Multi-Source Backscatter X-Ray Source Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional backscatter imagers are heavy due to large power supplies and require liquid cooling, limiting portability and increasing costs, while lower power systems emit insufficient x-rays for penetrating common steel thicknesses within a short duration.
Innovation Solution
A backscatter imager with a reduced weight and power requirements, utilizing multiple electron beam emitters powered at lower wattages to generate sufficient x-rays, and replacing liquid cooling with an air cooling subsystem to maintain high x-ray output and reduce radiation emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a single high-power x-ray source (3,000 W) is used to penetrate steel containers, then sufficient x-ray output is achieved, but the system weight increases to 100 kilograms requiring liquid cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single 3,000 W electron beam source into multiple lower-power electron beam emitters (e.g., four 750 W emitters or two 1,500 W emitters). Each emitter strikes the anode to generate x-rays, and their combined output achieves the necessary penetration power through steel containers while reducing the weight and eliminating the need for liquid cooling subsystems
2Weight of moving object
If multiple lower-power electron beam emitters are used, then system weight is reduced to 10-15 kilograms, but sufficient x-ray output for penetrating steel must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the x-ray output from multiple lower-power electron beam emitters to achieve the cumulative power necessary for penetrating steel containers. The multiple emitters operate simultaneously, merging their individual contributions to produce sufficient total x-ray flux while maintaining a lightweight design without liquid cooling requirements
3Temperature
If liquid cooling subsystem is used to manage heat from high-power x-ray source, then thermal management is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the liquid cooling subsystem entirely by transitioning to multiple lower-power electron beam emitters that generate sufficient x-ray output without producing the excessive heat that necessitated liquid cooling in the first place. This removes the associated complexity of pumps, coolant loops, and thermal management infrastructure
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 solution achieves a significant weight reduction from 100 kilograms to 10-15 kilograms, maintains high x-ray output, and decreases radiation emissions, enhancing portability and reducing costs while ensuring adequate image quality and scanning rate.
Implementation Method 1
an interaction of the anode with the first e-beam and the second e-beam
Implementation Method 2
a first electron beam (e-beam) emitter configured to output a first e-beam toward the anode
Data Source
AI summary
An x-ray source for a backscatter imager can include a first electron beam (e-beam) emitter for emitting a first e-beam and at least a second e-beam emitter for emitting at least a second e-beam. The first and second e-beam emitters can be powered by a at least one power supply, and can be configured to direct the first e-beam and the second e-beam toward an anode. An interaction of the anode with the first and second e-beams produces x-rays. The x-ray source is configured to output an amount of x-rays equivalent to a conventional x-ray source that includes a single e-beam emitter. However, because the x-ray source uses at least two e-beam emitters and a single anode, the power source required to power the e-beam emitters can operate at a lower wattage than a conventional power source powering the single e-beam emitter. The x-ray source is thus lighter in weight and outputs less radiation than conventional systems with a comparable x-ray output.