Toroidal Low-Energy Electron Sterilization for Full-Surface Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sterilization methods such as steam, ethylene oxide, X-ray, Gamma irradiation, and high energy electron beam face challenges including damage to heat-sensitive materials, toxicity, high radiation risks, and logistical complexities, making them inefficient and costly for sterilizing objects in open environments.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization device using a toroidal housing with a thermionic cathode, anode grid, and anode wire generates a spray of accelerated electrons that sterilize objects from all sides and inside without requiring multiple beam emitters, utilizing low energy electron beams that are safer and more efficient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sterilization methods (steam, ethylene oxide, X-ray, Gamma irradiation, high energy electron beam) are used, then sterilization effectiveness is achieved, but damage to heat-sensitive materials, toxicity, high radiation risks, and heavy protection barriers are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energy parameter of the electron beam from high energy to low energy (accelerating voltage of 1-100 kV, preferably 5-50 kV). This parameter change allows the electrons to have sufficient sterilization capability while lacking the penetration power that causes damage to heat-sensitive materials and requires heavy protection barriers. The low energy electrons are absorbed within millimeters of the surface, eliminating radiation risks and toxicity associated with conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional high energy electron beam system with a low energy electron beam system. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy protection barriers and complex safety infrastructure while maintaining sterilization effectiveness. The low energy electrons are generated by simple accelerating structures rather than complex high energy particle accelerators.
2Reliability
If multiple beam emitters are used to sterilize objects from all sides, then complete sterilization coverage is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a toroidal (doughnut-shaped) housing with the cathode and anode arranged in a curved configuration. This spherical/curved geometry allows the electron beam to be emitted in multiple directions simultaneously, sterilizing the object from all sides including internal surfaces in a single pass. The curved electrode arrangement naturally directs electrons toward the central cavity where the object is placed, eliminating the need for multiple separate beam emitters.
Solution Approach 2:
The single toroidal electron beam generator performs multiple functions: it sterilizes external surfaces, internal surfaces, and cavities of the object simultaneously. The curved electrode design allows the beam to wrap around and treat all surfaces of the object in one operation, making the device universally applicable to various object shapes and sizes without requiring additional emitters.
3Productivity
If high energy electron beam is used, then sterilization speed is fast, but heavy protection barriers and complex safety measures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the accelerating voltage from high energy levels (MeV range) to low energy levels (1-100 kV). This parameter change maintains the fast sterilization speed because the low energy electrons still have sufficient kinetic energy to inactivate microorganisms upon impact, but they are absorbed within millimeters of the surface rather than penetrating deeply. This eliminates the need for heavy protection barriers while preserving productivity.
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 device efficiently sterilizes objects from all sides and inside in a short time, reducing the need for heavy protection barriers, minimizing environmental impact, and lowering operational costs compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a thermionic cathode to release one or more primary electrons
Implementation Method 2
an anode grid to attract and accelerate the one or more primary electrons to obtain accelerated primary electrons
Implementation Method 3
electrons released from a gas plasma discharge within the toroidal housing
Implementation Method 4
The anode wire is to accelerate the one or more additional electrons and the accelerated primary electrons to create a spray of accelerated electrons
Implementation Method 5
The spray of accelerated electrons is to collide with at least one surface of the object to sterilize the object
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A
AI summary
A sterilization device (102) has been disclosed. The sterilization device (102) comprises a toroidal housing (104) having an outer wall (106), an inner wall (108), and a central cavity (302) to receive an object (306) to be sterilized. The toroidal housing (104) comprises a thermionic cathode (110) to release primary electrons, an anode grid (112) to attract and accelerate the primary electrons to obtain accelerated primary electrons, and an anode wire (114) to pull additional electrons released from a gas plasma discharge within the toroidal housing (104). The anode wire (114) accelerates the additional electrons and the accelerated primary electrons to create a spray of accelerated electrons (308) that is released through the inner wall (108). The spray of accelerated electrons (308) collides with the object (306) to sterilize the object (306).