Distributed X-ray Generation via Scanning Electron Beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CT apparatuses face reliability and stability issues due to high-speed movement of the x-ray source and detector, limiting inspection speed and suffering from overheating of the anode target points, while existing methods for generating distributed x-rays are complex, costly, or result in low-quality images.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing an electron gun, scanning device, and current-limiting device with a strip-shaped anode target to generate pulsed electron beams in an array, accelerating them to produce distributed x-rays without moving the x-ray source, thereby improving reliability, stability, and inspection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the x-ray source and detector move along the slip ring at high speed to accelerate inspection, then the inspection speed is improved, but the reliability and stability of the apparatus are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the x-ray source along the slip ring to obtain multiple view angles, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the source stationary and using a scanning electron beam to sequentially bombard different positions on the anode target. This eliminates mechanical movement while achieving the same effect of obtaining multiple view angles, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing inspection speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical movement system (slip ring with moving source) with an electromagnetic scanning system. The electron beam is scanned across the anode target using magnetic or electric fields, substituting mechanical motion with field-based control. This eliminates wear and instability associated with high-speed mechanical movement while maintaining the ability to obtain multiple view angles.
2Productivity
If electron beams bombard the tungsten target at high power for long time to increase inspection speed, then the productivity is improved, but the anode target points overheat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pulsed electron beams instead of continuous bombardment. The electron beam is scanned across multiple positions on the anode target in sequence, with each position receiving a short pulse of electron beam energy. This periodic action allows heat to dissipate between pulses, preventing overheating while maintaining high overall productivity through rapid sequential scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the electron beam energy delivery across multiple discrete positions on the anode target. Instead of concentrating high power at one location, the total energy is divided and distributed across many small target points that are scanned in sequence. This segmentation prevents localized overheating while achieving the required total energy delivery for high-speed inspection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual conventional x-ray sources are arranged along the circumference to obtain multiple view angles, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and image quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single x-ray source perform multiple functions by scanning the electron beam across different positions on the anode target. Each position on the target acts as a virtual x-ray source for a different view angle. This multi-functionality achieves the same adaptability as multiple physical sources would provide, but without the high manufacturing cost and large intervals between sources that degrade image quality.
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
This approach allows for efficient and stable generation of distributed x-rays with high current, uniform target point distribution, and improved heat management, enabling multiple view angles without source movement, enhancing system stability and inspection speed.
Implementation Method 1
an electron gun configured to generate electron beam currents
Implementation Method 2
x-rays are generated when the accelerated electron beams bombard the anode target
Implementation Method 3
a scanning device arranged surrounding the electron beam currents and configured to generate a scanning magnetic field for deflecting the electron beam currents
Implementation Method 4
a current-limiting device having a plurality of regularly-arranged holes, wherein when the electron beam currents scan through the current-limiting device under the control of the scanning device, pulsed electron beams corresponding to positions of the holes in the scanning order are outputted successively in an array
Implementation Method 5
by applying a voltage to the anode target, a uniform electric field is formed between the current-limiting device and the anode target to accelerate the array of the pulsed electron beams
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
Provided are apparatus and method for generating distributed x-rays. A hot cathode of an electron gun (1) is used in vacuum to generate electron beams (10) having certain initial movement energy and speed. Periodic scanning is performed with the initial low-energy electron beams, which are thus caused to be reciprocally deflected. A current-limiting device (4) is provided in the travel path of the electron beams along the direction of the reciprocal deflection. Through holes arranged in an array on the current-limiting device, only part of the electron beams targeting specific positions can pass to form sequential electron beam currents distributed in an array. These electron beam currents are accelerated by a high-voltage electric field to obtain high energy, bombard the anode target (5), and thus sequentially generate corresponding focus spots and x-rays distributed in an array at the anode target.