Inner-Collimator X-Ray Tube for Lightweight Beam Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing x-ray tubes lack efficient mechanisms for blocking x-rays in undesirable directions and shaping the x-ray beam, which are crucial for portable applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of an inner-collimator with a conical-frustum shape, adjacent to the x-ray window, along with an insulating-layer and optional outer-collimator, to collimate and direct x-rays effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional x-ray tube design is used, then x-ray generation is achieved, but the ability to block x-rays in undesirable directions and shape the beam is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The collimation function is divided into two separate components: an inner collimator with a conical-frustum shape positioned adjacent to the x-ray window, and an outer collimator positioned further away. This segmentation allows each component to have optimized geometry for its specific function, with the inner collimator providing primary beam shaping and the outer collimator providing additional directional control, thereby achieving effective beam shaping without requiring a single complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
An insulating layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the inner collimator and the outer collimator. This insulating layer serves multiple functions: it provides electrical insulation between the conductive collimator components, maintains precise spacing between the collimators to ensure proper beam geometry, and allows for independent positioning and adjustment of each collimator component, simplifying the overall assembly process
2Weight of moving object
If portable x-ray tube is designed to be lightweight, then portability is improved, but beam directionality and shaping may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator components are designed with thin-walled conical-frustum geometries that provide effective x-ray attenuation and beam shaping while minimizing material usage and overall weight. The conical-frustum shape is particularly efficient as it naturally directs x-rays in the desired direction while blocking unwanted angles, achieving superior directionality control with minimal material mass compared to traditional parallel-walled collimator designs
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator components are made from high atomic number materials such as tungsten or lead, which provide exceptional x-ray attenuation properties. These dense materials achieve effective beam directionality and blocking of undesirable x-ray directions with minimal thickness, thereby reducing the overall weight of the collimation system while maintaining superior beam control performance
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 configuration enables lightweight portable x-ray tubes that effectively block x-rays in undesirable directions and shape the x-ray beam, enhancing their usability and performance.
Implementation Method 1
inner-collimator with a conical-frustum shape, adjacent to the x-ray window, along with an insulating-layer and optional outer-collimator, to collimate and direct x-rays effectively
Implementation Method 2
inner-collimator with a conical-frustum shape, adjacent to the x-ray window, along with an insulating-layer and optional outer-collimator, to collimate and direct x-rays effectively
Data Source
AI summary
An x-ray tube can include an x-ray window sealed to a mount. An inner-collimator can be adjacent to, but not sealed to, the x-ray window. The inner-collimator can be sandwiched between the x-ray window and an insulating-layer. The insulating-layer can span an inner-collimator-aperture of the inner-collimator, forming an isolated cavity at the inner-collimator-aperture. Walls of the cavity can include the x-ray window, the inner-collimator, and the insulating-layer. The x-ray tube can have a light weight, can block x-rays in undesirable directions, and can shape the x-ray beam.