X-ray Generator Protrusion for Creepage Prevention and Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray generator configurations, where a wall portion surrounds the region between the X-ray tube's valve portion and the insulating block, can hinder insulating oil circulation, leading to deteriorated cooling efficiency due to potential creepage discharging.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray generator design featuring a protrusion portion on the insulating block surface surrounding the high-voltage power supply unit, which conceals the boundary portion from the X-ray tube accommodation portion and extends the creepage distance, preventing discharging while allowing oil circulation, with a surface shape that avoids corner concentrations of electric fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wall portion is formed to surround the region between the valve portion and the insulating block, then creepage discharging is curbed, but insulating oil circulation is hindered and cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a 2D planar wall portion to a 3D protrusion structure that extends in the tube axis direction. This dimensional change allows the protrusion to provide creepage prevention in the radial direction while its limited extent in the tube axis direction (apex separated from the imaginary plane) prevents obstruction of oil circulation pathways, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and cooling efficiency.
2Reliability
If a wall portion surrounds the high-voltage application portion, then discharging is curbed, but oil circulation is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion portion is designed with non-uniform geometry, having a larger cross-section at the base and tapering toward the apex. This local quality variation allows the protrusion to effectively shield the high-voltage application portion where discharging risk is highest, while the tapered apex minimizes obstruction to oil circulation in the regions where cooling is most critical.
3Ease of manufacture
If the insulating block surface is made flat, then manufacturing is simple, but creepage distance is short and discharging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating block surface is segmented into multiple levels: a flat base surface for manufacturing simplicity, and one or more protrusion portions that create stepped regions. This segmentation provides extended creepage distance and discharging prevention while maintaining the simplicity of manufacturing the base surface, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
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 design effectively curbs creepage discharging on the insulating block while maintaining the cooling efficiency of the X-ray tube by ensuring smooth oil circulation and shielding potential discharge paths.
Implementation Method 1
insulating oil which has come into contact with a high-voltage application portion of the X-ray tube and heated
Implementation Method 2
a creepage distance on the surface of the insulating block can be lengthened by providing the protrusion portion on the surface of the insulating block. Accordingly, creepage discharging on the surface of the insulating block can be curbed
Implementation Method 3
circulation of insulating oil inside an X-ray tube accommodation portion may be hindered by the wall portion
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray generator includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray tube accommodation portion, and a power source unit having an internal substrate supplying a voltage to the X-ray tube sealed inside an insulating block. Insulating oil is enclosed in a space defined by an upper surface of the insulating block and an inner surface of the X-ray tube accommodation portion. A high-voltage power supply unit connected to a target support portion is disposed on the upper surface. At least one protrusion portion protruding to an insulating valve side beyond a boundary portion where the high-voltage power supply unit, the upper surface, and the insulating oil meet and surrounding the high-voltage power supply unit is provided on the upper surface. An apex portion of the protrusion portion is separated from an imaginary plane including an end portion of the insulating valve and extending in a direction orthogonal to a tube axis.