Portable X-ray Source Using Field Emission and Vacuum Insulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable X-ray generation devices with electric field emission sources face challenges in maintaining constant X-ray output and insulation stability while using high voltages, which affects user friendliness, operational stability, and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A portable X-ray generation device using an electric field emission X-ray source with a driving signal generator that applies at least three voltage levels to the cathode, anode, and gate electrodes, along with a current controller to maintain constant tube current, and incorporates insulation molding for shielding and structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high voltage is used in electric field emission X-ray source, then X-ray emission efficiency is improved, but insulation stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vacuum container as an intermediary medium that provides electrical insulation between the cathode electrode and anode electrode. The vacuum environment acts as a mediator that allows high voltage operation while maintaining insulation stability, preventing dielectric breakdown that would occur in atmospheric conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert vacuum environment within the vacuum container to isolate the high voltage electrodes from atmospheric gases. This inert environment prevents electrical breakdown and insulation failure, allowing the system to operate at high voltages necessary for efficient X-ray emission without compromising reliability.
2Volume of moving object
If device size is reduced for portability, then usability is improved, but insulation distance is reduced leading to dielectric breakdown risk
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum container creates an inert vacuum environment that dramatically increases the dielectric strength of the space between electrodes. This allows the device to maintain adequate insulation distance in a compact form factor, as the vacuum environment prevents breakdown even at reduced spacing that would be unsafe in atmospheric conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the medium between electrodes from atmospheric gas to vacuum. This parameter change increases the breakdown voltage and insulation capability, allowing the device to be miniaturized while maintaining reliable insulation at the reduced scale.
3Device complexity
If conventional tungsten filament hot cathode is used, then device structure is simple, but device size and weight are large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating element from the electron emission process, separating thermal energy input from electron generation. By using cold cathode electric field emission instead of hot filament thermionic emission, the system eliminates the need for high-power heating components, reducing overall device weight and complexity while improving portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical electron emission mechanism (heating tungsten filament) with an electric field-based emission mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for thermal management systems, power-intensive heating circuits, and associated cooling components, significantly reducing device weight and structural complexity.
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 ensures constant X-ray output and improved insulation stability, enhancing user friendliness, operational stability, and reliability, while reducing the device's size and weight.
Implementation Method 1
electrons are emitted by an electric field formed between the gate electrode and the electron emitter
Implementation Method 2
the electrons are accelerated by an electric field formed between the anode and the cathode so as to strike an X-ray target surface
Implementation Method 3
electrons are accelerated by an electric field formed between the anode and the cathode so as to strike an X-ray target surface provided on the anode side so that X-rays are emitted
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a portable X-ray generation device, which uses an electric field emission X-ray source, and is thus advantageous in reducing weight and volume and has excellent reliability in X-ray emission performance. The portable X-ray generation device according to the present invention includes an electric field emission X-ray source, which includes a cathode electrode having an electron emitter, an anode electrode having an X-ray target surface, and a gate electrode between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode; and a driving signal generator configured to generate at least three driving signals applied to the cathode electrode, the anode electrode, and the gate electrode, respectively, by direct current power having a predetermined voltage, wherein the driving signal generator includes a current controller maintaining a tube current between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode to have a constant value during X-ray emission.