Standing Wave Electron Linear Accelerator with Phase Shifter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging technologies lack an efficient and cost-effective X-ray source capable of producing X-rays within the energy range of 0.5MeV to 2MeV, which is crucial for high-quality imaging, as existing X-ray tubes and linear accelerators have complex structures, high costs, and limited energy adjustment capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A standing wave electron linear accelerating apparatus with a single-periodic structure and on-axis magnetic coupling between cavities, utilizing a phase shifter to adjust the energy of electron beams between 0.5MeV and 2MeV, and a rotatable target with a corrugated pipe to maximize X-ray power, ensuring compactness, high efficiency, and easy implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an X-ray tube is used to generate X-rays with energy up to 600keV, then the imaging quality is improved, but the producing cost increases quickly and the energy range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from static (X-ray tube) to dynamic (adjustable accelerator energy), enabling continuous energy adjustment from 0.5MeV to 2MeV to optimize imaging quality while controlling costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic energy adjustment mechanism using phase shifters and movable coupling structures, allowing the accelerator to adapt energy output continuously rather than being fixed, thus resolving the contradiction between imaging quality and cost
2Use of energy by moving object
If an electron linear accelerator is used to generate X-rays with energy higher than 2MeV, then the energy range is expanded, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes to achieve continuous energy adjustment within 0.5-2MeV range by modifying the phase difference between accelerating structures, providing the needed energy range without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the accelerating structure into multiple cavities with independent phase control, allowing flexible energy adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure compared to conventional accelerators
3Power
If the accelerating gradient is increased to improve energy gain, then the energy output is improved, but the energy dispersion increases and beam quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic phase adjustment between different accelerating cavities to optimize the accelerating gradient while maintaining beam quality, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different phase relationships to different cavities along the beam path, optimizing the accelerating gradient in each region to balance energy gain and beam quality requirements
4Volume of moving object
If a standing wave accelerator with two interlaced side-coupled substructures is used to achieve compact structure, then the device size is reduced, but the structure becomes too complex to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the accelerating structure into identical or similar cavity units that can be manufactured separately and assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving compact overall size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses homogeneous cavity designs with standardized dimensions and coupling structures, making the system easier to manufacture and assemble compared to heterogeneous complex structures
5Device complexity
If perturbation sticks are added to adjust microwave phase difference for energy adjustment, then the structure simplicity is maintained, but the energy adjustment range becomes limited and operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces movable coupling structures that can be dynamically adjusted to change the phase difference between cavities, significantly expanding the energy adjustment range while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses movable coupling structures as intermediaries between cavities to control the phase relationship, providing a simple yet effective mechanism for wide energy range adjustment
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 apparatus provides continuously adjustable electron beams with stable energy and high imaging quality, reducing the complexity and cost of the accelerating structure while achieving optimal X-ray output for medical imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave power source configured to generate a microwave power
Implementation Method 2
a phase shifter configured to adjust a phase of the microwave power
Implementation Method 3
electron beams generated from an electron gun are accelerated by cascaded first accelerating tube and second accelerating tube
Implementation Method 4
The accelerated electron beams with the energy within a predetermined energy range are converted into X-rays with a corresponding X-ray energy range by a target
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3(b)
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A standing wave electron linear accelerating apparatus and a method thereof are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an electron gun configured to generate electron beams; a pulse power source configured to provide a primary pulse power signal; a power divider coupled downstream from the pulse power source and configured to divide the primary pulse power signal outputted from the pulse power source into a first pulse power signal and a second pulse power signal; a first accelerating tube configured to accelerating the electron beams with the first pulse power signal; a second accelerating tube configured to accelerate the electron beams with the second pulse power signal; a phase shifter configured to continuously adjust a phase difference between the first pulse power signal and the second pulse power signal so as to generate accelerated electron beams with continuously adjustable energy at output of the second accelerating tube.