Active Return System for Synchrocyclotron Stray Flux Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ferromagnetic returns used in particle therapy systems to manage stray magnetic flux are heavy and cumbersome, posing challenges in maintaining the balance and efficiency of the accelerator and other components.
Innovation Solution
An active return system utilizing superconducting coils that generate a magnetic field opposite in polarity to the main magnetic field, reducing the need for heavy ferromagnetic components and allowing for a lighter and more efficient particle accelerator design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ferromagnetic returns are used to route stray magnetic flux, then the magnetic flux is effectively managed, but the accelerator weight increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ferromagnetic materials with superconducting coils to generate the return magnetic field. Instead of using passive ferromagnetic structures that add weight, active superconducting coils produce the necessary magnetic field through current flow, eliminating the need for heavy ferromagnetic returns while effectively managing stray magnetic flux
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the magnetic field generation system by using superconducting materials that can carry high currents with zero resistance. This allows generation of strong magnetic fields (at least 2.5T) without the mechanical weight of ferromagnetic materials, fundamentally changing how the return field is produced
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ferromagnetic returns are used to manage stray magnetic flux, then the magnetic field is contained, but the accelerator size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes bulky ferromagnetic return structures with compact superconducting coils that generate the return magnetic field. This replacement significantly reduces the physical space required while maintaining effective containment of stray magnetic flux, enabling more compact accelerator design
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing superconducting coils capable of generating high magnetic fields (at least 2.5T) through controlled current flow, the system achieves effective magnetic flux containment without requiring large physical dimensions, thus reducing overall accelerator volume
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
The active return system effectively diminishes stray magnetic fields without the weight and size constraints of traditional ferromagnetic returns, enabling a more compact and efficient particle accelerator that can be mounted on a rotating gantry for proton therapy systems.
Implementation Method 1
second superconducting coils... for passing current in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction to thereby generate a second magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
second superconducting coils... each of the second superconducting coils surrounds, and is concentric with, a corresponding first superconducting coil
Data Source
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AI summary
A particle accelerator of the synchrocyclotron type includes a magnet system to generate a first magnetic field, where the magnet system includes first superconducting coils to pass current in a first direction to thereby generate the first magnetic field, of at least 4 Tesla (T). The particle accelerator also includes an active return system including second superconducting coils. Each of the second superconducting coils surrounds, and is concentric with, a corresponding first superconducting coil. The second superconducting coils are for passing current in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction to thereby generate a second magnetic field of at least 2.5T. The second magnetic field has a polarity that is opposite to a polarity of the first magnetic field.