Target Cooling Method and Target Cooling Equipment

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This patent discloses a novel method and equipment for cooling targets, especially those used in ion accelerator-based neutron sources. The core idea is to use a liquid metal as a highly efficient heat transfer medium between the target (which generates significant heat under particle bombardment) and a heat sink/cooling body. The liquid metal, which remains in liquid state at operational temperatures, makes direct contact with both the target and the cooling body, efficiently dissipating heat while minimizing mechanical stresses and risk of damage.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Cooling neutron-generating targets in ion accelerators for scientific or medical applications
• Thermal management of targets in radiation sources, e.g., X-ray or gamma-ray generation
• Application in high-powered particle physics experiments requiring robust target cooling
• Use in compact neutron source devices for material analysis, cancer therapy, or security screening
• Thermal management in industrial radiography or non-destructive testing bearings high irradiation loads

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly enhances heat transfer from the target, allowing higher beam intensities and greater neutron or radiation output
• Minimizes thermal and mechanical stresses in the target, reducing risk of deformation, blistering, or catastrophic failure
• Prevents overheating and increases target lifespan
• Reduces risk of contamination or damage to vacuum regions in accelerators, as liquid metal can contain and isolate cooling medium from vacuum
• Allows flexible physical arrangement (horizontal/vertical) and supports a range of materials and temperatures
• Fluid interface compensates for thermal expansion and deformation, maintaining effective cooling throughout operation
• Potentially enables more compact, higher-power, or longer-lasting neutron and radiation sources

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for cooling targets, as well as a cooling device for targets. According to the invention, a method for cooling targets is provided in which a target is brought into contact with a coolant for cooling on the side opposite to the ion entry side, in which a liquid metal is used as a heat transfer medium, which is liquid at the operating temperature of the target, and which is in contact with a heat sink.