Shielding Electrode Captures Conductive Particles in X-ray Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electron accelerators for x-ray generators suffer from the buildup of conductive particles on insulating surfaces, which alters the electric field and degrades the performance by affecting the focus of the electron beam, leading to inconsistent x-ray photon generation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a shielding electrode shaped to capture conductive particles emitted by the cathode, which also functions as an electron optics lens to maintain a focused electron beam and prevent particle buildup on insulators, ensuring a stable electric field and consistent x-ray production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional cathode is used in the electron accelerator, then electrons are emitted for x-ray generation, but conductive particles are also emitted and build up on insulating surfaces, altering the electric field and degrading beam focus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful conductive particles from the system by introducing a shielding electrode that captures particles before they reach the insulating surfaces. The shielding electrode is positioned to intercept particle trajectories and provide a conductive collection surface, separating the harmful particle removal function from the main electron acceleration function.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding electrode serves as an intermediary element between the cathode and the insulating surfaces. It mediates the particle emission problem by providing a dedicated collection point for conductive particles, preventing them from contaminating the insulating surfaces while allowing the electric field to remain stable and the electron beam to maintain consistent focus.
2Strength
If insulating surfaces are placed inside the electron accelerator, then electrical insulation is provided, but conductive particle buildup on these surfaces alters the electric field characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the source of electric field distortion by extracting conductive particles from the system before they can deposit on insulating surfaces. The shielding electrode captures particles in flight, preventing their accumulation on insulating surfaces and thereby maintaining stable electric field characteristics throughout the accelerator.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding electrode performs preliminary anti-action by intercepting and capturing conductive particles before they can reach and contaminate the insulating surfaces. This preventive measure stops the harmful process of particle buildup before it can alter the electric field, maintaining insulation effectiveness without field distortion.
3Manufacturing precision
If the electron beam focus point is altered due to particle buildup, then the beam may not strike the intended target portion, but adding shielding components increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding electrode performs multiple functions simultaneously: it shields insulating surfaces from particle contamination, collects conductive particles, and maintains electric field stability for accurate beam focusing. This multi-functionality achieves beam target accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity, as one component accomplishes several protective and stabilizing roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding electrode acts as an intermediary structure that resolves the conflict between beam accuracy and device simplicity. By positioning this single component to intercept particles, it prevents focus drift and maintains target accuracy without requiring complex active control systems or multiple adjustment mechanisms, thus adding minimal 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 effectively reduces conductive particle buildup on insulators, maintaining a stable electric field and delivering a tightly focused electron beam to the target, enhancing the consistency and performance of the x-ray generator.
Implementation Method 1
The emitter cathode and the at least one shielding electrode may have a voltage difference therebetween such that an electric field generated in the housing accelerates electrons emitted by the emitter cathode to toward the target
Implementation Method 2
an emitter cathode carried may be within the housing and may emit electrons and undesirable conductive particles
Implementation Method 3
The at least one shielding electrode may be shaped to capture the undesirable conductive particles emitted by the emitter cathode that would otherwise strike the insulator
Implementation Method 4
The electron accelerator accelerates electrons toward the target at a speed sufficient such that, when the electrons are stopped by the target (which is sufficiently thick such that it can stop all electrons striking it), x-ray photons are produced, for example by Bremsstrahlung radiation
Data Source
AI summary
An x-ray generator includes a voltage source and a voltage divider network coupled thereto, a housing, and an insulator carried within the housing. An emitter cathode is carried within the housing and emits electrons and undesirable conductive particles. In addition, there is a shielding electrode carried within the housing downstream of the emitter cathode and coupled to the voltage divider network. A target is carried within the housing downstream of the at least one shielding electrode. The voltage divider is configured so that the emitter cathode and the shielding electrode have a voltage difference therebetween such that an electric field generated in the housing accelerates electrons emitted by the emitter cathode to toward the target. The shielding electrode is shaped to capture the undesirable conductive particles emitted by the emitter cathode that would otherwise strike the insulator.