Mono-Shell Magnet System for X-ray Tube Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray tube designs with a half-shell magnet arrangement suffer from low stiffness, leading to issues such as cathode movement and bending under g-forces, low eigenfrequency, costly cooling requirements, and inaccurate positioning, as well as limitations in focusing the electron beam due to the bottleneck design.
Innovation Solution
A mono-shell magnet system is integrated and fused to the vacuum tube, eliminating the need for separate half-shells and allowing a larger, thicker support structure, enhancing stiffness and accuracy while reducing costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a half-shell magnet arrangement is used, then the X-ray tube can be assembled with separate components, but the stiffness is weak leading to cathode movement and bending under g-forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the magnet arrangement into a single integrated mono-shell structure that is fused to the vacuum tube, eliminating the separate half-shell components. This integration creates a unified rigid structure that maintains manufacturing feasibility while dramatically improving stiffness and eliminating cathode movement under g-forces.
2Measurement precision
If the bottleneck diameter is reduced and wall thickness is lowered, then the magnet arrangement can be positioned near the electron beam to improve focusing, but the stiffness in the drift way area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support structure into two distinct functional zones: a thin-walled bottleneck section that provides precise magnetic focusing near the electron beam, and a thick-walled drift way section that provides high stiffness and structural support. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
3Loss of energy
If the half-shells are used with low wall thickness, then induction losses are reduced, but elaborate sealing is required which increases cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the magnet arrangement and vacuum tube into a single integrated mono-shell structure with fused joints. This integration eliminates the need for separate sealing components between half-shells, reducing both cost and complexity while maintaining low induction losses through the optimized thin-walled bottleneck design.
4Ease of manufacture
If the two half shells are used, then assembly is simplified, but accurate positioning is difficult to achieve which reduces X-ray tube accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the magnet arrangement into a single mono-shell structure that is fused to the vacuum tube as an integrated unit. This eliminates the positioning challenges inherent in assembling two separate half-shells, achieving high manufacturing precision while maintaining assembly feasibility through the unified design.
5Ease of manufacture
If the magnet yoke is separated into two parts, then assembly is easier, but magnetic field loss occurs and accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the magnet yoke as a single integrated part within the mono-shell structure, eliminating the need to separate it into two parts. This preserves the完整性 of the magnetic field path, maintaining high magnetic field accuracy and preventing field loss, while the overall integrated design keeps assembly manageable.
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 improved stiffness and accuracy of the X-ray unit result in better performance under higher g-forces and eigenfrequency, eliminating the need for elaborate sealing and positioning, and enabling a single, closed magnet yoke, thus enhancing overall system performance and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The magnet system (12) is configured to focus the electron beam (16)
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum tube (11) configured to encase a cathode (13), an anode (14), and a drift way (15) for an electron beam (16)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an X-ray unit, an X-ray system, and a method for manufacturing an X-ray system. The X-ray system comprises an X-ray unit, a cathode, and an anode. The X-ray unit comprises a vacuum tube and a magnet system. The vacuum tube is configured to encase a cathode, an anode, and a drift way for an electron beam moving between the cathode and the anode. The magnet system is configured to focus the electron beam and the magnet system is fused to the vacuum tube.