Neutron Target Cooling via Protruding Surface Geometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

In neutron beam generating devices, the target is often damaged due to poor heat dissipation during the generation process, necessitating effective heat dissipation solutions to prevent overheating.

Innovation Solution

A heat dissipation structure with a housing featuring a protruding portion and channels for cooling fluid flow, where the distance between the protruding surface and the target changes along a direction, increasing the cooling fluid's speed and providing a better cooling effect at the center of the target.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a target is bombarded by an ionic beam to generate neutron beams, then neutron beam generation is achieved, but the target may be damaged due to poor heat dissipation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneutron beam generation capabilityVSAvoidtarget temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a liquid cooling system where cooling fluid flows through channels formed by the protruding portion and housing to remove heat from the target. The liquid coolant absorbs thermal energy from the bombarded target through convection and conduction, preventing excessive temperature rise while maintaining neutron beam generation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the distance between the protruding surface and target, varying it along the first direction to control cooling fluid flow characteristics. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the system enhances heat transfer efficiency at critical locations without compromising the target's structural integrity or neutron production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the distance between the protruding surface and target is varied along the first direction, then cooling fluid flow speed increases, but the structural complexity of the housing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling fluid flow speedVSAvoidhousing structural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a protruding portion with a curved surface that extends toward the target, creating a non-uniform gap distance along the first direction. This curved geometry naturally accelerates the cooling fluid flow toward the target center without requiring additional active flow control mechanisms, thus enhancing cooling efficiency while maintaining relatively simple passive structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a spatial variation in the gap distance between the protruding surface and target along the first direction, transforming a potentially simple planar cooling channel into a three-dimensionally optimized flow path. This dimensional approach enhances fluid velocity and heat transfer efficiency without adding complex active control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design ensures a faster flowing speed of the cooling fluid at the target's center, enhancing heat dissipation and preventing damage from overheating in neutron beam generating devices.

Implementation Method 1

the flowing speed of the cooling fluid flowing through the protruding surface also changes. Therefore, the cooling fluid has a faster flowing speed with respect to the center of the target, leading to a better cooling effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the target bombarded by the ionic beam may be unexpectedly damaged due to poor heat dissipation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11521763B2Heat dissipation structure and neutron beam generating device using the same

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 HERON NEUTRON MEDICAL CORP

AI summary

A heat dissipation structure includes a housing. The housing has a bottom surface, a liquid inlet channel, a liquid outlet channel and a protruding portion. The liquid inlet channel and the liquid outlet channel are located at two opposite ends of the housing and above the bottom surface. The liquid inlet channel and the liquid outlet channel extend along a first direction. The protruding portion is located between the liquid inlet channel and the liquid outlet channel and above the bottom surface. The protruding portion protrudes towards a direction away from the bottom surface. The protruding portion has a protruding surface facing away from the bottom surface. A distance between the protruding surface and the bottom surface is increased first and then decreased along the first direction.