Patent Application
20240215147
This disclosure relates to proton energy degraders, an in particular to degraders with cooling.
Particle accelerators can accelerate particles to high velocities. Protons are one of many particles that can be accelerated by particle accelerators. The accelerated protons can be directed to a target material to cause nuclear reactions in the target, resulting in the production of desired radioisotopes or radionuclides. The types of radioisotopes and radionuclides produced can be a function of the energy of the protons bombarding the target. To produce the desired radioisotopes or radionuclides, the energy of the protons incident on the target must be at a corresponding energy level. However, most accelerators accelerate particles to fixed energy levels, which may not be readily adjustable. To reduce the energy of the protons incident on the target, a degrader can be positioned in the path of the protons to absorb a certain amount of energy from the protons such that the energy of the protons incident on the target is at the desired level.
Despite advances in research directed to improved proton beam energy degraders, there is still a scarcity of devices that provide providing sufficient cooling in order to withstand some of the highest beam powers. These needs and other needs are satisfied by the present disclosure.
In accordance with the purpose(s) of the disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, the disclosure, in one aspect, relates to proton beam degrader assemblies that includes a proton beam degrader and a cooling assembly. The proton beam degrader includes a degrader foil that is positioned within a path of a particle beam directed to strike a target. The degrader can include a plurality of fins positioned outside of a conduit within which the degrader foil is positioned to transfer heat away from the degrader foil and into a cooling channel formed in conjunction with the cooling assembly. The degrader foil can have chamfered corners to further improve heat transfer. The degrader foil can include at least one aperture to aid in forming a vacuum condition across the degrader foil. In some examples, where a target cannot operate in a vacuum environment, the degrader can include a degrader foil devoid of any apertures. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
Disclosed are proton beam degraders for positioning between a particle beam source and a target material, comprising: a conduit having a first opening and a second opening, the conduit providing a path for a particle beam to enter through the first opening and exit through the second opening; a degrader foil structurally integral to the conduit positioned on the inner surface of the conduit and in an expected path of the particle beam; a cooling path zone on an outer surface of the conduit, the cooling path zone configured to exposed to a coolant fluid, wherein the degrader foil is positioned between extents on the inner surface that are diametrically opposite of extents of the cooling path zone on the outer surface.
Also disclosed are proton beam degraders for positioning between a particle beam source and a target material, comprising: a conduit having a first opening and a second opening, the conduit providing a path for a particle beam to enter through the first opening and exit through the second opening; a degrader foil positioned on the inner surface of the conduit and in an expected path of the particle beam, the degrader being structurally integral to the conduit; at least one chamfered corner at least one intersection of a surface of the degrader foil and the inner surface of the conduit.
Also disclosed are proton beam degrader assemblies for positioning between a particle beam source and a target material, comprising: a proton beam degrader, comprising: a conduit having a first opening and a second opening, the conduit providing a path for a particle beam to enter through the first opening and exit through the second opening; a degrader foil structurally integral to the conduit positioned on the inner surface of the conduit and in an expected path of the particle beam; and a plurality of fins extending outwards from the outer surface of the conduit, the plurality of fins positioned opposed to the position of the degrader foil; a cooling assembly, comprising: a sleeve having an inner surface enclosing the plurality of fins of the proton beam degrader, wherein at least the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the conduit of the proton beam degrader define a cooling channel; a coolant inlet in fluid communication with the cooling channel, and a coolant outlet in fluid communication with the cooling channel.
Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims. In addition, all optional and preferred features and modifications of the described embodiments are usable in all aspects of the disclosure taught herein. Furthermore, the individual features of the dependent claims, as well as all optional and preferred features and modifications of the described embodiments are combinable and interchangeable with one another.
Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Additional advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the disclosure. The advantages of the disclosure will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure, as claimed.
Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.
Many modifications and other embodiments disclosed herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the disclosed compositions and methods pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosures are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The skilled artisan will recognize many variants and adaptations of the aspects described herein. These variants and adaptations are intended to be included in the teachings of this disclosure and to be encompassed by the claims herein.
Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.
Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order that is logically possible. That is, unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method or aspect set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not specifically state in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow, plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, or the number or type of aspects described in the specification.
All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided herein can be different from the actual publication dates, which can require independent confirmation.
While aspects of the present disclosure can be described and claimed in a particular statutory class, such as the system statutory class, this is for convenience only and one of skill in the art will understand that each aspect of the present disclosure can be described and claimed in any statutory class.
It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed compositions and methods belong. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein.
It should be noted that ratios, concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data can be expressed herein in a range format. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. It is also understood that there are a number of values disclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as “about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. For example, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms a further aspect. For example, if the value “about 10” is disclosed, then “10” is also disclosed.
When a range is expressed, a further aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. For example, where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure, e.g. the phrase “x to y” includes the range from ‘x’ to ‘y’ as well as the range greater than ‘x’ and less than ‘y’. The range can also be expressed as an upper limit, e.g. ‘about x, y, z, or less’ and should be interpreted to include the specific ranges of ‘about x’, ‘about y’, and ‘about z’ as well as the ranges of ‘less than x’, less than y′, and ‘less than z’. Likewise, the phrase ‘about x, y, z, or greater’ should be interpreted to include the specific ranges of ‘about x’, ‘about y’, and ‘about z’ as well as the ranges of ‘greater than x’, greater than y′, and ‘greater than z’. In addition, the phrase “about ‘x’ to ‘y’”, where ‘x’ and ‘y’ are numerical values, includes “about ‘x’ to about ‘y’”.
It is to be understood that such a range format is used for convenience and brevity, and thus, should be interpreted in a flexible manner to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. To illustrate, a numerical range of “about 0.1% to 5%” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 0.1% to about 5%, but also include individual values (e.g., about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, and about 4%) and the sub-ranges (e.g., about 0.5% to about 1.1%; about 5% to about 2.4%; about 0.5% to about 3.2%, and about 0.5% to about 4.4%, and other possible sub-ranges) within the indicated range.
As used herein, the terms “about,” “approximate,” “at or about,” and “substantially” mean that the amount or value in question can be the exact value or a value that provides equivalent results or effects as recited in the claims or taught herein. That is, it is understood that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art such that equivalent results or effects are obtained. In some circumstances, the value that provides equivalent results or effects cannot be reasonably determined. In such cases, it is generally understood, as used herein, that “about” and “at or about” mean the nominal value indicated ±10% variation unless otherwise indicated or inferred. In general, an amount, size, formulation, parameter or other quantity or characteristic is “about,” “approximate,” or “at or about” whether or not expressly stated to be such. It is understood that where “about,” “approximate,” or “at or about” is used before a quantitative value, the parameter also includes the specific quantitative value itself, unless specifically stated otherwise.
Prior to describing the various aspects of the present disclosure, the following definitions are provided and should be used unless otherwise indicated. Additional terms may be defined elsewhere in the present disclosure.
As used herein, “comprising” is to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more features, integers, steps, or components, or groups thereof. Moreover, each of the terms “by”, “comprising,” “comprises”, “comprised of,” “including,” “includes,” “included,” “involving,” “involves,” “involved,” and “such as” are used in their open, non-limiting sense and may be used interchangeably. Further, the term “comprising” is intended to include examples and aspects encompassed by the terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.” Similarly, the term “consisting essentially of” is intended to include examples encompassed by the term “consisting of.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.
As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a proton beam degrader,” “a degrader foil,” or “a conduit,” includes, but is not limited to, two or more such proton beam degraders, degrader foils, or conduits, and the like.
The various concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the described concepts are not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.
As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
Unless otherwise specified, temperatures referred to herein are based on atmospheric pressure (i.e. one atmosphere).
Degraders can be positioned in the path of accelerated particles (also referred to as a particle beam) incident on a target to absorb a certain amount of energy from the particle beam. This causes the particle beam to be incident on the target at reduced energy. The amount of energy that needs to be absorbed by the degrader is based on the energy of the particle beam generated by the accelerator and the desired energy of the particle beam incident on the target for producing the desired radioisotopes or radionuclides. The energy absorbed by the degraders can cause the temperature of the degraders to rise. As a result, the degrader can be coupled with cooling channels that remove the heat energy from the degrader to maintain the temperature of the degrader within a safe range of temperatures. As discussed further below, the degrader structure can be designed to include elements that improve the rate at which heat can be transferred away from the degrader, which typically is a metal foil. By improving the rate at which heat can be transferred away from the degrader, the reliability and the life of the degrader can be improved.
The conduit 102 includes a degrader foil 110 that is structurally integral to the conduit 102. In particular, the degrader foil 110 can be formed by machining a single block of a degrader material to form the conduit 102 as well as the degrader foil 110. As an example, a boring tool can be inserted from one end of the degrader material block to form the first opening 104. Similarly, the boring tool can be inserted from another end of the block to form the second opening 106. The boring tools are guided such that they leave behind material that forms the degrader foil 110. It should be noted that the boring tool is only an example tool to form the first opening 104, the second opening 106 and the degrader foil 110, and that any tool that can form cavities with desired depths within the block of degrader material can be utilized. The proton beam degrader 100 may also be formed using a casting process, where cast of the desired shape of the proton beam degrader 100 is formed, and the desired metal is poured into the cast. After the metal solidifies, the cast can be removed. Regardless of the process used to form the proton beam degrader 100, the degrader foil 110 is structurally integral to the conduit 102. In some examples, the proton beam degrader 100 can be formed using at least one of carbon, aluminum, tantalum, niobium, molybdenum, or a refractory material. Refractory materials can include, for example, iridium, tungsten, titanium-zirconium-molybdenum alloys, and the above-mentioned metals such as tantalum, and tantalum alloys.
The thickness of the degrader foil 110 can be a function of magnitude of desired energy degradation to be provided by the degrader foil 110 to the energy of the particle beam and the degrader material. As an example, with aluminum as the degrader material, a thickness of about 0.5 mm to about 0.55 mm can degrade the energy of a proton beam by about 3 MeV to about 3.5 MeV if the incident proton beam energy is about 16 MeV. In another example, the thickness of the degrader foil 110 can be selected such that the degrader foil 110 degrades the energy of the incident proton beam to 13 MeV or less. In some such examples, the incident proton beam can have an incident energy of 16 MeV to 18 MeV. Other degrader materials can have different thicknesses for the same desired magnitude of energy degradation. As an example, with an aluminum degrader foil, the thickness of the degrader foil 110 can have a value between 0.1 mm and 2.2 mm or between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm. The degrader foil 110 can be devoid of any solder joints or other attachments that attach the degrader foil 110 to the internal surface 108 of the conduit 102. That is, the degrader foil 110 may not be separately formed and then attached to the conduit 102. Having the degrader foil 110 formed structurally integral to the conduit 102 improves heat conduction away from the degrader foil 110 and into the conduit 102. The improved heat conduction, in turn, improves the reliability of the degrader foil 110 as well as the life of the degrader foil 110. The degrader foil 110 can be positioned substantially normal to the direction of the proton beam through the conduit 102. In some such examples, where the longitudinal axis 130 of the conduit 102 is substantially parallel to the direction of the proton beam, the degrader foil 110 can be substantially normal to the internal surface 108 of the conduit 102. In some other examples, the degrader foil 110 may be positioned at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the direction of the proton beam. For example, the degrader foil 110 can form a non-perpendicular angle with the internal surface 108 of the conduit 102. Positioning the degrader foil 110 obliquely with respect to the direction of the proton beam can cause the proton beam to spread the beam power over a larger surface area of the degrader foil 110. Spreading the beam power over a larger surface area can also advantageously spread the temperature gradient on the surface of the degrader foil 110, thereby potentially reducing the peak temperature on the surface of the degrader foil 110.
The degrader foil 110 can define at least one aperture that allows fluid communication therethrough. For example, the degrader foil 110 can define an aperture 112. The aperture can aid in maintaining a low pressure or a vacuum condition on both sides of the degrader foil 110. The aperture 112 can be positioned off-center of the degrader foil 110. For example, the aperture 112 can be positioned around the periphery of the degrader foil 110. In this manner, the aperture 112 can be outside of the area of the degrader foil 110 on which the particle beam is expected to be incident. In some examples, the degrader foil 110 can define more than one aperture that can be distributed around the periphery of the degrader foil 110. The diameter of the aperture 112 can be small to reduce the impact on the structural stability of the degrader foil 110. In some examples, the diameter of the aperture 112 can be about 0.1 mm to about 0.9 mm, or about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, or about 0.1 mm to about 1.2 mm, or about 0.1 mm to about 1.5 mm, or about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm, or about 0.1 mm to about 2.5 mm, or about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm.
The conduit 102 has an outer surface 114, which extends over at least a portion of the length of the conduit 102. The length of the conduit 102 can refer to a dimension of the conduit 102 measured along a longitudinal axis 130 that extends between the first opening 104 and the second opening 106. A target side flange 116 (also referred as a sleeve side flange) extends outwardly from the outer surface 114 of the conduit 102. The target side flange 116 is positioned proximate the second opening 106. The conduit 102 also includes a key structure 118 that allows coupling the target side flange 116 to a target housing. The shape of the key structure 118 can be such that it mates with a complementary structure in the target housing. In other words, the key structure 118 can be inserted into a complementary opening in the target housing. The shape of the key structure 118 can be asymmetric. This can allow securing the conduit 102 to the target housing and reduce the risk of rotational movement along the longitudinal axis 130 of the conduit 102. As an example, the key structure 118 includes a projection 120 that extends outwardly from the key structure 118 in a direction that is normal to the longitudinal axis 130 of the conduit 102. Of course, other forms of shapes and structures can be utilized (such as, for example, dowels, pins, etc.,) to form the key structure 118. In some examples, the conduit 102 may not include the key structure 118, and instead rely on coupling between the target side flange 116 and another structure on the target housing to secure the conduit 102 to the target housing. The key structure 118 can surround the periphery of the second opening 106 and can be flush with the second opening 106. In some examples, the key structure 118 may not extend to the second opening 106. That is, at least a portion of the outer surface 114 may be exposed between the key structure 118 and the edge of the conduit 102 at the second opening 106. In some examples, the key structure 118 may not be flush with the target side flange 116. That is, at least a portion of the outer surface 114 may be exposed between the target side flange 116 and the key structure 118.
The target side flange 116 may also include one or more holes 122 that can accommodate fasteners such as, for example, bolts, screws, dowels, nails, pins, etc., to securely adhere the target side flange 116 to the target housing, to a sleeve (discussed further below), or both. In some examples, the target side flange 116 may be devoid of the one or more holes 122, and may include alternative means such as, for example, clamps, to couple the target side flange 116 to the target housing, the sleeve, or both.
The conduit 102 can include a plurality of fins 124 that extend outwardly from the outer surface 114 of the conduit 102. The fins 124 can provide additional surface area for heat dissipation from the degrader foil 110. While
The fins 124 can be positioned on the outer surface 114 opposite the position of the degrader foil 110 on the internal surface 108. This allows to increase the proportion of the heat dissipated by the fins to be from the heat generated by the degrader foil 110. In some implementations, the fins 124 can be positioned such that at least one fin lies on either side of the degrader foil 110 along the longitudinal axis 130 of the conduit 102. In some examples, a span or length of the fins 124 can be based on a distance, along the longitudinal axis 130 of the conduit 102, between the two farthest fins. In some such examples, the fins 124 can be positioned such that the center of the length is aligned with the degrader foil 110. In other words, a plane of the degrader foil 110 bisects the length of the fins 124.
The conduit 102 includes a beam source side flange 126 that extends outwardly from the outer surface 114 of the conduit 102 proximate the first opening 104. The beam source side flange 126 can engage with a lip in a sleeve (discussed below). The beam source side flange 126 can be flush with the first opening 104. In some examples, the beam source side flange 126 can be positioned such that at least a portion of the outer surface 114 is exposed between the position of the beam source side flange 126 and the edge of the conduit 102 at the first opening 104. The fins 124 can be positioned between the beam source side flange 126 and the target side flange 116. In particular, with reference to the expected direction of the particle beam through the conduit 102, the fins 124 can be positioned upstream of the beam source side flange 126, and the target side flange 116 can be positioned upstream of the fins 124. The beam source side flange 126 can include a recess 128 on a side that faces away from the fins 124. The recess 128 can run along the perimeter of the beam source side flange 126 and can accommodate an O-ring. The O-ring can press against a lip portion of a sleeve to form a seal.
The fins 124 can be positioned within a colling path zone 132 of the outer surface 114, where the cooling path zone 132 is the portion of the outer surface 114 that is exposed to a cooling fluid. In the example shown in
The degrader foil 110 can be positioned between extents on the internal surface 108 that are diametrically opposite of extents of the colling path zone 132 on the internal surface 108. For example, as shown in
The degrader side flange 206 can include at least one coolant inlet 222 and at least one coolant outlet 224. The coolant inlet 222 can extend between an outer coolant inlet opening 226 on the at least one side surface 220 of the degrader side flange 206 and an inner coolant inlet opening 228 on the inner surface 204 of the sleeve 202. The coolant outlet 224 can extend between an outer coolant outlet opening 230 on the at least one side surface 220 of the degrader side flange 206 and an inner coolant outlet opening 232 on the inner surface 204. The at least one coolant inlet 222 and the at least one coolant outlet 224 can carry a coolant such as, for example, water, into and out of the cooling assembly 200. While
The degrader side flange 206 also can include a lip 234 positioned at beam source side opening 218 of the sleeve 202. The lip 234 can extend inwardly from the inner surface 204 of the sleeve 202 such that the inner perimeter of the lip 234 defines the beam source side opening 218. The radial distance that the lip 234 extends inwardly can be based on the size of the beam source side flange 126 of the conduit 102 of the proton beam degrader 100 shown in
In some examples, the cross-sectional shape and the diameter of the space within the sleeve 202 defined by the inner surface 204 can be greater than the cross-sectional shape and diameter of the conduit 102. In some examples, the diameter of the space within the sleeve 202 defined by the inner surface 204 can be slightly greater than the outer diameter of the beam source side flange 126 or the fins 124 (whichever is greater). This is so that the proton beam degrader 100 can slide, first opening 104 side first, through the degrader side opening 216 of the sleeve 202 until the beam source side flange 126 makes contact with the lip 234, and the target side flange 116 makes contact with the degrader side flange 206.
The cooling assembly 200 further includes a connecting nozzle 236 that can connect with a particle beam source outlet. The connecting nozzle 236 can include a set of sections with progressively decreasing outer diameters to allow coupling with a complementary particle beam source outlet.
At least the inner surface 204 of the sleeve 202 and the outer surface 114 of the conduit 102 of the proton beam degrader 100 can define a cooling channel 306. As an example, as shown in
When in operation, the particle beam can enter the proton beam degrader assembly 300 through the connecting nozzle 236, pass through the degrader foil 110 and exit through the second opening 106 in the proton beam degrader 100. The cooling fluid can be introduced into the cooling channel 306 through the coolant inlet connector 302 and the inner coolant inlet opening 228. The cooling fluid can circulate within the cooling channel 306 and exit the cooling channel through the inner coolant outlet opening 232 and the coolant outlet connector 304. Within the cooling channel 306, the cooling fluid can absorb heat from the surfaces of the proton beam degrader 100 exposed within the cooling chamber 306, which surfaces can include the fins 124 and the outer surface 114 of the conduit 102. The absorbed heat is transferred out of the proton beam degrader assembly 300 by the cooling fluid. Colder cooling fluid is circulated into the cooling channel 306 to continue providing heat transfer. Also, during operation, a target housing including the target material can be coupled with the proton beam degrader assembly 300 at the second opening 106, and a particle beam source outlet is coupled with the connecting nozzle 236. The space between the target and the beam particle beam source can be maintained in a vacuum. As mentioned above, the aperture 112 in the degrader foil 110 ensures that the vacuum is maintained on both sides of the degrader foil 110 by allowing fluid communication therethrough. This vacuum condition can aid the cyclotron in accelerating the proton particles towards the target.
The chamfered transition surfaces shown in
In some instances, a target may not perform as desired under vacuum. For example, zinc may sublimate under vacuum. Therefore, zinc may not be used as a target in conjunction with the proton beam degrader assembly 300, which maintains a vacuum over the target. In such instances, where a target is not compatible with vacuum conditions, the target can be operated under fluid pressure, where the fluid can be an inert fluid such as, for example, helium, argon, hydrogen, or other inert or noble gases. To allow the target to operate under fluid pressure, the proton beam degrader 100 can be modified to accommodate the insertion of gas within the region surrounding the target. In one approach, discussed below, the degrader foil 110 can be without any apertures and the proton beam degrader 100 can include channels to communicate inert fluid into and out of the portion of the proton beam degrader 100 adjacent to the target. The cooling assembly 200 can be accordingly modified to allow for the communication of the inert fluid into and out of the proton beam degrader 100.
Referring to
The coolant inlet connector 302 can be coupled with the outer coolant inlet opening 226 and a coolant outlet connector 802 can be coupled with the outer coolant outlet opening 230. The coolant inlet connector 302 and the coolant outlet connector 802 can be connected to a cooling fluid circuit that circulates the cooling fluid into the proton beam degrader assembly 800. An inert fluid inlet connector 806 can be coupled with the outer inert fluid inlet opening 712 while an inert fluid outlet connector 808 can be couple with the outer inert fluid outlet opening 710. The inert fluid inlet connector 806 and the inert fluid outlet connector 808 can be connected to an inert fluid circuit that circulates the inert fluid into the cavity defined by the target surface, the internal surface 108 of the conduit 602 and the surface of the degrader foil 610 facing the target.
When in operation, the particle beam can enter the proton beam degrader assembly 800 via the connecting nozzle 236, pass through the degrader foil 610 and strike the target (not shown). The cooling fluid can be circulated into the proton beam degrader assembly 800 via the coolant inlet connector 302 and the coolant outlet connector 802. The cooling fluid can provide cooling to the degrader foil 610. In addition, an inert fluid can be circulated into the cavity defined by the target surface, the internal surface 108 of the conduit 602 and the surface of the degrader foil 610 facing the target via the inert fluid inlet connector 806 and the inert fluid outlet connector 808. The inert fluid can provide the desired pressure and conditions for the target. In addition, the inert fluid can provide additional cooling to the degrader foil 610. As a result, the degrader foil 610 is cooled by the cooling fluid as well as the inert fluid, thereby improving the reliability and the life of the degrader foil 610.
Aspects. The following listing of exemplary aspects supports and is supported by the disclosure provided herein.
Aspect 1. A proton beam degrader for positioning between a particle beam source and a target material, comprising: a conduit having a first opening and a second opening, the conduit providing a path for a particle beam to enter through the first opening and exit through the second opening; a degrader foil positioned on the inner surface of the conduit and in an expected path of the particle beam, the degrader being structurally integral to the conduit; at least one chamfered corner at least one intersection of a surface of the degrader foil and the inner surface of the conduit.
Aspect 2. The proton beam degrader of Aspect 1, further comprising: a plurality of fins extending outwards from the outer surface of the conduit, the plurality of fins positioned opposed to the position of the degrader foil.
Aspect 3. The proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 1 and 2, wherein the degrader foil includes at least one aperture providing fluid communication through the degrader foil.
Aspect 4. The proton beam degrader of Aspect 3, wherein the at least one aperture is positioned away from a center of the degrader foil.
Aspect 5. The proton beam degrader of Aspect 4, wherein the at least one aperture is positioned outside of a region on the degrader foil where the particle beam is expected to be incident.
Aspect 6. The proton beam degrader of any one of the Aspects 1-4, wherein the at least one aperture has a diameter between about 0.1 mm and about 3 mm.
Aspect 7. The proton beam degrader of any one of the Aspects 1-5, wherein the conduit and the degrader foil are formed of at least one of aluminum, tantalum, niobium, carbon, molybdenum, or a refractory material.
Aspect 8. The proton beam degrader of any one of the Aspects 1-7, wherein a thickness of the degrader foil degrades an energy of an incident proton beam to 13 MeV or less.
Aspect 9. The proton beam degrader of any one of the Aspects 1-8, wherein the degrader foil is positioned substantially normal to a direction of the particle beam.
Aspect 10. The proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 1-9, further comprising: a target side flange extending outwards from the outer surface of the conduit proximate the second opening, the target side flange including at least one coupling structure configured to couple the target side flange to a support structure.
Aspect 11. The proton beam degrader of any one of Aspect 1-2, further comprising: a target side flange extending outwards from the outer surface of the conduit proximate the second opening; a first channel opening on the inner surface of the conduit positioned between the second opening and the degrader foil; a second channel opening on a surface of the target side flange; and a channel that extends between the first channel opening and the second channel opening, the channel providing fluid communication between the first channel opening and the second channel opening.
Aspect 12. The proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 1-11, further comprising: a beam source side flange extending outwards from the outer surface of the conduit proximate the second opening, the beam source flange including a recess to accommodate an O-ring.
Aspect 13. The proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 1-12, wherein at least one fin of the plurality of fins is positioned on either side of the degrader foil along a longitudinal axis of the conduit.
Aspect 14. The proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 1-13, further comprising a beam source side flange that extends outwardly from the outer surface of the conduit, wherein the plurality of fins are positioned between the target side flange and the beam source side flange.
Aspect 15. The proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 1-14, wherein the chamfered corner includes a at least one surface that is flat or curved that extend between a surface of the degrader foil and the internal surface of the conduit.
Aspect 16. The proton beam degrader of any one of the Aspects 1, 13, and 14, wherein the plurality of fins are shaped to induce turbulence in a cooling fluid flowing over the plurality of fins.
Aspect 17. A proton beam degrader for positioning between a particle beam source and a target material, comprising: a conduit having a first opening and a second opening, the conduit providing a path for a particle beam to enter through the first opening and exit through the second opening; a degrader foil structurally integral to the conduit positioned on the inner surface of the conduit and in an expected path of the particle beam; and a cooling path zone on an outer surface of the conduit, the cooling path zone configured to exposed to a coolant fluid.
Aspect 18. The proton beam degrader of Aspect 17, further comprising: at least one chamfered corner at least one intersection of a surface of the degrader foil and the inner surface of the conduit.
Aspect 19. The proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 17 and 18, further comprising: a plurality of fins that extend outwardly from the outer surface of the conduit and within the cooling path zone.
Aspect 20. The proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 17-19, wherein the degrader foil includes at least one aperture providing fluid communication through the degrader foil.
Aspect 21. The proton beam degrader of Aspect 20, wherein the at least one aperture is positioned away from a center of the degrader foil.
Aspect 22. The proton beam degrader of Aspect 21, wherein the at least one aperture is positioned outside of a region on the degrader foil where the particle beam is expected to be incident.
Aspect 23. The proton beam degrader of Aspect any one of the Aspects 17-21, wherein the at least one aperture has a diameter between 0.1 mm and 3 mm.
Aspect 24. The proton beam degrader of any one of the Aspects 17-23, wherein the conduit and the degrader foil are formed of at least one of aluminum, tantalum, niobium, carbon, molybdenum, or a refractory material.
Aspect 25. The proton beam degrader of any one of the Aspects 17-24, wherein a thickness of the degrader foil has a value between 0.1 mm and 2.2 mm.
Aspect 26. The proton beam degrader of any one of the Aspects 17-25, wherein the degrader foil is positioned substantially normal to a direction of the particle beam.
Aspect 27. The proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 17-26, further comprising: a target side flange extending outwards from the outer surface of the conduit proximate the second opening, and at least one key structure configured to couple the target side flange to a target housing.
Aspect 28. The proton beam degrader of any one of Aspect 17-19, further comprising:
a target side flange extending outwards from the outer surface of the conduit proximate the second opening; a first channel opening on the inner surface of the conduit positioned between the second opening and the degrader foil; a second channel opening on a surface of the target side flange; and a channel that extends between the first channel opening and the second channel opening, the channel providing fluid communication between the first channel opening and the second channel opening.
Aspect 29. The proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 17-28, further comprising: a beam source side flange extending outwards from the outer surface of the conduit proximate the first opening, the beam source flange including a recess to accommodate an o-ring.
Aspect 30. The proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 17-29, wherein at least one fin of the plurality of fins is positioned on either side of the degrader foil along a longitudinal axis of the conduit.
Aspect 31. The proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 17-30, further comprising a beam source side flange that extends outwardly from the outer surface of the conduit, wherein the plurality of fins are positioned between the target side flange and the beam source side flange.
Aspect 32. The proton beam degrader of any one of the Aspects 30 and 31, wherein the plurality of fins are shaped to induce turbulence in a cooling fluid flowing over the plurality of fins.
Aspect 33. A proton beam degrader assembly for positioning between a particle beam source and a target material, comprising: a proton beam degrader, comprising: a conduit having a first opening and a second opening, the conduit providing a path for a particle beam to enter through the first opening and exit through the second opening; a degrader foil structurally integral to the conduit positioned on the inner surface of the conduit and in an expected path of the particle beam; and a plurality of fins extending outwards from the outer surface of the conduit, the plurality of fins positioned opposed to the position of the degrader foil; a cooling assembly, comprising: a sleeve having an inner surface enclosing the plurality of fins of the proton beam degrader, wherein at least the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the conduit of the proton beam degrader define a cooling channel; a coolant inlet in fluid communication with the cooling channel, and a coolant outlet in fluid communication with the cooling channel.
Aspect 34. The proton beam degrader assembly of Aspect 33, the proton beam degrader comprising: a target side flange extending outwards from the outer surface of the conduit proximate the second opening, the target side flange including at least one mating structure; the cooling assembly, comprising: a degrader side flange that extends outwardly from a degrader side end of the sleeve, the degrader side flange including at least one mating structure engaging with the at least one mating structure of the target side flange to mate the proton beam degrader with the cooling assembly.
Aspect 35. The proton beam degrader assembly of Aspect 34, wherein the degrader side flange includes a first recess to accommodate a first o-ring, the degrader side flange in contact with the target side flange over the first recess.
Aspect 36. The proton beam degrader assembly of any one of Aspects 33-35, the proton beam degrader comprising: a sleeve side flange that extends outwardly from the outer surface of the conduit proximate the first opening, the sleeve side flange including a second recess to accommodate a second o-ring; the cooling assembly comprising: a lip that extends inwardly from the inner surface of the sleeve and in contact with the sleeve side flange over the second recess.
Aspect 37. The proton beam degrader assembly of any one of Aspects 33-36, wherein the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet are positioned adjacent the plurality of fins along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve.
Aspect 38. The proton beam degrader assembly of any one of Aspects 33-35, the proton beam degrader comprising: a first channel opening on the inner surface of the conduit positioned between the second opening and the degrader foil; a second channel opening on a surface of the target side flange; and a channel extending between the first channel opening and the second channel opening, the channel providing fluid communication between the first channel opening and the second channel opening; the cooling assembly comprising: a third channel opening on a surface of the degrader side flange, the third channel opening aligned with the second channel opening on the surface of the target side flange.
Aspect 39. The proton beam degrader assembly of any one of Aspects 33-38, the proton beam degrader comprising: at least one chamfered corner at least one intersection of a surface of the degrader foil and the inner surface of the conduit.
Aspect 40. The proton beam degrader assembly of any one of the Aspects 33 and 37, wherein the plurality of fins are shaped to induce turbulence in a cooling fluid flowing over the plurality of fins.
Aspect 41. The proton beam degrader assembly of any one of Aspects 33-40, wherein the degrader foil includes at least one aperture providing fluid communication through the degrader foil.
Aspect 42. A system for producing medically useful radioisotopes, the system comprising: a cyclotron, wherein the cyclotron is capable of providing a proton energy beam; a target with an isotope capable of conversion to a radioisotope upon irradiation with a proton energy beam of suitable energy; and the proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 17-32; and/or the proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 1-16.
Aspect 43. A system for producing medically useful radioisotopes, the system comprising: a cyclotron, wherein the cyclotron is capable of providing a proton energy beam; a target with an isotope capable of conversion to a radioisotope upon irradiation with a proton energy beam of suitable energy; and the proton beam degrader assembly of any one of Aspects 33-41.
Aspect 44. A process for producing medically useful radioisotopes, the process comprising: directing a proton energy beam through a proton energy degrader at a target; wherein the target comprises an isotope capable of conversion to a radioisotope upon irradiation with the proton energy beam; wherein the proton beam degrader is the proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 17-32; and/or wherein the proton beam degrader is the proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 1-5.
Aspect 45. A process for producing medically useful radioisotopes, the process comprising: directing a proton energy beam through a proton beam degrader assembly at a target; wherein the target comprises an isotope capable of conversion to a radioisotope upon irradiation with the proton energy beam; wherein the proton beam degrader is the proton beam degrader of any one of Aspects 17-32; and/or wherein the proton beam degrader assembly is the proton beam degrader assembly of any one of Aspects 33-41.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that aspects herein are well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.
While specific elements and steps are discussed in connection to one another, it is understood that any element and/or steps provided herein is contemplated as being combinable with any other elements and/or steps regardless of explicit provision of the same while still being within the scope provided herein.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
Since many possible aspects may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings and detailed description is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. The skilled artisan will recognize many variants and adaptations of the aspects described herein. These variants and adaptations are intended to be included in the teachings of this disclosure and to be encompassed by the claims herein.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/178,817, filed Apr. 23, 2021, entitled “Proton Energy Degrader Devices and Methods of Using Same,” which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CA2022/050607 | 4/21/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63178817 | Apr 2021 | US |
