Superconducting Cyclotron Magnet Coils for Foil-Less Proton Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing isochronous cyclotrons face challenges in generating proton beams with high current and fixed energy due to the short service life of carbon foils, which limits their application in neutron capture therapy, particularly in boron neutron capture therapy, as they require frequent replacements and increase treatment time.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting electromagnet component comprising a superconducting main coil, trim coil group, and focusing coil group without iron cores, which allows for stable generation of high-current proton beams by eliminating the need for carbon foils and enabling isochronous gyration motion and spontaneous extraction of charged particles at specific kinetic energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional electromagnets with iron cores are used, then the magnetic field can be generated, but the device becomes heavy and the service life is limited due to carbon foil degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the iron core from the electromagnet structure, extracting the heavy magnetic shielding material while maintaining the magnetic field generation capability through superconducting coils alone. This extraction principle directly resolves the contradiction by eliminating the weight source while preserving the essential magnetic field function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the electromagnet by using superconducting materials that operate at cryogenic temperatures, enabling the coils to carry high currents without resistance. This parameter change allows the generation of strong magnetic fields without requiring heavy iron cores, thus reducing weight while extending service life through stable operation.
2Productivity
If carbon foils are used for proton beam generation, then the cyclotron can operate, but frequent replacements are needed which increases treatment time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the use of disposable carbon foils entirely by implementing a foil-less proton source design using superconducting electromagnets. This removes the need for frequent component replacements, directly improving productivity by extending the operational duration without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The superconducting electromagnet system enables continuous operation of the cyclotron without the interruptions required for carbon foil replacement. The system maintains stable proton beam generation over extended periods, ensuring continuous useful action and reducing total treatment time.
3Power
If high current proton beams are generated, then neutron capture therapy effectiveness improves, but carbon foil service life decreases rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using superconducting coils that can sustain high currents without thermal degradation. This enables the generation of high-power proton beams required for effective neutron capture therapy while maintaining component durability, as the superconducting materials operate efficiently at cryogenic temperatures even under high current loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite superconducting coil structures that combine multiple materials with complementary properties to achieve both high current carrying capacity and long-term stability. These composite structures enable sustained high-power operation without the rapid degradation experienced by conventional carbon foil systems.
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 enables the stable production of high-current proton beams, extending the service life of the cyclotron components, reducing treatment time, and enhancing the applicability of neutron capture therapy equipment while maintaining a lightweight design.
Implementation Method 1
a superconducting main coil, a superconducting trim coil group, and a superconducting focusing coil group
Implementation Method 2
The superconducting main coil is disposed around the central axis... for accelerating a particle beam
Implementation Method 3
a superconducting trim coil group... disposed in the superconducting main coil around the central axis
Implementation Method 4
The superconducting trim coil group includes an upper trim coil group and a lower trim coil group
Implementation Method 5
a superconducting focusing coil group... disposed on a side of the superconducting trim coil group away from the median plane
Implementation Method 6
Each of the first focusing coils has a first fan-shaped structure... current directions of two adjacent first focusing coils are opposite
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A superconducting electromagnet component is provided. The superconducting electromagnet component includes a superconducting main coil, a superconducting trim coil group, and a superconducting focusing coil group. The superconducting main coil is disposed around the central axis and includes a median plane. The superconducting trim coil group is disposed in the superconducting main coil around the central axis. The superconducting focusing coil group is disposed on the superconducting trim coil group and includes first focusing coils and second focusing coils. The first focusing coils have a first fan-shaped structure and are disposed side by side around the central axis, and the current directions of two adjacent first focusing coils are opposite. The second focusing coils have a second fan-shaped structure and are correspondingly disposed in the first focusing coils, and the current directions of two adjacent second focusing coils are opposite.