Silver-Carbon Adhesive X-Ray Window for Hermetic Conductive Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing x-ray windows face challenges in achieving a balance of low gas permeability, high strength, low visible and infrared light transmission, high x-ray flux, corrosion resistance, reliability, cost-effectiveness, thermal durability, and compatibility, while maintaining a hermetic seal and electrical conductivity, especially when subjected to differential pressures and temperature fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
The x-ray window design incorporates a thin film mounted by an adhesive to a housing, where the adhesive is composed of a combination of materials such as silver, carbon, graphene, epoxy resin, methyl-5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride, glycerol, trimellitic anhydride, and imidazole, which provides a hermetic seal, high electrical conductivity, and mechanical strength, while optimizing weight percentages for balanced properties like thermal conductivity and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hermetic seal is implemented using traditional adhesives, then gas permeability is reduced, but electrical conductivity and mechanical strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite adhesive material containing silver particles (for electrical conductivity), carbon particles (for mechanical strength and conductivity), and epoxy resin matrix (for hermetic sealing and structural integrity). This composite formulation simultaneously achieves hermetic seal, electrical conductivity, and mechanical strength by combining materials with complementary properties.
2Reliability
If low atomic number materials are used for high x-ray transmission, then x-ray flux is improved, but structural strength and durability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an amorphous carbon thin film that is sufficiently thin to transmit low-energy x-rays effectively while being strong enough to withstand differential pressures. The thin film structure allows x-ray photons to pass through with minimal attenuation while maintaining structural integrity through optimized thickness and material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The x-ray window uses a composite structure combining amorphous carbon thin film with adhesive materials containing silver and carbon particles. This composite approach allows the thin film to provide x-ray transmission while the adhesive composite provides structural support and mechanical strength.
3Reliability
If thin films are used to reduce weight and improve transmission, then x-ray flux and weight are improved, but mechanical strength and vacuum withstanding capability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite adhesive system containing silver particles, carbon particles, and epoxy resin that bonds the thin film to the housing. This composite adhesive provides both mechanical strength to support the thin film under differential pressure and electrical conductivity for charge dissipation, while allowing the thin film to remain thin for optimal x-ray transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the thickness of the amorphous carbon film to balance x-ray transmission and mechanical strength. By controlling the film thickness parameter, the design achieves sufficient transparency to low-energy x-rays while maintaining adequate strength to withstand vacuum differential pressures when bonded with the adhesive composite.
4Reliability
If high electrical conductivity materials are used, then electrical conductivity is improved, but visible and infrared light transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses silver and carbon particles distributed locally within the adhesive material at the bonding interface, rather than using a continuous metallic layer. This localized incorporation provides sufficient electrical conductivity for charge dissipation while the adhesive matrix and particle distribution minimize visible and infrared light transmission by scattering and absorbing photons.
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 configuration results in an x-ray window that effectively transmits low-energy x-rays, withstands high temperatures, and maintains a reliable vacuum, ensuring high reliability and durability while reducing costs, with improved mechanical and electrical properties.
Implementation Method 1
X-ray windows are designed to transmit a high percent of x-rays, even low energy x-rays
Implementation Method 2
high electrical conductivity. Each x-ray window design is a balance between these characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
An x-ray window comprises a housing with a flange encircling an aperture. A thin film is located on the flange and spans the aperture. An adhesive is between an outer ring of the thin film and the flange. The adhesive mounts the thin film to the housing. The adhesive comprises silver and carbon.