Flexible Radiation Detector Scintillator Fluorescence Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation detectors are not flexible enough to effectively capture sharp radiation transmission images when wrapped around curved objects, such as steel pipes, due to interference from partition walls that prevent sufficient bending.
Innovation Solution
A radiation detector design featuring a scintillator that converts radiation into fluorescence, with elongated members that reflect or absorb the fluorescence and are positioned closer to the sensor surface, allowing the detector to be bent while maintaining image sharpness by guiding fluorescence to the sensor units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If partition walls are provided in the scintillator to guide fluorescence, then image sharpness is improved, but flexibility and bendability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the partition walls from the scintillator structure entirely. Instead of using physical partitions to guide fluorescence, the invention employs a different approach by positioning the sensor in direct contact with the scintillator surface and utilizing optical properties (refraction, reflection) to achieve sharp images without the mechanical constraints of partition walls, thereby restoring flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the radiation detector is bent to wrap around curved objects, then adaptability to curved surfaces is improved, but image sharpness deteriorates due to fluorescence scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible scintillator layer that can be bent to wrap around curved surfaces while maintaining its optical properties. The thin film structure allows bending without cracking or permanent deformation, and the flexible nature enables the detector to conform to various curved geometries for non-destructive inspection of pipes and other cylindrical objects.
3Ease of manufacture
If partition walls are used to restrain fluorescence scattering, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but device flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the partition wall structure from the scintillator, simplifying the manufacturing process by removing a complex component. The scintillator becomes a homogeneous, flexible layer that can be easily manufactured and integrated with the sensor, while still achieving sharp images through optimized sensor positioning and optical design.
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 flexible radiation detector achieves a highly sharp radiation transmission image and can be easily bent around curved objects without damage, enhancing the flexibility and imaging capability.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillator that has a first surface on which radiation is incident and a second surface disposed on a side opposite to the first surface, and that converts the radiation into fluorescence
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of members that reflect or absorb the fluorescence converted by scintillator
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of members that reflect or absorb the fluorescence converted by scintillator
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation detector includes a scintillator that has a first surface on which radiation is incident and a second surface disposed on a side opposite to the first surface, and that converts the radiation into fluorescence; a sensor unit provided on a side of the second surface of the scintillator and having a light receiving surface that receives the fluorescence converted by the scintillator; and a plurality of members that reflect or absorb the fluorescence converted by the scintillator. Each of the plurality of members has an elongated shape having a longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting the light receiving surface of the sensor unit, and is provided in the scintillator at a position closer to the second surface than to the first surface.