Curved Electrical Passthrough Seal for Radiation Detectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scintillator-based radiation detectors face challenges in maintaining contaminant resistance and preventing parasitic electrical effects due to the migration of contaminants along the interface between the electrical conductor and the polymer seal, which can lead to signal noise and reduced seal integrity.
Innovation Solution
An indirect electrical passthrough pathway through the polymer seal is implemented, where the conductor follows a longer, potentially non-linear path, reducing contaminant migration and enhancing seal integrity by increasing the distance and complexity of the path, thereby minimizing light leakage and parasitic electrical effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a direct electrical conductor pathway through the polymer seal is used, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but contaminant migration along the interface occurs leading to reduced seal integrity and signal noise
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conductor pathway is configured as a non-linear, curved path through the polymer seal rather than a straight line. This curvature increases the path length and reduces the direct interface contact between the conductor and seal, thereby minimizing contaminant migration along the interface while maintaining electrical conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor pathway transitions from a one-dimensional straight path to a multi-dimensional non-linear trajectory through the polymer seal. By utilizing multiple dimensions and creating a tortuous path, the design increases the distance contaminants must travel along the interface, reducing migration effects and improving seal integrity.
2Reliability
If a direct electrical conductor pathway through the polymer seal is used, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but parasitic electrical effects and signal noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curved, non-linear pathway of the electrical conductor through the polymer seal reduces parasitic electrical effects by minimizing the direct interface area between conductor and seal material. This geometric configuration decreases capacitive coupling and other parasitic effects that would otherwise generate signal noise.
3Reliability
If the electrical conductor path length through the seal is increased, then contaminant migration is reduced, but the complexity of the electrical passthrough structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-linear, curved pathway achieves increased path length without requiring additional components or complex structures. The conductor simply follows a bent trajectory through the existing polymer seal geometry, providing enhanced contaminant resistance while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 indirect pathway significantly reduces contaminant migration and parasitic electrical effects, improving seal integrity and signal quality by providing a more robust and light-tight seal, which enhances the accuracy and reliability of radiation detection.
Implementation Method 1
When a scintillator material of the scintillator-based detector is exposed to ionizing radiation, the scintillator material absorbs energy of incoming radiation and scintillates, remitting the absorbed energy in the form of photons.
Implementation Method 2
A photosensor of the scintillator-based detector detects the emitted photons.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical passthrough can include a polymer seal and an electrical conductor passing through the seal. The conductor can follow an indirect pathway through the seal. The entry point of the conductor can have a displacement within the seal that is at least 50% of the width of the seal.