Plasma Window Cathode Cooling to Protect O-Ring Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beam accelerator systems face challenges in managing high heat loads and maintaining pressure differentials due to the use of high-energy ion beams, leading to increased costs and potential failure of components like the O-ring in the cathode housing block.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a cathode end cooling system with a cooling portion and cooling channel adjacent to the O-ring, aligned with the plasma channel, and optionally using a fluid cooled insert, to effectively manage heat and prevent O-ring failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-energy ion beams are used to generate neutrons and radioactive isotopes, then productivity and energy output are improved, but heat generation increases causing component failure and requiring extensive cooling infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system applies localized cooling specifically at the cathode end of the plasma window where heat generation is most intense. The cooling channel is positioned adjacent to the O-ring seal and cathode housing block, providing targeted thermal management to the most critical heated regions rather than uniform cooling of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling fluid acts as an intermediary medium to transfer heat away from the plasma window and cathode housing block. The fluid flows through the cooling channel, absorbing heat from the high-energy ion beam interaction regions and carrying it away, thereby protecting sensitive components from direct thermal exposure.
2Ease of operation
If pressure differentials are maintained across the plasma window, then beam accelerator system functionality is improved, but stress on seals and components increases leading to potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system provides protective cooling to the O-ring seal and cathode housing block before thermal stress can cause seal failure. By maintaining cooler temperatures in advance, the system prevents the O-ring from degrading or failing under the combined stress of pressure differential and thermal expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system actively changes the temperature parameter of the cathode housing block and O-ring region, maintaining it at a lower, more stable value despite the high-energy ion beam heating. This temperature control counteracts thermal expansion and stress that would otherwise compromise seal integrity under pressure differential.
3Ease of manufacture
If cooling infrastructure is reduced to lower costs, then system cost is improved, but heat management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented to provide cooling only where most needed - at the cathode end of the plasma window and adjacent to the O-ring seal. This localized approach eliminates the need for extensive cooling infrastructure across the entire system, reducing costs while maintaining effective heat management at critical points.
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 cooling system reduces the risk of O-ring failure and maintains the integrity of the cathode housing block, ensuring efficient operation and reduced costs by minimizing the need for extensive pumping infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling portion may comprise a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a cooling channel fluidly coupling the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet
Implementation Method 2
a high-energy ion beam is directed to a target chamber through a plasma window... The generation and movement of the high-energy ion beam to the target requires a significant amount of energy and generates a significant amount of heat
Data Source
AI summary
A beam accelerator system comprises an ion accelerator that generates a high-energy ion beam, a low-pressure chamber, an anode adjacent and fluidly connected to the low-pressure chamber, a plasma window adjacent and fluidly connected to the anode, and a cathode housing block adjacent and fluidly connected to the plasma window. The plasma window comprises a plurality of cooling plates, each cooling plate comprising an aperture that is aligned with an aperture in one or more adjacent cooling plate to form a plasma channel. The cathode housing block comprises a cathode target region and a cooling portion. The cooling portion comprises a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a cooling channel fluidly coupling the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and an opening adjacent to the plasma window and aligned with a longitudinal axis of the plasma channel.