Electromagnetic X-ray Control for Micro-focus Tube Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current x-ray generation systems, particularly those using micro-focus x-ray tubes, are inefficient due to significant waste heat and lost energy, with only a small percentage of input energy resulting in usable x-rays, limiting their utility and efficiency in non-destructive inspection.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetic x-ray control system that includes a thermionic filament, an x-ray generation target, and an electromagnetic field element within a micro-focus x-ray tube, which redirects the electron stream to vary the x-ray generation on the target, allowing for improved energy utilization and rastering patterns to enhance inspection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional micro-focus x-ray tubes are used for non-destructive inspection, then x-ray generation is achieved, but energy efficiency is poor with significant waste heat and lost energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical electron beam generation system with an electromagnetic field-based system. Electromagnetic fields are used to generate, accelerate, focus, and redirect electron streams, substituting conventional mechanical electron gun components and reducing energy loss through more efficient electromagnetic energy conversion to x-rays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs electromagnetic field strength, frequency, and configuration as controllable parameters to optimize electron stream generation and x-ray production efficiency. By dynamically adjusting electromagnetic field parameters, the system maximizes energy conversion efficiency from input power to usable x-rays while minimizing waste heat generation.
2Measurement precision
If electron stream energy is increased to improve x-ray quality, then resolution improves, but heat damage to the x-ray generation target increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic electromagnetic fields to continuously modulate and redirect the electron stream in real-time. This dynamic control allows the system to vary electron stream characteristics on-the-fly, optimizing resolution when needed while redistributing energy deposition to prevent localized overheating and damage to the x-ray generation target.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic field control as an additional dimension of electron stream manipulation beyond traditional static focusing. By adding temporal and spatial control dimensions through time-varying electromagnetic fields, the system can distribute electron impact across multiple target locations, reducing heat concentration while maintaining high-resolution x-ray generation.
3Productivity
If electromagnetic field elements are added to redirect electron streams, then energy efficiency and rastering capability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs electromagnetic field elements that perform multiple functions simultaneously: generating electron streams, accelerating electrons, focusing the electron beam, and redirecting electrons for rastering patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving inspection efficiency while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines traditionally separate functions (electron generation, acceleration, focusing, and deflection) into an integrated electromagnetic field-based system. By merging these functions into a unified electromagnetic control architecture, the system achieves improved productivity through coordinated control while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent mechanical or electrical subsystems.
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 system increases the efficiency of high-energy particle and radiation use, reduces heat damage to the x-ray generation target, and enables higher energy electron streams, improving resolution and reducing power requirements while maintaining effective non-destructive inspection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a thermionic filament, positioned at a first end of a micro-focus x-ray tube and configured to generate an electron stream
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic field element, configured to generate an electromagnetic field that receives the electron stream and operable to vary the electromagnetic field to redirect the electron stream
Implementation Method 3
an x-ray generation target, positioned within the micro-focus x-ray tube at a second end of the micro-focus x-ray tube, opposite the first end, to receive the electron stream and to generate x-rays in response to the electron stream impinging on the x-ray generation target
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for electromagnetic x-ray control. The apparatus comprises a thermionic filament, positioned at a first end of a micro-focus x-ray tube and configured to generate an electron stream. The apparatus also comprises an x-ray generation target, positioned within the micro-focus x-ray tube at a second end of the micro-focus x-ray tube, opposite the first end, to receive the electron stream and to generate x-rays in response to the electron stream impinging on the x-ray generation target. The apparatus further comprises an electromagnetic field element, configured to generate an electromagnetic field that receives the electron stream and operable to vary the electromagnetic field to redirect the electron stream, within the micro-focus x-ray tube, to impinge on the x-ray generation target at variable locations on the x-ray generation target. Each one of the variable locations corresponds to a different one of multiple variations of the electromagnetic field.