Adjustable Collimator for Subsea Pipeline Density Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scanning subsea pipelines at high resolution increases scanning time significantly, making it impractical for detecting smaller artefacts due to reduced radiation count and increased number of images required.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes collimation adjustment means, such as moveable plates or blocks, that allow for selective adjustment of resolution in the axial direction, enabling scanning at two different resolutions, thereby reducing scanning time and maintaining compactness for subsea deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high resolution scanning is used to detect smaller artefacts, then measurement precision is improved, but scanning time increases significantly due to reduced radiation count and increased number of images required
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator configuration is made dynamically adjustable between different resolution settings. The system can switch between a first collimator configuration for high resolution scanning and a second collimator configuration for lower resolution scanning, allowing optimization of scanning time based on detection needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the collimation parameter (aperture size/geometry) to control the trade-off between resolution and scanning time. By adjusting the collimator configuration, the system can optimize the balance between detecting small artefacts and maintaining practical scanning speeds.
2Measurement precision
If a large number of detectors are used closely spaced to obtain high resolution data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and pressure resistance become more difficult to maintain at subsea depths
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the resolution control function from the detector array configuration and places it in the collimator system. This allows high resolution scanning to be achieved through collimator geometry rather than requiring a large number of closely spaced detectors, thereby reducing device complexity and improving pressure resistance for subsea deployment.
3Measurement precision
If collimation is applied to reduce detection of scattered photons, then measurement precision is improved, but the number and arrangement of detectors and collimators are constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator system is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides gamma photon collimation to reduce scattered photon detection, enables adjustable resolution through configuration changes, and simplifies the overall detector arrangement. This multi-functionality reduces the constraints on detector and collimator arrangement while maintaining measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for efficient scanning of subsea pipelines by enabling high-resolution scanning when needed and finer detail detection when small artefacts are present, while maintaining a compact and pressure-resistant design suitable for subsea operations.
Implementation Method 1
Gamma rays entering the crystal interact with the scintillating material to produce photons in the visible and/or ultraviolet region
Implementation Method 2
These scintillation photons are detected using a photodetector, for example a photomultiplier tube, which outputs an electrical pulse
Implementation Method 3
The radiation travelling towards each detector is typically collimated to reduce detection of gamma photons which have been scattered from a path other than the direct path from the source to a particular detector
Implementation Method 4
providing shielding material around the detectors so that the non-detecting surfaces of the detector, except for the portion of the collecting surface in optical communication with the photodetector, are protected from radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method for scanning a structure for detecting variations in density of a structure are described. The apparatus (10) comprises: a source of radiation (20); a plurality of detectors (30), arranged for receiving radiation emitted by said source (20)along a plurality of respective paths(26); wherein said apparatus (10) is configured such that, in use, a structure (100) to be scanned is positionable between said detectors (30) and said source (20); collimation means (40) comprising a plurality of collimator channels (42), each located between a respective detector (30) and said source (20); and collimation adjustment means (60); wherein, in a first configuration of said apparatus (10), said apparatus (10) provides a first resolution (r1) in an axial direction substantially orthogonal to a plane comprising said source and said plurality of paths(26); wherein, in a second configuration of said apparatus (10), said collimation adjustment means (60) is positioned between said collimation means (40) and said source (20) such that said apparatus (10) provides a second resolution (r2) in said axial direction; wherein said second resolution (r2) is smaller than said first resolution (r1).