X-ray Tube Anode Thermal Load Distribution via Dynamic Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed X-ray ON/OFF control and modulation in X-ray computed tomography apparatuses lead to temperature nonuniformity and potential local damage to the anode, causing roughening and nonuniform X-ray dose due to thermoelectron collisions concentrated on specific portions during rapid rotation.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray controller adjusts the rotor rotation period to ensure that thermoelectron collision ranges shift and distribute uniformly across the anode's surface, preventing localized damage by synchronizing the X-ray intensity switching period with the rotor rotation period, thereby altering the thermoelectron collision patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high-speed X-ray ON/OFF control and modulation are implemented by controlling bias voltage during anode rotation, then X-ray intensity switching speed is improved, but temperature nonuniformity and local damage to the anode worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention dynamically adjusts the anode rotation speed to be non-constant during operation. By varying the rotation speed, the electron beam impact positions shift across different anode regions, preventing concentration of thermal load on specific areas while maintaining high-speed X-ray modulation capability through bias voltage control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by introducing variable rotation speed as an additional control parameter. Instead of maintaining fixed rotation speed, the system modulates rotation speed alongside bias voltage to achieve both high-speed X-ray switching and uniform heat distribution across the anode surface.
2Manufacturing precision
If electron beams bombard limited portions of the anode during high-speed switching, then X-ray ON/OFF control precision is improved, but anode roughening and discharge risk worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic rotation speed variation to shift electron beam impact zones. During high-speed X-ray switching operations, the rotation speed is adjusted so that successive electron beam pulses strike different portions of the anode, distributing thermal stress and preventing localized degradation that would lead to roughening and discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements periodic modulation of rotation speed in conjunction with X-ray switching cycles. This periodic variation ensures that after a certain number of switching cycles, the electron beam returns to original impact positions, allowing thermal diffusion and preventing continuous concentration on single spots, thereby maintaining anode integrity.
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 solution effectively reduces anode damage, prevents roughening, and ensures uniform X-ray dose distribution by uniformly distributing thermoelectron collisions across the anode's surface during rotation, enhancing the longevity and performance of the X-ray tube.
Implementation Method 1
a cathode configured to generate a thermoelectron
Implementation Method 2
an anode configured to generate an X-ray upon receiving the thermoelectron generated by the cathode
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, Switching units are configured to switch the intensity of X-rays to be generated by an anode. An X-ray controller controls the switching units to switch the intensity of the X-rays to be generated by the anode, and controls a rotor control power generator to rotate the anode. When a value approximately equal to an integer multiple of an X-ray intensity switching period designated by a user coincides with the rotor rotation period, the X-ray controller controls the rotor control power generator to shift the thermoelectron collision ranges of the anode in the first turn from thermoelectron collision ranges in the second turn.