Inverse Collimator Radiation Detector for Directional Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing directional radiation detection methods in highly radioactive environments are either time-intensive or require expensive, heavy mechanisms for directional scanning, lacking a lightweight and inexpensive solution for efficiently measuring radiation intensity and direction.
Innovation Solution
The use of an inverse collimator with a small radiation shield that blocks radiation in a narrow beam, allowing detection from all other directions, combined with pan-tilt functionality and silicon diode sensors, enables a lightweight, inexpensive, and remotely operable radiation detector that can efficiently survey a radioactive environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a collimator is used to create a strongly directional detection apparatus, then directional detection precision is improved, but the apparatus becomes heavy and expensive due to requiring heavy shielding material and strong mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inverse collimation by inverting the traditional collimator design. Instead of using a large shield with a small opening to allow radiation from one direction, the invention uses a small shield with a large opening that blocks radiation from one direction while allowing radiation from all other directions. This inversion dramatically reduces the weight of shielding material required while maintaining directional detection capability. The small shield (e.g., 2.5 cm diameter) compared to traditional large collimators results in a much lighter apparatus that does not require expensive strong mechanisms for positioning.
2Measurement precision
If a collimator is used to create a strongly directional detection apparatus, then directional detection precision is improved, but the apparatus becomes expensive due to heavy material and strong mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The inverse collimator design reduces material requirements from hundreds of kilograms of lead or stainless steel to just a small shield, dramatically lowering material costs. The reduced size and weight also eliminate the need for expensive strong mechanisms for positioning and support. The simple geometry of a small shield with large opening is much easier and cheaper to manufacture than traditional large collimator structures.
3Device complexity
If a non-directional radiation detection apparatus is transported to survey an environment, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the survey process becomes time intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The inverse collimator provides inherent directional information in a single measurement, eliminating the need for time-intensive grid search methods. By blocking radiation from one direction while allowing radiation from all other directions, each measurement contains angular information that enables rapid mapping of radiation sources. This maintains simple apparatus structure while dramatically increasing survey productivity.
4Ease of operation
If manual access is used in highly radioactive environments, then operational flexibility is maintained, but safety risks and exposure limits are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The inverse collimator's small shield design creates a naturally rugged and self-contained apparatus that can be remotely operated. The simplified structure with fewer moving parts and reduced weight makes it suitable for remote deployment in highly radioactive environments, minimizing human exposure risk while maintaining operational capability through remote control.
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 approach results in a smaller, lighter, and less costly radiation detector that can quickly and accurately map radiation sources in a 3D space, reducing disruption and exposure risks while maintaining high sensitivity across a wide range of radiation intensities.
Implementation Method 1
an inverse collimator comprising a small radiation shield that blocks the ionizing radiation field only in a narrow beam
Implementation Method 2
a sensor that generates an electrical signal in response to ionizing radiation incident thereon
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides a radiation detector for detecting both the intensity and direction of one or more sources of radiation comprising a radiation sensor, an inverse collimator that shields the sensor from at least a portion of the incident radiation originating from the direction in which the inverse collimator is pointed and a means for pointing the inverse collimator in different directions. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for detecting both the intensity and direction of one or more sources of radiation comprising the steps of providing a radiation sensor, providing an inverse collimator that shields the sensor from at least a portion of the incident radiation originating from the direction in which the inverse collimator is pointed, providing a means for pointing the inverse collimator in different directions, pointing the inverse collimator in a direction, recording the direction in which the inverse collimator is pointed and recording the signal from the sensor, repeating the preceding two steps one or more times for one or more different directions.