X-ray Source Driving Method for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray sources face limitations in achieving high X-ray doses without overheating the anode target, which can lead to damage and compromised image quality due to thermal constraints and rotational limitations.
Innovation Solution
A method for driving an X-ray source using short pulses with a duty cycle of 0.4 to 0.6, where the electron beam is applied for a pulse time and idled for an idle time, both shorter than the main pulse duration, to control temperature increases and prevent the electron beam irradiation surface from exceeding the melting point of the anode target, utilizing materials like copper or tungsten with high thermal diffusivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the electron beam power is increased to achieve high X-ray dose, then the X-ray dose requirement is met, but the anode target temperature exceeds the melting point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed driving instead of continuous electron beam irradiation. The electron beam is applied in pulses with a duty cycle of 0.4 to 0.6, where each pulse includes an acceleration period and a deceleration period. This periodic action allows the anode target temperature to rise during acceleration and fall during deceleration, preventing temperature from exceeding the melting point while still achieving the required X-ray dose through repeated pulsing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of electron beam application by controlling the duty cycle (0.4 to 0.6), pulse width, and frequency. By adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes the balance between delivering sufficient X-ray dose and allowing adequate cooling time for the anode target, thereby preventing thermal damage.
2Temperature
If the anode target rotates to disperse heat, then the thermal limit is overcome, but the X-ray image quality is lowered by rotational vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotational movement from the anode target system entirely. Instead of rotating the anode to disperse heat, the system uses stationary anode targets with pulsed electron beam irradiation. The heat management is achieved through temporal control of energy input rather than spatial redistribution through rotation, thereby eliminating rotational vibrations that would degrade image quality.
3Productivity
If the electron beam is applied continuously to meet X-ray dose requirements, then the productivity is improved, but the anode target cannot be cooled sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed driving with a duty cycle of 0.4 to 0.6, creating alternating periods of electron beam application (acceleration) and no beam application (deceleration/cooling). This ensures that during each cycle, the anode target receives sufficient energy for X-ray generation while also having adequate time to dissipate heat, maintaining thermal safety without compromising overall productivity through repeated cycles.
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 approach allows for high X-ray dose delivery while preventing the anode target temperature from exceeding the melting point, maintaining image quality and avoiding device damage, without enlarging the X-ray source size.
Implementation Method 1
an electron source provided on the cathode electrode and configured to emit an electron beam
Implementation Method 2
an anode target including an electron beam irradiation surface with the electron beam irradiated thereto
Implementation Method 3
an anode target surface is heated by an accelerated electron beam reaching an anode target
Implementation Method 4
utilizing materials like copper or tungsten with high thermal diffusivity
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for driving an X-ray source, which includes a cathode electrode, an electron source provided on the cathode electrode and configured to emit an electron beam, and an anode target including an electron beam irradiation surface with the electron beam irradiated thereto, the method including providing the electron beam in a plurality of main pulses, wherein each of the main pulses includes a plurality of short pulses having an idle time and a pulse time, and each of the idle time and the pulse time is shorter than a duration time of the main pulse, wherein applying the plurality of short pulses comprises irradiating the electron beam from the electron source towards the electron beam irradiation surface during the pulse time; and idling the electron beam during the idle time, wherein a duty cycle of the short pulse is 0.4 to 0.6, which is obtained by dividing the idle time by a sum of the pulse time and the idle time.