Particle Beam Accelerator Control for Quench Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to reduce the risk of erroneous irradiation of particle beams and shorten the recovery time of superconducting electromagnets in particle beam accelerators, particularly in urban settings where space is limited.

Innovation Solution

A particle beam accelerator system is designed with a superconducting electromagnet and an interrupter, controlled by a system that adjusts the starting sequence of the particle beam blocker and the superconducting electromagnet interrupter based on the operating state of the emission unit, ensuring appropriate blocking and interruption to maintain beam trajectory and reduce recovery time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If a superconducting electromagnet is used to increase magnetic field strength and reduce apparatus size, then the size of the circular accelerator is reduced, but the risk of erroneous irradiation increases due to potential abnormalities such as quenching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of circular acceleratorVSAvoidrisk of erroneous irradiation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A beam blocking apparatus is provided in advance in the particle beam accelerator to block the particle beam before it reaches the patient. When an abnormality is detected in the superconducting electromagnet, the beam blocking apparatus is activated to prevent erroneous irradiation. This preliminary safety mechanism allows the use of superconducting electromagnets for compactness while mitigating the reliability risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If priority is given to blocking the particle beam to avoid erroneous irradiation, then safety is improved, but the recovery time of the superconducting electromagnet becomes longer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against erroneous irradiationVSAvoidrecovery time of superconducting electromagnet

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit dynamically adjusts the operation of the beam blocking apparatus based on the operating state of the emission unit and the type of abnormality detected. When a specific abnormality occurs during beam emission, the system activates the beam blocking apparatus to ensure safety. However, the system is designed to manage the recovery process efficiently, allowing the superconducting electromagnet to recover as quickly as possible while maintaining safety through coordinated control of the blocking apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of stationary object

If the magnetic field strength is increased to reduce the size of the circular accelerator, then the apparatus can be installed in urban sites with limited space, but the magnetic rigidity increases making trajectory control more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of circular acceleratorVSAvoidtrajectory control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A steering electromagnet is provided to correct deviation of the particle beam trajectory. The control unit monitors the trajectory of the particle beam and activates the steering electromagnet when deviation is detected, even in the presence of high magnetic field strength from the superconducting electromagnet. This feedback mechanism enables precise trajectory control despite the increased magnetic rigidity, allowing compact accelerator design without sacrificing control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 configuration effectively reduces the risk of erroneous irradiation by maintaining the particle beam in a predetermined trajectory and shortens the recovery time of the superconducting electromagnet, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a guiding unit configured to guide the particle beam to a trajectory... the guiding unit includes a superconducting electromagnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

the guiding unit includes a superconducting electromagnet and a superconducting electromagnet interrupter configured to interrupt the superconducting electromagnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuperconductivity: Superconductivity

Data Source

PatentUS12279358B2Particle beam accelerator, method for operating particle beam accelerator, and particle beam therapy apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a particle beam accelerator comprising: an injection unit configured to inject a particle beam; a guiding unit configured to guide the particle beam to a trajectory; an acceleration unit configured to accelerate the particle beam circulating on the trajectory; an emission unit configured to output the particle beam; a particle beam blocking unit configured to block the particle beam on the trajectory; a control unit configured to control the injection unit, the guiding unit, the acceleration unit, the emission unit, and the particle beam blocking unit, wherein: the guiding unit includes a superconducting electromagnet and a superconducting electromagnet interrupter configured to interrupt the superconducting electromagnet, the control unit is configured to change a starting sequence of the particle beam blocking unit and the superconducting electromagnet interrupter depending on at least an operating state of the emission unit, when an abnormality occurs in the superconducting electromagnet.