RF Source Phase Stabilization Without Dedicated Cooling

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radiofrequency sources for linear accelerator systems require significant installation space and electrical power for temperature stabilization, which is challenging for mobile deployments and can lead to reduced beam performance and increased system complexity.

Innovation Solution

A radiofrequency source with an electrical phase stabilization element that actively compensates for temperature variations by adjusting current and voltage to maximize the amplitude difference between generated and backscattered microwaves, using a controllable inductive and/or thermoelectric component to stabilize the circulator's magnetic field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a conventional cooling system is used for temperature stabilization, then the temperature of the radiofrequency source is stabilized, but the installation space and electrical power consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stabilizationVSAvoidelectrical power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cooling system with an electrical phase stabilization element that directly compensates for temperature-induced phase shifts in the circulator. Instead of mechanically removing heat, the system uses electrical signals to stabilize the magnetic field and counteract phase variations, thereby eliminating the need for extensive cooling infrastructure and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the circulator by introducing an electrical phase stabilization element that dynamically adjusts the magnetic field strength. By monitoring the phase of microwaves passing through the circulator and adjusting the magnetic field accordingly, the system compensates for temperature variations without requiring physical temperature control, thus reducing both space and power requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If a conventional cooling system is used for temperature stabilization, then the temperature of the radiofrequency source is stabilized, but the installation space required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stabilizationVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cooling system with an electrical phase stabilization element that directly compensates for temperature-induced phase shifts in the circulator. Instead of mechanically removing heat, the system uses electrical signals to stabilize the magnetic field and counteract phase variations, thereby eliminating the need for extensive cooling infrastructure and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the circulator by introducing an electrical phase stabilization element that dynamically adjusts the magnetic field strength. By monitoring the phase of microwaves passing through the circulator and adjusting the magnetic field accordingly, the system compensates for temperature variations without requiring physical temperature control, thus reducing both space and power requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by stationary object

If the cooling capacity is reduced to save space and power, then the installation space and electrical power consumption decrease, but the beam performance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power consumptionVSAvoidbeam performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the phase of microwaves passing through the circulator is continuously monitored. Based on this feedback, the electrical phase stabilization element dynamically adjusts the magnetic field strength to compensate for phase shifts caused by temperature variations. This closed-loop control ensures that the circulator maintains its isolation performance and the linear accelerator delivers optimal beam performance even with reduced cooling capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Area of stationary object

If shared cooling systems are used to reduce installation space, then the cooling capacity is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to high integration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the temperature stabilization function from the mechanical cooling system and implements it independently through an electrical phase stabilization element integrated into the circulator. This approach eliminates the need for complex integration with external cooling systems while maintaining temperature compensation, thereby reducing both installation space and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 approach reduces the need for extensive installation space and electrical power, enabling efficient operation with a larger temperature working range and improved isolation, thus optimizing beam performance without a dedicated cooling system.

Implementation Method 1

a circulator, the circulator having ferrites to isolate the microwave generator from backscattered microwaves by influencing a phase of the microwaves according to a magnetic field, the circulator including an electrical phase stabilization element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a circulator, the circulator having ferrites to isolate the microwave generator from backscattered micrawaves by influencing a phase of the micrawaves according to a magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentUS12382572B2Radiofrequency source having a phase stabilization element

Publication Date: 2025.08.05 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

One or more example embodiments of the present invention relates to a radiofrequency source for a linear accelerator system, to the linear accelerator system, to a method for operating a radiofrequency source, and to an associated computer program product.