Radiation Source Beryllium Window Mechanical Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small X-ray sources face challenges in manufacturing due to difficulties in brazing small-sized beryllium windows, leading to high defect rates and suboptimal design for portable, affordable EDXRF analyzers.
Innovation Solution
A radiation source device featuring a capsule made of radiopaque material with a beryllium radiolucent window and a primary element with a radioactive foil, where the window is secured using a secondary seal and adhesive, eliminating the need for welding and enabling assembly in a negative pressure glove box.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brazing is used to seal the beryllium window in small X-ray sources, then the window can be sealed, but the manufacturing process becomes difficult and defect rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal brazing process with a mechanical compression sealing system. A compressible element (such as an O-ring or gasket) is placed between the beryllium window and the capsule body, and a compression mechanism applies force to seal the window mechanically rather than through thermal bonding. This eliminates the difficulties of brazing small windows while maintaining reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a compressible element as an intermediary between the beryllium window and the capsule body. This intermediary component facilitates the sealing function by deforming under compression to fill gaps and create a hermetic seal, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing defect rates associated with direct brazing.
2Volume of moving object
If small-sized beryllium windows are used in portable X-ray sources, then the device size is reduced, but the brazing process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal brazing process with a mechanical compression sealing system. A compressible element (such as an O-ring or gasket) is placed between the beryllium window and the capsule body, and a compression mechanism applies force to seal the window mechanically rather than through thermal bonding. This eliminates the difficulties of brazing small windows while maintaining reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sealing function into separate components: the beryllium window, the compressible element, and the compression mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with optimized tolerances and assembled through simple compression, avoiding the need for precise brazing of small windows while maintaining compact source dimensions.
3Reliability
If brazing is used to seal the beryllium window, then the window can be sealed, but the production yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal brazing process with a mechanical compression sealing system. A compressible element (such as an O-ring or gasket) is placed between the beryllium window and the capsule body, and a compression mechanism applies force to seal the window mechanically rather than through thermal bonding. This eliminates the difficulties of brazing small windows while maintaining reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressible element in the patent performs the sealing function automatically through its own elastic deformation when compressed. This self-sealing mechanism eliminates the need for complex brazing processes and post-brazing quality control steps, thereby increasing production yield while maintaining reliable window sealing.
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 allows for the production of small, high-yield X-ray sources with low defect rates and reduced size, facilitating the creation of portable and affordable EDXRF analyzers by eliminating the complexity of brazing small beryllium windows.
Implementation Method 1
A primary seal, formed by an adhesive, e.g., an epoxy resin adhesive, is used to retain the primary element together with the window portion
Implementation Method 2
The radioactive material can be a radioisotope, such as 109
Implementation Method 3
A primary element, such as a section of cylindrical wire, such as formed of metal such as stainless steel, copper, nickel, tungsten, etc., having a predetermined diameter and predetermined length, has a flat end
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6
AI summary
A radiation source device. The radiation source device (50) has a radiolucent window portion (80), such as formed of beryllium, with a front window and a sleeve portion having an outer surface and a window portion cavity therein. A primary element, e.g., a metal wire (72), is provided that has a radioactive end (74), which primary element is received in the window portion cavity with its radioactive end adjacent to the front window and a seal is located between an outer wall of the primary element and an inner wall of the window portion. A radiopaque capsule (52) is provided and has an open end that is sized to receive the sleeve portion (84) of the radiolucent window portion and the primary element. A secondary seal (98) between the capsule and the radiolucent window portion is provided.