X-ray Cathode Filament Vanadium Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing X-ray cathode filaments face challenges in maintaining mechanically stable and good electrical contact at high temperatures due to the connection between the W-based heating filament and refractory metal or alloy mounting pins, which is critical for applications like MOCVD and high-temperature heating structures.

Innovation Solution

The use of vanadium or a V-based alloy as a filler material to connect the W-based heating filament wire end sections to high-melting metal or alloy mounting pins, providing a stable and electrically conductive bond through a receptacle design that allows for localized melting and diffusion, enhancing the connection's high-temperature stability and avoiding intermetallic phase formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional joining methods (spot welding, soldering) are used to connect W-based heating filament to high-melting-point metal mounting pins, then mechanical attachment is achieved, but mechanical stability and electrical contact deteriorate at high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating temperatureVSAvoidmechanical stability and electrical contact
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A filler material made of V or V-based alloy is introduced as an intermediary substance between the W-based heating filament and the high-melting-point metal mounting pins. This filler material forms a metallurgical bond with both components, serving as a mediator that enables reliable connection at high temperatures where direct joining methods fail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection structure is designed as a composite system comprising three materials: the W-based heating filament, the V or V-based alloy filler material, and the high-melting-point metal mounting pins. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of each material to achieve mechanical stability and electrical conductivity at high operating temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If high-melting-point metals are used for mounting pins to withstand high temperatures, then temperature resistance is improved, but joining difficulty increases due to material incompatibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature resistanceVSAvoidjoining difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The V or V-based alloy filler material acts as an intermediary that is metallurgically compatible with both the W-based heating filament and the high-melting-point metal mounting pins. This intermediary enables the joining of two incompatible materials by forming intermediate metallurgical bonds that would not be possible through direct joining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional filler materials are used for joining, then joining process is simplified, but intermetallic phase formation occurs reducing connection stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoining process simplicityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The selection of V or V-based alloy as filler material represents a specific parameter change in the joining process. Vanadium's unique properties - including its melting point, reactivity characteristics, and ability to form stable bonds with both W and high-melting-point metals - are leveraged to prevent intermetallic phase formation while maintaining connection stability at high temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ensures a mechanically stable and electrically reliable connection at high temperatures, offering advantages in terms of lower joining temperature, higher melting point, reduced vapor pressure, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with high-vacuum environments, while preventing intermetallic phase formation that can reduce stability.

Implementation Method 1

the additive material obtained after subsequent cooling is metallurgically bonded to the wire end section and to the retaining pin... Heating at least a part of the initial additive material in such a way that the additive material obtained after subsequent cooling is metallurgically bonded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

the additive material obtained after subsequent cooling is metallurgically bonded to the wire end section and to the retaining pin, thus obtaining a metallurgical bond between the retaining pin and the wire end section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMetallurgical bonding: Welding

Implementation Method 3

providing a stable and electrically conductive bond through a receptacle design that allows for localized melting and diffusion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP2965341B1X-ray cathode filament
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 PLANSEE SE
  • EP2965341B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2965341B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a filament, particularly an x-ray cathode filament (2), having at least one emitter or heating filament (4) made from a W-based material with projecting wire end sections (6, 8) and mounting pins (12, 14) made from a high melting point metal or a high melting point alloy, each associated with a respective wire end section (6, 8) in order to fix and electrically contact the wire end sections (6, 8). The invention further relates to a corresponding production method. At least one mounting pin (12, 14) has a receptacle (18) on the end face thereof, in which a wire end section (6, 8) is received and is materially bonded to the mounting pin (12, 14) inside the receptacle (18). The material bond is produced via an additional material made from V or a V-based alloy, which is materially bonded to the wire end section (6, 8) and materially bonded to the mounting pin (12, 14).