Liquid Target X-ray Source Mixing Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray sources with liquid targets suffer from degradation due to contaminant deposition, leading to reduced efficiency and maintenance needs, as debris and vapor from the liquid jet accumulate on the window and cathode.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray source with a mixing tool that induces mixing of the liquid jet downstream of the interaction region to control the maximum surface temperature below a threshold, reducing vaporization and contamination by adding additional liquid or promoting internal mixing to dissipate heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the electron beam interacts with the liquid jet to generate X-ray radiation, then X-ray production efficiency is improved, but the liquid jet surface temperature increases causing vaporization and contaminant deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful heat from the liquid jet by introducing a separate cooling liquid flow that carries away excess thermal energy. The cooling liquid is introduced downstream of the interaction region, absorbs heat from the heated liquid jet, and removes it from the system, thereby preventing vaporization and contaminant deposition while maintaining efficient X-ray production
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cooling liquid as an intermediary substance between the heated liquid jet and the environment. This cooling liquid acts as a heat transfer medium that absorbs thermal energy from the liquid jet through thermal conduction and convection, preventing the liquid jet from reaching temperatures that cause vaporization and contamination
2Object-generated harmful factors
If additional cooling measures are applied to reduce liquid jet temperature, then contaminant deposition is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service cooling approach where the cooling liquid is drawn from the same liquid reservoir that supplies the main liquid jet. This creates a self-regulating system where the cooling fluid is automatically replenished from the reservoir, eliminating the need for separate cooling fluid storage and replenishment systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective temperature control
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 extends the useful life of the X-ray source and reduces maintenance intervals by minimizing contaminant deposition, maintaining system efficiency through controlled temperature management.
Implementation Method 1
an electron source adapted to provide an electron beam directed towards the interaction region such that the electron beam interacts with the liquid jet to generate X-ray radiation
Implementation Method 2
the mixing tool is adapted to induce mixing of the liquid jet at a distance downstream of the interaction region such that a maximum surface temperature of the liquid jet downstream of the interaction region is below a threshold temperature
Implementation Method 3
portions of the jet that are heated by the interaction between the liquid and the electron beam may be cooled by other, less heated or cooler portions of the jet
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray source and a corresponding method for generating X-ray radiation are disclosed. The X-ray source includes a target generator, an electron source and a mixing tool. The target generator is adapted to form a liquid jet propagating through an interaction region, whereas the electron source is adapted to provide an electron beam directed towards the interaction region such that the electron beam interacts with the liquid jet to generate X-ray radiation. The mixing tool is adapted to induce mixing of the liquid jet at a distance downstream of the interaction region such that a maximum surface temperature of the liquid jet is below a threshold temperature. By controlling the maximum surface temperature, vaporisation, and thus the amount of contaminations originating from the jet, may be reduced.