Disposable Polyethylene Mold for Concrete Radiation Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radioactive shields used in particle accelerators face issues with labor-intensive manufacturing, surface finish quality, durability, and increased disposal costs due to the use of steel molds and reinforcement, which are prone to damage and require frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A shield design incorporating a polyethylene outer mold for forming a concrete inner shield, which serves as a neutron moderator and reduces the need for steel reinforcement, allowing for on-site concrete fabrication and reducing shipping costs, while providing enhanced structural and cosmetic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel molds are used to form concrete shields, then the concrete shields can be manufactured with standard structural strength, but the surface finish becomes poor and requires extensive manual labor to repair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable polyethylene mold that is inexpensive and single-use. This mold is inserted into the concrete mix, performs its shaping function during curing, and is then discarded. This eliminates the need for expensive, reusable steel molds and their associated surface finish problems, as the polyethylene mold creates a smooth surface that requires no repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the mold from steel to polyethylene. This material substitution fundamentally alters the surface interaction with concrete, producing a smooth, cosmetically acceptable finish without the brittleness and damage issues of steel molds. The polyethylene material properties enable better surface finish while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If steel reinforcement members are added to concrete shields, then tensile strength is improved, but the shields require additional shielding and have increased disposal costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the steel reinforcement members from the concrete shield structure. By eliminating the steel rebar that causes radioactivity and disposal issues, the design achieves the necessary structural strength through alternative means (proper concrete mix design, formwork support) while avoiding the harmful effects of radioactive reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable polyethylene mold provides structural support during concrete curing without requiring permanent steel reinforcement. The mold is removed after curing, leaving no radioactive metal embedded in the shield structure, thus eliminating the need for additional shielding and reducing disposal complexity.
3Productivity
If steel molds are used frequently, then manufacturing capacity is maintained, but the molds require frequent maintenance and repair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a disposable polyethylene mold that is inexpensive and single-use. This eliminates the maintenance and repair cycle entirely, as each mold is used once and then discarded. The low cost and ease of replacement ensure continuous manufacturing capacity without the reliability issues of frequently used steel molds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the maintenance requirement from the manufacturing process by using disposable molds instead of reusable steel molds. This separation of the mold from the final product allows for uninterrupted production, as damaged molds are simply discarded and replaced rather than repaired.
4Manufacturing precision
If concrete shields are fabricated at the manufacturer's facility, then quality control is improved, but shipping costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shield manufacturing process into two stages: (1) fabrication of the polyethylene mold at the manufacturer's facility with quality control, and (2) on-site concrete pouring and curing at the installation location. This segmentation allows quality control during mold manufacturing while avoiding the high cost of shipping heavy finished concrete shields.
Solution Approach 2:
The polyethylene mold acts as an intermediary between the manufacturer and the final shield structure. It is manufactured with quality control at the factory, then shipped lightly to the site where it serves as the formwork for pouring concrete. This intermediary enables both quality control and reduced shipping costs.
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 solution results in cost-effective, durable, and cosmetically acceptable radiation shields with reduced maintenance needs and lower disposal costs, as well as improved structural integrity and neutron shielding capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The outer portion may be fabricated from a material which moderates neutrons such as high density polyethylene
Implementation Method 2
The shield includes an inner portion fabricated from a first type of shielding material... The inner portion may be fabricated from a material which shields against gamma rays such as concrete
Data Source
AI summary
A shield for absorbing radiation emitted during generation of a radioisotope. The shield includes an inner portion fabricated from a first type of shielding material. The shield also includes an outer portion fabricated from a second type of shielding material wherein the outer portion serves as a mold for forming the inner portion. The inner portion may be fabricated from a material which shields against gamma rays such as concrete. The outer portion may be fabricated from a material which moderates neutrons such as high density polyethylene. Additional shielding materials may be embedded into the inner portion as desired.