Modal Stiffening for Non-Flat Electron Emitter Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Larger X-ray emitters face challenges due to reduced structural rigidity, leading to deformation and increased failure modes, especially when their modal frequency aligns with other operational frequencies of the X-ray tube, and placement accuracy issues arise when multiple emitters are used in close proximity.
Innovation Solution
An electron emitter assembly with a removable structure, such as ligaments or substrates, is used to connect and fix the positional relationship among emitters, providing modal stiffness and allowing for planar or out-of-plane configurations through bending, and enabling current paths to improve assembly and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If emitter size is increased to improve X-ray generation capability, then electron emission capacity is improved, but structural rigidity deteriorates leading to deformation and lower resonant frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter is divided into multiple discrete emitter elements arranged in an array, with each element being a separate structural unit. This segmentation allows each individual emitter to maintain structural rigidity while the collective array provides enhanced electron emission capacity through multiple emission sites.
2Power
If multiple emitters are used to improve electron emission capacity, then X-ray generation capability is improved, but placement accuracy deteriorates due to challenges in positioning them in close proximity
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple emitter elements are merged into a single integrated emitter assembly structure. The emitters are positioned relative to each other within this unified assembly, which is then installed as one unit into the X-ray tube, eliminating the need for precise placement of individual emitters and simplifying the manufacturing process.
3Power
If emitter size is increased to improve X-ray generation capability, then electron emission capacity is improved, but modal frequency decreases to align with operational frequencies causing deformation and failure modes
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the emitter into multiple smaller emitter elements rather than using a single large emitter, each element maintains a higher resonant frequency that is separated from the operational frequencies of the X-ray tube, avoiding resonant deformation and improving reliability while collectively providing the required electron emission capacity.
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 solution enhances the structural integrity and placement accuracy of X-ray emitters, reducing deformation and failure modes, while allowing for efficient current flow and compensation for defects, thereby improving the reliability and performance of X-ray tubes.
Implementation Method 1
At least a portion of the removable structure may be retained to provide modal stiffness for the individual ones of the plurality of electron emitters
Implementation Method 2
At least a portion of the removable structure may be removable by an ablation process
Data Source
AI summary
An electron emitter assembly includes a plurality of electron emitters, and a removable structure connected to, and fixing a positional relationship among, individual ones of the plurality of electron emitters. A method of assembling an electron emitter assembly includes connecting individual ones of a plurality of electron emitters together with a removable structure, and fixing a positional relationship among the individual ones of the plurality of electron emitters.