Multi-Collimator Neutron Imaging for High-Throughput Industrial Tomography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial-scale neutron imaging is hindered by the lack of accessible, high flux neutron sources, high costs, and impracticality of nuclear reactors, and the inefficiency of existing accelerator-based systems, which are either too large, expensive, or have low neutron output, limiting the practicality and throughput of neutron radiography and tomography.
Innovation Solution
A compact neutron imaging system comprising a central neutron source, moderator assembly, independent neutron absorber-lined collimators, and a neutron imaging detector, utilizing deuterium-deuterium or deuterium-tritium fusion reactions, with integrated shielding and robotic motion for high-throughput 2D and 3D imaging, and optionally combining with x-ray, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance detection for multi-modality imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If nuclear reactors are used as neutron sources, then high flux thermal neutrons are available for imaging, but the systems become expensive, difficult to regulate, and inaccessible for commercial applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, long-lived nuclear reactor infrastructure with shorter-lived, more affordable accelerator-based neutron sources. The system uses a particle accelerator to generate neutrons on-demand through nuclear reactions, eliminating the need for sustained nuclear reactor operation while maintaining adequate neutron flux for commercial imaging applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a particle accelerator as an intermediary device between electrical power and neutron generation. The accelerator converts electrical energy to kinetic energy of ions, which then induce nuclear reactions to produce neutrons, providing a controllable and accessible neutron source without requiring direct nuclear reactor infrastructure
2Adaptability or versatility
If ion beam accelerators are used to produce neutrons, then neutron imaging can be performed without nuclear reactors, but the systems are either too large and expensive or have low neutron output requiring extremely long image acquisition times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes accelerator parameters including ion beam energy, current, and pulse structure to maximize neutron production efficiency. By carefully controlling the accelerator operating parameters and matching them to the specific imaging requirements, the system achieves high neutron flux output that enables practical image acquisition times while maintaining system compactness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pulsed accelerator operation with optimized pulse width and repetition rate. The periodic acceleration of ion beams creates bursts of neutrons that are timed to match the imaging sequence requirements, increasing effective neutron flux during exposure periods while allowing the accelerator to reset between pulses, thereby improving both throughput and efficiency
3Quantity of substance
If nuclear reactors are used as neutron sources, then thermal neutron imaging is available, but imaging of large components is limited to components only up to a few inches thick
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides different neutron energy characteristics at different locations around the accelerator target. By positioning collimators and detectors at various angles and distances, the system can select between thermal neutrons (for detailed imaging of smaller features) and fast neutrons (for penetrating larger components), optimizing the neutron energy quality for each specific imaging task and component size
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
Enables high-quality, high-throughput fast or thermal neutron imaging, providing detailed internal structure information for large components, and integrating with other nondestructive evaluation techniques to create fusion image data sets, enhancing imaging capabilities and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the central neutron source comprises a solid or gas target... utilizing deuterium-deuterium or deuterium-tritium fusion reactions
Implementation Method 2
a moderator assembly surrounding the central neutron source... configured to collect a portion of the source neutrons and produce a thermal neutron imaging beam line
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Provided herein are neutron imaging systems (e.g., radiography and tomography) systems and methods that provide, for example, high-quality, high throughput 2D and 3D fast or thermal neutron and/or X-ray images. Such systems and methods find use for the commercial-scale imaging of industrial components. In certain embodiments, provided herein are system comprising a plurality of independent neutron absorber-lined collimators (e.g., 4 or more collimators) extending outwards from a central neutron source assembly.