Radiation Filter for CCD Camera Video Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Visual inspections in nuclear power plants using CCD cameras are hindered by radiation interference, leading to impaired images and increased camera failure rates, which limits inspection speed, quality, and coverage.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that filter radiation effects by identifying and replacing 'xnoids' (radiation bright spots) in video frames using a computer and CCD camera, allowing for real-time correction and estimation of camera absorbed dose to predict potential failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high cost radiation tolerant tube base cameras are used to capture video in high radiation areas, then camera reliability is improved, but inspection cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera reliabilityVSAvoidinspection cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs inexpensive CCD-based cameras instead of expensive radiation-tolerant tube cameras. The system accepts that these cheaper cameras will suffer radiation damage but compensates through software-based video filtering that corrects degradation in real-time, allowing the use of disposable or replaceable cheap cameras rather than investing in expensive durable equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a video filtering system as an intermediary between the radiation environment and the camera. This filtering mechanism processes the degraded video signals, identifying and correcting radiation-induced artifacts, thereby protecting the inspection quality without requiring the camera itself to be radiation-hardened

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If CCD based cameras are used in high radiation areas, then inspection cost is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to radiation interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection costVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful radiation interference into a detectable and correctable signal characteristic. By identifying specific patterns of radiation-induced degradation (bright spots, noise patterns) and developing algorithms to recognize and remove these artifacts, the system transforms the harmful effect into a known variable that can be compensated for, maintaining image quality despite using cheap cameras in radiation environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts video processing parameters in response to detected radiation interference. The filtering algorithm modifies gain, contrast, noise thresholds, and frame integration parameters based on real-time radiation conditions, allowing the system to maintain optimal image quality across varying radiation levels while using inexpensive cameras

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If CCD based cameras are used in high radiation areas, then inspection coverage is increased, but inspection speed decreases due to impaired images requiring re-inspection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection coverageVSAvoidinspection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous inspection operations by maintaining usable video quality throughout the inspection process. The real-time filtering system ensures that video frames remain interpretable even under radiation interference, eliminating the need to stop and re-inspect areas and allowing uninterrupted coverage of large inspection zones at sustained speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Manufacturing precision

If radiation filtering is applied to video frames, then image quality is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies selective filtering that focuses computational resources only on portions of the video frame affected by radiation interference. Rather than processing every pixel uniformly, the system identifies radiation-affected regions and applies intensive filtering only there, while leaving unaffected regions unchanged, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining image quality where it matters most

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10636131B2Inspection video radiation filter

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 FRAMATOME ANP INC

AI summary

A method for filtering radiation on a CCD based camera inspection video, the method including: capturing video signals via the camera; converting the video signals to a plurality of digital video frames; identifying radiation bright spots, defined as xnoids, in a pixel of at least one of the frames, replacing the xnoids and surrounding pixels with corresponding pixels of another of the frames to create a filtered frame. A system for the inspection of a nuclear power plant comprising: a camera; and a computer, the computer configured to execute identifying xnoids in a pixel of at least one digitized video frame and replacing the xnoids and surrounding pixels with corresponding pixels of another of the frames to create a filtered frame.