High-Voltage Transformer Insulation via Conductive Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-voltage generators in X-ray CT and diagnostic apparatuses face issues with insulation breakdown due to voids in resin-hardened components, leading to increased distributed capacitance, inefficiency, and overheating, which complicates size reduction and diagnostic continuity.

Innovation Solution

A high-voltage device configuration with an inverter circuit, high-voltage transformer, insulating layer, and conductive layer, where the conductive layer covers the secondary coils to prevent corona discharge and reduce distributed capacitance, eliminating the need for resin between winding wires and simplifying manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If resin is used to harden high-voltage generator components, then insulation strength is improved, but voids form causing insulation breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation strengthVSAvoidinsulation breakdown risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful resin material from the high-voltage generator interior by replacing it with air. The high-voltage transformer and associated components are designed to operate with air insulation instead of resin, eliminating the source of void formation and insulation breakdown while maintaining structural integrity through alternative design approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If resin is used to harden components, then structural support is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to vacuum injection processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex resin injection and vacuum defoaming manufacturing processes by designing the high-voltage generator to operate without resin. The structural support function is achieved through the mechanical design of the generator housing and component mounting structures, eliminating the need for complex curing processes and vacuum equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If resin is used for insulation, then dielectric strength is improved, but distributed capacitance increases causing overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedielectric strengthVSAvoidoverheating
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the resin material that causes high distributed capacitance and replaces it with air, which has lower permittivity. This reduction in distributed capacitance decreases the wattless current in the inverter circuit, preventing overheating of the inverter and high-voltage transformer while maintaining adequate insulation through air gaps and spacing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Strength

If resin is used to fill spaces, then insulation performance is improved, but size reduction is constrained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidhigh-voltage generator size
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes resin from the high-voltage generator design, allowing for more compact arrangements of components. Without resin occupying space and requiring additional clearance for injection and curing, the generator can be designed with tighter tolerances and more efficient space utilization, enabling size reduction while maintaining insulation performance through optimized air gaps and component positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Prevents insulation breakdown, reduces wattless current, prevents overheating, and allows for increased operating frequency and size reduction of the high-voltage generator, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the X-ray high-voltage device.

Implementation Method 1

there is a possibility that the electric field is concentrated (corona discharge) at the void

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 2

the distributed capacitance between the secondary winding wires is increased

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDistributed capacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10729401B2High-voltage device and medical-image diagnostic apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.08.04 CANON MEDICAL SYST CORP
  • US10729401B2 patent drawing
  • US10729401B2 patent drawing
  • US10729401B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A high-voltage device according to embodiments comprises an inverter circuit configured to convert a direct-current voltage into an alternating-current voltage, a high-voltage transformer, an insulating layer and a conductive layer. The high-voltage transformer includes a primary coil on an input side and multiple secondary coils on an output side and raises a voltage of output of the inverter circuit. The insulating layer is provided on an outer circumference of a bundle of winding wires of each of the secondary coils so as to individually cover each of the secondary coils. The conductive layer is provided on an outer circumference of each of the insulating layers so as to individually cover each of the insulating layers.