Adjustable X-ray Collimator for Drift Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electromagnetic wave scanners face challenges in accurately detecting defects or foreign bodies due to source drift and collimator or detector misalignment caused by vibrations or prolonged use, leading to suboptimal performance and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A spatially adjustable collimator system with manual and automated mechanisms, coupled with a control system and photodiode arrays, allows for real-time alignment and energy level balancing of the electromagnetic beam, ensuring consistent detection accuracy and reducing manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a fixed collimator system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the alignment precision deteriorates due to source drift and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollimator system complexityVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic collimator system with adjustable elements that can move along the beam path. The collimator includes multiple adjustable elements positioned at different locations, allowing real-time alignment corrections to compensate for source drift and vibrations, thereby maintaining precision without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the positional parameters of collimator elements dynamically. By adjusting the position of collimator elements along the beam path, the system adapts to drift conditions while maintaining optimal alignment, resolving the contradiction between fixed simplicity and adjustable precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If manual adjustment mechanisms are used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity decreases due to frequent manual interventions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment easeVSAvoidscanning throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-adjustment capabilities where the collimator automatically compensates for drift using feedback from detectors. The adjustable elements respond to detected alignment deviations without requiring manual intervention, maintaining ease of operation while eliminating productivity losses from frequent adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses detectors to monitor beam alignment and provides feedback to the collimator adjustment mechanism. This closed-loop feedback enables automatic correction of misalignment, reducing manual intervention needs while maintaining high scanning throughput

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If spatially adjustable collimator elements are implemented, then the reliability is improved through continuous alignment, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidcollimator mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic adjustable elements within the collimator that can respond to alignment deviations. These elements provide continuous alignment maintenance through controlled movement, improving detection reliability while keeping the mechanism complexity manageable through focused adjustability at critical positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The collimator is divided into multiple independent adjustable elements positioned at different locations along the beam path. Each element can be adjusted independently to correct specific alignment issues, improving reliability through distributed adjustment capability while avoiding the complexity of a fully integrated adjustable system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution enhances the scanners' ability to maintain optimal performance over longer periods, reduces maintenance costs, and improves image quality by automatically adjusting the collimator to maintain balanced energy levels, even in varying environments.

Implementation Method 1

the electromagnetic wave source generates X-rays

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray generation: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

a collimator positioned to alter the electromagnetic waves emitted from the electromagnetic wave source into an electromagnetic beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave collimation:

Implementation Method 3

a detector positioned to measure one or more levels of electromagnetic energy of the electromagnetic beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy detection:

Data Source

PatentUS12044634B2X-ray automated calibration and monitoring

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 JBT MAREL CORPORATION

AI summary

A scanner comprises an electromagnetic wave source; a collimator positioned to alter the electromagnetic waves emitted from the electromagnetic wave source into an electromagnetic beam; and a detector positioned to measure one or more levels of electromagnetic energy of the electromagnetic beam, wherein a collimator element is spatially adjustable in at least one axis via one or more adjusting mechanisms to change the one or more levels of electromagnetic energy measured the detector.