Conformal Shielding Structure for Linear Accelerator Guide

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional linear accelerator shielding structures are labor-intensive and dangerous to install/remove, require excessive clearance leading to increased cost, weight, and volume due to separate radiation and magnetic shielding components, and result in potential radiation leakage paths.

Innovation Solution

A compact, integrated shielding structure that conforms to the accelerator guide's contour, incorporating a mono-block with integrated radiation and magnetic shielding, allowing horizontal installation/removal and reducing the number of shielding pieces and gaps, thereby minimizing radiation leaks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate radiation and magnetic shielding components are used, then shielding function is provided, but device complexity and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding functionVSAvoidnumber of shielding components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate radiation shielding components and magnetic shielding components into a single integrated shielding structure. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate components while maintaining both radiation and magnetic shielding functions, thereby reducing device complexity and volume without compromising shielding reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If mechanical clearance is increased to avoid collisions, then guide alignment is enabled, but shielding diameter and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide alignmentVSAvoidshielding weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding structure incorporates movable or adjustable components that allow dynamic adaptation during guide alignment. This enables the shielding to accommodate guide movement and alignment adjustments without requiring excessive fixed clearance, thereby maintaining compact dimensions and reducing weight while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple shielding pieces are stacked, then shielding coverage is achieved, but installation and removal become labor-intensive and dangerous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding coverageVSAvoidinstallation and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple shielding pieces into a unified shielding structure with reduced gaps between components. This merging maintains comprehensive shielding coverage while simplifying the structure into fewer larger components that are easier to install and remove, eliminating the labor-intensive and dangerous handling of numerous small pieces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding structure is segmented into optimized sections that maintain coverage while reducing the total number of components. The segmentation allows for strategic division into manageable sections that are easier to handle during installation and removal, rather than using many small stacked pieces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If shielding gaps and clearance holes are present, then assembly is simplified, but radiation leakage paths are created

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidradiation leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different shielding qualities to different regions of the shielding structure. Critical areas with potential gaps or clearance holes are reinforced with additional shielding material or sealed with radiation-blocking compounds, while non-critical areas maintain simpler construction. This localized enhancement eliminates radiation leakage paths without compromising overall assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 reduces the total weight and volume of shielding, minimizes radiation leaks, and simplifies the installation/removal process by integrating shielding components into a single unit, enhancing safety and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

protective measures such as various radiation shielding must be taken to limit unwanted radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the magnetic shield 12, a part serving to shield an accelerator guide 14 from variations in earth's magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic shielding: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS10143076B2Shielding structures for linear accelerators

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

An apparatus includes an accelerator guide and a shielding structure enclosing the accelerator guide. The accelerator guide includes an electron source at a first end, a target at a second end, and a plurality of accelerating cavities coupled in series along a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end. The accelerator guide has a contour as viewed in the longitudinal axis. The shielding structure has an inner wall surface defining a contour as viewed in the longitudinal axis generally conformal to the contour of the accelerator guide.