Cyclotron Magnet Yoke Pump Acceptance Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum systems for cyclotrons are large, complex, and costly, requiring extensive maintenance and space, which is problematic for use in confined settings like hospital rooms, and they often have leak issues due to multiple interconnected components.
Innovation Solution
A compact vacuum system design that includes a turbomolecular pump and a housing configured to fit within a small space, using a combination of pumps and a cooling system that minimizes space and maintenance needs, with a turbomolecular pump evacuating the acceleration chamber efficiently and reducing the complexity of the vacuum system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vacuum systems are used, then the acceleration chamber can be evacuated, but the system becomes large and requires extensive space
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump is integrated directly into the magnet yoke structure, merging two previously separate components (vacuum system and magnetic field system) into a single unified structure. This eliminates the need for separate vacuum chambers and piping, dramatically reducing the overall system volume while maintaining effective vacuum evacuation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The magnet yoke serves dual functions: generating the magnetic field for particle acceleration and housing the vacuum pump for chamber evacuation. This multi-functional design allows the same structural component to perform multiple critical functions, reducing the total number of components and space required
2Reliability
If conventional vacuum systems with multiple components are used, then the acceleration chamber can be evacuated, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the vacuum pump into the magnet yoke, the patent reduces multiple separate vacuum system components (pump, piping, valves, flanges) into a single integrated unit, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the vacuum pump from the conventional separate vacuum system architecture and incorporates it directly into the magnet yoke, eliminating the need for complex interconnections between separate vacuum components and simplifying the system
3Reliability
If conventional vacuum systems with multiple components are used, then the acceleration chamber can be evacuated, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the vacuum pump into the magnet yoke creates a sealed, self-contained unit with fewer external connections and interfaces. This reduces the number of potential failure points and simplifies maintenance, as the integrated design eliminates multiple separate components that would require individual monitoring and servicing
4Reliability
If conventional vacuum systems are used, then the acceleration chamber can be evacuated, but the system is not suitable for confined spaces like hospital rooms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum system and magnetic field system into a single integrated unit, dramatically reducing the spatial footprint and enabling deployment in confined spaces such as hospital rooms where space is limited and the system must fit within existing infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The integration approach transforms the system from a distributed, space-consuming configuration to a compact, three-dimensionally optimized structure that can be accommodated within the constraints of confined installation environments
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 vacuum system effectively removes undesirable gas particles, reduces maintenance requirements, and fits within confined spaces, such as hospital rooms, while maintaining the evacuated state necessary for cyclotron operation.
Implementation Method 1
a turbomolecular pump evacuating the acceleration chamber efficiently
Data Source
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AI summary
A cyclotron that includes a magnet assembly to produce a magnetic field to direct charged particles along a desired path. The cyclotron also includes a magnet yoke that has a yoke body that surrounds an acceleration chamber. The magnet assembly is located in the yoke body. The yoke body forms a pump acceptance (PA) cavity that is fluidicly coupled to the acceleration chamber. The cyclotron also includes a vacuum pump that is configured to introduce a vacuum into the acceleration chamber. The vacuum pump is positioned in the PA cavity.