Radiation Assay Instrument Collimator Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation assay instruments face challenges in accurately measuring varying radiation levels and discriminating between separate sources while minimizing personnel exposure, especially in high or unknown contamination areas, due to limited sensitivity and remote operation capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The instrument incorporates multiple radiation sensors with collimators that define overlapping first and second fields of view, allowing for panoramic coverage and enhanced detection of closely spaced radioactive sources, along with shielding and shutter mechanisms for controlled exposure, and optional dosimeters and cameras for precise positioning and imaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single collimator with fixed field of view is used, then the instrument structure is simple, but it cannot discriminate between closely spaced radiation sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscrimination between radiation sourcesVSAvoidcollimator structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collimator is divided into multiple sections with different field of view characteristics. The first collimator section provides a first field of view for general radiation detection, while the second collimator section provides a second field of view for discriminating closely spaced sources. This segmentation allows the instrument to achieve both broad coverage and fine discrimination without requiring a completely complex redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument dynamically switches between different collimator sections based on the detection needs. The control system activates the first collimator section for general surveys and the second collimator section when discrimination between closely spaced sources is required. This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt its complexity to the specific measurement task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If remote positioning is implemented to reduce personnel exposure, then safety is improved, but positioning precision and area coverage are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonnel exposureVSAvoidpositioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument incorporates multiple radiation sensors arranged in different spatial positions and orientations. This multi-dimensional sensor array allows the system to achieve precise positioning and comprehensive area coverage through spatial distribution, even when operated remotely. The overlapping fields of view from different sensor positions enable accurate source localization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the responsive range is increased to measure varying radiation levels, then measurement capability is improved, but sensitivity to discriminate separate sources is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponsive rangeVSAvoidsensitivity to discriminate sources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The collimator system is segmented into multiple sections with different field of view angles. The first collimator section has a wider field of view for detecting radiation across a broad area, while the second collimator section has a narrower field of view for precisely discriminating between closely spaced sources. This segmentation allows the instrument to maintain both wide responsive range and high discrimination sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different collimator sections are designed with locally optimized properties. The first collimator section is optimized for broad coverage with appropriate geometric characteristics, while the second collimator section is locally optimized for high-resolution discrimination. Each section has the specific field of view and geometric properties needed for its particular function, allowing the overall system to achieve both wide range and high sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local 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

This configuration enables reliable, sensitive, and remote radiation measurement with reduced personnel exposure, providing accurate discrimination between radiation sources and comprehensive area coverage, thereby optimizing decontamination efforts.

Implementation Method 1

a collimator that covers at least a portion of the radiation sensor. The collimator defines a first field of view to the radiation sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCollimation:

Implementation Method 2

an instrument for assaying radiation includes a radiation sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9927533B2Instrument for assaying radiation

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 BATTELLE SAVANNAH RIVER ALLIANCE LLC

AI summary

An instrument for assaying radiation includes a radiation sensor and a collimator that covers at least a portion of the radiation sensor. The collimator defines a first field of view to the radiation sensor. An insert in the collimator defines a second field of view to the radiation sensor that is less than the first field of view.