Radiation detection device with variable electrode spacing

Abstract

A radiation detection device according to an embodiment disclosed herein includes a first frame having a first electrode on one side thereof, a second frame having a second electrode facing the first electrode on one side thereof and spaced apart from the first frame in a first axial direction, a driving module connected to the second frame and configured to move the second frame in the first axial direction relative to the first frame, and a side cover connecting the first frame and the second frame and surrounding the space between the first frame and the second frame to seal the space, the side cover may be formed to be expandable and contractible along the first axis, and the first and second electrodes are accommodated between the first frame and the second frame to form an ion chamber filled with gas. Various other embodiments as will be understood through the specification are possible.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Various embodiments disclosed herein are radiation detection devices for measuring radiation intensity at various dose rates, including ultra-high dose rates, in real time. Specifically, the radiation detection device according to the embodiments disclosed herein has parallel electrodes facing each other inside to form a sealed ion chamber in which gas ionization occurs due to radiation, and changes the distance between the electrodes depending on the type and intensity of radiation to effectively prevent ion recombination and accurately measure the intensity of radiation. [Background technology]

[0002] As the technology of treatment using ultra-high dose rate radiation such as FLASH therapy for the treatment of diseases such as cancer develops, it has become more important to guarantee quantitative radiation exposure for the safety of patients. In this regard, technology that precisely controls the amount of radiation, the irradiation site, and the irradiation time in real time is important. In order to monitor radiation in real time, electrical measuring instruments using the ionization phenomenon of gas caused by radiation and scintillation detectors using fluorescence are generally used. For monitoring medical radiation generators, a parallel plates type ionization chamber as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1800753) is generally used.

[0003] When measuring high dose rate radiation, a phenomenon of ion recombination may occur in which ion pairs of ionized gas in the ion chamber recombine. Since this phenomenon is a major factor in hindering measurement precision, in order to prevent this, methods such as reducing the density of gas in an ion chamber of the same volume or reducing the volume of the ion chamber are used. Among these, the method of reducing the volume of the ion chamber may be effectively implemented through a structure capable of adjusting the gap between a pair of electrodes, as in the embodiment disclosed herein.

[0004] In the past, in order to eliminate factors that impede measurement accuracy, such as ion recombination, an ion chamber having an appropriate electrode gap according to the type of radiation and the dose rate was selected for measurement. However, in this case, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of ion chambers having different electrode gaps, which is economical, and it is inefficient to have to replace the ion chamber according to the type of radiation and the dose rate. As the use of ultra-high dose rate radiation, which has a higher dose rate, has increased recently, there has been an increased need for an improved technology that solves the problems of the above-mentioned conventional technology. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been developed to overcome the limitations of the conventional technology as described above, and aims to provide a radiation detection device that can change the distance between parallel electrodes provided in an ionization chamber to suit the type and intensity of radiation to be measured, and can maintain the airtightness of the ionization chamber filled with gas and the parallelism of the electrodes before and after such change, thereby ensuring high measurement precision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A radiation detection device according to one embodiment disclosed in the present document includes a first frame having a first electrode on one side; a second frame having a second electrode opposite the first electrode on one side and spaced apart from the first frame in a first axial direction; a drive module connected to the second frame and configured to move the second frame relative to the first frame in the first axial direction; and a side cover connecting the first frame and the second frame and surrounding a space between the first frame and the second frame to seal the space between the first frame and the second frame; the side cover may be formed to be expandable and contractible along the first axis, and the first electrode and the second electrode are accommodated between the first frame and the second frame to form an ion chamber filled with gas. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the radiation detection apparatus of various embodiments disclosed herein, it is not necessary to provide an ion chamber having an electrode gap suitable for each type and dose rate of radiation to be measured, which has the advantage of reducing costs and improving the efficiency of measurement work. In particular, when measuring ultra-high dose rate radiation, the electrode gap is reduced compared to when measuring general radiation, preventing recombination and improving measurement precision.

[0008] In addition, according to various embodiments of the radiation detection device disclosed in this document, by using a displacement sensor to measure the electrode spacing at many positions of the electrodes, the electrode parallelism can be monitored and calibrated in real time before and after changing the electrode spacing, thereby greatly improving the accuracy and reliability of radiation measurement. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a radiation detection apparatus according to one embodiment disclosed herein. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of the radiation detection device of FIG. 1 as viewed from another direction. [Diagram 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a radiation detection device according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] 1 is a side view of a radiation detection device according to an embodiment, showing a state in which general radiation is measured; [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a side view of a radiation detection device according to an embodiment, showing a state in which high dose rate radiation is measured; [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of FIG. 6.

[0010] With regard to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numbers may be used for the same or similar components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0193329 filed on December 30, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of that application are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0012] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments, but rather includes various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments of the present invention. The term "first axis" throughout this document refers to the axis along which first and second electrodes are arranged side by side while the spacing between the first and second electrodes (hereinafter "electrode spacing") increases or decreases, and is represented in the drawings as line X.

[0013] The radiation detection device according to various embodiments disclosed herein is used in a medical radiation generating device such as a linear accelerator, and is intended to measure the intensities of various types of radiation in real time, such as photon rays such as X-rays and gamma rays, particle rays such as neutron rays and proton rays, and electron beams. In particular, the radiation detection device is capable of measuring not only radiation used in general radiation therapy (e.g., 0.03 to 0.4 Gy per second) (hereinafter, "general radiation"), but also ultra-high dose rate radiation (e.g., 40 Gy or more per second) by changing the electrode spacing.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a radiation detection device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the radiation detection device 100 of Fig. 1 viewed from another direction. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the radiation detection device 100 according to an embodiment. Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a radiation detection device 100 according to one embodiment may include a first frame 1, a second frame 2 arranged spaced apart from the first frame 1 on a first axis X, a side cover 3 arranged between the first frame 1 and the second frame 2 to connect the first frame 1 and the second frame 2, and a driving module 5 connected to the second frame 2 to move the second frame 2 in the direction of the first axis X.

[0015] 1, 2 and 3, the driving module 5 may include a housing 50 in which a motor (not shown in the drawings) that generates a driving force is housed, and a moving shaft 51 having one end connected to the motor and the other end connected to the second frame 2. In various embodiments, the radiation detection apparatus 100 may further include a control module (not shown in the drawings) that controls the operation of the driving module 5. In addition, in the radiation detection apparatus 100 according to an embodiment, the base module 4 may include a flat base 40, a rail 49, and a fixing part 45 and a slider 46 that are respectively engaged and mounted on the rail 49.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first frame 1 and the second frame 2 may be formed in a shape in which at least a portion is penetrated along the first axis X. For example, the first frame 1 and the second frame 2 may have a predetermined thickness in the direction of the first axis X and may have an opening formed in a central portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the first frame 1 and the second frame 2 are rectangular in shape, but the shape of the first frame 1 and the second frame 2 is not limited thereto and may be formed in various shapes such as a circle. The first frame 1 and the second frame 2 may be made of an insulating material.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first frame 1 may have a first window 11 on one of both sides facing the first axis X direction, and a first electrode 10 on the opposite side of the one side. For example, the side on which the first electrode 10 is provided may be one of both sides of the first frame 1 that faces the second frame 2. In one embodiment, the first window 11 and the first electrode 10 may be disposed (or coupled) on both sides of the first frame 1 to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the first axis X direction.

[0018] In one embodiment, the second frame 2 may have a second window 21 on one of both sides facing the first axis X direction, and a second electrode 20 on the opposite side of the one side. For example, the side on which the second electrode 20 is provided may be one of both sides of the second frame 2 facing the first frame 1. In one embodiment, the second window 21 and the second electrode 20 may be disposed (or coupled) on both sides of the second frame 2 to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the first axis X direction.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first frame 1 and the second frame 2 may be configured so that one of them moves in the first axis X direction relative to the other. For example, the first frame 1 may be fixed relatively, and the second frame 2 may move in the first axis X direction to become closer or farther from the first frame 1. This may change the distance (electrode spacing) between the first electrode 10 coupled to the first frame 1 and the second electrode 20 coupled to the second frame 2. According to the illustrated embodiment, the radiation measuring device 100 is embodied with a structure in which the second frame 2 moves, but in various embodiments, the radiation measuring device 100 may be provided with a structure in which the second frame 2 is fixed, and the first frame 1 moves relative to the second frame 2. For example, the driving module 5 may be configured to be connected to the first frame 1 and move the first frame 1 in the first axis X direction.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first window 11 and the second window 21 may be flat members made of an insulating material. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the first window 11 and the second window 21 may be transparent or opaque, and a plurality of first and second windows may be provided.

[0021] In one embodiment, the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 may be formed by depositing a conductive material in multiple layers on a substrate having a shape such as a square or a circle. In the illustrated embodiment, the first electrode 10 may be an electrode (hereinafter, "negative electrode") that is negatively charged and a high voltage is applied to generate a high voltage electric field between the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20. The second electrode 20 may be an electrode (hereinafter, "positive electrode") that is positively charged and collects electrons generated by ionizing gas. Conversely, in various embodiments, the first electrode 10 may be a positive electrode and the second electrode 20 may be a negative electrode.

[0022] In one embodiment, the radiation detection device 100 measures the amount of change in current at the positive electrode where electrons are collected, and can calculate the amount of electrons generated by ionization and the amount of irradiated radiation from the measured value. The voltage applied to the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 may be a value corresponding to an ionization region, which is a region where the amount of collected electrons remains constant when the intensity of the irradiated radiation is constant.

[0023] The following describes the side cover 3 that defines an ion chamber therein (eg, ion chamber 30 in Figures 5 and 7). In various embodiments, the side cover 3 may be disposed between the first frame 1 and the second frame 2. The first frame 1 and the second frame 2 may be connected to each other by the side cover 3. The side cover 3 may seal the space between the first frame 1 and the second frame 2 to form an ion chamber 30, which is a space where gas ionization occurs. The inside of the ion chamber 30 may accommodate a first electrode 10 and a second electrode 20 and be filled with gas. Radiation may be incident on the inside of the ion chamber 30 from the outside through the first window 11 and the first electrode 10 or the second window 21 and the second electrode 20. The gas filled in the ion chamber 30 may be, for example, an inert gas, a non-reactive gas, or air.

[0024] In various embodiments, the side cover 3 may change shape or change length in the direction of the first axis X when the first frame 1 and the second frame 2 become closer to or farther from each other. For example, the side cover 3 may be formed to expand and contract in the direction of the first axis X when the second frame 2 moves toward or away from the first frame 1 relative to the first frame 1, thereby changing the volume of the ion chamber 30 inside the side cover 3.

[0025] In one embodiment, the side cover 3 may be formed in a structure in which at least a portion of the region can be folded or unfolded in the direction of the first axis X. Specifically, when the radiation detection device 100 measures general radiation, the side cover 3 can be unfolded to increase the volume of the ion chamber 30, and when the radiation detection device 100 measures radiation with an ultra-high dose rate, the side cover 3 can be folded to decrease the volume of the ion chamber 30.

[0026] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the side cover 3 may be formed with a bellows structure. However, the shape of the side cover 3 is not limited to the example shown in the drawings, and the side cover 3 may be embodied in various materials and / or shapes that can expand and contract along the first axis X direction in response to changes in the distance between the first electrode 10 (e.g., first frame 1) and the second electrode 20 (e.g., second frame 2). In various embodiments, the side cover 3 may be formed using an elastic material. The side cover 3 is preferably made of an insulating material.

[0027] In various embodiments, both ends of the side cover 3 on the first axis X may be closely coupled to the surfaces of the adjacent first frame 1 and second frame 2. That is, the side cover 3 may be formed to maintain a sealed state of the gas-filled ion chamber 30 when the electrode spacing is changed.

[0028] In one embodiment, a sealing member (not shown in the drawings) may be further provided on at least one of both ends of the side cover 3. As an example, the sealing member may be installed on the inside or outside of the end of the side cover 3, and the fixing force and airtightness of the connection between the end of the side cover 3 and the first frame 1 or the second frame 2 may be improved. In an embodiment, the radiation detection device 100 may include an electronic component 13 electrically connected to at least one of the first electrode 10 or the second electrode 20. In an embodiment, a board 12 electrically connected to at least one of the first electrode 10 or the second electrode 20 may be mounted on an end of the first frame 1 or the second frame 2, and the electronic component 13 may be coupled on the board 12 and electrically connected to the board 12. As shown in FIG 3, the board 12 may be formed with an opening formed in the center so that radiation irradiated from the outside can be incident on the inside of the ion chamber 30 without contacting the board 12.

[0029] The following describes the first electrode 10, the second electrode 20, and the electronic component 13, which are components for measuring the intensity of radiation. In one embodiment, the electronic component 13 may be installed on a board 12 mounted around the first frame 1 from outside the ion chamber 30. In one embodiment, the electronic component 13 may be configured to measure a current change generated when electrons of the ionized gas are collected at the positive electrode, and collect current change data. In one embodiment, the electronic component 13 may communicate with a control module of the radiation detection device 100 via wire or wirelessly, and transmit the current change data to the control module. In this case, the control module may calculate the intensity of radiation from the current change data received.

[0030] In another embodiment, the electronic component 13 may be a current-frequency converter that converts the amount of change in current into a digital signal and transmits the digital signal to the control module. In one embodiment, the electronic component 13 may calculate the amount of radiation from the measured amount of change in current and transmit the radiation amount data to the control module. In another embodiment, the electronic component 13 may include a connector for electrically connecting the positive electrode to a measuring device provided outside the radiation detection device 100 and measuring the amount of change in current.

[0031] In one embodiment, an external device such as a PC that communicates wirelessly or wired with the control module to receive data may be provided outside the radiation detection device 100. In this case, the final calculation and correction of the radiation intensity may be performed by software in the external device. The above-mentioned configuration is merely an example of a configuration for measuring the radiation dose from the electrons collected by the first electrode 10, and is not limited thereto.

[0032] In one embodiment, the electronic component 13 may be electrically connected to at least one of the first electrode 10 or the second electrode 20 to supply power. In this case, one of the first electrode 10 or the second electrode 20 may be charged negatively and the other may be charged positively, and a high voltage may be applied to the negative electrode to form a high-voltage electric field between the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20. In one embodiment, the first electrode 10 or the second electrode 20 may be connected to the power source via a separate member other than a connector.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a side view of the radiation detection device 100 of one embodiment, showing a state when radiation is generally measured. Fig. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a side view of the radiation detection device 100 of one embodiment, showing a state when high dose rate radiation is measured. Fig. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of Fig. 6. Figures 5 and 7 show cross sections taken along line AA in Figure 1. The electrode spacings shown in Figures 4 to 7 are illustrative and may not be in scale with the actual electrode spacing.

[0034] 5 and 7, in the radiation measuring device 100, the second electrode distance d2 when measuring ultra-high dose radiation is narrower than the first electrode distance d1 when measuring general radiation, and the volume of the ion chamber 30 may be relatively small when measuring ultra-high dose radiation. In this regard, when measuring ultra-high dose rate radiation, the phenomenon of ion recombination in which ionized gas ion pairs are recombined in the ion chamber 30 increases, and the number of electrons reaching the positive electrode may decrease. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, by reducing the volume of the ion chamber 30, the number of recombined ions decreases, and the accuracy of the measurement value can be improved.

[0035] The radiation measuring device 100 according to the present invention may be transformed into a first state (or basic state) in which the electrode spacing is a first spacing d1 (e.g., the state in FIGS. 4 and 5) and a second state (or reduced state) in which the electrode spacing is a second spacing d2 (e.g., the state in FIGS. 6 and 7) based on at least one of the type of radiation and the dose rate. However, the above-mentioned first and second states may be understood as two states in which the size of the ion chamber 30 is different from each other, and the state of the radiation measuring device 100 is not limited to the two states shown in the drawings. For example, the radiation measuring device 100 may be transformed into a state in which the electrode spacing is smaller than the first electrode spacing d1 and larger than the second electrode spacing d2.

[0036] The following describes the configuration of the base module 4. In one embodiment, the base module 4 may include a base 40, a rail 49 attached to an upper surface of the base 40, a fixing part 45 whose lower part is attached on the rail 49 and whose upper part is connected to the first frame 1, and a slider 46 whose lower part is attached on the rail 49 and whose upper part is connected to the second frame 2. In one embodiment, the base 40 may be a flat member. In one embodiment, the rail 49 may be formed to extend in the first axis X direction and disposed on the base 40. The rail 49 may guide at least one of the first frame 1 or the second frame 2, which is mounted on an upper portion thereof perpendicular to the rail 49, to linearly move along the rail 49 in the first axis X direction. As in the illustrated embodiment, the two rails 49 may be disposed parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the first axis X on the base 40. Two or more rails 49 may be provided.

[0037] In one embodiment, the base module 4 may further include a first rack 41 that vertically connects the first frame 1 to an upper surface of the fixing part 45, and a second rack 42 that vertically connects the second frame 2 to an upper surface of the slider 46. In one embodiment, the first rack 41 and the second rack 42 may be fixedly coupled to the fixing part 45 and the slider 46 via rack fasteners 410 and 420, respectively. The first rack 41 and the second rack 42 may fix the first frame 1 and the second frame 2 in a vertical form relative to the upper part of the base 40, and may help maintain the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 in a parallel state to each other.

[0038] In one embodiment, a recess may be formed in a lower portion of the fixing portion 45 to receive and engage with the rail 49 when the fixing portion 45 is coupled to the rail 49. In one embodiment, a recess may be formed in a lower portion of the slider 46 to receive and engage with the rail 49 when the fixing portion 45 is coupled to the rail 49.

[0039] In one embodiment, the fixing portion 45 may be fixed to the rail 49, and the slider 46 may be coupled to the rail 49 so as to be slidable in the first axis X direction. The fixing portion 45 may fixedly couple the first frame 1 to the rail 49, and the slider 46 may be slidably coupled to the rail 49 so as to allow the second frame 2 to move in the first axis X direction. In this way, in the radiation measurement device 100, when the driving module 5 is operated, the second frame 2 may relatively move along the rail 49 while the first frame 1 is fixed, thereby changing the electrode spacing. In another embodiment, the fixing portion 45 may be slidably coupled to the rail 49.

[0040] The configuration and operation of the drive module 5 will be described below. The drive module 5 may be configured to linearly move the second frame 2 along the first axis X. In one embodiment, the drive module 5 may include a housing 50 in which a motor is housed, and a moving shaft 51 having one end connected to the motor and the other end connected to the second frame 2. The motor of the drive module 5 may generate a driving force for moving the second frame 2 along the first axis X in response to an input signal transmitted by the control module.

[0041] In one embodiment, the second rack 42 may be fixedly coupled to the second frame 2, and the moving member 55 may be fixedly coupled to the second rack 42. In this case, one end of the moving shaft 51 may be connected to the moving member 55. In addition, the moving member 55 may include a through hole 550 that is penetrated along the first axis X so that at least a portion of the moving shaft 51 can be inserted therein. The moving shaft 51 may include a fastening end 510 that is inserted into the through hole 550. In this case, when the driving module 5 is operated, the second frame 2, the second rack 42, and the moving member 55 may move together along the moving shaft 51.

[0042] In one embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 550 and the surface of the fastening end 510 may have threads that mesh with each other, and the fastening end 510 may be screwed into the through hole 550. In this case, since the position of one end of the moving shaft 51 connected to the motor is fixed, when the moving shaft 51 rotates about the first axis X during the operation of the driving module 5, the rotational motion of the moving shaft 51 is converted into the linear motion of the moving member 55 screwed into the fastening end 510 of the moving shaft 51, and the second frame 2 may move toward the first frame 1 or toward the housing 50 on the first axis X together with the moving member 55. The driving module 5 may be configured to move at least one of the first frame 1 and the second frame 2 on the first axis X, and is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0043] In one embodiment, a ring member 53 attached to the outer circumferential surface of the moving shaft 51 may be disposed between the second frame 2 and the housing 50 of the driving module 5. The ring member 53 may be movably coupled to the moving shaft 51. In one embodiment, the ring member 53 may function as a stopper member that limits the moving distance of the second frame 2 toward the housing 50. In this case, the ring member 53 may be provided so that the moving shaft 51 rotates freely inside the ring member 53 so as not to be linked to the rotation of the moving shaft 51. In addition, the ring member 53 may provide a buffer effect when the second frame 2 and the housing 50 of the driving module 5 come into contact with each other. The shape of the ring member 53 is not limited to the ring shape as illustrated in the drawings.

[0044] In one embodiment, the drive module 5 may be electrically (or operatively) coupled to a control module (not shown in the drawings) such that the control module may control operation of the drive module 5 based on a variety of control signals, including user input.

[0045] A configuration for monitoring the degree to which the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 are arranged parallel to each other (hereinafter, "electrode parallelism") will be described below. In one embodiment, the radiation detection device 100 may be configured to measure the electrode spacing at different positions using a first sensor 60 and a second sensor (not shown in the drawings) which are displacement sensors or distance measurement sensors, and to measure the electrode parallelism from the electrode spacing data. In the illustrated embodiment, the first sensor 60 may be provided on at least one of the first frame 1 or the second frame 2. In this case, the first sensor 60 may include a first sensor member 60a attached to the first frame 1 and a second sensor member 60b attached to the second frame 2 so as to face the first sensor member 60a. In one embodiment, the first sensor member 60a and the second sensor member 60b may be attached to the upper portions of the first frame 1 and the second frame 2, respectively.

[0046] In one embodiment, the first sensor 60 may be a capacitive displacement sensor that is a non-contact type displacement sensor. The first sensor member 60a and the second sensor member 60b may each have an electrode plate formed on a surface facing each other. In this case, when the second frame 2 moves in the first axis X direction, the capacitance between the electrode plates that changes as the distance between the first sensor member 60a and the second sensor member 60b changes can be measured to measure the movement displacement of the second frame 2.

[0047] In another embodiment, the second sensor member 60b may include a reflecting member on a surface facing the first sensor member 60a. The first sensor member 60a may be configured to transmit infrared rays, visible light, ultrasonic waves, or the like to the second sensor member 60b, receive reflected waves transmitted from the second sensor member 60b, and measure the round-trip time to measure the movement displacement of the second frame 2. The specific configuration of the first sensor 60 is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0048] In one embodiment, the driving module 5 may include a second sensor (not shown in the drawings) electrically connected to the motor to measure the movement displacement of the second frame 2 on the first axis X. In one embodiment, the control module communicates with the first sensor 60 and the second sensor and can receive data measured by the first sensor 60 and the second sensor, respectively. In this case, the control module can calculate the electrode parallelism by comparing the electrode upper distance and the electrode lower distance through the received data. Regarding the operation of the driving module 5 to maintain the electrode parallelism, the control module can determine whether the second frame 2 needs to move to adjust the electrode parallelism, and if additional movement is required, generate a control signal and transmit it to the driving module 5 to automatically adjust the electrode parallelism.

[0049] In one embodiment, the driving module 5 may include a control member (not shown in the drawings) for controlling the operation of the motor and electrically connected to the motor. The control member may receive a control signal including a user's input from the control module. The control member may generate a feedback signal for the movement displacement measured by the second sensor. For example, if the movement displacement measured by the second sensor does not match the control signal of the control module and needs to be adjusted to match, the control member may generate a feedback signal and transmit it to the motor so that the electrode gap is adjusted according to the control signal.

[0050] In the embodiment, an example has been described in which one sensor is provided on each of the upper portions of the first frame 1 and the second frame 2 and the driving module 5 to monitor the electrode parallelism, but the number of sensors is not limited thereto. For example, additional sensors for measuring electrode intervals at various positions of the electrodes may be further mounted on the first frame 1 or the second frame 2, etc. The above-described configuration of the first sensor 60 and the second sensor has the advantage that the electrode parallelism can be monitored and maintained in real time before and after the change in the electrode spacing, thereby improving the reliability of radiation measurement.

[0051] In various embodiments, parallel electrodes may be provided in an ion chamber in which the internal volume is kept constant by filling the ion chamber with gas, and the electrode spacing may be changed by moving at least one of the electrodes. In this case, the drive module may be provided inside or outside the ion chamber to move the electrodes.

[0052] A radiation detection device 100 according to an embodiment disclosed in this document includes a first frame 1 having a first electrode 10 on one side; a second frame 2 having a second electrode 20 facing the first electrode 10 on one side and spaced apart from the first frame 1 in a first axis X direction; a driving module 5 connected to the second frame 2 and configured to move the second frame 2 in the first axis X direction relative to the first frame 1; and a side cover 3 connecting the first frame 1 and the second frame 2 and surrounding the space between the first frame 1 and the second frame 2 to seal the space between the first frame 1 and the second frame 2; the side cover 3 may be formed to be expandable and contractible along the first axis X, and may accommodate the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 between the first frame 1 and the second frame 2 to form an ion chamber 30 filled with gas.

[0053] In one embodiment, the side cover 3 may be formed such that both ends are connected to the first frame 1 and the second frame 2, and the length in the first axis X direction changes in response to the movement of the second frame 2 relative to the first frame 1. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the side cover 3 may be formed to be folded or unfolded in the first axis X direction.

[0054] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the side cover 3 may be formed with a bellows structure. In one embodiment, the driving module 5 is configured to move the second frame 2 closer to or farther away from the first frame 1, and the spacing between the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 may be changed corresponding to the movement of the second frame 2.

[0055] In one embodiment, one of the first electrode 10 or the second electrode 20 is charged negatively and the other is charged positively, and when a high voltage is applied to the negative electrode, gas is ionized in the ion chamber 30 and electrons generated are collected at the positive electrode. In one embodiment, the device further includes an electronic component 13 mounted on the first frame 1 or the second frame 2 and electrically connected to at least one of the first electrode 10 or the second electrode 20, and the electronic component 13 may be configured to measure the amount of change in current in the positive electrode and process the measured data.

[0056] In one embodiment, at least one of both ends of the side cover 3 in the first axis X direction may be provided with a sealing member that tightly connects the side cover 3 to the first frame 1 or the second frame 2 so as to seal the ion chamber 30. In one embodiment, at least one of the first frame 1 or the second frame 2 may be equipped with a first sensor 60 for measuring the distance between the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 . In one embodiment, the driving module 5 may include a housing 50 in which a motor is housed; a moving shaft 51 having one end connected to the second frame 2 and the other end connected to the motor; and a second sensor electrically connected to the motor and measuring the distance traveled by the second frame 2.

[0057] In one embodiment, the movable member 55 may be coupled to the second frame 2 and may have a through hole 550 formed therein, the through hole 550 being passed through in the first axis X direction. The movable member 55 may include a fastening end 510 inserted into the through hole 550, and a screw thread may be formed on an inner peripheral surface of the through hole 550 and a surface of the fastening end 510 to be screwed to each other. In one embodiment, the actuator further includes a base module 4 supporting the first frame 1, the second frame 2, and the driving module 5, and the base module 4 may include a base 40; a rail 49 mounted on the base 40 and extending in the first axis X direction; a fixing part 45 fixedly connected to the rail 49 and to which the first frame 1 is connected; and a slider 46 slidably connected to the rail 49 and to which the second frame 2 is connected.

[0058] In one embodiment, the electrode can be transformed into a first state in which the distance between the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 is a first distance d1, and into a second state in which the distance between the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 is a second distance d2 that is smaller than the first distance.

Claims

1. a first frame having a first electrode on one surface; a second frame having a second electrode facing the first electrode on one surface thereof and spaced apart from the first frame in a first axial direction; a drive module coupled to the second frame and configured to move the second frame relative to the first frame in the first axial direction; and a side cover that connects the first frame and the second frame and surrounds a space between the first frame and the second frame so as to seal the space; The side cover is The first electrode and the second electrode are housed between the first frame and the second frame to form an ion chamber filled with gas, and the radiation detection device is formed to be expandable and contractible along the first axis.

2. The side cover is The radiation detection device according to claim 1 , wherein both ends are connected to the first frame and the second frame, and the length in the first axial direction is changed in response to movement of the second frame relative to the first frame.

3. The radiation detection device according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the side cover is configured to be folded and unfolded in the first axial direction.

4. The radiation detection device according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the side cover is formed with a bellows structure.

5. the drive module is configured to move the second frame closer to or farther from the first frame; The radiation detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is changed in response to the movement of the second frame.

6. One of the first electrode or the second electrode is negatively charged and the other is positively charged; The radiation detection device according to claim 1 , wherein when a high voltage is applied to the negative electrode, gas is ionized in the ion chamber to generate electrons which are collected by the positive electrode.

7. an electronic component mounted on the first frame or the second frame and electrically connected to at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode, The radiation detection device of claim 6 , wherein the electronic components are configured to measure a change in current at the positive electrode and process the measured data.

8. 2. The radiation detection device of claim 1, wherein at least one of both ends of the side cover in the first axial direction is provided with a sealing member that tightly connects the side cover to the first frame or the second frame so as to seal the ion chamber.

9. The radiation detection device according to claim 1 , wherein a first sensor is attached to at least one of the first frame or the second frame, the first sensor measuring a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

10. The drive module includes: a housing in which the motor is housed; a moving shaft having one end connected to the second frame and the other end connected to the motor; and The radiation detection device of claim 1 , further comprising a second sensor electrically connected to the motor for measuring a distance traveled by the second frame.

11. a moving member coupled to the second frame and having a through hole passing through in the first axis direction, The moving shaft includes a fastening end portion that is inserted into the through hole, The radiation detection device according to claim 10 , wherein an inner circumferential surface of the through hole and a surface of the fastening end are respectively formed with threads for threaded engagement with each other.

12. a base module supporting the first frame, the second frame and the drive module; The base module is base; a rail mounted on the base and extending in the first axial direction; a fixing portion fixedly connected to the rail and to which the first frame is coupled; and The radiation detection device of claim 1 , further comprising a slider slidably connected to the rail and to which the second frame is coupled.

13. 2. The radiation detection device according to claim 1, which is capable of being transformed into a first state in which a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is a first distance, and a second state in which a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is a second distance smaller than the first distance.

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