Absolute Position Measuring Device Segmentation for Radiation Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Absolute position measuring devices fail when exposed to ionizing, high-energy radiation due to their complex structure, and existing solutions like shielding or using radiation-hard components are either ineffective or excessively costly and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
Designing an absolute position measuring device with a first subassembly containing radiation-compatible components for the radiation area and a second subassembly with conventional components in a radiation-safe area, connected via electrical lines, allowing for the generation of absolute position values without the need for radiation-hard components in the second assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an absolute position measuring device is used in a radiation environment, then position information is available immediately after switching on, but the device fails due to exposure to ionizing radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The position measuring device is divided into two separate assemblies: a first assembly containing only radiation-compatible components that can operate in the radiation area, and a second assembly containing peripheral units with conventional components located in a radiation-safe area. This segmentation allows the critical measurement function to survive radiation exposure while non-critical functions are protected separately.
Solution Approach 2:
Electrical lines serve as intermediaries to connect the first assembly (in radiation area) and the second assembly (in radiation-safe area), enabling signal transmission between the radiation-exposed measurement components and the protected peripheral units without requiring the peripheral units to be radiation-hardened.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding is used to protect the absolute position measuring device from radiation, then radiation protection is achieved, but the device becomes excessively heavy and occupies large space
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of radiation is managed by extracting the vulnerable components (peripheral units) from the radiation area entirely, placing them in a radiation-safe area. Only the essential radiation-compatible components remain in the radiation area, eliminating the need for heavy shielding around the entire device.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If radiation-hard components are used to construct the position measuring device, then radiation resistance is achieved, but the device becomes disproportionately expensive and large
Solution Approach 1:
Radiation resistance is applied locally only where absolutely necessary - specifically to the components in the first assembly that directly measure position in the radiation area. The peripheral units in the second assembly use conventional, cost-effective components since they operate in a radiation-safe area, significantly reducing overall device complexity and cost.
4Reliability
If all components are made radiation-compatible, then the device can operate in the radiation area, but the cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into radiation-compatible components (first assembly) and conventional components (second assembly). This segmentation allows the system to operate reliably in the radiation area while minimizing the number of expensive radiation-compatible components to only those absolutely necessary for measurement function.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
The device (1) has a first subassembly including a measuring standard i.e. scale, on which a code track is placed, and a scanning unit scanning the track in measuring direction to produce position signals to generate absolute digital position. A second subassembly includes a peripheral unit to perform additional and/or auxiliary function of the device. The first subassembly and the second subassembly are connected to each other by a set of electric lines to transmit electrical signals. The first subassembly exclusively includes components used in a radiation area (A) of a machine. An independent claim is also included for a measuring system.