X-ray Tube Target Shifting Mechanism for FOD Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray tubes face challenges in shifting the target while maintaining airtightness and reducing the focus-to-object distance (FOD) to enhance geometrical magnification during imaging, as the target's movement can lead to decreased X-ray dose and increased FOD due to the need for sealing and alignment with the X-ray emission window.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray tube design featuring a vacuum housing with a target unit, an elastic member to press the target close to the X-ray emission window, and a target shift unit that allows the target to be moved in a direction perpendicular to the electron beam incidence, while maintaining airtightness and reducing FOD through a guide unit and positioning features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the target is shifted inside the tube body to maintain airtightness, then airtightness is improved, but the focus to object distance (FOD) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The target is designed to be movable within the tube body through a target shift unit, allowing dynamic adjustment of the target position. This enables the target to be shifted to a damaged position while maintaining airtightness, and also allows optimization of the FOD by positioning the target close to the X-ray emission window when needed for imaging applications.
2Ease of operation
If the target base is shifted outside the tube body to shift the target, then target shifting is improved, but airtightness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The target base is designed with a movable target that can be shifted within the tube body using a target shift unit. This dynamic design allows the target to be repositioned to damaged areas or optimized for different imaging conditions without compromising the airtight seal of the tube body.
3Reliability
If the target is moved to a damaged position, then electron beam damage is avoided, but the distance to the X-ray emission window increases
Solution Approach 1:
The target is designed with movable capability through a target shift unit, allowing it to be repositioned horizontally when damage occurs. The elastic member maintains constant pressure on the target during movement, ensuring stable contact with the electron beam. The target can be shifted to avoid damaged positions while the elastic pressure ensures maintained proximity to the emission window for optimal X-ray generation.
Solution Approach 2:
An elastic member acts as an intermediary between the target shift unit and the target. This elastic member transmits the shifting force while maintaining constant pressure on the target, ensuring that the target remains in stable contact with the electron beam during and after the shifting operation, thus maintaining X-ray generation stability.
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 configuration enables the target to be shifted while maintaining proximity to the X-ray emission window, reducing FOD and minimizing physical stress, gas release, and resistance, thereby improving X-ray generation stability and reducing the need for frequent adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to press the target unit in such a direction as to approach the X-ray emission window
Implementation Method 2
a target configured to generate an X-ray by using an electron beam incident therein
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An X-ray tube includes: a vacuum housing configured to include an internal space which is vacuum; a target unit configured to be disposed in the internal space, and include a target that generates an X-ray by using an electron beam incident therein, and a target support unit that supports the target, the X-ray generated by the target being transmitted through the target support unit; an X-ray emission window configured to be so provided as to face the target support unit, and seal an opening of the vacuum housing, the X-rays transmitted through the target support unit being transmitted through the X-ray emission window; an elastic member configured to press the target unit in such a direction as to approach the X-ray emission window; and a target shift unit configured to shift the target unit pressed by the elastic member in a direction crossing an incidence direction of the electron beam.