Ionizing Radiation Detector Array for Pipeline Density Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation scanning methods for dense structures like pipelines face challenges in achieving high-resolution density maps due to coarse resolution and limitations in scanning underwater pipelines, where conventional methods are unsuitable for varying diameters and insulated or coated pipes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a source of ionizing radiation and an array of detectors arranged symmetrically around the object, rotating through 360 degrees along an arcuate path, with fan-to-parallel beam conversion and calibration to identify defective detectors and derive density information from count data, enabling high-resolution density mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gamma radiation scanning is used to penetrate dense pipeline structures, then radiation can pass through the structure, but the resolution becomes coarse and insufficient for detecting small flaws
Solution Approach 1:
The detector array is divided into multiple individual detector elements (e.g., 64 or more detectors) arranged around the pipeline. Each detector captures radiation from a specific angular position, and the combined data from all detectors creates multiple radiation paths through the structure. This segmentation allows sufficient penetration while achieving high resolution through composite imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-point or limited-path scanning to three-dimensional angular sampling around the pipeline. By rotating the source and detector array around the object and collecting data from multiple angles (0-360 degrees), the system creates a tomographic dataset that enables high-resolution cross-sectional density maps without requiring excessive penetration through any single path.
2Measurement precision
If multiple detector positions and sources are used to generate high-resolution density maps, then more radiation paths are scanned, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple detectors are combined into a single rotating detector array that captures data from all angular positions in one rotation. This merging approach achieves the equivalent of multiple fixed detector positions without requiring multiple separate scanning systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a rotating source and detector array assembly that dynamically positions detectors at multiple angular locations during a single rotation cycle. This dynamic approach replaces the need for multiple static detector arrays or repeated scanning operations, simplifying the device while achieving comprehensive angular sampling for high-resolution imaging.
3Device complexity
If conventional single detector scanning is used for underwater pipelines, then the setup is simple, but it cannot handle varying diameters and insulated or coated pipes effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The detector array is designed with multiple detectors positioned at different angular locations, allowing the system to adapt to varying pipeline diameters by selecting appropriate detector subsets. The same apparatus can scan insulated or coated pipes by adjusting the angular range and number of active detectors, providing universal functionality across different pipeline conditions without requiring separate specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can dynamically adjust scanning parameters including the number of active detectors, angular range, rotation speed, and data sampling intervals to accommodate varying pipeline diameters and conditions. This parameter flexibility allows a single apparatus to handle diverse pipeline scenarios effectively, from small to large diameters and through various coatings or insulation layers.
4Measurement precision
If a large number of radiation paths are scanned to achieve high resolution, then more data is collected, but the scanning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The source and detector array rotate continuously around the pipeline during data collection, maintaining constant motion and continuous radiation detection throughout the 360-degree scan. This continuous scanning approach efficiently collects data from all angular positions in a single uninterrupted rotation, maximizing data acquisition rate and minimizing total scanning time while achieving comprehensive angular coverage for high-resolution imaging.
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 method provides high-resolution density maps and detects defects in pipelines, such as wall loss or corrosion, even in challenging environments like underwater conditions, by effectively handling radiation attenuation and defective detectors.
Implementation Method 1
a source of gamma radiation and an array of radiation detectors, capable of detecting the radiation
Implementation Method 2
Gamma scanning can produce useful information about the density through a cross-section of the pipe... the density of the pipeline material is such that radiographic scanning must be done using gamma radiation which is of sufficient energy to penetrate and pass through the structure
Data Source
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AI summary
A scanning method is disclosed which is a method of identifying a change in the density of an object comprises arranging a source of ionizing radiation and an array of radiation detectors Dn, where n is an integer from 1 to N, capable of detecting said radiation in such a way that radiation counts are counted by the detectors as the source and detectors are rotated around the object. Detectors are arranged in conjugate pairs so that missing data due to a malfunctioning detector may be filled in from its conjugate.