Electron accelerator

Abstract

The invention relates to an electron accelerator which is characterized in that two ends of a cylindrical body are respectively connected with a top cover and a base assembly, an accelerating tube is connected to the base assembly in the cylindrical body, electrons injected by a laser electron gun assembly form a high-energy electron beam in the accelerating tube, and the accelerating tube is fixed in a closed space formed by the cylindrical body. The insulating structural member comprises an insulating cover and an insulating cylinder, the insulating cover is in close fit with the top cover in the top cover, the insulating cylinder and the insulating cover are also fixed in the closed space, the insulating cover and the insulating cylinder form an insulating cavity, the accelerating tube is arranged in the insulating cavity, and the remaining space between the accelerating tube and the cylinder body is filled with the insulating glue layer. According to the electron accelerator provided by the invention, solid insulation is provided through the combination of the insulating structural member and the insulating adhesive layer, compared with a high-pressure gas insulated accelerator in the prior art, the volume is greatly reduced, the breakdown voltage of the accelerator can be greatly improved, the operation is more stable, the service life is greatly prolonged, and the manufacturing cost is also greatly reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an accelerator, and more particularly to an electron accelerator. Background Art

[0002] Over the past two decades, accelerators have found significant applications in a variety of scientific and technological fields, including materials science, surface physics, molecular biology, and photochemistry. Across industry, agriculture, and medicine, accelerators are widely used in areas such as isotope production, tumor diagnosis and treatment, radiation disinfection, nondestructive testing, polymer polymerization, material modification, ion implantation, ion beam microanalysis, and space radiation simulation. Electron irradiation accelerators are essential components of the radiation processing industry. As crucial production equipment within this sector, they have seen significant growth in terms of quantity, specifications, quality, support, and application.

[0003] There are many types of electron accelerators. Among them, the high-frequency, high-voltage accelerator (also known as the "ground nanometer accelerator") is the most widely used and relatively stable electron accelerator in the world. The electron beam it provides is a radiation source for industrial production. A high-frequency, high-voltage accelerator consists of a voltage multiplier system, a high-frequency, high-voltage power supply, an accelerating tube, an electron gun, an extraction scanning system, a vacuum system, and a gas (nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or sulfur hexafluoride) handling system. The high-frequency, high-voltage power supply comprises a high-frequency oscillator, a high-frequency transformer, high-frequency electrodes, and distributed capacitance formed between a steel cylinder and a voltage-multiplying core. It injects a high-frequency voltage of approximately 200 kV between the two high-frequency electrodes. This high-frequency voltage passes through the distributed capacitance between the high-frequency electrode and the upper semicircular ring of the core, and through a rectifier silicon stack within the core, forming a parallel-coupled voltage multiplication system. After several stages of voltage multiplication and rectification, an extremely high DC voltage is generated at the top high-voltage cap. This high voltage accelerates the electron stream generated by the electron gun, which is at the same potential as the high-voltage cap, through the accelerating tube. The high-energy electron beam from the accelerating tube is scanned horizontally by a magnetic scanner before passing through a titanium window for radiation processing on the product. A high-pressure steel cylinder is filled with insulating gases (nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or sulfur hexafluoride) to maintain the accelerator's high potential gradient. The drawbacks of this type of electron accelerator are: Its bulk, primarily reflected in its overall height and large cylinder diameter (up to three meters), requires a large building for installation, requiring high structural requirements and creating significant challenges in movement, transportation, and installation. Furthermore, its complex structure, numerous components, and high overall manufacturing costs complicate its large-scale deployment. Third, to ensure the stability of the multi-kilovolt high voltage of the accelerator's main body, the accelerator must be housed within a large steel cylinder filled with high-voltage insulating gas. A pressure gas reservoir is also required to replace the high-voltage insulating gas within the cylinder. The steel cylinder is a steel pressure vessel, and a cooling device (such as a cold trap) is installed at the top of the cylinder to continuously cool the high-frequency transformer. The high-voltage insulating gas can easily be contaminated with impurities, which can affect the cylinder's insulation. Several high-voltage insulating gases exist, including nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and sulfur hexafluoride. Sulfur hexafluoride is toxic, and leaks in the pipeline can pose a safety hazard. Sulfur hexafluoride has a global warming potential (GWP) 23,500 times that of carbon dioxide, and its atmospheric lifetime is approximately 3,200 years. This means that 1 kg of sulfur hexafluoride leaking into the atmosphere has the same global warming impact as approximately 23.5 tons of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, it can be assumed to remain in the atmosphere permanently and cannot be degraded, posing a significant environmental threat. These shortcomings of prior art high-frequency, high-voltage accelerators have adversely impacted their promotion and application.

[0004] Therefore, there is a great need for an electron accelerator that can overcome the defects of the existing technology, has a small size, occupies a small area, requires low factory space, has a simple structure, low manufacturing cost, is safer, and is easy to move, transport and install. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the problems of large size, high cost and gas hidden dangers of electron accelerators in the above-mentioned prior art, the present invention provides an electron accelerator.

[0006] According to the electron accelerator of the present invention, it includes a base assembly, a cylinder, an accelerating tube, an insulating structural member and an insulating rubber layer, wherein the cylinder includes a top cover and a cylindrical body, one end of the cylindrical body is connected to the top cover, and the other end of the cylindrical body is connected to the base assembly. The accelerating tube is connected to the base assembly inside the cylinder. Electrons injected by the laser electron gun assembly (cathode) form a high-energy electron beam in the accelerating tube. The accelerating tube is fixed in a closed space formed by the cylinder. The insulating structural member includes an insulating cover and an insulating cylinder. The insulating cover is tightly matched with the top cover in the top cover. The insulating cylinder and the insulating cover are also fixed in the closed space. The insulating cover and the insulating cylinder form an insulating chamber. The accelerating tube is arranged in the insulating chamber. The insulating rubber layer fills the remaining space between the accelerating tube and the cylinder.

[0007] Preferably, the insulating glue layer is provided by insulating glue filled in the space between the accelerating tube and the insulating cylinder.

[0008] Preferably, the electron accelerator further comprises a voltage multiplier assembly connected to the base assembly within the cylinder, which is located on the outside of the accelerating tube and is wrapped by an insulating rubber layer.

[0009] Preferably, the electron accelerator further comprises a high-voltage cap which is arranged on the inner side of the insulating cover and fixedly connected to the top end of the accelerating tube.

[0010] Preferably, the insulating structural member is formed by bonding diamond powder with an adhesive, or by sintering ceramic, polytetrafluoroethylene, glass, or quartz material, or by pouring or injection molding PVC plastic, or by winding various insulating films.

[0011] Preferably, the insulating adhesive layer is formed by potting of organic silicon, epoxy resin, polyurethane, or polyacrylate.

[0012] Preferably, the electron accelerator further comprises a laser electron gun assembly disposed in the cylinder, which is located at the top of the accelerating tube and is used to inject electrons into the accelerating tube.

[0013] The electron accelerator according to the present invention provides solid-state insulation through a combination of insulating structural components and insulating adhesive layers. Compared to conventional high-voltage gas-insulated accelerators, this significantly reduces its size and significantly increases its breakdown voltage. It also prevents damage to the atmospheric environment from gas leakage. Solid-insulated accelerators operate more stably, significantly extend their service life, and significantly reduce manufacturing costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the overall structure of an electron accelerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and described in detail.

[0016] like Figure 1 As shown, the electron accelerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base assembly 1 and a cylinder 2. The cylinder 2 is connected to the top of the base assembly 1, and the injected electrons form a high-energy electron beam in the cylinder 2.

[0017] like Figure 1 As shown, the electron accelerator according to this embodiment further includes an accelerating tube 3 connected to the top of the base assembly 1 within the cylinder 2. This accelerating tube 3 is the core component of the electron accelerator and is used to accelerate electrons in a high vacuum environment. The accelerating tube 3 is fixed within a closed space A formed by the inner surface of the cylinder 2. Specifically, the cylinder 2 includes a top cover 21 and a cylindrical body 22. The top cover 21 is hemispherical, the upper end of the cylindrical body 22 is connected to the lower end of the top cover 21, and the lower end of the cylindrical body 22 is connected to the upper surface of the base assembly 1. The accelerating tube 3 is located below the top cover 21 and radially inward of the cylindrical body 22.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the electron accelerator according to this embodiment further includes a voltage multiplier assembly 4 connected to the top of the base assembly 1 within the barrel 2. This assembly is located outside the accelerating tube 3 and increases the electric field strength between the electrodes of the accelerating tube 3, thereby enhancing the electron acceleration effect. The injected high-frequency, high-voltage power undergoes multi-stage voltage multiplication and rectification within the barrel 2 through the voltage multiplier assembly 4, reaching a predetermined high-voltage potential. Under this high-voltage potential, the electrons form a high-energy electron beam within the accelerating tube 3.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, the electron accelerator according to this embodiment further includes an insulating structural member 5 disposed within the barrel 2. The insulating structural member includes an integrally formed insulating cover 51 and an insulating cylinder 52. The insulating cover 51 is hemispherical so that the insulating cover 51 and the top cover 21 are tightly fitted, for example, form-fitting, i.e., the outer surface of the insulating cover 51 matches the inner surface of the top cover 21 of the barrel 2. The insulating cylinder 52 and the insulating cover 51 are also fixed in the enclosed space A. The inner surfaces of the insulating cover 51 and the insulating cylinder 52 form an insulating chamber B. The accelerating tube 3 and the voltage multiplier assembly 4 are disposed within the insulating chamber B. Thus, the accelerating tube 3 and the voltage multiplier assembly 4 are insulated by the insulating structural member 5. In this embodiment, the insulating structural member is formed by bonding diamond powder with an adhesive, or by sintering materials such as ceramic, polytetrafluoroethylene, glass, or quartz, or by casting or injection molding plastics such as PVC, or by winding various insulating films.

[0020] like Figure 1As shown, the electron accelerator according to this embodiment also includes an insulating rubber layer 7 arranged in the cylinder 2, which fills the remaining space of the enclosed space A between the accelerating tube 3 and the cylinder 2. Specifically, the insulating rubber layer 7 is provided by the insulating rubber filling the space between the accelerating tube 3 and the insulating cylinder 52 of the insulating structural member 5. In this embodiment, the insulating rubber layer 7 is formed by encapsulating silicone, or epoxy resin, or polyurethane, or polyacrylate, etc. It should be understood that during the formation of the insulating rubber layer 7, the enclosed space A can be vacuumed so that the mixture is more tightly filled in its remaining space, for example, the mixture enters the pores of the voltage multiplier assembly 4 so that the voltage multiplier assembly 4 is wrapped by the insulating rubber layer. Obviously, the insulating structural member 5 composed of the insulating cover 51 and the insulating cylinder 52 forms the first layer of insulation, and the insulating rubber layer 7 forms the second layer of insulation. The double-layer insulation ensures the insulation effect.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the electron accelerator according to this embodiment further includes a laser electron gun assembly 8 disposed in the cylinder 2 , which is located at the top of the accelerating tube 3 for injecting electrons into the accelerating tube 3 .

[0022] Thus, the electron accelerator according to the present invention provides solid-state insulation through the combination of the insulating structural member 5 and the insulating adhesive layer 7. Compared with the high-voltage gas-insulated accelerators of the prior art, the volume is significantly reduced, the operation is more stable, the service life is greatly extended, and the manufacturing cost is also significantly reduced. Moreover, the double insulation of the insulating structural member 5 and the insulating adhesive layer 7 can improve the insulation effect and greatly reduce the volume of the cylinder 2 compared to the high-frequency and high-voltage accelerators of the prior art that fill the steel cylinder with high-voltage insulating gas, and eliminate the need for a pressure gas storage tank to replace the high-voltage insulating gas inside the steel cylinder. In addition, the electron accelerator according to the present invention does not require a cooling device to continuously cool the high-frequency transformer (the high-frequency transformer is not inside the cylinder), and because it does not use insulating gas containing toxic sulfur hexafluoride gas, it protects the safety of the atmosphere and is also safer for the human body.

[0023] From the overall perspective of the electron accelerator of the present invention, the electron accelerator has a simpler structure and fewer components, which can achieve low-cost equipment, reduce users' equipment investment and daily operation and maintenance costs, and improve the safety and stability of equipment use. The miniaturization of the electron accelerator reduces the hardware requirements of the factory building, breaks the space limitations of the equipment, and can reduce users' hardware investment in the factory building. At the same time, it is easy to move and transport, greatly expanding its application scenarios. In summary, the electron accelerator of the present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the existing technology and has great promotion and application value.

[0024] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications are possible. In other words, any simple, equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the patent claims. Anything not fully described in this invention constitutes conventional technology.

Claims

1. An electron accelerator, characterized in that: The electron accelerator includes a base assembly, a cylinder, an accelerating tube, an insulating structural member, and an insulating adhesive layer. The cylinder includes a top cover and a cylindrical body, one end of the cylindrical body is connected to the top cover, and the other end of the cylindrical body is connected to the base assembly. The accelerating tube is connected to the base assembly inside the cylinder. Electrons injected by the laser electron gun assembly form a high-energy electron beam in the accelerating tube. The accelerating tube is fixed in a closed space formed by the cylinder. The insulating structural member includes an insulating cover and an insulating cylinder. The insulating cover is tightly matched with the top cover in the top cover. The insulating cylinder and the insulating cover are also fixed in the closed space. The insulating cover and the insulating cylinder form an insulating chamber. The accelerating tube is arranged in the insulating chamber. The insulating adhesive layer fills the remaining space between the accelerating tube and the cylinder.

2. The electron accelerator according to claim 1, characterized in that The insulating glue layer is provided by insulating glue filled in the space between the accelerating tube and the insulating cylinder.

3. The electron accelerator according to claim 2, characterized in that The electron accelerator also includes a voltage multiplier component connected to the base assembly in the cylinder, which is located on the outside of the accelerating tube and is wrapped by an insulating rubber layer.

4. The electron accelerator according to claim 1, wherein The electron accelerator also includes a high-voltage cap which is arranged on the inner side of the insulating cover and fixedly connected to the top end of the accelerating tube.

5. The electron accelerator according to claim 1, wherein The insulating structural member is formed by bonding diamond micropowder with an adhesive, or by sintering ceramic, polytetrafluoroethylene, glass, or quartz material, or by pouring or injection molding PVC plastic, or by winding various insulating films.

6. The electron accelerator according to claim 1, wherein The insulating adhesive layer is formed by potting with organic silicon, epoxy resin, polyurethane, or polyacrylate.

7. The electron accelerator according to claim 1, characterized in that The electron accelerator also includes a laser electron gun assembly placed in the cylinder, which is located at the top of the accelerating tube and is used to inject electrons into the accelerating tube.

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