Partial Arc Flag Structures for Dynamic Sampling Frequency Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Radiation imaging systems face challenges with traditional tick fences, which are expensive, difficult to align, susceptible to dust and vibration errors, and require a full 360-degree structure that is costly and hard to maintain, limiting their effectiveness in dynamic sampling frequency adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A radiation imaging system that uses a set of sensors and flag structures positioned along a partial arc segment to dynamically adjust the sampling frequency based on the rotational speed of the gantry, allowing for more flexible and precise control of sampling without the need for a full 360-degree structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a full 360-degree tick fence structure is used, then accurate rotational positioning and sampling frequency control are achieved, but the system becomes more expensive, complex, and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the full 360-degree tick fence into multiple discrete flag structures positioned at specific angular locations. Instead of a continuous 360-degree structure, separate flags are placed at intervals (e.g., every 90 degrees), reducing structural complexity while maintaining sufficient positioning accuracy for sampling frequency control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential functional elements from the complete 360-degree tick fence. By removing unnecessary portions of the circular structure and retaining only the critical flag markers needed for triggering sampling events, the system achieves reduced complexity while preserving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If a full 360-degree tick fence structure is used, then sampling frequency control is precise, but the structure becomes harder to clean and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the continuous 360-degree structure into discrete, spaced-apart flag structures, the patent creates accessible gaps between components. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to reach into previously inaccessible areas for cleaning and repair operations while maintaining the functional integrity of the sampling frequency control system.
3Measurement precision
If a full 360-degree structure is used, then rotational positioning is accurate, but fabrication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monolithic 360-degree structure into multiple smaller, independent flag components. This segmentation reduces the complexity of individual parts, simplifies manufacturing processes, and lowers overall fabrication costs while maintaining the cumulative positioning accuracy through proper angular spacing of the flags.
Data Source
AI summary
Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are described for setting a sampling frequency for a radiation imaging system. The radiation imaging system comprises a rotating gantry configured to rotate a radiation source and a detector array about an object to generate an image(s) of the object. A data acquisition system is configured to sample the detector array as views. One or more flag structures are arranged according to a partial arc segment (e.g., a structure less than a full 360 degree circle). One or more sensors are disposed on one of the rotating gantry or a stationary support about which the rotating gantry rotates. When a sensor encounters a flag structure, a current rotational speed of the rotating gantry is determined. A clock frequency is updated based upon the current rotational speed to establish a sampling frequency for the data acquisition system for sampling the detector array.