Ion Source With Negatively Biased Extractor for Well Logging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ion sources for radiation generators in well logging instruments are limited in their ability to generate a large number of ions for a given power consumption, which restricts the amount of information that can be collected about oil formations and is inefficient in terms of power usage.
Innovation Solution
A sealed envelope ion source that includes an ionizable gas and a RF antenna to produce ions, with an extractor and suppressor configuration that uses time-varying electromagnetic fields and carefully controlled potentials to attract and accelerate ions towards a target, enhancing ionization efficiency and neutron generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional ion sources are used in radiation generators, then the device can operate with simple structure, but the number of ions generated per unit power is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic RF (radio frequency) fields to ionize the gas and dynamically adjust the extractor potentials to optimize ion extraction. The time-varying electromagnetic fields create continuous ionization and extraction cycles, increasing ion generation efficiency while maintaining controlled power consumption through dynamic operation rather than static high-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters by applying time-varying potentials to the extractor electrodes and using RF fields for ionization. By varying the frequency, amplitude, and phase of the applied electromagnetic fields, the system optimizes ion production efficiency and power utilization, achieving higher ion flux for given power input compared to traditional DC-based ion sources.
2Quantity of substance
If more power is supplied to increase ion generation, then more ions can be accelerated toward the target, but power consumption increases which is undesirable in well logging applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic RF excitation to ionize the gas and periodic potential modulation on the extractors to extract ions in pulses or cycles. This periodic action allows the system to achieve high ion flux during active phases while reducing power consumption during idle or reset phases, thereby increasing the average number of ions generated per unit of power consumed compared to continuous high-power operation.
3Productivity
If the ion beam is not well focused, then the ion extraction is simpler, but the efficiency of ion acceleration toward the target decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic potential adjustment on multiple extractor electrodes to focus the ion beam. By time-varying the potentials on different extractors, the system creates dynamic electric field configurations that automatically focus ions toward the target. This dynamic focusing achieves high ion acceleration efficiency without requiring complex mechanical focusing mechanisms, as the focusing is accomplished through controlled electrical field variations.
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 significantly increases the number of ions accelerated towards the target, resulting in a substantial increase in neutron generation, up to or beyond 40%, while also improving ion beam focusing and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a RF antenna to transmit time-varying electromagnetic fields within the sealed envelope for producing ions from the ionizable gas
Implementation Method 2
at least one extractor within the sealed envelope having a potential such that the ions are attracted toward the at least one extractor
Implementation Method 3
a suppressor within the sealed envelope downstream of the at least one extractor, and a target within the sealed envelope downstream of the suppressor. The suppressor may have a potential such that the ions are accelerated toward the target
Data Source
AI summary
An ion source for use in a radiation generator includes a sealed envelope containing an ionizable gas therein. The ion source also includes a RF antenna external to the sealed envelope, the RF antenna to transmit time-varying electromagnetic fields within the sealed envelope for producing ions from the ionizable gas. There is at least one extractor within the sealed envelope having a potential such that the ions are attracted toward the at least one extractor.