KR101485258B1 - Fluid seal for connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for translation-rotation gantry for guiding laser and ion beam under high vacuum - Google Patents

Abstract

A disclosed fluid seal for connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for a translation-rotation gantry for transmitting laser and ion beams under high vacuum comprises: a fixing shaft which includes an internal space, has one end and the other end closed in a central rotary shaft direction, and is equipped with an opening in a vertical direction with respect to the central rotary shaft direction in a position adjacent to one of one end and the other end thereof; a translation-rotation shaft which includes an internal space, is connected with the opening of the fixing shaft in a vertical direction with respect to the central rotary shaft direction, and is rotated around the central rotary shaft or is moved in parallel with respect to the central rotary shaft direction; a pressure barrier enclosure disposed between the fixing shaft and the translation-rotation shaft; and a fluid seal disposed in both sides of the opening in the central rotary shaft direction in the pressure barrier enclosure so as to fluidly seal a gap between the fixing shaft and the translation-rotation shaft. The fluid seal is characterized in that any stress due to pressure to the fixing shaft and the translation-rotation shaft is not generated. Accordingly, while two or more hollow shafts are not affected by a difference in pressure between the inside and the outside, one shaft can be manipulated.

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a fluid seal for connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for translational-rotating gantries that pass laser and ion beams under high vacuum. [0002] Fluid seals for connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for translation-

The present invention relates to a fluid seal for connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for translationally rotating gantries that pass a laser and an ion beam under high vacuum, and more particularly to a fluid seal connecting at least two hollow shafts under high vacuum using a fluid seal, To a seal for maintaining the high vacuum state more effectively without stress stress on the shaft.

Among the radiotherapy apparatuses, the proton beam treatment apparatus using a high-power acceleration laser beam generates a proton beam source and irradiates a proton beam to the affected part of the patient through the shaft of the gantry including a member capable of translational motion and rotational motion of a predetermined size, Can be treated without direct incision. Such a proton beam treatment apparatus requires a beam gantry capable of converting a high output laser beam and an ion beam in an arbitrary direction in a high vacuum state.

In the gantry of such a high-power laser-assisted proton beam treatment apparatus, it is necessary to precisely move or rotate a part of the gantry in accordance with the position of the affected part. When a part of the gantry is precisely moved as required, the gantry includes a first shaft which is parallel to the rotation center axis direction and which is hollow and a second shaft which is precisely moved or rotated according to the position of the non-returning portion. And sufficient sealing to allow the first shaft to be connected to the second shaft and to maintain a vacuum in the interior.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure in which a hollow first shaft and a second shaft are combined according to the prior art. Referring to FIG. 1, a hollow first shaft 101 and a hollow second shaft 102 are connected through an opening 106, which is open in the direction of the rotational center axis 104. Here, the first shaft 101 is fixed, and the second shaft 102 can be moved and rotated in parallel to the rotational center axial direction 104. [ At this time, when the first shaft 101 and the second shaft 102 are in the vacuum state and the outer circumference is at normal pressure, the second shaft 102 can be contracted in the direction of the arrow. Therefore, according to the related art, there is a problem that the second shaft 102 further includes a pressure-deflecting member 103 such as a spring to prevent a change in pressure of the second shaft 102. On the other hand, in the presence of such a pressure-deflecting member 103, it is more difficult for the second shaft 102 to rotate. Also, when the interior is in a vacuum state, the second shaft 102 may be deformed in response to pressure as indicated by the dotted line.

An O-ring, a lip seal, a mechanical seal, or the like may be generally used for the portion 106 connecting the first shaft 101 and the second shaft 102 , It is difficult to maintain the internal vacuum state due to high frequency of occurrence of leakage due to wear due to frequent exercise. In addition, the replacement cycle is shortened due to shortening the life span, and the replacement method is also difficult. On the other hand, in the conventional sealing structure, it is difficult to maintain a high vacuum state for the laser beam to pass due to wear due to frequent movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid seal in which two hollow shafts are connected in a high vacuum state to enable translation and rotation operation.

The shaft, which is maintained in a high vacuum state by using a fluid seal, is rotated and rotated. A shaft can be used for a long time because it is not worn. Transducer that passes laser and ion beams under high vacuum. - Fluid for connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for rotating gantries. The purpose of the seal is to provide.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fluid seal for connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for translating and rotating gantries that pass laser and ion beams under high vacuum without the need for an auxiliary sealing means such as a bellows for maintaining a high vacuum state have.

According to an aspect of the present invention,

A stationary shaft having an inner space and having one end and one end closed in the rotation center axis direction and having an opening in a direction perpendicular to the rotation center axis direction adjacent to one of the one end and the other end;

A translational-rotating shaft having an internal space and connected to the opening of the stationary shaft in a direction perpendicular to the rotational center axis direction and moving around the rotational center axis direction or parallel to the rotational center axis direction;

A pressure barrier enclosure positioned between the stationary shaft and the translational-rotary shaft; And

And a fluid seal disposed on either side of the opening in the direction of the rotational center axis within the pressure barrier enclosure and configured to fluidly seal between the stationary shaft and the translational-rotational shaft,

Wherein the shaft and the translational and rotational shaft are joined to each other so as not to be stressed by a difference in internal and external pressures between the stationary shaft and the translational-rotational shaft, and connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for translational- And to provide a fluid seal therefor.

Further, at least one of the translational-rotational shafts is further provided, so that the degree of freedom of motion is increased.

Wherein the fluid seal is sealed using one of a magnetic field, an electric field, and a magnetic field and an electric field.

At least two fluid seals are provided to disperse the pressure applied to one of the fluid seals.

Accordingly, the following effects are expected through the above-mentioned problem solving means.

In the present invention, two or more hollow shafts are capable of translating and rotating at the shaft joints without being affected by differences in internal and external pressures. In addition, fluid seals can be disposed around the shaft to maintain a high vacuum inside, solving all the problems of conventional O-rings, dips, mechanical seals and auxiliary sealing means such as bellows . In addition, the occurrence of leakage can be eliminated and the maintenance of the vacuum state can be improved, shortening the life of the sealing member, shortening the replacement cycle, and difficulty of replacement can be solved.

According to the present invention, in a fluid seal for connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for a translational-rotating gantry that passes a laser and an ion beam under a high vacuum, the translational motion in the rotation center axis direction and the rotation It is possible to control the motion finely, the structure is simple, and the size can be reduced.

According to the present invention, fluid seals for connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for translational-rotating gantries that pass a laser and an ion beam under high vacuum are not limited to a laser accelerated proton beam cancer treatment device, It is widely applicable to the application where it is necessary to seal while connecting an empty shaft. For example, a fluid seal according to the present invention is also applicable when a spacecraft docks to a space station.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure in which a hollow first shaft and a second shaft are combined according to the prior art.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid seal for connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for translational-rotating gantries that pass laser and ion beams under high vacuum in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of FIG. 2 A and shows an embodiment for implementing the fluid seal according to the present invention.
4A and 4B are conceptual diagrams of a laser beam gantry in a laser accelerated proton beam cancer treatment apparatus using a fluid seal for connecting hollow shafts under a high vacuum according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein but may be embodied in different forms. Rather, the embodiments disclosed herein are provided so that the disclosure can be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of illustrating embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. In the present specification, the singular form includes plural forms unless otherwise specified in the specification. As used herein, the terms 'comprises' and / or 'comprising' mean that the stated element, step, operation and / or element does not imply the presence of one or more other elements, steps, operations and / Or additions. In addition, since they are in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the reference numerals presented in the order of description are not necessarily limited to the order. In addition, in this specification, when it is mentioned that a film is on another film or substrate, it means that it may be formed directly on another film or substrate, or a third film may be interposed therebetween.

In addition, the embodiments described herein will be described with reference to cross-sectional views and / or plan views, which are ideal illustrations of the present invention. In the drawings, the thicknesses of the films and regions are exaggerated for an effective description of the technical content. Thus, the shape of the illustrations may be modified by manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific forms shown, but also include changes in the shapes that are generated according to the manufacturing process. For example, the etched area shown at right angles can be rounded or shaped with a certain curvature. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures have schematic attributes, and the shapes of the regions illustrated in the figures are intended to illustrate specific types of regions of the elements and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[First Embodiment]

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid seal for connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for translational-rotating gantries that pass laser and ion beams under high vacuum in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Fig. 2, the stationary shaft 201 has one end 208 and the other end 209 which are hollow and closed in the direction of the rotational center axis 204. As shown in Fig. In addition, the opening 210 is disposed adjacent to the other end 209 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation center axis direction 204, thereby maintaining the internal pressure of the rotation-rotation shaft 202 at the same level. The translation-rotation shaft 202 surrounds the stationary shaft 201 opening 210. The portion to which the stationary shaft 201 and the translating-rotating shaft 202 are connected forms a narrow gap, but maintains the degree of vacuum through the fluid seal and has translational-rotational freedom without stress due to differences in internal and external pressures.

The translation-rotation shaft 202 can also be hollow, rotate about the rotational center axis direction 204, or move parallel to the rotational center axis direction 204. [ The translational-rotation shaft 202 has a closed structure except for a portion connected to the hollow fixed shaft 201. The translating-rotating shaft 202 may have a closed supporting surface 211 located opposite the opening 210 of the stationary shaft 201.

A pressure barrier enclosure 207 is positioned between the hollow stationary shaft 201 and the translating-rotating shaft 202 gap. The pressure barrier enclosure 207 includes a fluid seal 206 between the opposite sides of the opening 210 in a direction parallel to the rotational center axis direction 204 and a closed support surface 211 and a stationary shaft 201 adjacent thereto. ). Therefore, the joint portion of the hollow fixed shaft 201 and the translating-rotating shaft 202 can maintain the same degree of vacuum in the entire space.

The use of the fluid seal according to the present embodiment improves the problems caused by leakage and wear of conventional methods such as O-rings, dips and mechanical seals, and does not require an auxiliary sealing means such as a bellows.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of FIG. 2 A and shows an embodiment for implementing the fluid seal according to the present invention. 3, a permanent magnet 312 and a magnetic fluid 313 are provided between the surface of the stationary shaft 301 and the surface of the translating-rotating shaft 302, so that the pressure difference P0 between the magnetic fluid 313, P1, P2, ..., Pn-1, Pn). The number of the permanent magnets 312 and the magnetic fluid 313 can be increased or decreased according to the pressure difference. 3, the leftmost pressure P0 is larger than the rightmost pressure Pn. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the leftmost pressure may be smaller than the rightmost pressure. Here, the fluid seal according to the present invention will be described with a magnetic fluid seal using a magnetic field including a permanent magnet 312 and a magnetic fluid 313, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The fluid seal according to the present invention can be implemented through an electric fluid seal using an electric field including an electric dipole including a dipole in place of the magnetic fluid seal and an electromagnetic fluid seal using both a magnetic field and an electric field, .

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a laser beam gantry in a laser accelerated proton beam cancer treatment apparatus using a fluid seal for connecting hollow shafts under a high vacuum according to the present invention. 4A and 4B, the gantry 400 of the laser-accelerated proton beam cancer treatment apparatus includes a stationary shaft 401, a translational-rotation shaft 402, and a proton beam generation and control apparatus 415.

Here, the laser beam passed through the laser beam compressor 414 passes through the laser beam gantry and enters the proton beam generator and controller 415 to produce a proton beam. A proton beam generated by a laser beam along a fixed shaft 401 serving as a laser beam waveguide through a translational-rotation shaft 402 to a proton beam generation and control device 415 is guided to a translational- (402) to align with the region to be treated, and then irradiate the proton beam to treat cancer tissue or tumor.

At this time, the hollow fixing shaft 401 and the translating-rotating shaft 402 must be in a vacuum state for the laser beam to pass through. To this end, a pressure barrier enclosure is disposed between the stationary shaft 401 and the translating-rotating shaft 402. Also, at least one fluid seal may be disposed in the pressure barrier enclosure to fluidly seal the stationary shaft 401 and the translating-rotating shaft 402 so that the laser beam travel path is maintained in a vacuum.

For purposes of clarity of disclosure, certain features of the invention described in connection with a number of separate embodiments may be provided in connection with a single embodiment. To the contrary, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in connection with a single embodiment, may be provided in connection with separate or separate embodiments and any suitable sub-embodiments.

While the foregoing is directed to certain embodiments of the present invention, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein. All patent publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual patent publication, patent, or patent application referred to in this specification is herein incorporated by reference as a special, Is introduced as a document. In addition, any references cited or referenced herein should not be construed as an admission that they are available with the prior art of the present invention.

101, 201, 301, 401: stationary shaft
102, 202, 302, 402: translational-rotary shaft
103: pressure deformation preventing member
104, 204: rotation center axis direction
106: connection portion
206: fluid seal
208: Once
209:
210: opening
211: Closed support face
312: permanent magnet
313: Magnetic Fluid
400: Laser beam gantry
415: Proton beam generation and control device

Claims (4)

A stationary shaft having an inner space and having one end and one end closed in the rotation center axis direction and having an opening in a direction perpendicular to the rotation center axis direction adjacent to one of the one end and the other end;
A translational-rotating shaft having an internal space and connected to the opening of the stationary shaft in a direction perpendicular to the rotational center axis direction and moving around the rotational center axis direction or parallel to the rotational center axis direction;
A pressure barrier enclosure positioned between the stationary shaft and the translational-rotary shaft; And
And a fluid seal disposed on either side of the opening in the direction of the rotational center axis within the pressure barrier enclosure and configured to fluidly seal between the stationary shaft and the translational-rotational shaft,
So that there is no stress due to a difference between an internal pressure and an external pressure at a junction between the stationary shaft and the translational-rotational shaft.
Fluid seals for connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for translational-rotating gantries that pass laser and ion beams under high vacuum. The method according to claim 1,
A fluid seal for connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for translationally rotating gantries that pass laser and ion beams under high vacuum, characterized in that the translational-rotational shaft further comprises at least one or more of which the degree of freedom of motion is increased. The method according to claim 1,
A fluid seal for connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for translational and rotational gantries to pass laser and ion beams under high vacuum, characterized in that the fluid seal is sealed using either a magnetic field, an electric field, . The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the fluid seal comprises at least two or more fluid seals for distributing the pressure applied to one of the fluid seals by connecting and manipulating hollow shafts for translational and rotational gantries to pass laser and ion beams under high vacuum, Fluid seal for.

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