Bolus Insert for Component Imaging Artifact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal imaging of components, such as gas turbine engine parts, often results in image artifacts due to geometrical features that can lead to false identification of defects or inaccuracies in measuring internal features, caused by scatter, beam hardening, and partial volume effects.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a bolus insert positioned within the negative space of a component to normalize its geometry and density, matching the component's material density within 15%, which reduces image artifacts by ensuring consistent signal-to-noise ratio and resolution during imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If internal imaging is performed on components with geometrical features, then defect identification and internal feature measurement can be achieved, but image artifacts are generated that cause false defect identification and measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
A bolus insert is introduced as an intermediary material placed within negative spaces of the component during imaging. This bolus material has density matched to the component material (within 15%) and serves as a mediator to replace missing material in negative spaces, thereby eliminating the geometrical features that cause image artifacts while allowing the imaging process to proceed
Solution Approach 2:
The density parameter of the bolus insert is specifically controlled to be within 15% of the component material density. This parameter matching ensures that the bolus material is indistinguishable from the actual component material in the imaging process, allowing it to effectively compensate for negative spaces without creating additional artifacts
2Reliability
If component imaging is performed to detect defects, then defect identification capability is provided, but scatter, beam hardening, and partial volume effects create false density variations that lead to mistaken conclusions
Solution Approach 1:
The bolus insert acts as an intermediary that compensates for negative spaces, thereby reducing the geometrical variations that cause scatter, beam hardening, and partial volume effects. By filling in missing material with density-matched bolus material, the imaging conditions are normalized across different regions of the component
Solution Approach 2:
The bolus material is selected to have density homogeneous with the component material (within 15% match). This homogeneity ensures that the bolus insert creates uniform imaging conditions in regions where negative spaces would otherwise cause variations in x-ray attenuation, eliminating false density variations
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 use of a bolus insert effectively minimizes image artifacts, improving defect detection and measurement accuracy by providing consistent image data, reducing false positives and enhancing the quality of component inspection.
Implementation Method 1
the artifacts can be caused by scatter, beam hardening, and/or partial volume effect within the x-ray beam and its interaction with the component
Implementation Method 2
the artifacts can be caused by scatter, beam hardening, and/or partial volume effect within the x-ray beam and its interaction with the component
Implementation Method 3
the artifacts can be caused by scatter, beam hardening, and/or partial volume effect within the x-ray beam and its interaction with the component
Data Source
AI summary
A system for imaging a component defining a negative space is provided comprising a component imaging assembly, a bolus insert, and an imaging device. The bolus insert is positionable in the component's negative space when the component is positioned within an imaging device imaging field to produce a component image. A method is provided comprising positioning a bolus insert within a component's negative space and scanning the component having the bolus insert to create an image of the component. A component imaging assembly is provided comprising a component including a first portion having a first thickness that is greater than a second thickness of a second portion; and a bolus insert positioned adjacent the second portion that has a bolus thickness substantially similar to a difference between the first and second thicknesses. The bolus insert has a bolus material density within fifteen percent (15%) of a component material density.