Ring-Shaped Electron Beam Device for Uniform Substrate Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electron beam devices face challenges in uniformly treating substrates with curved or irregular shapes due to shadowing effects and inhomogeneous energy distribution, requiring complex and costly setups that are not scalable or efficient for larger molded parts and fluids.
Innovation Solution
A ring-shaped device generates accelerated electrons that can be directed inward, allowing substrates to be exposed to electrons over their entire circumference in a single pass, with a ring-shaped plasma chamber and electron exit window, enabling uniform electron density and adaptable to various substrate cross-sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple free falls and interim mixing are used to treat bulk material, then all sides of particles are impacted by accelerated electrons, but the treatment process requires a lot of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from sequential multi-pass treatment to simultaneous multi-directional treatment by arranging three electron beam sources along the diagonal of a cube, creating a three-dimensional treatment space where particles receive electron bombardment from all directions in a single pass, eliminating the time-consuming sequential processes of prior art
2Productivity
If three axial radiators with deflection control and electron exit windows are used to enclose a triangular free space, then substrates can be exposed to accelerated electrons over their entire cross-section in one treatment pass, but the equipment outlay is very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the treatment space into three distinct treatment zones, each served by an independent electron beam source positioned at a corner of a cube. This segmentation allows each beam to be optimized independently while collectively providing complete coverage, reducing the need for complex deflection systems and multiple exit windows required in prior art configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs conical electron beam sources that emit electrons in a conical pattern, allowing the beams to naturally converge and cover the treatment space more efficiently. This conical geometry replaces the need for complex planar radiator arrays and multiple exit windows, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining single-pass treatment capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If reflectors made of pure gold are used to reflect edge rays onto surface areas of molded parts, then edge rays are reflected onto previously untreated areas, but the device becomes very expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive pure gold reflectors with more economical materials such as aluminum or other suitable metals that can perform the reflection function adequately. The reflectors are designed as simple geometric surfaces positioned to redirect edge rays into the treatment zone, eliminating the need for expensive materials while maintaining the beneficial effect of edge ray utilization
4Adaptability or versatility
If reflected electrons are used to treat substrate areas, then previously untreated surface areas are reached, but only inhomogeneous energy input into the substrate is possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions three electron beam sources at the corners of a cube, each directing its conical beam into a specific treatment zone. This arrangement ensures that different regions of the substrate receive electrons from different beam directions, with each zone receiving primary (high-energy) electrons rather than reflected (lower-energy) electrons,从而实现 more uniform energy distribution across the entire substrate surface
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 solution provides uniform electron exposure to substrates of different shapes, including strand-like and molded parts, in a single treatment pass, enhancing efficiency and reducing equipment complexity and costs compared to prior art.
Implementation Method 1
electrons must first be released in a vacuum, then accelerated and finally decoupled into the treatment zone through a beam exit window
Implementation Method 2
heated thermionic cathode
Implementation Method 3
A ring-shaped device for generating accelerated electrons is disclosed in DE 10 2013 111 650 B3, in which all the essential components, such as the cathode, anode and electron exit window, are ring-shaped, so that such a device can be used to form a ring-shaped electron beam in which the accelerated electrons move towards the inside of the ring
Implementation Method 4
A ring-shaped device generates accelerated electrons that can be directed inward, allowing substrates to be exposed to electrons over their entire circumference in a single pass, with a ring-shaped plasma chamber and electron exit window
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for generating accelerated electrons, comprising a housing (101), which delimits an evacuable space (102a; 102b) and has an electron exit window (104); an inlet for supplying a working gas into the evacuable space (102); at least one first cathode (105a; 105b) and at least one first anode (101), between which a corona discharge plasma (106) can be generated in the evacuable space (102a) by means of a first applied electric voltage, wherein ions from the corona discharge plasma (106) can be accelerated onto the surface (110) of a second cathode (107) and electrons emitted by the second cathode (107) can be accelerated in the direction of the electron exit window (104) by means of a second electric voltage applied between the second cathode (107) and a second anode (108), wherein the housing (101), the second cathode (107), and the electron exit window (104) are ring-shaped, and wherein the surface perpendiculars of the electron exit window (104) and of the surface region (110) of the second cathode (107) from which the electrons are emitted are oriented towards the ring interior of the ring-shaped housing (101). Furthermore, the ring-shaped space (102a) is divided into ring segments (113) by means of walls (112), wherein each ring segment (113) has at least one wire-shaped electrode (111), which extends through the ring segment (113) and at least one separate power supply device is associated with each ring segment (113), by means of which the strength of the electrical current, which flows through the at least one electrode (213) of a respective ring segment, is adjustable.