Compact Cyclotron with Abyssal Openings for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cyclotrons are bulky and heavy, making them costly and difficult to transport and handle, due to their large size and weight, which hinders their widespread use and application in fields like medical treatment and nuclear physics.
Innovation Solution
The design of a compact isochronous sector-focused cyclotron with optimized magnetic field distribution and abyssal openings that reduce the overall dimensions and weight by minimizing the thickness of the flux return yoke and adjusting the gap heights between magnet poles, allowing for a more efficient use of materials and space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional cyclotron design with uniform gap heights is used, then magnetic field containment is achieved, but the cyclotron becomes bulky and heavy with large dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the gap heights between magnet poles - creating shallow valleys with smaller gap heights and deep valleys with larger gap heights at specific locations. This localized variation allows the flux return yoke thickness to be reduced in shallow valley regions while maintaining magnetic field containment, thereby reducing overall cyclotron volume and weight without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the magnet pole structure by introducing abyssal openings that extend through the flux return yoke, creating regions with dramatically different gap heights (Ga >> Gv > Gh). This parameter variation enables optimization of the flux return yoke thickness distribution, reducing material usage and overall dimensions while maintaining effective magnetic field containment
2Weight of moving object
If flux return yoke thickness is reduced to decrease weight, then cyclotron becomes lighter and more compact, but magnetic field containment may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating different valley types (shallow and deep) with different required flux return yoke thicknesses. Shallow valleys require minimal thickness Tv, while deep valleys maintain sufficient thickness for magnetic field containment. This localized differentiation allows overall weight reduction while preserving reliability in critical regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the valley regions into different types (shallow valleys and deep valleys) with different functional requirements. This segmentation allows the flux return yoke to be optimized locally - thinner in shallow valleys where less containment is needed, and thicker in deep valleys where magnetic field containment is critical, thereby reducing total weight while maintaining reliability
3Volume of moving object
If abyssal openings are positioned close to valley peripheral edges, then focusing effect is enhanced and dimensions are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the positioning parameter of abyssal openings by defining their location through the ratio (Lap x Tv) / Lv² < 5%, where Lap is the distance from the opening to the valley peripheral edge. This quantitative parameter definition provides clear manufacturing guidance, enabling precise positioning while achieving the desired compact dimensions and enhanced focusing effect
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 design results in a cyclotron that is significantly lighter and more compact, reducing production and transportation costs while enhancing handling and usability, allowing it to fit within standard containers and maintain effective particle beam focusing.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetic system generates a magnetic field that guides and focuses the beam of charged particles along the spiral path
Implementation Method 2
guided outwards along a spiral path comprised within the gap by the magnetic field generated by the magnetic system
Implementation Method 3
the flux return yoke forming the outer walls of the cyclotron and controlling the magnetic field outside of the coils by containing it within the cyclotron
Implementation Method 4
This particle beam is sequentially and repetitively accelerated by the RF accelerating system
Implementation Method 5
a vacuum system for creating and maintaining a vacuum in the cyclotron
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention concerns compact isochronous sector-focused cyclotrons having reduced dimensions and weight compared with state of the art cyclotrons of same energies. A cyclotron according to the present invention two pole magnets 2 facing each other in a chamber defined by a yoke comprising base plates 5 and flux return yokes 6 forming a lateral wall of the chamber. The magnet poles comprise N = 3 to 8 hill sectors 3 alternating with a same number of valley sectors 4 distributed about a central axis, Z. The valley sectors comprise a bottom surface 4B, defined by a valley peripheral edge 4vp and provided with an abyssal opening 11, extending through a thickness of the base plates. The lip of the abyssal opening is positioned at a distance, Lap, of the corresponding valley peripheral edge. The flux return yoke 6 has a thickness, Tv, in the portions facing valley sectors, such that the ratio, (Lap x Tv) / Lv2, of the product of the distance, Lap, of the abyss perimeter to the valley peripheral edge of each valley sector times the flux return yoke thickness, Tv, to the square of the distance, Lv, of the peripheral edge to the central axis, Z, is less than 5%, wherein each of Lap, Tv, and Lv are measured along an abyss radial axis, Lar. This allows more compact and lighter cyclotrons to be produced than hitherto available.