Neutron Beam Irradiation Device Real-Time Dose Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current neutron beam irradiation apparatuses face challenges in maintaining precise dose delivery due to variations in neutron beam dose rates, making it difficult to irradiate objects with a desired dose.

Innovation Solution

Measuring the dose of the charged particle beam in real time during irradiation allows for online monitoring and control of the neutron beam dose, using a conversion unit to adjust and display the dose, ensuring accurate and precise delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the dose of neutron beam is measured by attaching a gold wire to an irradiation object, detaching it during irradiation, and measuring activated gold, then the neutron beam dose can be measured, but the measurement cannot be performed in real-time and dose rate variations cannot be coped with

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneutron beam dose measurementVSAvoidreal-time measurement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a charged particle beam as an intermediary to indirectly measure the neutron beam dose. Since the charged particle beam irradiates the target to generate neutrons, measuring the charged particle beam dose provides real-time information about the neutron beam dose rate, enabling continuous monitoring without interrupting the irradiation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the physical gold wire measurement system with an electronic detection system for charged particle beams. This substitution enables real-time electronic measurement and control, eliminating the need for physical attachment, detachment, and laboratory analysis of activated gold samples.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the neutron beam irradiation is controlled based on post-measurement data, then the system is simple to operate, but the precision of dose delivery is insufficient due to inability to cope with dose rate variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveirradiation controlVSAvoiddose delivery precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where the measured charged particle beam dose rate is continuously monitored and used to adjust the irradiation process in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables the system to cope with dose rate variations while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary measurement of the charged particle beam dose rate before and during irradiation to predict and control the resulting neutron beam dose. This preliminary action enables proactive dose management rather than reactive correction after irradiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2600356B1Neutron ray irradiation device, and method for control of neutron ray irradiation device
Publication Date: 2017.05.17 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP2600356B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2600356B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2600356B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A neutron beam irradiation apparatus that irradiates an irradiation object with a neutron beam includes charged particle beam generating means for generating a charged particle beam, neutron beam generating means for generating the neutron beam by irradiating a target with the charged particle beam, and measuring means for measuring a dose of the charged particle beam in real time during irradiation with the neutron beam.