Anode Stack Insulation for X-ray Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional anode stacks for X-ray devices suffer from electrical arcing and breakdown due to high electric fields at the triple point region, where the dielectric, metal, and vacuum meet, leading to device failure.

Innovation Solution

An anode stack design featuring a conductor member with an annular peripheral region that surrounds and is spaced from a dielectric member, reducing electric fields at the triple point region through a smooth, linear path and trench features, combined with materials of high thermal conductivity and appropriate thermal expansion coefficients, to enhance electrical insulation and heat dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional anode stack design with dielectric disc sandwiched between metallic discs is used, then heat transfer away from high voltage anode is effective, but electric field at triple point region is intensified causing electrical arcing and breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer effectivenessVSAvoidelectrical arcing and breakdown

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conductor member is divided into a main body portion (for thermal coupling) and a peripheral portion (for electric field management). This segmentation allows the main body to maintain effective thermal contact with the dielectric while the peripheral portion is spaced away to reduce electric field intensity at triple points, thus resolving the contradiction between heat transfer effectiveness and electrical reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the conductor member are given different spatial configurations: the main body is positioned for optimal thermal coupling with the dielectric member, while the peripheral portion is spaced away from the dielectric. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of thermal performance in the main body region and electrical reliability in the peripheral region

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If dielectric member is placed in direct contact with conductor member at triple point region, then electrical insulation is provided, but electric field concentration occurs leading to device failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidelectric field concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The peripheral portion of the conductor member is extracted or removed from direct contact with the dielectric member, creating a spacing between these components. This extraction eliminates the triple point configuration at the periphery where electric field concentration occurs, while the main body-dielectric interface maintains necessary electrical insulation, thus resolving the contradiction between providing electrical insulation and preventing electric field concentration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design significantly reduces electrical arcing and breakdown, increasing the reliability of the anode stack while maintaining effective heat removal from the high voltage anode, with electrostatic simulations showing a substantial decrease in electric field density at the triple point region.

Implementation Method 1

the main body of the conductor member is arranged to couple with the dielectric member at one surface, and with an end of the high voltage anode at an opposing surface in use

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a dielectric member overlies the main body of the conductor member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 3

made from materials that are both electrically insulating and thermally conductive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

the peripheral portion of the conductor member comprises an annular region that surrounds at least a part of the dielectric member and which is spaced therefrom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field distribution: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS10483078B2Anode stack

Publication Date: 2019.11.19 OXFORD INSTRUMENTS X RAY TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

There is provided an anode stack for cooling and electrically insulating a high voltage anode of an X-ray device. The anode stack has at least a conductor member and a dielectric member, and the conductor member has a main body and a peripheral portion. The dielectric member overlies and couples with the main body of the conductor member at one surface. At an opposing surface of the main body of the conductor member, an end of the high voltage anode is coupled thereto in use. The peripheral portion of the conductor member has an annular region that surrounds at least a part of the dielectric member and which is spaced therefrom.