Pipe Weld X-Ray Imaging With Dual Photon Detectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing x-ray imaging systems for pipe welds capture a limited number of photons, resulting in low-quality and low-contrast images, and fail to efficiently process and combine additional photon pattern data to enhance image quality during a single revolution.
Innovation Solution
An x-ray imaging system with dual photon detectors positioned to capture and process two photon patterns simultaneously, allowing for data superimposition and adjustment to generate a single high-quality image by compensating for offset and perspective differences, and utilizing image processing to determine defect depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single photon detector is used to capture x-ray photons through the weld, then the device complexity is kept simple, but the image quality and contrast are insufficient due to limited photon data
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is segmented into two separate photon detectors positioned at different locations along the orbital path. Each detector captures photon patterns from different perspectives, and the combined data provides improved image quality and contrast while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular detection units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-point detection to multi-position detection by placing detectors at different angular positions around the pipe. This dimensional expansion in the detection space allows capturing additional photon patterns that improve image quality without requiring a single complex high-capacity detector.
2Measurement precision
If additional photon detection capacity is added to improve image quality, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges data from two separate photon detectors by superimposing their respective photon patterns after appropriate offset compensation. This combining approach improves measurement precision by utilizing more photon data while managing device complexity through systematic data integration rather than requiring a single overly complex detector.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses two detectors that effectively create duplicate detection capabilities at different positions. By capturing and processing copies of photon patterns from different perspectives, the system improves image quality while the copying approach simplifies the management of complexity compared to designing a single detector with all required capabilities.
3Productivity
If dual photon detectors are positioned to capture two photon patterns simultaneously, then the productivity of data collection is doubled, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to offset and perspective differences
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary offset compensation and alignment operations on the photon pattern data from the two detectors before superimposition. This preliminary action addresses the measurement difficulties in advance, allowing the system to maintain high productivity by efficiently processing the doubled data collection rate without being overwhelmed by alignment complexities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms in the image processing to adjust and align the photon patterns from the two detectors. By using feedback-based offset compensation and perspective correction, the system manages the increased measurement difficulty while maintaining high data collection productivity through iterative optimization of the combined image quality.
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
The system produces images with significantly improved contrast and clarity, enabling accurate detection of weld defects by capturing double the data in the same time, with enhanced resolution and depth information.
Implementation Method 1
an x-ray emitter for emitting a beam of x-ray photons in a projection pattern
Implementation Method 2
a first photon detector for sensing a first detection pattern of photons emitted from the x-ray emitter and that pass through a portion the weld
Data Source
AI summary
An x-ray imaging system comprises an x-ray emitter for emitting a beam of x-ray photons in a projection pattern, a first photon detector, a second photon detector, and an orbital travel assembly. The first photon detector and second photon detector are configured for sensing a first detection pattern of photons and a second detection pattern of photons, respectively, emitted from the x-ray emitter and passing through a portion of the weld. The orbital travel assembly is configured for supporting the x-ray emitter and the first and second photon detectors The second photon detector is positioned behind the first photon detector in a direction of travel along an orbital weld path, such that the second photon detector is configured to sense the second detection pattern after the first photon sensor detects the first detection pattern, in use.