Modular Accelerator Shielding Chamber for Faster Construction

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shielding chambers for accelerators have long construction periods, high costs, and generate significant radioactive waste, posing challenges in treatment and safety licensing.

Innovation Solution

A method involving prefabricated molds to construct a shielding chamber with inner and outer walls, allowing for faster assembly and disassembly, reducing construction time and waste treatment complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional masonry wall building manner is used for constructing shielding chamber, then the shielding chamber can be built with traditional materials and methods, but the construction period becomes long and construction costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding chamber construction reliabilityVSAvoidconstruction period

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding chamber is divided into multiple modular units (first shielding chamber unit, second shielding chamber unit, etc.), each comprising standardized components such as wall panels, ceiling panels, and floor panels. These modules can be manufactured separately and assembled quickly on-site, dramatically reducing construction time while maintaining shielding effectiveness through standardized concrete structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular components are pre-manufactured with embedded radiation shielding materials and structural reinforcements before delivery to the construction site. The wall panels, ceiling panels, and floor panels are prepared in advance with optimal concrete compositions and thicknesses, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site mixing and curing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If conventional masonry wall building manner is used for constructing shielding chamber, then the shielding chamber can be built with traditional materials and methods, but construction costs become high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding chamber construction reliabilityVSAvoidconstruction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding chamber is divided into multiple modular units (first shielding chamber unit, second shielding chamber unit, etc.), each comprising standardized components such as wall panels, ceiling panels, and floor panels. These modules can be manufactured separately and assembled quickly on-site, dramatically reducing construction time while maintaining shielding effectiveness through standardized concrete structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies optimized concrete composition parameters including water-to-binder ratio (0.25-0.40), admixture content (5-15% of binder weight), and curing conditions (temperature 20-40°C, humidity 80-95% for 24-48 hours). These parameter optimizations reduce material waste and improve construction efficiency, lowering overall costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional shielding chamber construction is used, then the chamber can be built traditionally, but radioactive waste treatment becomes difficult and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding chamber radiation protectionVSAvoidradioactive waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding chamber is divided into multiple modular units (first shielding chamber unit, second shielding chamber unit, etc.), each comprising standardized components such as wall panels, ceiling panels, and floor panels. These modules can be manufactured separately and assembled quickly on-site, dramatically reducing construction time while maintaining shielding effectiveness through standardized concrete structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design enables selective dismantling and recovery of non-radioactive components (metal fasteners, insulation layers, finishing materials) from the shielding chamber units. The concrete shielding structures themselves can be crushed and reused as radiation shielding material in other applications, significantly reducing radioactive waste disposal requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP4654215A2Shielding chamber for accelerator and construction method therefor

Publication Date: 2025.11.26 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a shielding chamber for an accelerator and a construction method and a treatment method therefor. The construction method includes: step a: assembling a plurality of prefabricated molds to form a circumferential wall frame; step b: injecting a building material into the circumferential wall frame to form a circumferential wall of the shielding chamber; step c: assembling a plurality of prefabricated molds to form a top wall frame on the circumferential wall; and step d: injecting a building material into the top wall frame to form a top wall of the shielding chamber, wherein the top wall together with the circumferential wall encloses an inner space for placing the accelerator.