Flexible X-ray Detector for Pipe Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-destructive testing methods, particularly those using X-rays, face challenges in attaching a digital radiography detector to hollow cylindrical objects like pipes due to their varying radii, making it difficult to maintain structural stability and secure the detection panel effectively.
Innovation Solution
A flexible detector design incorporating a first housing made of elastic material and a second housing made of inelastic material, with a reinforcement member surrounding the detection panel to enhance structural stability and secure attachment to the test target, including a bending restriction part to limit excessive bending and a fixing mechanism to tightly attach the detector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a flat panel detector is used for X-ray inspection of pipes, then digital radiography detection is achieved, but the detector cannot be tightly attached to pipes with varying radii
Solution Approach 1:
The first housing is designed with elastic material properties, allowing it to dynamically change its shape from a substantially flat state during transport to a bent state during inspection. This dynamic shape change enables the housing to adapt to pipes with varying radii while maintaining the digital detection capabilities of the flat panel detector.
Solution Approach 2:
The first housing is constructed from elastic material that can be bent into different shapes, creating a flexible shell structure. This flexible housing can conform to the outer peripheral surface of pipes with different radii, enabling tight attachment while protecting the rigid flat panel detector inside.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the first housing is made of elastic material to allow shape changes, then adaptability to varying radii is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detector combines elastic material (first housing) with rigid material (second housing and reinforcement member) to create a composite structure. The elastic first housing provides shape adaptability while the rigid second housing and reinforcement member maintain structural stability, preventing damage to the detection panel during shape changes and external impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is divided into two distinct parts: the first housing made of elastic material for shape adaptability, and the second housing made of rigid material for structural support. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
3Ease of operation
If the detection panel is made flexible to conform to pipe surfaces, then attachment ease is improved, but structural stability and damage resistance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid flat panel detector is nested inside the elastic first housing. The elastic housing acts as a protective sleeve that can bend and conform to pipe surfaces, while the rigid detector inside remains protected from deformation and damage. This nested structure allows the detection panel to maintain its structural integrity while the outer housing provides the flexibility needed for easy attachment.
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 ensures the detector remains stable and securely attached to the test target, preventing damage from shape changes and external impacts, while allowing easy and tight attachment, even to objects with varying shapes like pipes.
Implementation Method 1
a first housing (12) made of an elastic material
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a flexible detector and an imaging device including the same, which are capable of improving structural stability of the detector even in a state in which the detector changes in shape. A detector according to an embodiment includes a first part including a first housing made of an elastic material, and a detection panel provided in the first housing, a second part connected to the first part and including a second housing made of an inelastic material or a material having higher rigidity than the material of the first housing, and a reinforcement member disposed outside the detection panel and provided on the first housing so as to surround at least a part of the detection panel on a horizontal plane.