Dielectric Accelerating Tube for Portable High-Energy X-Ray Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
X-ray tubes with bremsstrahlung radiation have insufficient penetrating power for dense or thick objects, and existing high-power RF and high-voltage sources required for high-energy X-ray production are large, cumbersome, and not portable.
Innovation Solution
A radiation generation apparatus with a tubular-shaped accelerating tube made of dielectric material, an RF amplifier with a maximum output of 100 kW or less, and an electron gun with a control unit to manage the injection time ratio of charged particles, allowing for efficient production of high-energy X-rays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a normal conduction accelerating tube with high-power RF source (3 MW maximum output) is used to produce high-energy X-rays with high penetrating power, then the penetrating power and output of X-rays are improved, but the device size increases and portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters by using a dielectric material with high breakdown strength to enable operation at higher electric field strengths. This allows the accelerating tube to achieve the same or higher X-ray output power with a much lower power RF source (100 kW or less), thereby reducing device size and improving portability while maintaining high penetrating power
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining dielectric materials (such as ceramics or polymers with high breakdown strength) with conductive components. This composite approach enables the accelerating tube to withstand higher electric fields without breakdown, achieving high-energy X-ray production with compact, low-power RF sources instead of large high-power systems
2Reliability
If a normal conduction accelerating tube with high-power RF source is used to obtain sufficient electron current for high penetrating power X-rays, then the X-ray penetrating power is improved, but the RF source and voltage source become large and not mountable on a vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the material parameter (dielectric breakdown strength) and operating conditions, the patent achieves high electron current and high-energy X-ray output with a simplified power source configuration. The maximum output of the RF amplifier is reduced to 100 kW or less, eliminating the need for complex high-power RF sources like klystrons and high-voltage power sources, making the system suitable for vehicle mounting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary high-power RF source and high-voltage power source components from the system. By using dielectric material with high breakdown strength, the system can achieve the same reliability in terms of X-ray penetrating capability with a much simpler, lower-power RF amplifier, thereby reducing device complexity
3Weight of moving object
If an X-ray tube using bremsstrahlung radiation with energy of about 100 keV is used, then the device size is reduced and portability is improved, but the penetrating power becomes insufficient for dense or thick objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energy parameter of the X-rays by using dielectric material with high breakdown strength to enable operation at higher accelerating voltages. This produces high-energy X-rays with sufficient penetrating power for dense or thick objects while maintaining the portability advantage of smaller device size, as the system uses a low-power RF amplifier (100 kW or less) instead of high-power sources
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 apparatus achieves higher power efficiency and produces X-rays with high energy and output, enabling downsizing and improved portability, making it suitable for vehicle mounting by using a lower power RF source and voltage.
Implementation Method 1
storing most of the high-frequency power to be converted into acceleration energy in a dielectric material with small high-frequency loss
Implementation Method 2
X-rays (radiations) may be produced as bremsstrahlung radiation (for example, energy of about 100 keV) by irradiating a target with accelerated electrons
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a radiation generation apparatus that can be downsized while improving power efficiency compared with a normal conduction accelerating tube. The radiation generation apparatus includes: an accelerating tube in which an accelerating cavity is defined by a tubular-shaped housing having conductivity and a plurality of cells made of a dielectric material, center openings of the cells being aligned so as to be communicated with each other in a direction in which the cells are arranged in the housing; an RF amplifier that supplies a high-frequency power to the accelerating tube; and an electron gun that emits a charged particle passing through the opening of each of the cells in the accelerating tube.