Field-Emission Diode X-Ray Generation Without High Voltage Power Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray generators require expensive high voltage power supplies to produce high energy X-rays, limiting their practicality, especially in areas without available electrical power.
Innovation Solution
A field-emission diode system using a rotor stator assembly with embedded charge at the interface of two insulators, generating high electric fields for electron emission without the need for a high voltage power supply, allowing for the production of X-rays through mechanical motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a high voltage power supply is used to generate high energy X-rays, then the energy and intensity of X-rays are improved, but the cost and complexity of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional electrical high voltage power supply system with a mechanical system consisting of a rotor-stator assembly. The rotor, when rotated, generates high voltage through electromagnetic induction with the stator, eliminating the need for complex electrical power supply equipment while maintaining the capability to produce high energy X-rays.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the method of voltage generation from electrical power supply to mechanical rotation. By rotating the rotor at different speeds, the system can vary the generated voltage and consequently control the X-ray energy output, providing parameter adjustability without complex electrical controls.
2Productivity
If a high voltage power supply is used to produce X-rays, then the X-ray flux is sufficient for practical applications, but the availability of the system is limited by electrical power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces dependence on electrical power infrastructure with a mechanical rotation system. The rotor-stator assembly generates high voltage through mechanical rotation, allowing the X-ray generator to operate in locations without electrical power supply, thereby significantly improving adaptability and availability.
3Quantity of substance
If a heated tungsten filament is used to generate electron beam, then sufficient electron current is achieved, but additional power supply requirements and thermal management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heated tungsten filament and its associated power supply and thermal management systems from the design. Instead, it uses field emission from sharp tips on the rotor surface to generate the electron beam, eliminating the need for thermal emission infrastructure and simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electron emission mechanism from thermal emission (requiring high temperature and power) to field emission (using strong electric fields at sharp tips). This parameter change eliminates the need for heating power and thermal management while maintaining sufficient electron beam current for practical X-ray generation.
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 solution enables the generation of high current and voltage for X-rays without the need for expensive power supplies, making it suitable for applications where electrical power is unavailable and reducing the cost and complexity of X-ray production.
Implementation Method 1
A field-emission diode system using a rotor stator assembly with embedded charge at the interface of two insulators, generating high electric fields for electron emission without the need for a high voltage power supply
Implementation Method 2
Alternate methods have been proposed in recent years that generate X-rays at low voltages by using field emission from carbon nanotubes or other nanostructures. These methods generate the high electric fields needed for electron beam field emission because of their very small radius emitting tips
Implementation Method 3
X-ray photons are normally produced by an electron beam that is accelerated to a very high speed and strikes a target. The electrons are then focused and accelerated by an electrical field (generated by a high voltage power supply) towards an angled anode target
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating X-rays includes providing a field-emission diode including two electrodes separated by a gap, a first conductor, a first insulator on a surface of the first conductor, a second insulator on a surface of the first insulator that is not in contact with the first conductor, and a second conductor. The first insulator and the second insulator have trapped electrons at an interface therebetween, and are provided between the first conductor and the second conductor. The method further includes moving the second conductor with respect to the first conductor to induce electrons on the second conductor via electrostatic induction; accelerating the induced electrons across the gap of the field-emission diode; and striking a target with accelerated electrons to produce an X-ray. The first insulator and the second insulator are not the same.