X-Ray Tube Interruption-Ring Layout for Triple-Point Arc Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
X-ray tubes experience arcing failure due to uneven electrical charge build-up and high stress at the triple-point, causing the electron beam to shift and making it difficult to aim a centered x-ray beam.
Innovation Solution
A coating-ring and an interruption-ring are implemented on the inner-face of the x-ray tube enclosure, with the coating-ring providing a path for electrons to flow to ground and the interruption-ring shaping electric-field lines to reduce sharp gradients, thereby protecting the triple-point and maintaining a centered electron beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a continuous coating is applied on the inner-face of the enclosure, then electrical charge dissipation is improved, but the triple-point experiences high stress and arcing failure due to sharp voltage gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous coating is segmented into a coating-ring and an interruption-ring, creating discrete regions with different electrical properties. The coating-ring provides charge dissipation paths while the interruption-ring creates regions of higher electrical resistance, thereby segmenting the voltage gradient distribution and reducing stress concentration at the triple-point.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the inner-face are given different coating properties: the coating-ring has lower electrical resistance for charge dissipation, while the interruption-ring has higher electrical resistance to reduce voltage gradients. This local differentiation of electrical properties allows simultaneous optimization of charge dissipation and stress reduction at different locations.
2Reliability
If electrons are allowed to flow to ground through the coating, then electrical charge build-up is reduced, but the electron beam may shift from center position
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented coating structure with coating-ring and interruption-ring creates controlled regions for electron flow. The interruption-ring acts as a barrier that prevents excessive electron flow that would cause beam shifting, while still allowing sufficient charge dissipation through the coating-ring regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The interruption-ring serves as an intermediary element that mediates between the charge dissipation function of the coating-ring and the beam centering requirement. By introducing this intermediate structure with different electrical properties, the system achieves both charge reduction and beam 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
The solution effectively reduces electrical charge build-up and sharp voltage gradients, preventing arcing failure and ensuring a stable, centered x-ray beam emission.
Implementation Method 1
the coating-ring providing a path for electrons to flow to ground
Implementation Method 2
the interruption-ring shaping electric-field lines to reduce sharp gradients
Implementation Method 3
sending electrons, across a voltage differential between a cathode and an anode
Implementation Method 4
X-rays form as the electrons hit the target
Data Source
AI summary
An x-ray tube 10 can have (a) an enclosure electrically-insulating a cathode 11 from an anode 12; (b) a coating-ring 18 on an inner-face of the enclosure, the coating-ring 18 encircling a longitudinal-axis 16 of the enclosure; and (c) an interruption-ring 19 located at the inner-face of the enclosure at a different location than the coating-ring 18. The interruption-ring 19 can encircle the longitudinal-axis 16 at a different location along the longitudinal-axis 16 with respect to the coating-ring 18. The interruption-ring 19 can encircle the longitudinal-axis 16 at a different radius from the longitudinal-axis 16 than the coating-ring 18. The coating-ring 18 and the interruption-ring 19 can reduce uneven electrical charge build-up on the inner-face of the enclosure, and can protect the triple-point.