Detection device for detecting the direction of a radioactive source

Abstract

The present invention discloses a detection device for detecting the orientation of a radioactive source, comprising a circular shell, in which a main control board, a detector and a shielding block are arranged. The shielding block is composed of an upper shielding lead block and a lower shielding lead block that are fixedly connected. The upper shielding lead block and the lower shielding lead block are both arc-shaped and respectively placed on both sides of the center line of the shielding block, and the thickness of the upper shielding lead block gradually increases from left to right, while the thickness of the lower shielding lead block gradually decreases from left to right. The detector is provided with two, namely an upper detector and a lower detector, both of which are cylindrical and arranged up and down, and respectively placed in a semi-enclosed space formed by the upper shielding lead block and the lower shielding lead block. Each detector is connected to the main control board, used for collecting gamma rays in the environment, and generating a number of pulses and transmitting them to the main control board. The main control board judges the orientation of the gamma radiation emitted by the radioactive source according to the number of pulses fed back by each detector and the lead attenuation thickness corresponding to the collected gamma rays.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of detection equipment, and in particular to a detection device for detecting the orientation of a radioactive source. Background Art

[0002] Radioactive sources are widely used in various fields of the national economy, including industry, agriculture, and medicine, and have greatly benefited mankind. However, since radioactive sources can release high-energy rays or particles, such as gamma rays and neutrons, they cause ionizing radiation, destroy human cell tissues, and harm the human body. The leakage, loss, and theft of radioactive sources occur frequently, and the use of radioactive sources is potentially dangerous. Therefore, in addition to strict management of radioactive sources, effective monitoring or surveillance is also required. When a radioactive source leaks, is lost, or is stolen, it can be quickly found and located to reduce the harm it causes.

[0003] Currently, conventional radioactive source location methods generally involve a blanket search of suspected areas by personnel or vehicles, with the source's location determined based on changes in dose rates. This method has the disadvantages of being easily contaminated by personnel and being inefficient in locating the source.

[0004] Existing Chinese patent publication No. 110794443 discloses a detector device and method for quickly and accurately locating a radioactive source. The device comprises a circuit and electronics module, fixing bolts, a ring with threaded holes, an end cap shielding structure, a radioactive detector, a mounting base for the radioactive detector, a main body shielding structure, and a base shielding structure. The main body shielding structure is a cylindrical structure with multiple mounting slots evenly distributed around the upper circumference. Each mounting slot houses a radioactive detector. During use, the multiple detectors are combined with the shielding structure to accurately measure dose rates in different directions. The circuit and electronics system calculates the dose rates in these directions, ultimately accurately determining the direction of the radioactive source. The device's direction identification depends on the number of detectors. Each detector measures a specific direction. Therefore, for high-precision azimuth measurements, multiple detectors are required. This results in a large and heavy azimuth measurement device. Furthermore, the device's overall structure is complex, resulting in high costs and unsuitable for widespread adoption. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a detection device for detecting the orientation of a radiation source which has low cost, simple structure, and is capable of detecting the specific orientation and angle of the emission source.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A detection device for detecting the direction of a radioactive source comprises a circular box-shaped housing, within which is housed a main control board, a detector, and a shielding block. The shielding block is characterized in that the shielding block comprises an upper lead block and a lower lead block, each of which is fixedly connected. The upper and lower lead blocks are both arc-shaped and positioned on either side of the centerline of the shielding block, with the thickness of the upper lead block gradually increasing from left to right, while the thickness of the lower lead block gradually decreasing from left to right. The detector comprises two detectors, an upper detector and a lower detector, each of which is cylindrical and positioned vertically, respectively, within the semi-enclosed space formed by the upper and lower lead blocks. Each detector is connected to the main control board and is used to collect gamma rays in the environment. The detector generates a pulse number and transmits it to the main control board. The main control board determines the direction of the gamma radiation emitted by the radioactive source based on the pulse number feedback from each detector and the lead attenuation thickness corresponding to the collected gamma rays. Thus, during detection, the device is placed horizontally in the measured area, and the detector responds to and collects gamma rays in the environment. The thickness of the upper and lower lead shielding blocks gradually increases or decreases from one side to the other. With this configuration, when gamma radiation emitted by a radioactive source penetrates the shielding blocks, the thickness of the lead shielding varies depending on the angle of incidence of the gamma rays, thereby affecting the reading of the internal detector. Finally, the shielding thickness and attenuation factor are calculated based on the detector readings, and the corresponding angle of the gamma radiation is calculated based on the obtained shielding thickness. The thickness of the upper and lower lead shielding blocks varies uniformly, and half of each upper and lower detector is not surrounded by the shielding blocks. This results in the upper and lower detectors detecting pulses from one shielded detector and the other unshielded detector. This results in a higher reading on the unshielded detector and a lower reading on the shielded detector. The approximate direction of the source is determined based on these readings, and the values from the two detectors are used to calculate the direction of the radiation source.

[0008] Furthermore, the shielding block is placed under the main control board, and the upper shielding lead block and the lower shielding lead block are both semicircular. In this way, the upper shielding lead block and the lower shielding lead block have the same shape and the same thickness variation, thereby facilitating the calculation of the lead shielding thickness.

[0009] Furthermore, the housing, comprised of a bottle-cap-shaped lower body and an upper sealing cover mounted on the opening of the lower body, is fabricated from a low-atomic-number aluminum alloy. This material offers low density, strong corrosion resistance, excellent conductivity, and high strength, minimizing the weight of the device while maintaining sufficient strength to achieve portability.

[0010] Furthermore, twelve position indicator lights, electrically connected to the main control board, are evenly spaced around the upper sealing cover. Thus, the angle between two adjacent position indicator lights is 30°. Once the main control board determines the direction of the radiation source through calculation, it controls the illumination of the two corresponding position indicator lights, intuitively displaying the source's location to the user.

[0011] Furthermore, an alarm is also provided on the housing, and the alarm is connected to the main control board. In this way, when the detector detects a radioactive source, the main control board can power on the alarm and control the alarm to sound an alarm to remind the user.

[0012] Furthermore, a plurality of batteries are provided in the housing, and the batteries are electrically connected to the main control board to supply power to the main control board. In this way, the batteries provided can supply power to the main control board, the battery volume is small, and the power supply is convenient.

[0013] Furthermore, the housing is provided with a convex cover, on which a display screen and control buttons are mounted, both of which are electrically connected to the main control board. Thus, the display screen can display the direction and the maximum received pulse count, providing information to the user, while the control buttons can be used by the user to perform operations such as turning on the power.

[0014] Furthermore, an arc-shaped handle is provided on the convex cover, and both ends of the handle are rotatably connected to the convex cover. In this way, the handle can facilitate the user to lift the device and move it easily.

[0015] Furthermore, a power / charging socket and a debug socket are provided at the lower end of the housing, both of which are electrically connected to the main control board. Thus, the charging socket is provided for charging the battery; when connected to the power socket, it can be powered by an external power source and charge the battery; when connected to the debug socket, the main control board program can be downloaded.

[0016] Furthermore, after receiving the pulse counts from the upper and lower shielding lead blocks, the main control board determines the approximate location of the radiation source based on the pulse counts. If the side corresponding to the radiation source is within the upper or lower shielding lead block, the pulse count detected by that shielding lead block will be lower, while the pulse count detected by the other shielding lead block will be higher. The main control board can then determine the approximate location of the radiation source based on the pulse counts. After determining the approximate location of the radiation source, the main control board determines the shielding thickness of the corresponding shielding lead block based on the ratio of the pulse counts detected by the upper and lower detectors, deriving the angle of the gamma radiation emitted by the radiation source and ultimately determining its exact location. In this way, the approximate location is first determined, the shielding thickness is then calculated based on the pulse counts, and finally the exact location is determined.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] 1. The detector of this solution adopts a crystal detector, which has the function of radioactive source identification, can quickly respond to low-dose radiation rays, and can realize the rapid positioning of radioactive sources under low doses.

[0019] 2. Using two detectors, multiple directions can be measured with a small number of detectors, thereby reducing the size and weight of the detectors. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the detection device in the embodiment;

[0021] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the detection device in the embodiment;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional assembly of the detector and the shielding block in the embodiment;

[0023] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the shielding block in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention generally described and shown in the drawings herein can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention claimed for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following figures. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not require further definition or explanation in subsequent figures. In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the figures, or the orientations or positional relationships in which the inventive product is typically placed when in use. These terms are intended solely to facilitate the description of the present invention and simplify the description. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation, and are therefore not to be construed as limiting the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are used solely to distinguish descriptions and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Furthermore, terms such as "horizontal" and "vertical" do not imply that a component must be absolutely horizontal or overhanging, but rather may be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply refers to a direction that is more horizontal than "vertical," and does not imply that the structure must be completely horizontal, but rather may be slightly tilted. In the description of the present invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "disposed," "installed," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they may refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they may refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they may refer to internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0026] like Figure 1-Figure 4 As shown, this embodiment provides a detection device for detecting the orientation of a radiation source, including a circular box-shaped shell 1, a main control board 4, a detector 3 and a shielding block 2 are arranged in the shell 1, and the shielding block 22 is composed of an upper shielding lead block 21 and a lower shielding lead block 22 that are fixedly connected. The upper shielding lead block 21 and the lower shielding lead block 22 are both arc-shaped and are respectively placed on both sides of the center line of the shielding block 2, and the thickness of the upper shielding lead block 21 gradually increases from left to right, and the thickness of the lower shielding lead block 22 gradually decreases from left to right; the detector 3 is provided with two detectors, namely an upper detector 31 and a lower detector 32. The upper detector 31 and the lower detector 32 are both cylindrical and arranged one above the other, and are respectively placed in the semi-enclosed space formed by the upper shielding lead block 21 and the lower shielding lead block 22; each detector 3 is connected to the main control board 4, used to collect gamma rays in the environment, and generate a number of pulses and transmit them to the main control board 4. The main control board 4 determines the direction of the gamma radiation emitted by the radiation source based on the number of pulses fed back by each detector 3 and the lead attenuation thickness corresponding to the collected gamma rays.

[0027] The shielding block 2 is placed under the main control board 4 , and the upper shielding lead block 21 and the lower shielding lead block 22 are both semicircular.

[0028] The housing 1 comprises a lower box body 11 with an annular cross-section and an opening at its upper end, and an upper sealing cover 12 mounted on the side of the opening of the lower box body 11. The housing 1 is made of a low-atomic-number aluminum alloy. Twelve azimuth indicator lights 5 are evenly spaced circumferentially on the upper sealing cover 12, electrically connected to the main control board 4.

[0029] An alarm 8 is also provided on the housing 1, and multiple batteries 9 are provided inside the housing. The alarm 8 and batteries 9 are both connected to the main control board 4, and the batteries 9 can power the alarm 8. The housing 1 is also provided with a raised cover 13, and a display screen 6 and control buttons 7 are provided on the raised cover 13. The display screen 6 and control buttons 7 are both electrically connected to the main control board 4.

[0030] For ease of use, an arc-shaped handle is provided on the convex cover 12 , and both ends of the handle are rotatably connected to the convex cover 12 .

[0031] A debugging socket and a power socket or a charging socket are provided at the lower end of the housing 1 , and the power socket, the charging socket and the debugging socket are all electrically connected to the main control board 4 .

[0032] After receiving the pulse numbers from the upper shielding lead block 21 and the lower shielding lead block 22, the main control board 4 determines the approximate orientation of the radiation source based on the pulse number. The ratio of the pulse numbers detected by the upper detector 31 and the lower detector 32 determines the shielding thickness of the corresponding shielding lead block, calculates the angle of the gamma radiation emitted by the radiation source, and then determines its exact orientation.

[0033] During use, the instrument is placed horizontally in the measured area. The detectors respond to and collect gamma rays in the environment. The upper and lower detectors are shielded by a semicircular lead shield. When the radiation source is located to the north, the upper lead plate will block the radiation dose, resulting in a lower reading on the upper detector. The lower detector, shielded by the lead device, will read normally. At this point, the radiation source can be determined to be located to the north. The ratio of the upper and lower detector readings is used to determine the corresponding lead shielding thickness. The attenuation factor Ksb = upper detector reading / lower detector reading = 2^(R / a), where a is the half-value layer thickness of different radiation sources. The corresponding radiation source is identified through nuclide identification, thereby determining the a value. R is the lead attenuation thickness, which can be calculated using the above formula. The corresponding angle is obtained by corresponding to the uniformly varying lead device thickness value.

[0034] When the radiation from the radioactive source reaches the detector, since the upper and lower detectors use a semicircular shielding structure that gradually thickens, when the reading of the upper detector is too large, it can be determined that the radiation source is located at a 180° position without an upper shielding structure. The attenuation factor Ksb = upper detector reading / lower detector reading = 2^(R / a), where a is the attenuation half-value layer thickness of lead corresponding to the type of radioactive source, is used to calculate the thickness R value. Since the upper and lower semicircular shielding structures gradually thicken according to a certain function and have corresponding thicknesses at different angles, the azimuth value is obtained through the R value.

[0035] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention rather than to limit the technical solutions. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent replacements of the technical solutions of the present invention that do not depart from the purpose and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention should be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A detection device for detecting the position of a radioactive source, comprising a circular box-shaped housing, a main control board, a detector and a shielding block arranged in the housing, characterized in that: The shielding block is composed of an upper shielding lead block and a lower shielding lead block that are fixedly connected. The upper shielding lead block and the lower shielding lead block are both arc-shaped and respectively placed on both sides of the center line of the shielding block. The thickness of the upper shielding lead block gradually increases from left to right, and the thickness of the lower shielding lead block gradually decreases from left to right. There are two detectors, namely an upper detector and a lower detector. The upper detector and the lower detector are both cylindrical and arranged up and down, respectively placed in the semi-enclosed space formed by the upper shielding lead block and the lower shielding lead block; each detector is connected to the main control board, used to collect gamma rays in the environment, and transmit the generated pulse number to the main control board, which is controlled by the main control board according to the pulse number feedback from each detector. , the collected gamma rays correspond to the lead attenuation thickness, and the azimuth of the gamma radiation emitted by the radioactive source is judged; after the main control board receives the number of pulses from the upper shielding lead block and the lower shielding lead block, according to the orientation of the detection device, if the side corresponding to the radioactive source is in the upper shielding lead block or the lower shielding lead block, the number of pulses detected by the shielding lead block is relatively small, and the number of pulses detected by the other shielding lead block is relatively large, so that the main control board can determine the approximate orientation of the radioactive source according to the number of pulses; after determining the approximate orientation of the radioactive source, the shielding thickness value of the corresponding shielding lead block is determined according to the ratio of the number of pulses detected by the upper detector and the lower detector, and the angle of the gamma radiation emitted by the radioactive source is obtained, and then its accurate orientation is determined.

2. The detection device for detecting the position of a radiation source according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shielding block is placed under the main control board, and the upper shielding lead block and the lower shielding lead block are both semicircular.

3. The detection device for detecting the position of a radiation source according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The shell consists of a lower box body in the shape of a bottle cap and an upper sealing cover installed on the opening side of the lower box body, and is made of low atomic number aluminum alloy material.

4. The detection device for detecting the position of a radiation source according to claim 3, characterized in that: Twelve azimuth indicator lights electrically connected to the main control board are evenly arranged around the upper sealing cover.

5. The detection device for detecting the position of a radiation source according to claim 1, 2 or 4, characterized in that: An alarm is also provided on the shell body and is connected to the main control board.

6. The detection device for detecting the position of a radiation source according to claim 5, characterized in that: A plurality of batteries are arranged in the shell, and the batteries are electrically connected to the main control board to supply power to the main control board.

7. The detection device for detecting the position of a radiation source according to claim 6, characterized in that: A convex cover is also provided on the shell body, and a display screen and control buttons are provided on the convex cover. The display screen and the control buttons are both electrically connected to the main control board.

8. The detection device for detecting the position of a radiation source according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: An arc-shaped handle is also provided on the convex cover, and both ends of the handle are rotatably connected to the convex cover.

9. The detection device for detecting the position of a radiation source according to claim 1, 2, 4, 6 or 7, characterized in that: A debugging socket and a power socket or a charging socket are provided at the lower end of the shell, and the power socket, the charging socket and the debugging socket are all electrically connected to the main control board.

Images