Betatron Tune Coil for Variable Electron Orbit Radius

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing betatrons have low efficiency as only a small part of injected electrons are accelerated to the desired final energy, resulting in suboptimal performance in generating X-rays for inspection systems.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a tune coil with a high-power semiconductor switch that can regulate current flow, allowing for a variable magnetic field that changes the electron orbit radius during the injection phase, ensuring more electrons are captured and accelerated onto the desired circular path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional betatron with fixed magnetic field is used, then the structure is simple, but only a small part of injected electrons are accelerated to the desired final energy, resulting in low efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectron acceleration efficiencyVSAvoidmagnetic field control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a variable magnetic field that changes over time during the electron injection and acceleration process. The magnetic field strength is dynamically adjusted: initially weaker to allow electron injection and orbit capture, then increased to accelerate electrons to the desired energy. This dynamic magnetic field control enables a larger portion of injected electrons to be effectively accelerated, resolving the contradiction between acceleration efficiency and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by varying the magnetic field strength as a key parameter during different phases of electron acceleration. The magnetic field parameter is changed from an initial lower value during injection to a higher value during acceleration. This parameter variation allows the betatron to capture more electrons on the desired orbit and accelerate them efficiently, thereby improving productivity while managing device complexity through controlled parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the magnetic field strength is increased to accelerate more electrons, then the electron acceleration efficiency improves, but the orbit radius control becomes difficult and electrons may be deflected from the desired path

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of accelerated electronsVSAvoidorbit radius precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction through dynamic magnetic field control where the field strength is adjusted in two distinct phases: first, a weaker field is applied during electron injection to ensure electrons can be captured on the desired orbit radius; second, the field is strengthened during the acceleration phase. This temporal separation of magnetic field strengths allows both high electron capture efficiency and precise orbit radius control, preventing electron deflection while maximizing the number of accelerated electrons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by first establishing a weaker magnetic field before electron injection to prepare the orbit conditions for electron capture. This preliminary field configuration ensures that when electrons are injected, they can be effectively captured on the desired circular path. Only after electrons are properly captured does the system increase the magnetic field strength for acceleration, thereby maintaining orbit precision while maximizing electron acceleration efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 increases the efficiency of electron acceleration, allowing a larger number of injected electrons to be directed onto the circular path and ultimately generating more effective X-ray radiation for inspection purposes.

Implementation Method 1

a tune coil (7a, 7b, 7c) in the area of the round blanks (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d), which, when a current flows through it, changes the average magnetic field strength through the area delimited by the nominal path radius

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

The changing magnetic field creates an electric field that accelerates the electrons on their circular path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the magnetic field generated by the main field coil forces the electrons to follow a circular path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 4

The accelerated electrons are directed onto a target, where they generate bremsstrahlung when they hit the target, the spectrum of which depends, among other things, on the energy of the electrons

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBremsstrahlung:

Data Source

PatentEP2082624B1Betatron with a variable orbital radius
Publication Date: 2014.03.05 SMITHS HEIMANN GMBH
  • EP2082624B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2082624B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP2082624B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The invention relates to betatron (1), especially in X-ray testing apparatus, comprising a rotationally symmetrical inner yoke consisting of two interspaced parts (2a, 2b), at least one round plate (3a-3d) which is arranged between the inner yoke parts (2a, 2b) in such a way that the longitudinal axis thereof coincides with the rotational symmetrical axis of the inner yoke, an outer yoke (4) connecting the two inner yoke parts (2a, 2b), at least one main field coil (6a, 6b), a toroidal betatron tube arranged between the inner yoke parts (2a, 2b), at least one tune coil (7a-7c) in the region of the at least one round plate (3a-3d), and an electronic control system (8) for controlling a current flow through the tune coil (7a-7c) during the injection phase of the electrons into the betatron tube (5).