US 12,720,665 B2 · Proton energy degrader devices and methods of using same

Abstract

This disclosure relates to 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.

Claims27

Dependent claims

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 foil being structurally integral to the conduit;
at least one chamfered corner located at the position of at least one intersection of a surface of the degrader foil and the inner surface of the conduit;
wherein the degrader foil includes at least one aperture providing fluid communication through the degrader foil.

1 more element

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.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Proton energy degrader devices and methods of using same

Life of this patent

Proton energy degrader devices and methods of using same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27