Underwater CCD Camera Casing with Lead Glass Radiation Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional underwater CCD cameras for reactor cooling system visual testing face issues with heat damage and radiation exposure, leading to compromised image quality due to inadequate cooling and radiation shielding.
Innovation Solution
The CCD camera features a casing with a top surface area twice that of the bottom surface to facilitate natural convection for heat dissipation and incorporates Pb-glass windows with vent holes for radiation protection and air circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the CCD camera is operated in the coolant to perform visual testing, then the camera can capture images in the reactor cooling system, but the camera casing temperature increases to about 70°C which can damage the CCD circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The camera casing is divided into multiple compartments separated by partition walls. The CCD circuit is isolated in a radiation-shielded compartment, while the cooling pin is positioned in a separate compartment to maximize heat dissipation efficiency. This segmentation allows independent optimization of radiation shielding and thermal management without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling pin is introduced as an intermediary heat dissipation component. The cooling pin extends into the coolant through the casing bottom, providing a dedicated thermal pathway to transfer heat from the CCD circuit to the coolant, thereby preventing direct heat accumulation in the casing.
2Reliability
If the CCD camera is exposed to radiation to capture images in the reactor, then visual testing can be performed, but radiation exposure damages the CCD circuit and degrades image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The camera casing is divided into multiple compartments separated by partition walls. The CCD circuit is isolated in a radiation-shielded compartment, while the cooling pin is positioned in a separate compartment to maximize heat dissipation efficiency. This segmentation allows independent optimization of radiation shielding and thermal management without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Lead glass is used as a composite shielding material that combines radiation blocking properties with optical transparency. The lead glass shielding surrounds the CCD circuit, providing effective radiation protection while allowing light to pass through for image capture, thus simultaneously addressing both radiation shielding and optical transmission requirements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If lead glass windows are added to shield the CCD circuit from radiation, then radiation protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lead glass windows serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide radiation shielding for the CCD circuit, maintain optical transparency for image capture, and act as structural components of the camera casing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate shielding elements, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Lead glass is used as a composite shielding material that combines radiation blocking properties with optical transparency. The lead glass shielding surrounds the CCD circuit, providing effective radiation protection while allowing light to pass through for image capture, thus simultaneously addressing both radiation shielding and optical transmission requirements.
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 configuration effectively cools the camera and shields the CCD circuit from radiation, ensuring reliable operation and high-quality digital images in high-temperature, radioactive environments.
Implementation Method 1
a casing, a top surface of which has an area two or more times greater than that of a bottom surface thereof to generate natural convection in the casing by thermal gradient between upper and lower parts inside the casing to thereby remove heat generated by the CCD camera through natural cooling
Implementation Method 2
lead (Pb)-glass windows dually disposed on a front side of the CCD camera to protect a CCD circuit of the CCD camera from radiation exposure
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an underwater CCD camera for visual testing of a reactor cooling system. The underwater CCD camera includes a CCD camera, a casing having a supporter supporting the CCD camera and a cooling pin on a top surface thereof, a Pb-glass window on a front side of the easing to shield the CCD camera from radiation and to reduce a temperature difference between the interior and exterior of the casing, a sealing O-ring preventing a coolant from being introduced into a gap between the Pb-glass window and the casing, a sealing nut providing a fastening force to bring the Pb-glass window into close contact with the sealing O-ring, a rear cap, a silicon O-ring preventing the coolant from being introduced into a gap between the rear cap and the casing, and a fastening nut providing a fastening force to prevent leakage between a camera cable and the casing.