Neutron Detector Self-Supporting Frame Stack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neutron detectors face challenges in achieving high efficiency and spatial resolution simultaneously, particularly due to the need for external pressure vessels and complex handling, which limits their ability to produce large-area detectors with high capture cross-sections and spatial resolution.
Innovation Solution
A neutron detector design that eliminates the external pressure vessel by using a stack arrangement of self-supporting frames and substrate plates coated with neutron absorber materials, where high voltage is applied to electrode wires to enhance charge multiplication in a counting gas, allowing for large detection areas with high spatial resolution. The detector elements are arranged to form a variable compensation volume to maintain even substrate plates and prevent curvature, enabling efficient gas distribution without an external pressure vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If an external pressure vessel is used to ensure required filling pressures, then gas pressure stability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external pressure vessel from the detector system, extracting the component that caused complexity and weight issues. The detection chamber is designed to be self-contained with integrated gas distribution, eliminating the need for separate pressure maintenance equipment while maintaining operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas distribution system is merged with the detector structure itself. The counting gas is distributed through channels integrated into the detector body, combining the pressure maintenance function with the detection function in a single unified structure, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If an external pressure vessel is used, then gas pressure stability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy external pressure vessel is completely removed from the system. The weight reduction is achieved by extracting this unnecessary component while maintaining gas pressure stability through the integrated self-supporting frame structure that provides both mechanical support and gas distribution.
3Area of stationary object
If large-area detection is implemented, then detection area is improved, but manufacturing precision and spatial resolution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The large detection area is achieved by stacking multiple detector elements vertically, with each element maintaining a compact, precisely manufacturable footprint. The stack arrangement allows the total detection area to be increased while each individual element retains high manufacturing precision and spatial resolution capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of expanding the detector area in the horizontal plane (which would compromise manufacturing precision), the patent extends the detection volume in the vertical dimension through stacking. This dimensional transition allows large detection area while maintaining the precision required for spatial resolution in each individual detector element.
4Weight of stationary object
If substrate plates are made thin for lightweight design, then weight is reduced, but structural stability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate plates are constructed as composite structures combining lightweight materials with structural reinforcement. The composite design maintains thin overall dimensions for weight reduction while incorporating internal support structures that provide the necessary structural stability and mechanical strength.
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 design enables the construction of large-area neutron detectors with high spatial resolution and sensitivity comparable to 3He counter tubes, while being lightweight and cost-effective, allowing for the detection of neutrons with exceptional efficiency and resolution.
Implementation Method 1
neutrons only interact weakly with matter due to their lack of charge, they must be detected via nuclear reactions with a suitable neutron absorber material
Implementation Method 2
detected via nuclear reactions with a suitable neutron absorber material, in which charge carriers or charged radionuclides are produced
Implementation Method 3
A voltage, usually a high voltage (≥ +/-1 kV), is applied to the electrode wires. The charges generated by the neutron absorber material are accelerated by an applied high voltage, so that gas amplification occurs through charge multiplication in the counting gas
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a neutron detector which, for the first time, facilitates the construction of large detector areas of approximately 1 m2 to 2 m2 with a spatial resolution of the neutrons of less than 2 mm. In the case of the modular construction in a stacked arrangement, it is moreover possible to obtain detection sensitivities that are comparable with 3He counting tubes (approximately 60%) or higher, with, at the same time, a greater number of detector elements. By using thinner substrate plates – such as aluminium sheets – and as a result of the omission of the outer pressure containers, the neutron detectors are comparatively light despite the large dimensions and they can be produced in a cost-effective manner. The neutron detector comprises at least one module (detector element), which comprises two substrate plates that are arranged in parallel with respect to one another and that are made of a first neutron-transparent material, said plates each being spanned on a self-supporting frame made of a second neutron-transparent material and coated with a neutron-absorber material on a side facing away from the self-supporting frame, wherein the sides coated with the neutron-absorber material of the respective other substrate plate face one another on an inner side and a gastight measurement space that is filled with a counting gas is defined between the mutually facing, coated inner sides of the substrate plates, in which two electron wire planes that are arranged parallel to the substrate plates and that have electrode wires that extend in parallel in the respective electrode wire plane are arranged and the electrode wire planes are spaced apart from one another by means of a spacer frame. The modules can be strung together in a stacked arrangement.