Accelerator Beam Initiation via Variable Duty Cycle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for initiating and recovering beam transport in neutron beam systems face challenges such as high power density leading to safety issues, inefficient recovery processes, and potential damage to beamline components.
Innovation Solution
The method involves increasing the bias voltage of electrodes in the accelerator system to a first voltage level, extracting a charged particle beam at a controlled current level to manage transient voltage drops, and gradually increasing the beam current to reach nominal conditions, all while using a variable duty cycle function to modulate beam extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high beam current is used to achieve the required neutron flux density threshold, then the treatment time can be reduced, but the power density exceeds safety limits and causes damage to beamline components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a variable duty cycle function that modulates the beam extraction in pulses rather than continuous operation. The beam current is increased in discrete steps with recovery periods between each step, allowing the system to accumulate neutron flux over time without exceeding instantaneous power density safety limits. This pulsed operation mode enables the system to achieve the required neutron flux density threshold while keeping peak power density within safe operational boundaries.
2Loss of time
If the beam current is increased rapidly to reach nominal conditions, then the system recovery time is reduced, but transient voltage drops cause beam energy reduction and potential component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-setting the variable duty cycle function parameters before beam extraction begins. The beam current increase schedule is predetermined in discrete steps, and the system prepares the voltage compensation mechanisms in advance. This allows the system to rapidly increase beam current to nominal conditions while maintaining beam energy stability, as the voltage drops are anticipated and compensated for by the pre-configured control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a control system that monitors transient voltage drops during beam current increases and adjusts the duty cycle function in real-time. The system measures actual voltage deviations from nominal values and modifies subsequent beam extraction parameters to compensate for these deviations. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that beam energy remains stable even as beam current is rapidly increased, preventing component damage while minimizing recovery time.
3Device complexity
If a simple beam initiation method is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the recovery process is inefficient and leads to prolonged system downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a variable duty cycle function that dynamically adjusts beam extraction parameters during the initiation and recovery process. Rather than using fixed, static parameters, the system continuously adapts the beam current profile in discrete steps based on real-time system conditions. This dynamic approach enables efficient recovery processes that minimize downtime while maintaining manageable device complexity, as the same hardware can operate in multiple modes through software-controlled parameter variation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables safe and efficient recovery and initiation of beam transport, reducing the risk of component damage and minimizing downtime by gradually managing beam energy and current levels.
Implementation Method 1
The high voltage is used to generate electric field that is applied to the incoming beam of negatively charged ions to accelerate it towards the center of the accelerator
Implementation Method 2
At that point the beam is converted into a beam of opposite polarity charged particles (e.g., positive ions) in a process of charge exchange
Implementation Method 3
Further propagation and interaction of charged beam particulates with a reversed electric field results again in acceleration and energy boost
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of systems, devices, and methods relate to initiating beam transport for an accelerator system. An example method includes increasing a bias voltage of one or more electrodes of the accelerator system to a first voltage level and extracting a charged particle beam from a beam source such that the beam is transported through the accelerator system. The beam has a beam current at a first beam current level that results in a first transient voltage drop of the accelerator system within a threshold. The method further includes increasing the beam current at a rate that results in one or more subsequent transient voltage drops of the accelerator system until the accelerator system has reached nominal conditions. The one or more subsequent transient voltage drops are within the threshold. Another example method includes biasing one or more electrodes of an accelerator system to a voltage level and selectively extracting, according to a duty cycle function, a charged particle beam from a beam source such that the charged particle beam is transported through the accelerator system. The duty cycle function can be linear or non-linear and can include a frequency f. The duty cycle function can include a variable pulse duration such that the variable pulse duration increases over time with each selective extraction of the charged particle beam.