Compact Electron Accelerator Using Permanent Magnets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electron accelerators with resonant cavities 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.
Innovation Solution
A compact electron accelerator design featuring a resonant cavity with a magnet system using permanent magnets instead of electromagnets, allowing for fine-tuning of the magnetic field with discrete magnet elements, reducing energy consumption and production costs, and enabling a modular construction for various configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional electromagnets are used in the magnet system, then the magnetic field can be adjusted and controlled, but the energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power consumption component from the magnet system by replacing electromagnets with permanent magnets. This removes the need for electrical power to generate the magnetic field, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining the essential magnetic field generation function.
Solution Approach 2:
Permanent magnets generate their own magnetic field without requiring external energy input or control systems. The magnet system becomes self-sufficient, eliminating the need for power supply connections and control electronics associated with electromagnets.
2Volume of moving object
If the resonant cavity diameter is reduced to make the accelerator compact, then the size decreases, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the power-consuming electromagnet system and replacing it with permanent magnets, the patent eliminates the primary source of power consumption. This allows the resonant cavity to be downsized without the compensating increase in power consumption that would otherwise be required to maintain the magnetic field in a smaller volume.
3Ease of manufacture
If electromagnets are used for deflecting electron trajectories, then trajectory control is achieved, but the production cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Permanent magnets are simpler, more robust components with no moving parts or electrical connections required. They are generally less expensive to manufacture and install compared to electromagnets, which require coils, power supplies, and control systems. The patent leverages this cost advantage to reduce overall production costs.
4Reliability
If a fixed configuration accelerator is designed for a specific location, then the system is optimized for that application, but the adaptability to different locations and applications decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the accelerator with permanent magnets and modular components that can be configured for different applications and locations. The reduced power requirements and simplified magnet system enable the accelerator to be deployed in mobile or temporary installations, expanding its versatility beyond fixed-location applications.
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 solution results in a more energy-efficient, cost-effective, and versatile electron accelerator that can be easily transported and configured for different applications, overcoming the limitations of size, energy consumption, and production complexity of traditional systems.
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
at least one magnet unit comprising a deflecting magnet composed of first and second permanent magnets positioned on either side of the mid-plane, Pm, and adapted for generating a magnetic field in a deflecting chamber
Implementation Method 3
a resonant cavity consisting of a hollow closed conductor... the resonant cavity being symmetrical with respect to a mid-plane, Pm... adapted for generating an electric field, E, between the outer conductor and the inner conductor oscillating at a frequency (f RF )
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 deflecting magnet is composed of first and second permanent magnets (32) positioned on either side of the mid-plane, Pm.