Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing Shielding with Labyrinth Sheets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing systems using electron beam guns for powdery starting materials face challenges with heavy and costly shielding required to absorb ionizing radiation, such as X-rays, which complicates maintenance and increases costs due to the need for thick claddings made of lead or steel.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a shielding design that surrounds the construction area with four walls, where two walls are formed by the vacuum chamber, and the other two walls consist of an upper and lower part made of metal sheets. The upper part is fixed to the vacuum chamber, while the lower part is movable and made of refractory metals, forming a meshing labyrinth structure to absorb radiation effectively without the need for thick, heavy claddings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If thick claddings made of lead or steel are used to shield against ionizing radiation, then radiation absorption is effective, but the system becomes very heavy and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding wall is divided into multiple separate sheets (at least two sheets) with spacing between them, creating a segmented structure. This segmentation allows the shielding to achieve effective radiation absorption through multiple scattered interactions while reducing the total material volume and weight compared to a solid thick cladding.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a porous or spaced sheet structure where radiation must pass through multiple sheets separated by gaps. The spacing creates a labyrinthine path that increases the effective shielding distance and causes multiple scattering events, achieving equivalent or superior protection with less material than solid cladding.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thick claddings made of lead or steel are used to shield against ionizing radiation, then radiation absorption is effective, but maintenance becomes difficult and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the shielding into separate removable sheets, maintenance becomes significantly easier. Individual sheets can be accessed, inspected, and replaced independently without requiring disassembly of the entire shielding structure or heavy lifting equipment, thereby improving ease of repair and reducing maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding structure incorporates movable or removable sheets that can be dynamically adjusted or replaced. This dynamic design allows for easy maintenance operations while maintaining the shielding function during normal operation.
3Weight of moving object
If the shielding is designed to be lightweight and compact, then system portability and maintenance are improved, but radiation absorption effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spaced sheet configuration creates an effective porous shielding structure where the gaps between sheets increase the path length for radiation. Radiation must traverse through multiple sheets at different positions, achieving effective absorption with thinner, lighter materials compared to solid cladding of equivalent thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-dimension thick cladding approach to a multi-dimensional spaced sheet arrangement. By utilizing the spacing dimension between sheets, the system achieves enhanced radiation absorption through scattered interactions across multiple dimensions, reducing the required material thickness and weight.
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 design significantly reduces the weight and cost of the shielding while maintaining effective radiation absorption, allowing for a more compact and lightweight additive manufacturing system that can be easily maintained.
Implementation Method 1
the lower part is connected to a vertically movable frame and is formed from 2-11 horizontally spaced refractory metal sheets which are arranged in a meshing manner with the metal sheets of the upper part and are attached to the movable frame in a radiopaque manner
Implementation Method 2
the refractory metal sheets of the lower part in the closed position are arranged such that their lower edges mesh with a groove structure on the surface of the construction area while forming a labyrinth structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an additive manufacturing system for powdery starting material which comprises electron beam guns as irradiation units. The system comprises an improved shielding against ionizing radiation, in particular x-rays. By use of the additive manufacturing system according to the invention a compact an lightweight shielding of the construction area is achieved.