Neutron Inspection System Attenuation Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current non-destructive neutron inspection methods fail to accurately determine the depth and quantity of defects within infrastructure, such as bridges, due to the influence of neutron attenuation during penetration.

Innovation Solution

A non-destructive inspection system utilizing a neutron emission unit, detector, and calculation unit that emits pulsed neutrons, detects changes in neutron intensity over time, and uses stored attenuation information to calculate the position and quantity of specific portions within the inspection object, accounting for neutron attenuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If neutron detection is performed without considering attenuation, then the inspection method is simple, but the measurement precision of defect position and amount deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent stores attenuation information in advance before the actual inspection. This pre-stored attenuation data is then used during the inspection process to correct the detected neutron signals, allowing accurate measurement of defect position and amount without requiring complex real-time attenuation calculation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces attenuation information as an intermediary element that mediates between the raw neutron detection data and the final measurement results. By incorporating this intermediate correction factor, the system achieves accurate measurements while maintaining relatively simple overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If neutron attenuation is not accounted for, then the inspection system is simpler, but the reliability of defect detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the stored attenuation information is continuously used to correct the detected neutron signals during inspection. This feedback loop ensures that the system reliably compensates for attenuation effects, improving detection accuracy while maintaining system simplicity through the use of pre-stored correction data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If simple neutron detection is used, then the ease of operation is high, but the measurement precision of depth position deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By pre-storing attenuation information before inspection, the system enables accurate depth measurement without requiring complex operational procedures during the actual inspection. The operator simply needs to provide the stored attenuation data, maintaining ease of operation while achieving high measurement precision through the pre-prepared correction information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 accurate detection of the amount and position of specific portions within the inspection object, effectively addressing the limitations of existing methods by accounting for neutron attenuation and providing precise measurements.

Implementation Method 1

a neutron emission unit capable of emitting neutrons pulsed; a neutron detector capable of detecting the neutrons emitted from the neutron emission unit and penetrating through an inspection object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNeutron penetration: Radiation

Implementation Method 2

calculating distance information indicating a position of a specific portion in the inspection object in accordance with time change information which is information on a change over time in an amount of the neutrons detected by the neutron detector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 3

a storage unit storing attenuation information indicating a relationship between a material of the inspection object and attenuation of the neutrons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNeutron attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11614415B2Nondestructive testing system and nondestructive testing method

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 TOPCON CORPORATION

AI summary

A non-destructive inspection system includes: a neutron emission unit 12 capable of emitting neutrons pulsed; a neutron detector capable of detecting the neutrons emitted from the neutron emission unit and penetrating through an inspection object; a storage unit storing attenuation information indicating a relationship between a material of the inspection object and attenuation of the neutrons; and a calculation unit capable of calculating distance information indicating a position of a specific portion in the inspection object in accordance with time change information which is information on a change over time in an amount of the neutrons detected by the neutron detector. The calculation unit is capable of generating information related to an amount of the specific portion from information based on the amount of the neutrons according to the time change information, using the distance information and the attenuation information.