Radiation Shielding Tile Stacks for Edge Leakage Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation shielding equipment is heavy and inefficient in blocking radiation leakage, particularly at corners and edges, posing a risk to health care providers and technicians working with X-ray systems.

Innovation Solution

A radiation shielding apparatus with positionable tiles that can be extended and retracted, featuring non-flat side margins with configurations like V-shapes, zig-zags, or waves, allowing tiles to overlap and form a contiguous shield, reducing radiation leakage and maintaining structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional radiation shielding materials are used, then radiation blocking capability is achieved, but the equipment becomes heavy and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation blocking capabilityVSAvoidequipment weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The radiation shielding system is divided into multiple individual tiles that can be stacked and positioned independently. Each tile contains radiation-blocking material, but the segmented structure allows for lighter individual components compared to a single large heavy shield, while maintaining overall shielding effectiveness through cumulative coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tiles utilize composite materials combining radiation-blocking substances (such as lead, tungsten, or barium-based compounds) with lighter structural materials. This composite approach provides effective radiation attenuation while reducing the overall weight compared to traditional solid lead shielding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If tiles are arranged in stacked configuration, then radiation leakage at edges is reduced, but gaps may form between adjacent stacks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation leakage reductionVSAvoidshielding continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tiles feature non-flat side margins with curved, wavy, or zig-zag profiles instead of straight edges. When tiles are stacked, these curved margins cause the tiles to overlap and interlock, creating a contoured surface that eliminates gaps between adjacent stacks and prevents radiation leakage through the edges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The non-flat side margins extend the shielding coverage into an additional dimensional space. The curved or wavy profiles create overlapping zones between adjacent tiles that wrap around edges, providing three-dimensional coverage that blocks radiation paths that would otherwise pass through gaps between flat-edged tiles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If tiles have non-flat side margins, then tile overlap and stability are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetile overlap and stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The non-flat side margins with curved, wavy, or zig-zag profiles create overlapping and interlocking geometries that mechanically stabilize the stacked tile configuration. These shapes enhance tile overlap and prevent lateral displacement, improving overall structural stability and shielding continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Ease of operation

If tiles are made lightweight, then ease of positioning is improved, but structural rigidity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of positioningVSAvoidstructural rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 apparatus effectively minimizes radiation exposure by enhancing tile overlap and stability, providing a comprehensive shield that is lightweight and rigid, thus protecting personnel from scattered radiation.

Implementation Method 1

radiation shielding apparatus and materials therefor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

The tiles may include a composite radiation shielding material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComposite materials: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentUS20250259761A1Radiation protection apparatus and materials therefor

Publication Date: 2025.08.14 RADIACTION

AI summary

The present invention relates to rigid structures and composite materials thereof for providing radiation attenuation/shielding. Some embodiments pertain to a radiation shielding apparatus including: a plurality of positionable radiation-shielding stacks of tiles. The stacks are subsequently and adjacently arranged in a contiguous configuration. A tile positioning mechanism allows movement of tiles within a stack between a stacked (retracted) position and an extended position. In the extended position, the tiles of each of the plurality of radiation shielding stacks at least partially overlap tiles of subsequent and adjacent tile stack at corresponding opposing side-margins thereof.