Cylindrical Electron Window Layout for Uniform Bulk Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electron beam treatment technologies face challenges in uniformly exposing bulk materials to accelerated electrons on all sides with high dose values and efficient dose distribution, while maintaining a compact design and avoiding equipment complexity and thermal damage to electron exit windows.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical electron exit window apparatus with a cylindrical cathode, protective grid, and electron reflector, along with gas pipes and cooling mechanisms, allows for uniform exposure of bulk materials to accelerated electrons in a single pass, enhancing dose uniformity and protecting the exit window from mechanical and thermal damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional electron beam treatment technologies are used to expose bulk materials to accelerated electrons, then high dose values can be achieved, but uniform exposure on all sides of the material is difficult to obtain
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment process is segmented into multiple passes where the material is exposed to electron beams from different directions. The material is conveyed through the treatment zone in steps, allowing sequential exposure to multiple beam sources positioned at different locations, thereby achieving uniform dose distribution across all surfaces without requiring a single complex multi-directional beam system
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds the dimension of time and motion to the treatment process. Instead of attempting to expose all sides of the material simultaneously from multiple beams (spatial approach), the material is moved through the treatment zone in controlled passes, allowing sequential exposure from different angles. This transforms a complex spatial problem into a temporal sequence of simpler single-direction exposures
2Ease of operation
If thin metal foil electron exit windows are used to couple electrons into the treatment area, then electron beam treatment can be performed, but thermal damage to the window occurs due to high energy electron impact
Solution Approach 1:
The electron beam is extracted from the vacuum environment and coupled into the atmospheric pressure treatment zone through a gas interface rather than through a thin metal foil window. Electrons are generated in a vacuum, accelerated, and then allowed to pass through a small aperture into the atmospheric treatment area, eliminating the need for a thin window that would be subject to thermal stress from high energy electron impact
Solution Approach 2:
A gas interface or aperture serves as an intermediary between the vacuum electron generation zone and the atmospheric treatment zone. This intermediary allows electron transfer without requiring a solid window material that would absorb thermal energy, thereby protecting against thermal damage while maintaining electron beam coupling capability
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple passes or additional equipment are used to treat bulk materials on all sides, then uniform exposure can be achieved, but treatment time and equipment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The material conveyance and electron beam exposure are implemented as a continuous process. The material is continuously moved through the treatment zone while electron beams continuously irradiate the material surfaces. This continuous action allows multiple surfaces to be treated in sequence without interruption, achieving uniform exposure while minimizing treatment time compared to batch processing with multiple separate passes
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
Achieves uniform electron exposure on all sides of bulk materials with high dose values, extends operating time, and reduces equipment complexity and thermal stress on the electron exit window, ensuring efficient and durable operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one wire-shaped, strand-shaped, rod-shaped, annular or cylindrical cathode which is arranged within the evacuable space and enclosed by the cylindrical electron exit window, from which electrons can be emitted and accelerated radially away from the cylinder axis of the cylindrical electron exit window towards the cylindrical electron exit window
Implementation Method 2
electrons can be emitted and accelerated radially away from the cylinder axis of the cylindrical electron exit window towards the cylindrical electron exit window
Implementation Method 3
a cylindrical protective grid which encloses the cylindrical electron exit window and defines a first annular free space between the cylindrical electron exit window and the cylindrical protective grid
Implementation Method 4
an electron reflector which encloses the cylindrical protective grid and defines a second annular free space between the cylindrical protective grid and the electron reflector
Implementation Method 5
a number of gas pipes which extend within the first annular free space parallel to the cylinder axis of the cylindrical electron exit window, by means of which a gas can be introduced into the first annular free space
Data Source
AI summary
A device is provided for applying accelerated electrons to a medium, preferably bulk material, comprising a cylindrical electron exit window as a component of a cylindrical housing which surrounds an evacuable space; at least one wire-type, strand-type, rod-type, annular or cylindrical cathode which is arranged within the evacuable space and surrounded by the cylindrical electron exit window, wherein a first power supply unit is electrically conductively connected between the rod-type, annular or cylindrical cathode and the cylindrical electron exit window, so that electrons can be emitted from the wire-type, strand-type, rod-type, annular or cylindrical cathode and accelerated radially away from the cylinder axis of the cylindrical electron exit window in the direction of the cylindrical electron exit window. Also included is a cylindrical protective grid which surrounds the cylindrical electron exit window and defines a first annular free space between the cylindrical electron exit window and the cylindrical protective grid.