current intensities and beam waist sizes. This can ensure that the vacuum in the accelerating tube is not destroyed, and can also achieve the adjustment of the initial electron emission of the accelerating tube and the target shooting after acceleration, ultimately achieving the purpose of adjusting the X-ray dose rate and focus of the accelerating tube.

[0039] Furthermore, the step of adjusting the relative positions of the cathode 4 and the anode 5 of the accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly 1 by using the adjusting mechanism includes:

[0040] (1) The user operates the rotary dial 10;

[0041] (2) The rotational motion of the rotary dial 10 is converted into the linear motion of the cathode sliding assembly 12 through the threaded engagement structure 11;

[0042] (3) The cathode sliding assembly 12 drives the cathode 4 and the cathode tube 6 to slide axially toward or away from the anode 5;

[0043] (4) The retractable flexible bellows 7 then retracts and contracts to maintain a vacuum seal;

[0044] (5) The relative positions and spacing between the cathode 4 and the anode 5, and between the cathode 4 and the focusing electrode 9 change, which changes the electric field distribution between the cathode and anode 5, thereby changing the emission intensity and beam waist size of the electron beam. Electron beams with different parameters are accelerated by the high-frequency structure assembly 2 of the accelerating tube and then hit the target, ultimately outputting X-rays with different dose rates and focal spot sizes.

[0045] It should be noted that, based on the aforementioned adjustment mechanism, the X-ray accelerator tube of the present invention can achieve fine adjustment of the relative positions of the cathode and anode 5 of the accelerator tube's electron gun. This adjustment mechanism, comprised of components such as a rotary dial 10, a cathode sliding assembly 12, and a threaded engagement structure 11, not only ensures a vacuum environment for electron beam generation, acceleration, and target firing, but also allows the adjustment mechanism to arbitrarily adjust the relative positions of the cathode 4 and anode 5, and the cathode 4 and focusing electrode 9, within a set range. This alters the electric field distribution between the cathode and anode 5 of the accelerator tube's electron gun, generating initial electron beams of varying intensities and beam waist sizes. Utilizing this adjustment mechanism and method, the performance parameters (current and beam waist size) of the electron beam extracted from the accelerator tube can be adjusted within a certain range, achieving electron beam target firing with varying parameters, thereby meeting the requirements of different dose rates or focal X-ray radiation sources. Using the X-ray accelerator tube of this embodiment in an accelerator not only improves the reliability of the accelerator system but also enables rapid adjustment of X-ray radiation parameters without the need for any additional electronic equipment, significantly reducing development costs.

[0046] See also Figure 1 In the X-ray accelerator tube of this embodiment, the accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly 2 includes an electron beam injection port 13 and an electron beam extraction port 14. The electron beam output by the accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly 1 enters the accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly 2 through the electron beam injection port 13, and then passes through the electron beam extraction port 14 to be incident on the X-ray conversion target 3. In this embodiment, the accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly 1, the accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly 2, and the X-ray conversion target 3 are sequentially connected to form a vacuum environment for electron beam generation, acceleration, and target shooting, thereby achieving X-ray radiation output with adjustable dose rate and focus.

[0047] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the X-ray accelerator tube of this embodiment, the accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly 2 is divided into a standing wave accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly and a traveling wave accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly according to the microwave operating mode of the accelerator tube; the standing wave accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly includes a microwave feed port 15, and the traveling wave accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly includes a microwave feed port 15 and a microwave feed port 16.

[0048] For details, see Figure 2, for the high-frequency structure assembly of the standing wave accelerating tube, including a high-frequency cavity with an electron beam injection port 13, a high-frequency cavity with a microwave feeding port 15, a high-frequency cavity with an electron beam extraction port 14, and other high-frequency cavities, if the high-frequency structure assembly of the standing wave accelerating tube is adopted, the X-ray accelerating tube as a whole is composed of the accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly 1, the high-frequency structure assembly of the standing wave accelerating tube, and the X-ray conversion target 3. Therefore, the X-ray accelerating tube is in a standing wave working mode, that is, a standing wave accelerating tube. The standing wave accelerating tube has only one microwave feeding interface for microwave feeding, and establishes a standing wave acceleration field in the accelerating tube. The standing wave accelerating tube can achieve a higher acceleration gradient within a smaller structural size, that is, the energy obtained by the electrons per unit length is larger, and the standing wave acceleration field forms a stable standing wave mode in the accelerating tube. The electrons obtain continuous energy boost in the standing wave field. The stability and uniformity of the standing wave field ensure that the acceleration force received by the electron beam during the acceleration process remains consistent, thereby reducing energy fluctuations.

[0049] For details, see Figure 3 The high-frequency structural assembly of a traveling-wave accelerator tube and a returning-wave accelerator tube includes a high-frequency cavity with an electron beam injection port 13, a high-frequency cavity with a microwave feed port 15, a high-frequency cavity with a microwave feed port 16, a high-frequency cavity with an electron beam extraction port 14, and other high-frequency cavities. If the traveling-wave accelerator tube high-frequency structural assembly is used, the entire X-ray accelerator tube consists of an electron gun structural assembly, a traveling-wave accelerator tube high-frequency structural assembly, and an X-ray conversion target 3. The X-ray accelerator tube then operates in a traveling-wave mode, i.e., a traveling-wave accelerator tube. The traveling-wave accelerator tube has two microwave interfaces, one for microwave input and one for output, and establishes a traveling-wave acceleration field within the accelerator tube. The traveling-wave accelerator tube can efficiently convert microwave energy into kinetic energy of the electron beam within the microwave frequency range. The traveling-wave acceleration field propagates along the accelerator tube, and the electron beam continuously interacts with the traveling-wave field during the acceleration process, thereby gaining energy. This continuous acceleration process results in high energy conversion efficiency. High acceleration efficiency means that at the same microwave power, the electron beam can gain higher energy, thereby improving the overall performance of the device.

[0050] Furthermore, the operating process of the X-ray accelerator tube in this embodiment includes the following steps: first, an electron beam is generated by the accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly 1, and the electron beam leaves the accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly 1 through the anode 5 hole on the anode 5 of the accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly 1 and enters the electron beam injection port 13 of the high-frequency cavity of the accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly 2. At the same time, high-frequency microwaves outside the accelerator tube enter the accelerator tube through the high-frequency cavity with the microwave feed port 15, and establish an appropriate electromagnetic field in the accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly 2. The electron beam and the electromagnetic field interact in the accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly 2, causing the electromagnetic field strength to decrease and the energy to weaken, while the electron beam energy increases and the speed increases. Finally, the high-speed electron beam leaves the accelerator tube through the electron beam outlet 14 of the accelerator tube and strikes the X-ray conversion target 3, generating X-ray radiation.

[0051] The accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly 1 of this embodiment can change the relative position between the cathode 4 and the anode 5, without changing the high voltage between the cathode and anode 5 of the accelerating tube electron gun, simply by physically sliding the cathode 4 and the cathode tube 6. This changes the electric field distribution between the cathode 4 and the anode 5, thereby changing the electron emission capability, emission position, and focusing electric field configuration of the electron gun. This allows electron beams of varying intensities and waist sizes to be generated and delivered to the accelerating tube high-frequency structure through the accelerating tube electron beam injection port 13. The accelerating tube high-frequency structure of this embodiment can accelerate electron beams of varying intensities and waist sizes from the injection port and then direct them toward the target. Since the X-ray radiation dose rate and focal spot size are positively correlated with the electron beam current intensity and waist size of the target, and the electron beam current intensity and waist size of the target are also positively correlated with the electron beam current intensity and waist size generated by the accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly 1 and injected into the accelerating tube high-frequency structure, varying X-ray dose rates and focal spots can be achieved by varying the electron beam current intensity and waist size of the target.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, both the accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly 2 and the X-ray conversion target 3 include a water-cooling structure, which is used to dissipate heat from the accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly 2 and the X-ray conversion target 3. Since the accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly 2 generates a large amount of heat during operation, especially when operating at high power, the water-cooling structure can effectively remove this heat, keeping the accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly 2 operating within a safe temperature range. Due to the large specific heat capacity of water, it can absorb a large amount of heat, thereby improving heat dissipation efficiency. Similarly, the X-ray conversion target 3 generates a large amount of heat energy when struck by the electron beam. If this heat energy is not dissipated in a timely manner, it will cause the target material temperature to be too high, affecting its performance and lifespan. The water-cooling structure can quickly remove the heat generated by the target material, keeping the target material operating within an appropriate temperature range.

[0053] In some specific embodiments, in addition to being connected to the X-ray conversion target 3, the accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly 2 can also be connected to a titanium window. When the accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly 2 is connected to the titanium window, since the titanium window is usually made of thin titanium metal and has good electron permeability and mechanical strength, the output electron beam can be used for applications such as electron beam welding, electron beam etching, and electron beam surface treatment.

[0054] Specifically, based on the above technical solution, the present invention has practical significance in the development and application of high-performance accelerator X-ray source nondestructive testing systems, particularly in the development of miniaturized, small-focus industrial accelerators. The present invention achieves wide-range adjustment of the accelerating tube's X-ray dose rate and focus through physical adjustment methods. This not only expands the applicable scenarios of the accelerating tube, but also quickly implements functions with a simple method. This can effectively reduce development costs, lower system technical complexity, improve operational reliability, and fully utilize the performance of the accelerating tube. The application of the present invention in accelerating tubes and accelerator X-ray sources will effectively improve their operating performance and expand their scope of application.

[0055] It should be noted that this embodiment provides an X-ray accelerator tube. The overall structure of the X-ray accelerator tube in this embodiment is composed of an accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly, an accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly, and an X-ray conversion target connected in sequence, which together constitute a vacuum environment for electron beam generation, acceleration, and target shooting, thereby realizing X-ray radiation output. At the same time, a wide range of adjustment of the accelerator tube's X-ray dose rate and focus is achieved by physically adjusting the electrode position in the accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly. This can not only expand the applicable scenarios of the accelerator tube, but also quickly realize the function with a simple method. Moreover, when realizing the X-ray dose rate or focus adjustment, no additional auxiliary electronic equipment is required, which effectively reduces the development cost, reduces the system technical complexity, further improves the working reliability, and enables the performance of the accelerator tube to be fully utilized.

[0056] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequential order. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in a sequence other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0057] The various technical features described above can be combined arbitrarily. Although not all possible combinations of these technical features are described, any combination of these technical features should be considered to be covered by this specification as long as such combination does not conflict.

[0058] The specific embodiments of the present invention described above do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made based on the technical concept of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An X-ray accelerator tube, characterized in that: The X-ray accelerator tube comprises an accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly (1), an accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly (2), and an X-ray conversion target (3) connected in sequence, wherein the accelerator tube electron gun structure assembly (1), the accelerator tube high-frequency structure assembly (2), and the X-ray conversion target (3) are arranged in sequence along the direction of the electron beam flow and form a vacuum environment; The accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly (1) comprises a cathode (4) and an anode (5), and the relative position between the cathode (4) and the anode (5) can be physically adjusted; The electron beam emission characteristics of the accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly (1) are changed by adjusting the relative position between the cathode (4) and the anode (5), thereby adjusting the dose rate and / or focal spot size of the X-rays output by the X-ray conversion target (3).

2. The X-ray accelerator tube according to claim 1, characterized in that The accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly (1) further includes a cathode tube (6), a retractable flexible bellows (7), and a flexible bellows movable end surface (8); The cathode (4) is fixedly arranged on the cathode tube holder (6), one end of the retractable flexible bellows (7) is connected to the movable end surface (8) of the flexible bellows, and the retractable flexible bellows (7) is used to maintain a high vacuum environment of the entire X-ray accelerator tube.

3. The X-ray accelerator tube according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cathode tube holder (6) is fixedly connected to the movable end face (8) of the flexible bellows. The cathode tube holder (6) slides axially under the guidance of the telescopic flexible bellows (7). The telescopic flexible bellows (7) is connected to the cathode tube holder (6) via the movable end face (8) of the flexible bellows. When the movable end face (8) of the flexible bellows is displaced, the cathode (4) and the cathode tube holder (6) are driven to slide synchronously.

4. The X-ray accelerator tube according to claim 2, wherein: The accelerating tube electron gun structure assembly (1) further includes a focusing electrode (9), which is located between the cathode (4) and the anode (5) and is used to focus the electron beam emitted from the cathode (4).

5. The X-ray accelerator tube according to claim 2, characterized in that: The accelerating tube electron gun structural assembly (1) has an adjusting mechanism, and the adjusting mechanism is used to adjust the relative position between the cathode (4) and the anode (5).

6. The X-ray accelerator tube according to claim 5, characterized in that: The regulating mechanism comprises a rotating scale plate (10) and a threaded engagement structure (11); the accelerating tube electron gun structural assembly (1) comprises a housing; The rotating dial (10) is used to provide a rotation position indication, the rotating dial (10) is arranged outside the housing of the accelerating tube electron gun assembly, the threaded engagement structure (11) is located inside the housing of the accelerating tube electron gun assembly, and the rotating dial (10) is connected to the threaded engagement structure (11) via a mechanical transmission device.

7. The X-ray accelerator tube according to claim 6, characterized in that: The regulating mechanism further comprises a cathode sliding assembly (12), one end of the cathode sliding assembly (12) being connected to the threaded engagement structure (11), and the other end of the cathode sliding assembly (12) being connected to the cathode tube holder (6) via the movable end face (8) of the flexible bellows, and the threaded engagement structure (11) being used to convert the rotational motion of the rotary dial (10) into linear displacement, thereby pushing the cathode sliding assembly (12) to move axially.

8. The X-ray accelerator tube according to claim 1, characterized in that The accelerating tube high-frequency structural assembly (2) comprises an electron beam injection port (13) and an electron beam extraction port (14). The electron beam outputted from the accelerating tube electron gun structural assembly (1) enters the accelerating tube high-frequency structural assembly (2) through the electron beam injection port (13), and then passes through the electron beam extraction port (14) to be incident on the X-ray conversion target (3).

9. The X-ray accelerator tube according to claim 8, characterized in that: The accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly (2) is a standing-wave accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly or a traveling-wave accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly; The standing wave accelerating tube high-frequency structural assembly comprises a microwave feed inlet (15), and the traveling wave accelerating tube high-frequency structural assembly comprises a microwave feed inlet (15) and a microwave feed outlet (16).

10. The X-ray accelerator tube according to claim 5, characterized in that The accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly (2) and the X-ray conversion target (3) both include a water cooling structure, and the water cooling structure is used for heat dissipation of the accelerating tube high-frequency structure assembly (2) and the X-ray conversion target (3).

Citation Information

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