X-ray Generator Adjustable Collimation Integration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional X-ray generators have complex and inefficient designs with non-adjustable X-ray beams and inadequate cooling systems, making them bulky, difficult to maintain, and prone to leakage, which hinders miniaturization and modularization in security detection and medical applications.

Innovation Solution

An X-ray generator with a monolithic construction integrating an X-ray source, high voltage generator, collimation adjustment unit, and independent cooling unit, featuring a rotary Tungsten ring for beam adjustment and a heat tube cooling system with thermal conduction and silent fan for efficient heat dissipation, ensuring compactness, adjustability, and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional independent parts with cables and pipes are used, then each component can be manufactured separately, but the device occupies large space and has high complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent component manufacturingVSAvoidNumber of intermediate parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the high voltage generator, X-ray tube, and cooling unit into a single integrated housing structure. The high voltage generator is disposed within the housing that also contains the X-ray tube, and the cooling unit is coupled to the housing to provide cooling. This merging eliminates numerous cables and pipes connecting separate components, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If fan-type X-ray beams are emitted, then the coverage area is large, but the beams cannot be adjusted and require complicated adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveX-ray beam coverage areaVSAvoidBeam adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a collimator assembly with collimator leaves that can be adjusted to dynamically control the X-ray beam shape and direction. The collimator leaves are movable and can be positioned to restrict or shape the fan-type beams as needed, providing adjustable beam coverage area and direction without requiring complex external adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Temperature

If circulating oil cooling or circulating water cooling is used, then heat dissipation effectiveness is high, but the system is susceptible to leakage and inconvenient in application

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHeat dissipation effectivenessVSAvoidLeakage susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the circulating fluid cooling system (oil or water) with a solid-state heat dissipation system. The cooling unit includes a heat sink with heat dissipation fins and a cooling fan that forces air flow over the fins. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for circulating fluids, removing leakage risks while maintaining effective heat dissipation through forced convection air cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of manufacture

If multiple independent components are used, then each component can be optimized independently, but miniaturization cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveComponent optimizationVSAvoidSystem size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested arrangement where the high voltage generator is disposed within the housing that also contains the X-ray tube, and the collimator assembly is integrated within the housing structure. The cooling unit is coupled to the housing and provides cooling to the nested components. This nesting allows each component to be optimized independently while achieving compact miniaturization through space-efficient arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 miniaturization, modularization, and high efficiency in X-ray radiation imaging by allowing adjustable pencil-type X-ray beams and effective cooling, reducing system faults and improving image resolution while preventing leakage and maintaining safety standards.

Implementation Method 1

a heat tube cooling system with thermal conduction and silent fan for efficient heat dissipation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

heat tube cooling system with thermal conduction and silent fan for efficient heat dissipation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Heat Pipe

Implementation Method 3

a silent fan, which is disposed above the heat radiating fins

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

an X-ray tube having a cathode and anode and a front collimator; a high voltage generator, which is disposed in an extended chamber of a housing for the X-ray tube and which is used for supplying a direct current high voltage between the cathode and the anode of the X-ray tube to excite X-ray beams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray generation: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP2953136B1X-ray generator with adjustable collimation
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 NUCTECH CO LTD
  • EP2953136B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2953136B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2953136B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an X-ray generator with adjustable collimation. The X-ray generator comprises: an assembly of X-ray source, which includes an X-ray tube (203) having a cathode and an anode and a front collimator (302); a high voltage generator (100), which is disposed in an extended chamber of a housing for the X-ray tube and which is used for supplying a direct current high voltage between the cathode and the anode of the X-ray tube to excite X-ray beams; a collimation adjustment unit (301), which is rotatably disposed outside of the front collimator and which is used for adjusting fan-type X-ray beams into continuous pencil-type X-ray beams; and a cooling unit (401, 402, 403), which is independently mounted to the X-ray tube and which is used for cooling the anode of the X-ray tube; wherein, the assembly of X-ray source, the high voltage generator, the collimation adjustment unit and the cooling unit are integrated as a whole. The X-ray generator with adjustable collimation according to the disclosure has a compact construction, which is helpful in miniaturization, modularization and high efficiency of a security detection equipment.