Non-destructive testing equipment and systems

Abstract

To provide a nondestructive inspection device and a nondestructive inspection system each of which can perform safe nondestructive inspection of a test object using neutron beam.SOLUTION: A nondestructive inspection system 1 has a nondestructive inspection device 2 and a management device 3, the nondestructive inspection device 2 comprises: a neutron irradiation unit 10 capable of irradiating a test object with neutron beam; a gamma ray detection unit 20 capable of detecting a gamma ray; a device housing 30 that covers the neutron irradiation unit 10 and the gamma ray detection unit 20, with an opining 30a formed therein; an outer shutter 31 opening / closing the opening 30a; dose monitors 51, 52, 53 detecting radiation doses and provided in the device housing 30; a device communication unit 56 capable of transmitting device information including the detected radiation dose to the management device 3 and capable of receiving inspection permission information from the management device 3; and a device control unit 40, when obtaining inspection permission information, opening the outer shutter 31 and enabling the irradiation of a neutron beam from the neutron irradiation unit 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a non-destructive inspection device and a non-destructive inspection system for an object to be inspected using a neutron beam. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been a demand for appropriate maintenance, repair, and renewal of aging infrastructure such as roads, bridges, tunnels, and buildings (hereinafter referred to as infrastructure structures).

[0003] In the inspection of such infrastructure structures, non-destructive inspection is carried out, which uses radiation such as X-rays that can penetrate objects, making it possible to analyze the internal structure without destroying the object being inspected.

[0004] In particular, in recent years, non-destructive testing devices that use neutron rays, which have higher penetration than X-rays, have also been considered. For example, Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1 disclose a non-destructive testing method that can obtain the salt concentration distribution inside concrete by using neutron rays and gamma (γ) rays generated by the reaction between the neutron rays. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-85481 [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] RIKEN / Yasuo Wakabayashi, Yuichi Yoshimura, Maki Mizuta, Yujiro Ikeda, Yoshie Otake, "Non-destructive Measurement Method for Chloride Content in Concrete NPGA" Japan Industrial Publishing Inspection Technology February 2019 issue Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In technologies using neutron beams such as those described in Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1, safety measures are required to reduce radiation exposure to workers performing on-site inspections and other nearby personnel, to manage the amount of radiation exposure, and to prevent misuse or abuse of equipment containing radiation sources by others.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and its object is to provide a non-destructive testing device and a non-destructive testing system that can perform safe testing in non-destructive testing of an object to be tested using neutron beams. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the non-destructive inspection device of the present invention is a non-destructive inspection device that irradiates an object to be inspected with a neutron beam and analyzes the internal structure of the object from the radiation generated in response to the neutron beam, and includes a neutron irradiation unit that can irradiate the neutron beam in a predetermined irradiation direction, a radiation detection unit that can detect the radiation that is incident from a predetermined detection direction that intersects with the irradiation direction, an apparatus casing that covers the neutron irradiation unit and the radiation detection unit and has openings formed in the irradiation direction and the detection direction, a shutter that opens and closes the opening of the apparatus casing, a dose detection unit that is provided in the apparatus casing and detects a radiation amount, an apparatus communication unit that is capable of transmitting apparatus information including the radiation amount detected by the dose detection unit to the outside and is capable of receiving inspection permission information from the outside, and an apparatus control unit that opens the shutter and enables the neutron irradiation unit to irradiate the neutron beam when the inspection permission information from the outside is acquired via the apparatus communication unit.

[0010] The non-destructive testing device may further include a position information acquisition unit provided in the device housing and capable of acquiring position information, and the device information may include the position information.

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the non-destructive inspection system of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned non-destructive inspection device, a management communication unit capable of receiving the device information from the device communication unit and transmitting inspection permission information to the device communication unit, and a management control unit that transmits inspection permission information to the device communication unit via the management communication unit when specified inspection enablement requirements based on the device information are met.

[0012] In addition, in the above-mentioned non-destructive inspection system, the inspection capability requirement may include an inspection location requirement that determines whether the non-destructive inspection device is within the inspection target point or inspection target range based on the location information included in the device information.

[0013] In addition, in the above-mentioned non-destructive inspection system, the inspection capability requirements may include an equipment usage requirement that determines whether the radiation dose caused by the non-destructive inspection equipment is within a predetermined range based on the radiation dose included in the equipment information.

[0014] Furthermore, in the above-described non-destructive inspection system, the management communication unit may be capable of acquiring worker information of workers who perform work using the non-destructive inspection device, and the inspection capability requirements may include worker requirements that determine, based on the worker information, whether or not the worker is capable of performing work using the non-destructive inspection device.

[0015] In the non-destructive inspection system, the management control unit may generate route information to the inspection target point or inspection target range from the location information included in the device information and map information.

[0016] In addition, in the above-mentioned non-destructive testing system, the management control unit may acquire power supply information of the non-destructive testing device, and if the remaining power of the non-destructive testing device is less than a predetermined remaining power, generate power-off information that causes the non-destructive testing device to close the shutter and turn off the power. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention using the above means, in non-destructive testing of an object to be tested using neutron beams, the test can be performed while ensuring safety for the surrounding area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a nondestructive inspection system including a nondestructive inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of a nondestructive inspection system including a nondestructive inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart showing an inspection procedure in a nondestructive inspection system including a nondestructive inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a nondestructive inspection system including a nondestructive inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control system of a nondestructive inspection system including a nondestructive inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] (First embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a nondestructive inspection system 1 including a nondestructive inspection device 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the nondestructive inspection system 1 including the nondestructive inspection device 2. The configuration of the nondestructive inspection system 1 including the nondestructive inspection device 2 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to these figures.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, the non-destructive inspection system 1 of this embodiment mainly includes a non-destructive inspection device 2 that irradiates an object to be inspected with a neutron beam and analyzes the internal structure of the object from the radiation generated in response to the neutron beam, a management device 3 that remotely manages the non-destructive inspection device 2 from the outside, and an operator A that directly operates the non-destructive inspection device 2. For the sake of simplicity, the description will be given assuming that there is one operator, but there may be multiple operators. The operator A is also assumed to have a mobile terminal M such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0023] In the nondestructive inspection device 2 of this embodiment, a neutron irradiation unit 10 and a gamma ray detection unit (radiation detection unit) 20 are provided within an apparatus housing 30. The nondestructive inspection device 2 also has an apparatus control unit 40, to which are connected an external dose monitor 51 (first dose detection unit), an internal dose monitor 52 (second dose detection unit), a radiation source dose monitor 53 (third dose detection unit), which detect radiation doses at their respective installation locations, an alarm 54 which issues an alarm, a GSNN (Global Navigation Satellite System) 55 (position information acquisition unit) which acquires position information, and an apparatus communication unit 56. The nondestructive inspection device 2 also has a power source such as a battery (not shown). In this embodiment, the nondestructive inspection device 2 is placed on a concrete bridge B, which is the object to be inspected.

[0024] The neutron irradiation unit 10 has a neutron source 11 provided in a source housing (second housing) 12. The neutron source 11 in this embodiment is a radioisotope that spontaneously generates neutron rays radially, for example. 252 It is a Cf radiation source.

[0025] The radiation source housing 12 has a hollow, generally cubic shape, and in this embodiment, a neutron beam irradiation hole 12a is formed in the bottom surface. The radiation source housing 12 is also provided with a radiation source shutter 13 that opens and closes the irradiation hole 12a. The radiation source housing 12 and the radiation source shutter 13 are made of a material that can block neutron beams, such as lead or iron. The irradiation hole 12a is, for example, a circular hole, and the radiation source shutter 13 is an opening / closing plate member that slides on the bottom surface of the radiation source housing 12 to open and close the irradiation hole 12a by an actuator (not shown).

[0026] The neutron irradiation unit 10 configured in this manner can irradiate only the neutron beams directed downward through the irradiation holes 12a, out of the neutron beams radially irradiated from the neutron beam source 11. That is, in this embodiment, the downward direction is the irradiation direction D1 of the neutron beam. The irradiation and stopping (non-irradiation) of the neutron beam can be controlled by opening and closing the source shutter 13.

[0027] The gamma ray detection unit 20 has a detector 21 capable of detecting gamma (γ) rays, a collimator 22, and a movable shaft 23.

[0028] The detector 21 is, for example, a germanium semiconductor detector (Ge detector). A collimator 22 is connected to the tip of the detector 21, and the detector 21 can detect the amount of gamma rays incident through the collimator 22.

[0029] The collimator 22 is a cylindrical body made of a material that blocks gamma rays, such as lead or iron, and has the function of narrowing down gamma rays incident from the outside to gamma rays that are directed in one direction toward the detector 21. That is, in this embodiment, the axial direction of the collimator 22 is the gamma ray detection direction D2. As shown in FIG. 1, the detection direction D2 intersects with the irradiation direction D1 at a point, and this intersection is the inspection position P inside the bridge B of the object to be inspected. If the salt concentration at this inspection position P is high, the amount of gamma rays detected by the detector 21 will be higher than usual.

[0030] A movable shaft 23 extending in the horizontal direction is provided at the rear end portion of the detector 21. The detector 21 can swing vertically together with the collimator 22 around the movable shaft 23. By swinging the detector 21 around the movable shaft 23 in this way, the inspection position P can be moved in the irradiation direction D1.

[0031] The device housing 30 covers the neutron irradiation unit 10 and the gamma ray detection unit 20, and has openings 30a (first openings) formed in the irradiation direction D1 and the detection direction D2.

[0032] More specifically, the device housing 30 has a hollow, generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and is made of a material capable of blocking neutron rays, such as lead, iron, etc. Inside the device housing 30, the neutron irradiation unit 10 is arranged on one horizontal side, and the gamma ray detection unit 20 is arranged on the other horizontal side.

[0033] An opening 30a is formed on the bottom surface of the device housing 30, and the opening 30a includes the irradiation direction D1 and the detection direction D2. The shape of the opening 30a is not particularly limited as long as the irradiation direction D1 and the detection direction D2 are included within the opening, but in this embodiment, for example, the opening 30a is a rectangular hole. The opening range of the opening 30a is designed to include the range in which the detection direction D2 changes as the gamma ray detection unit 20 swings around the movable shaft 23.

[0034] An outer shutter 31 (first shutter) that opens and closes the opening 30a is provided on the bottom surface of the device housing 30. The outer shutter 31 is made of a material that can block neutron rays, such as lead or iron. The outer shutter 31 is a plate that slides on the bottom surface of the device housing 30 to open and close the opening 30a by an actuator (not shown).

[0035] Wheels 32 are provided on the outside of the bottom surface of the device housing 30, allowing the device housing 30 to move freely along the bridge B. In this embodiment, the wheels 32 are provided directly on the device housing 30, but the device housing 30 may not have wheels and may be made movable by being placed on a cart or a moving body.

[0036] In this embodiment, an external dose monitor 51 is provided on the outside of the top surface of the device housing 30, and the external dose monitor 51 detects the radiation dose around the outside of the non-destructive inspection device 2. In addition, an internal dose monitor 52 is provided on the inside of the top surface of the device housing 30, and the internal dose monitor 52 detects the radiation dose inside the non-destructive inspection device 2. Furthermore, a radiation source dose monitor 53 is provided on the inside of the top surface of the radiation source housing 12, and the radiation source dose monitor 53 detects the radiation dose inside the radiation source housing 12.

[0037] Radiation that can be detected by each of the dose monitors 51, 52, and 53 includes, for example, alpha (α) rays, beta (β) rays, and gamma (γ) rays. Furthermore, each of the dose monitors 51, 52, and 53 can detect the air dose rate (microsieverts per hour (μSv / h)) as the radiation dose. Note that the types and doses of radiation that can be detected are not limited to these, and any type that can detect the amount of radiation exposure to the human body can be used.

[0038] The alarm 54 is provided on the outside of the top surface of the device housing 30, and has the function of issuing an alarm to those around the non-destructive testing device 2. The alarm issued by the alarm 54 may, for example, emit an alarm sound, emit a voice to warn of danger, or turn on or flash a warning light. The alarm 54 may not only simply issue an alarm, but may also instruct actions to be taken after the alarm or display the reason for the alarm. Actions to be taken after the alarm include, for example, evacuation, issuing evacuation advice to the surrounding area, etc.

[0039] The GNSS 55 is, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System), and in this embodiment, is provided on the axis of the irradiation direction D1 of the neutrons N, i.e., vertically to the inspection position P. The GNSS 45 can receive information from satellites and generate relative position information between its own position coordinates and the inspection position P.

[0040] The device communication unit 56 is a communication device capable of mutual communication with various information terminals outside the nondestructive testing device 2. For example, the device communication unit 56 can communicate with the information terminals via a network (communication network) such as the Internet, or via wireless or wired communication.

[0041] 2, the device control unit 40 is a dedicated computer, a general-purpose computer on which software is installed, etc. Specifically, the device control unit 40 has an arithmetic processing unit 41 that performs various arithmetic processing, a memory unit 42 that can store information such as the gamma ray dose detected by the gamma ray detection unit 20 and the radiation dose detected by each dose monitor 51, 52, 53, and position information acquired by the GNSS 55, etc., a display unit 43 that can display the arithmetic results, etc., an input unit 44 that accepts operations from outside such as an operator A, etc.

[0042] The device control unit 40 is electrically connected to the radiation source shutter 13, the gamma ray detection unit 20, the outer shutter 31, the dose monitors 51, 52, and 53, the alarm 54, the GNSS 55, and the device communication unit 56. The device control unit 40 can execute at least control related to the examination (hereinafter referred to as examination control).

[0043] In controlling the inspection, the device control unit 40 mainly controls the radiation source shutter 13, the outer shutter 31, and the gamma ray detection unit 20. Specifically, the device control unit 40 opens the outer shutter 31 and the radiation source shutter 13 for inspection on the condition that inspection permission information has been acquired. On the other hand, when inspection impossibility information has been acquired, the device control unit 40 closes the radiation source shutter 13 and the outer shutter 31 and issues an alarm using the alarm 54. As described above, at this time, in addition to issuing an alarm, it may also instruct an action to be taken after the alarm or display the reason for the alarm.

[0044] Particularly during inspection, the device control unit 40 opens the outer shutter 31 before the radiation source shutter 13. More specifically, the device control unit 40 opens the outer shutter 31, detects the amount of gamma rays before neutron beam irradiation using the gamma ray detection unit 20, and then opens the radiation source shutter 13 to irradiate neutron beams for inspection.

[0045] In the inspection of this embodiment, gamma rays generated in response to neutron rays irradiated from the neutron irradiation unit 10 onto the object to be inspected are detected by the gamma ray detection unit 20, and the amount of chlorine (salt concentration) at the inspection position P is analyzed from the detected amount of gamma rays. Note that, as a specific method for analyzing the salt concentration in the object to be inspected, a conventionally known method may be used, for example, the collimation method or gamma ray intensity comparison method described in the above-mentioned Non-Patent Document 1.

[0046] The device control unit 40 is also connected to the management device 3 via the device communication unit 56 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The device control unit 40 can transmit device information, which is information about the nondestructive inspection device 2, such as the device ID of the nondestructive inspection device 2, the radiation dose detected by each dose monitor 51, 52, 53, location information acquired via GNSS 55, and power supply information including the remaining power of the power supply of the nondestructive inspection device 2, to the management device 3 via the device communication unit 56. The device control unit 40 can also transmit inspection result information, including the salinity concentration obtained as a result of the inspection, the device ID of the nondestructive inspection device 2 used, the operator ID of operator A, the date and time of inspection, the neutron beam irradiation time, etc., to the management device 3 via the device communication unit 56.

[0047] The management device 3 is a dedicated computer or a general-purpose computer with software installed, and includes a management communication unit 60, a management control unit 61, and a management database 62 (hereinafter referred to as management DB 62).

[0048] The management communication unit 60, like the device communication unit 56, is a communication device that can communicate with various information terminals, and can communicate with the information terminals via a network (communication network) such as the Internet, or via wireless or wired connections.

[0049] The management control unit 61 has a calculation processing unit (not shown) that performs various calculation processes, a display unit that can display the calculation results, etc., an input unit that accepts operations from an external device such as a manager, etc. It has a function of communicating with the device control unit 40 and the mobile terminal M owned by the worker A via the management communication unit 60, and managing the non-destructive testing device 2 based on the acquired information.

[0050] Specifically, the management control unit 61 determines the inspection feasibility requirements for whether or not an inspection can be performed by the non-destructive inspection device 2. The inspection feasibility requirements include a plurality of requirements, such as an inspection position requirement based on the position information of the non-destructive inspection device 2, an equipment use requirement based on the radiation dose detected by each dose monitor 51, 52, 53, and an operator requirement based on operator information.

[0051] The inspection position requirement is a requirement for determining whether the non-destructive inspection device 2 is placed in the correct position. Specifically, in determining the inspection position requirement, for example, it is determined whether the position information acquired by the GSNN 55 of the non-destructive inspection device 2 is within the inspection target point or the inspection target range. If the position information of the non-destructive inspection device 2 is within the inspection target point or the inspection target range, it is determined that the inspection position requirement is satisfied, and if it is outside the inspection target point or the inspection target range, it is determined that the inspection position requirement is not satisfied.

[0052] The equipment use requirements are requirements for determining whether the radiation dose caused by the non-destructive inspection equipment 2 is within a predetermined safe range. Specifically, in determining the equipment use requirements, it is determined whether each of the radiation doses detected by the dose monitors 51, 52, and 53 of the non-destructive inspection equipment 2 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. If any of the radiation doses is within the predetermined threshold, it is determined that the equipment use requirements are met, and if any of the radiation doses exceeds the predetermined threshold, it is determined that the equipment use requirements are not met.

[0053] This predetermined threshold is set for each of the dose monitors 51, 52, and 53, for example. In this embodiment, the threshold corresponding to the external dose monitor 51 is the first threshold T1, the threshold corresponding to the internal dose monitor 52 is the second threshold T2, and the threshold corresponding to the radiation source dose monitor 53 is the third threshold T3. In particular, the first threshold T1 is set to a value related to the amount of radiation exposure to the human body. Normally, the closer the dose monitor is to the neutron radiation source 11, the higher the radiation dose, so the threshold corresponding to the dose monitor closer to the neutron radiation source 11 is set to a higher value. In other words, the first threshold T1, the second threshold T2, and the third threshold T3 have larger values in this order (T1 <T2<T3)。

[0054] The worker requirements are requirements for determining whether worker A can be involved in the inspection. Specifically, in determining the worker requirements, worker information described below is acquired and various conditions are determined, such as whether worker A's worker ID is a pre-registered ID, whether worker A is registered as a worker who uses the non-destructive inspection device 2, whether worker A's cumulative radiation exposure does not exceed a predetermined threshold, and whether a predetermined number of days has passed since the last inspection. If all of these conditions are met, the worker requirements are met, and if any of the conditions are not met, the worker requirements are determined not to be met.

[0055] The management control unit 61 judges each of the above-mentioned inspection feasibility requirements, and when, for example, all requirements are met, generates inspection feasibility information indicating that inspection can be performed by the non-destructive inspection device 2 as the judgment result of the inspection feasibility requirements. On the other hand, when any of the inspection feasibility requirements is not met, the management control unit 61 generates inspection unfeasible information indicating that inspection by the non-destructive inspection device 2 is not possible as the judgment result of the inspection feasibility requirements. The inspection unfeasible information includes at least commands to close the radiation source shutter 13 and the outer shutter 31. The management control unit 61 also generates the inspection unfeasible information so that it also includes a reason for inspection unfeasible, indicating which of the inspection feasibility requirements was not met, for example.

[0056] In addition, the management control of the non-destructive testing equipment 2 performed by the management control unit 61 can perform not only the determination of the testability requirements, but also guidance control to guide the non-destructive testing equipment 2 to the testing point, power management control of the non-destructive testing equipment 2, etc.

[0057] In guidance control, the management control unit 61 generates route information to the inspection target point or inspection target area from the position information acquired by the GSNN 55 of the nondestructive inspection device 2 and map information stored in the management DB 62 described below, and transmits the information to the nondestructive inspection device 2 or the mobile terminal M of the worker A. This allows the worker A to move the nondestructive inspection device 2 to the inspection target point or inspection target area based on the route information displayed on the display unit 43 of the nondestructive inspection device 2 or the mobile terminal M. The management control unit 61 selects a route by prioritizing areas with few houses or people, for example, taking into consideration radiation exposure to the surrounding area.

[0058] Furthermore, in the power management control, when the management control unit 61 determines from the power information included in the device information of the nondestructive inspection device 2 that the remaining power of the nondestructive inspection device 2 is equal to or less than a predetermined remaining power, it generates power-off information and transmits it to the nondestructive inspection device 2. The power-off information is information that closes the radiation source shutter 13 and outer shutter 31 of the nondestructive inspection device 2 and then turns off the power of the nondestructive inspection device 2.

[0059] The management DB 62 stores various information such as information about the non-destructive testing device 2, information about the worker A, and map information. Note that the information stored in the management DB 62 is not limited to information about one non-destructive testing device 2 and one worker A shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but also information about other non-destructive testing devices and workers.

[0060] For example, information about non-destructive testing equipment includes the equipment ID for identifying the equipment, the specifications of each non-destructive testing equipment, the location and date and time when the inspection was conducted (inspection date and time), the irradiation time of neutron beams for each inspection, the cumulative irradiation time to date, and the inspection results.

[0061] The information stored about the workers includes, for example, personal information such as the name, age, address, and contact details of each worker, the worker ID assigned to each worker, the date and time of the inspection in which the worker was involved, the amount of radiation exposure to the worker for each inspection, the cumulative amount of radiation exposure, etc. This information is used by the management control unit 61 to determine the inspection availability requirements.

[0062] The map information also includes information on the topography and latitude and longitude of the area including the inspection point, as well as information on the travel route to the inspection point, etc. Furthermore, the map information reflects information on the location and date and time when the non-destructive inspection was performed, based on the information on the non-destructive inspection device, and also includes information on the amount of radiation exposure in each area.

[0063] The management device 3 configured in this manner can remotely control the non-destructive testing device 2.

[0064] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart illustrating the inspection procedure in the non-destructive inspection system 1, and the following description will be based on this flowchart.

[0065] As a premise, for example, worker A installs the non-destructive inspection device 2 at the inspection position P. The inspection position P may be stored in advance in the memory unit 42 of the device control unit 40, or the device control unit 40 may acquire information stored in the management DB 62 from the management device 3. Furthermore, the position information of the non-destructive inspection device 2 can be acquired by the GSNN 54, and the display unit 43 of the device control unit 40 may guide the worker A to the desired inspection position P. After the non-destructive inspection device 2 is installed at the inspection position P, the following routine is started.

[0066] In step S1, for example, operator A starts up the nondestructive inspection device 2. This is done, for example, by operating the input unit 44 of the device control unit 40 to turn on the power.

[0067] In step S2, the device control unit 40 accepts input of the worker ID of worker A. This may be obtained, for example, by worker A entering the worker ID via the input unit 44 of the device control unit 40, by using a mobile terminal M owned by worker A, or by holding a contactless authentication card containing information about the worker ID over a reader in the input unit 44.

[0068] In step S3, the device control unit 40 acquires device information including the radiation doses detected by the dose monitors 51, 52, and 53 and the position information acquired by the GNSS 55.

[0069] In step S4, the device control unit 40 transmits the worker ID acquired in step S2 and the device information acquired in step S3 to the management device 3 via the device communication unit 56.

[0070] In step S5, the management control unit 61 of the management device 3 receives the worker ID and device information transmitted from the non-destructive testing device 2 via the management communication unit 60.

[0071] In step S6, the management control unit 61 compares the information corresponding to the worker ID and device information acquired in step S5 from the information stored in the management DB 62, and determines whether the inspection possible conditions are met. Specifically, the management control unit 61 makes a determination regarding the above-mentioned inspection location requirements, device use requirements, and worker requirements. Then, if all the inspection possible requirements are met, the management control unit 61 generates inspection permission information as the determination result, and if any of the inspection possible requirements are not met, it generates inspection not possible information as the determination result.

[0072] In step S7, the management control unit 61 transmits the determination result to the management device 3 via the management communication unit 60.

[0073] In step S8, the device control unit 40 of the nondestructive inspection device 2 receives the determination result transmitted from the management device 3 via the device communication unit 56.

[0074] In step S9, the device control unit 40 determines whether or not inspection is possible based on the received determination result. If the received determination result is inspection impossible information, the device control unit 40 proceeds to step S10. On the other hand, if the received determination result is inspection permitted information in step S9, the device control unit 40 proceeds to step S11.

[0075] In step S10, the device control unit 40 causes the display unit 43 to display the reason for the inspection being impossible, which is included in the inspection impossible information, and ends the routine. The reason for the inspection being impossible may also be displayed on the mobile terminal M held by the operator A.

[0076] On the other hand, in step S11, to start the inspection, the device control unit 40 opens the radiation source shutter 13 and the outer shutter 31. Specifically, the device control unit 40 first opens the outer shutter 31, detects the amount of gamma rays before neutron irradiation with the gamma ray detection unit 20, and then opens the radiation source shutter 13.

[0077] In the next step S12, the device control unit 40 carries out the inspection. Specifically, neutron beams are irradiated from the neutron irradiation unit 10 as a result of the radiation source shutter 13 being opened in step S11, and gamma rays generated from the object to be inspected that has been irradiated with the neutron beams are detected by the gamma ray detection unit 20, and the amount of chlorine (salt concentration) at the inspection position P is analyzed from the detected amount of gamma rays. Then, the device control unit 40 generates inspection result information including the analyzed salinity concentration, the device ID of the nondestructive inspection device 2 used this time, the operator ID of operator A, the inspection date and time, the neutron beam irradiation time, etc.

[0078] In step S13, the device control unit 40 transmits the test result information generated in step S12 to the management device 3 via the device communication unit 56.

[0079] In step S14, the management control unit 61 of the management device 3 receives the inspection result information transmitted from the non-destructive inspection device 2 via the management communication unit 60.

[0080] In step S15, the management control unit 61 updates the information stored in the management DB 62 based on the inspection result information. For example, the management control unit 61 stores information on the salinity concentration at the inspection position P in the management DB 62. The management control unit 61 also updates information such as the cumulative irradiation time of neutron rays in the non-destructive inspection device 2 used this time and the cumulative amount of radiation exposure of the worker A who performed the inspection. The management control unit 61 generates this updated information as update information for the management DB 62.

[0081] In step S16, the management control unit 61 transmits the update information of the management DB 62 to the management device 3 via the management communication unit 60.

[0082] In step S17, the device control unit 40 of the nondestructive inspection device 2 receives the determination result transmitted from the nondestructive inspection device 2 via the device communication unit 56.

[0083] In step S18, the device control unit 40 displays the update information of the management DB received in step S17 on the display unit 43, and ends this routine. Note that the update information of the management DB 62 may also be displayed on the mobile terminal M of the worker A.

[0084] As described above, in the non-destructive inspection system 1 including the non-destructive inspection device 2 of this embodiment, the non-destructive inspection device 2 has the neutron irradiation unit 10 and the gamma ray detection unit 20 covered by the device casing 30 having the radiation source shutter 13 and the outer shutter 31, and dose monitors 51, 52, 53 are provided inside and outside the device casing 30 and in the radiation source casing 12, and transmit the radiation dose to the outside via the device communication unit 56. Then, only when inspection permission information is acquired from the management device 3, the device control unit 40 opens the radiation source shutter 13 and the outer shutter 31 to enable irradiation of neutron rays from the neutron irradiator 10.

[0085] In this way, the non-destructive testing device 2 of this embodiment can remotely monitor the amount of radiation exposure inside and outside the device from the outside, and can perform testing using neutron beams only when safety has been confirmed. This allows safe testing to be performed in non-destructive testing using neutron beams on objects to be tested.

[0086] In particular, the non-destructive testing device 2 acquires location information using GSNN55 and transmits device information including this location information to the outside, making it possible to easily grasp the location of the non-destructive testing device 2 from the outside, making it easier to ensure safety.

[0087] Furthermore, the non-destructive testing system 1, which includes a management device 3 that communicates with such non-destructive testing device 2 and manages it from the outside, transmits testing permission information to the non-destructive testing device 2 when the management control unit 61 meets predetermined testing enablement requirements based on the device information received from the non-destructive testing device 2. In this way, the non-destructive testing device 2 cannot perform testing without the permission of the management control unit 61, thereby preventing misuse or abuse by others.

[0088] In particular, by including in the inspection feasibility requirements an inspection position requirement that determines whether the non-destructive inspection device 2 is within the inspection target point or inspection target range, inspection at an incorrect location can be prevented, and exposure to radiation in unnecessary locations can be avoided.

[0089] Furthermore, by including in the inspection capability requirements a requirement for using the equipment to determine whether the radiation dose from the non-destructive inspection equipment is within a predetermined range, it is possible to reduce exposure to radiation of workers and the surrounding area.

[0090] Furthermore, by acquiring worker information and including in the inspection capability requirements a worker requirement that determines whether the worker is capable of performing work using the non-destructive inspection device 2, the safety of the worker can be ensured and misuse or abuse by others can be more reliably prevented.

[0091] In addition, the management control unit 61 can generate route information to the inspection target point or inspection target range from the location information and map information contained in the device information, thereby allowing the non-destructive inspection device 2 to be safely and reliably placed at the inspection target point or inspection target range.

[0092] Furthermore, the management control unit 61 acquires power supply information of the non-destructive testing device 2, and if the remaining power of the non-destructive testing device 2 is below a predetermined remaining power level, generates power-off information that closes the source shutter 13 and the outer shutter 31 and turns off the power, thereby safely shutting down the non-destructive testing device 2.

[0093] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0094] Fig. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a nondestructive inspection system 1' including a nondestructive inspection device 2' according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the nondestructive inspection system 1' including the nondestructive inspection device 2'. The configuration of the nondestructive inspection system 1' including the nondestructive inspection device 2' according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to these figures. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0095] The neutron irradiation unit 10 of the first embodiment uses a neutron source 11, but the neutron irradiation unit 70 of the second embodiment differs in that it uses a linear accelerator 72. Furthermore, the non-destructive inspection device 2′ of the second embodiment does not have a radiation source dose monitor.

[0096] The neutron irradiation unit 70 includes a power supply unit 71, a linear accelerator 72 that emits a proton beam, which is a charged particle beam, a deflection unit 73, a target unit 74, and an irradiation collimator 75.

[0097] More specifically, the power supply unit 71 is a generator that supplies power to each unit. The generator of the power supply unit 71 preferably has the power generation performance to generate protons, which are charged particles, has little voltage fluctuation, and is able to withstand harmonic currents. The power supply unit 71 may also have a battery that can store the power generated by the generator.

[0098] The linear accelerator 72 has an ion source 72a that emits protons, and is connected from the ion source 72a via a cylindrical acceleration unit 72b to a deflection unit 73. The acceleration unit 72b accelerates the protons generated in the ion source 72a and irradiates the deflection unit 73 with the protons as a proton beam.

[0099] The deflection unit 73 uses magnetic force to deflect the proton beam irradiated from the linear accelerator 72 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of incidence of the proton beam, and emits it toward the target unit 74. The deflection unit 73 has, for example, two opposing magnets, which create a magnetic field between the opposing magnets. The magnets are electromagnets, and a magnetic field with a predetermined magnetic flux density can be formed between the magnets by controlling the current flowing through the electromagnets. Note that permanent magnets may be used as long as the magnetic flux density can be ensured.

[0100] The target section 74 generates a neutron beam upon collision with protons and is formed, for example, containing beryllium. An irradiation collimator 75 is connected to the target section 74, which selects neutron beams in a predetermined direction from the neutron beams generated from the target section 74. The irradiation collimator 75 can increase the directivity of the irradiated neutron beam. The irradiation direction D1 of the neutron beam is downward, as in the first embodiment. The path from the linear accelerator 72 to the target section 74 is designed to maintain a high vacuum state so as not to interfere with the flight of charged particles.

[0101] The neutron irradiation unit 70 configured in this manner is electrically connected to the device control unit 40'. The device control unit 40' controls the timing at which the ion source 72a emits protons, thereby enabling the neutron irradiation unit 70 to irradiate a neutron beam at any timing.

[0102] 5, the device control unit 40′ of the second embodiment is electrically connected to the neutron irradiator 70 as well as the gamma ray detector 20, the outer shutter 31, the external dose monitor 51, the internal dose monitor 52, the alarm 54, the GNSS 55, and the device communication unit 56. The device control unit 40′ is capable of at least performing inspection control.

[0103] In controlling the inspection, the device control unit 40' mainly controls the neutron irradiator 70, outer shutter 31, and gamma ray detector 20. Specifically, on condition that inspection permission information has been acquired, the device control unit 40' opens the outer shutter 31 for inspection and causes the neutron irradiator 70 to irradiate neutron rays. Similar to the first embodiment, the device control unit 40' analyzes the salinity concentration from the amount of gamma rays detected by the gamma ray detector 20. On the other hand, if inspection impossibility information has been acquired, the device control unit 40' closes the outer shutter 31, prohibits the ion source 72a from emitting protons, and issues an alarm using the alarm 54.

[0104] The device control unit 40' is connected to the management device 3 via the device communication unit 56 so that they can communicate with each other. The configuration and functions of the management device 3 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the inspection procedure of the non-destructive inspection system 1' in the second embodiment is also the same as the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in Figure 3, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0105] As described above, in the non-destructive inspection system 1' including the non-destructive inspection apparatus 2' of the second embodiment, the non-destructive inspection apparatus 2' has the neutron irradiation unit 50 and the gamma ray detection unit 20 covered by the apparatus casing 30, and has dose monitors 51, 52 provided inside and outside the apparatus casing 30, which transmit the radiation dose to the outside via the apparatus communication unit 56. Then, only when inspection permission information is acquired from the management device 3, the apparatus control unit 40' opens the outer shutter 31 to enable irradiation of neutron rays from the neutron irradiator 70.

[0106] In this way, also in the non-destructive inspection device 2' of the second embodiment, the amount of radiation exposure inside and outside the device can be remotely monitored from the outside, and inspection using neutron beams can be performed only when safety has been confirmed. This allows safe inspection to be performed in non-destructive inspection using neutron beams on an object to be inspected. In addition, the non-destructive inspection system 1' of the second embodiment can obtain the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0107] Although the description of the embodiments of the present invention has been completed above, the aspects of the present invention are not limited to these embodiments.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the bridge B is described as the object to be inspected, but the object to be inspected is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to roads, building and tunnel walls, pillars, and other concrete structures.

[0109] In addition, in the above embodiment, the neutron beam is irradiated downward from the device, but the neutron beam irradiation direction is not limited to this. For example, if the object to be inspected is a wall or a pillar, it is preferable to irradiate the neutron beam horizontally. In such a case, the device casing may be configured to have an opening on the side.

[0110] Furthermore, the irradiation direction of the neutron beam is not limited to one direction, but may be capable of irradiating the neutron beam in multiple directions. For example, openings may be formed in the bottom and side surfaces of the device housing, and the irradiation direction of the neutron beam may be switched between downward and horizontal depending on the object to be inspected.

[0111] The non-destructive testing device of the above embodiment is configured to include only one gamma ray detection unit, but the number of gamma ray detection units is not limited to one. Two or more gamma ray detection units may be included as long as they can be housed within the device housing.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the gamma ray detector detects gamma rays to analyze the salt concentration distribution, but the radiation to be detected is not limited to gamma rays. For example, the non-destructive testing device may detect thermal neutrons generated from an object to be tested irradiated with neutron rays to detect voids and moisture within the object to be tested.

[0113] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the management and control unit 61 generates inspection impossible information when the radiation dose exceeds a predetermined threshold, but other thresholds may be set. For example, in the configuration of the above first embodiment, since the radiation dose detected by the radiation source dose monitor 53 also correlates with the energy of the neutron beam emitted by the neutron source 11, the management and control unit 61 may set a fourth threshold T4 and send inspection impossible information to the device control unit 40 even when the radiation dose detected by the radiation source dose monitor 53 falls below the fourth threshold. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in inspection accuracy and unnecessary inspections due to insufficient energy of the neutron source 11. This also makes it possible to notify an operator or the like when it is time to replace the neutron source.

[0114] In the above embodiment, a dose monitor is provided in each part of the non-destructive testing device, but the dose monitor is not limited to this. For example, an operator may carry a dose monitor, and the radiation dose detected by the dose monitor may be transmitted to the management device, and the detected radiation dose may be included in the device usage requirements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1,1' Non-destructive testing system 2, 2' Non-destructive testing equipment 10, 70 Neutron irradiation section 10a Irradiation hole 11 Neutron Source 12 Source housing 13 Source shutter 20 Gamma ray detection unit (radiation detection unit) 21 Detector 22 Collimator 23 Movable axis 30 Device housing 30a opening 31 Outer shutter 32 wheels 40 Device control section 51 External dose monitor (dose detection unit) 52 Internal dose monitor (dose detection unit) 53 Radiation source dose monitor (dose detection unit) 54 Alarm 55 GNSS (location information acquisition section) 56 Device communication unit 60 Management and Communications Department 61 Management and Control Unit 62 Management DB 71 Power supply section 72 Linear accelerator 72a Ion Source 72b Acceleration section 73 Deflection section 74 Target Section 75 Irradiation Collimator

Claims

1. A non-destructive inspection device that irradiates an object to be inspected with a neutron beam and analyzes an internal structure of the object to be inspected from radiation generated in response to the neutron beam, a neutron irradiation unit capable of irradiating the neutron beam in a predetermined irradiation direction; a radiation detection unit capable of detecting the radiation incident from a predetermined detection direction intersecting the irradiation direction; an apparatus housing that covers the neutron irradiation unit and the radiation detection unit and has openings formed in the irradiation direction and the detection direction; a shutter for opening and closing an opening in the device housing; a radiation dose detection unit that is provided in the device housing and detects a radiation dose; an apparatus communication unit capable of transmitting apparatus information including the radiation dose detected by the dose detection unit to an external device and receiving inspection permission information from an external device; an apparatus control unit that opens the shutter and enables the neutron irradiation unit to irradiate the neutron beam when the inspection permission information is received from the outside via the apparatus communication unit; A non-destructive testing device comprising:

2. a location information acquisition unit provided in the device housing and capable of acquiring location information; The device information includes the location information. The non-destructive inspection device according to claim 1.

3. The non-destructive inspection device according to claim 1 or 2; a management communication unit capable of receiving the device information from the device communication unit and transmitting inspection permission information to the device communication unit; a management control unit that transmits inspection permission information to the device communication unit via the management communication unit when a predetermined inspection enablement requirement based on the device information is satisfied; A non-destructive testing system comprising:

4. The inspection availability requirement includes an inspection location requirement for determining whether the nondestructive inspection device is located at an inspection target point or within an inspection target range based on location information included in the device information. The non-destructive inspection system according to claim 3 .

5. The inspection capability requirement includes an equipment usage requirement for determining whether or not a radiation dose caused by the non-destructive inspection equipment is within a predetermined range based on a radiation dose included in the equipment information.

5. The non-destructive inspection system according to claim 3 or 4.

6. the management communication unit is capable of acquiring worker information of a worker who performs work using the non-destructive testing device, The inspection capability requirement includes a worker requirement for determining whether or not a worker is capable of performing work using the non-destructive inspection device based on the worker information. The non-destructive inspection system according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. The management control unit is capable of generating route information to an inspection target point or inspection target range from location information included in the device information and map information. The non-destructive inspection system according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

8. The management control unit acquires power supply information of the nondestructive testing device, and when the remaining power of the nondestructive testing device is equal to or less than a predetermined remaining power, generates power-off information for closing the shutter and turning off the power of the nondestructive testing device. The non-destructive inspection system according to any one of claims 3 to 7.

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