Compact Electron Accelerator With Segmented Half Shell Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electron accelerators, such as Rhodotrons, are large, costly, and require high energy consumption, making them unsuitable for mobile and versatile applications, as they are designed for fixed locations and have complex production processes due to their size and energy requirements.
Innovation Solution
A compact Rhodotron design featuring a resonant cavity with a central ring element and permanent magnets, allowing for a modular construction that reduces production costs and energy consumption, enabling a mobile and cost-effective electron accelerator with adjustable configurations for various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the resonant cavity diameter is reduced to make the rhodotron compact, then the device size and production cost are reduced, but the energy consumption increases due to higher power requirements for accelerating electrons over shorter distances
Solution Approach 1:
The resonant cavity is divided into two separate half shells (first and second half shells) that can be manufactured independently and assembled together. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of smaller components while maintaining the functional integrity of the compact cavity design, addressing both the size reduction and production complexity issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The rhodotron is designed with adjustable configurations including variable electron beam energies (3-50 MeV) and adjustable beam diameters (1-10 cm). This dynamic adjustability allows the system to optimize performance for different applications, improving energy efficiency by matching the cavity size and RF power to the specific acceleration requirements rather than designing for maximum capacity.
2Volume of moving object
If the resonant cavity diameter is reduced to make the rhodotron compact, then the device size is reduced, but the production cost increases due to manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The resonant cavity is divided into two separate half shells that can be manufactured using standard machining processes and then assembled together. This segmentation transforms a complex monolithic manufacturing challenge into two simpler, more manageable manufacturing tasks, reducing overall production cost while enabling compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional single-piece cavity design to a modular assembly of half shells joined at the mid-plane. This dimensional reorganization allows for easier manufacturing, assembly, and potential disassembly for maintenance, thereby reducing production costs associated with compact cavity fabrication.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the rhodotron is designed for fixed location with predetermined configuration, then the device stability is improved, but the adaptability for different applications and locations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rhodotron incorporates adjustable parameters including electron beam energy (3-50 MeV range), beam diameter (1-10 cm), and beam current (1-100 mA). These dynamic adjustments allow the same stable device to adapt to different applications such as sterilization, polymer modification, and medical treatments, resolving the contradiction between stability and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The compact rhodotron design with adjustable parameters creates a universal device that can perform multiple functions across different applications and locations. The ability to adjust beam energy, diameter, and current allows a single device configuration to serve various purposes, eliminating the need for location-specific fixed installations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional beam lines are drawn to apply electron beam at different locations, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and additional costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rhodotron's adjustable beam parameters (energy, diameter, current) and movable components allow the electron beam to be directed to different locations and applications without requiring additional fixed beam lines. This dynamic capability provides location flexibility while maintaining system simplicity.
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 compact design achieves lower energy consumption and cost-effectiveness while allowing for flexible configurations and mobile operation, addressing the limitations of existing Rhodotrons by simplifying production and reducing energy needs.
Implementation Method 1
an RF system coupled to the resonant cavity and adapted for generating an electric field, E, between the outer conductor and the inner conductor oscillating at a frequency (f RF ), to accelerate the electrons of the electron beam along radial trajectories
Implementation Method 2
a magnet system comprising several electromagnets adapted for deflecting the trajectories of the electron beam from one radial trajectory to a different radial trajectory
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
The present invention concerns an electron accelerator comprising: (a) a resonant cavity (1) consisting of a hollow closed conductor (b) an electron source (20) adapted for radially injecting a beam of electrons (40) into the resonant cavity, (c) an RF system coupled to the resonant cavity and adapted for generating an electric field, E, to accelerate the electrons of the electron beam along radial trajectories, (d) at least one magnet unit (30i) comprising a deflecting magnet adapted for generating a magnetic field in a deflecting chamber (31) in fluid communication with the resonant cavity by at least one deflecting window (31w), the magnetic field being adapted for deflecting an electron beam emerging out of the resonant cavity through the at least one deflecting window along a first radial trajectory in the mid-plane, Pm, and to redirect the electron beam into the resonant cavity through the at least one deflecting window towards the central axis along a second radial trajectory, characterized in that, the resonant cavity is formed by: • a first half shell (11), having a cylindrical outer wall of inner radius, R, and of central axis, Zc, • a second half shell (12), having a cylindrical outer wall of inner radius, R, and of central axis, Zc, and • a central ring element (13) of inner radius, R, sandwiched at the level of the mid-plane, Pm, between the first and second half shells, wherein the surface forming the outer conductor section is formed by an inner surface of the cylindrical outer wall of the first and second half shells, and by an inner edge of the central ring element.