Radioactive Substance Camera Dual Fluid Cooling System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radioactive substance visualization cameras face challenges in cooling their heat generation parts while maintaining a compact design, which affects the efficient measurement of radiation data.

Innovation Solution

The camera incorporates a dual fluid cooling system with a fan to cool both the sensor module and heat generation part, utilizing a case design that separates and merges fluid passages for efficient heat dissipation, and includes a heat conducting member to prevent water condensation from reaching electrical components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a separate fan is added to cool the heat generation part, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the device weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cooling functions for the sensor module and heat generation part into a single integrated cooling system. The first fluid passage cools the heat radiation part while the second fluid passage cools the heat generation part, and these passages are connected through a merging part that allows fluid communication. This eliminates the need for separate fans while maintaining effective cooling of both components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single fan in the patent serves multiple cooling functions by circulating fluid through both the first fluid passage (cooling the sensor module via heat radiation part) and the second fluid passage (cooling the heat generation part). This multi-functional approach reduces the number of components needed while achieving comprehensive cooling coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If additional cooling components are added to cool the heat generation part, then the temperature control is improved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cooling pathways for the sensor module and heat generation part into an integrated fluid circulation system. The first and second fluid passages are merged through a merging part, allowing a single cooling loop to serve both thermal management needs. This reduces the overall device volume compared to having completely separate cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The merging part acts as an intermediary component that connects the first and second fluid passages. This mediator allows the cooling fluid to transition between the two cooling pathways, enabling efficient heat dissipation from both the sensor module and heat generation part through a unified system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the camera is made compact by reducing components, then the portability is improved, but the cooling capability may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidcooling capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The single fan in the compact camera design performs multiple cooling functions by circulating fluid through both the first fluid passage (for sensor module cooling via heat radiation) and the second fluid passage (for heat generation part cooling). This multi-functional component maintains adequate cooling capability while minimizing the number of parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the cooling functions for two distinct thermal management needs into a single integrated system. The first and second fluid passages are connected through a merging part, creating a compact unified cooling system that maintains adequate cooling capability for both the sensor module and heat generation part without requiring additional separate cooling components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution allows for effective cooling of both the sensor module and heat generation part, making the camera more lightweight and compact, while reducing the negative effects of water condensation and rain on electrical components.

Implementation Method 1

a fan which generates a flow of a first fluid for cooling the heat radiation part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a heat conducting member which comes into thermal contact with the sensor module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a merging part which sucks the second fluid from the second passage into the first passage by means of the flow of the first fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2950120B1Radioactive substance visualization camera
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP2950120B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2950120B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2950120B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This camera (10) comprises a sensor module (1) that measures radiation data, heat dissipating units (14-1 to 14-2) that dissipate heat generated by cooling the sensor module (1), an electric device (20), and fans (15-1 to 15-2) that generate flow of a first fluid that cools the heat dissipating units (14-1 to 14-2). Furthermore, a first channel (41) in which the first fluid flows, a second channel (43) in which a second fluid that cools the electric device (20) flows, and a merging section (44) that draws in, from the second channel (43), the second fluid into the first channel (41) by using the flow of the first fluid are formed. This type of camera (10) can be formed to be smaller compared to other cameras that are further provided with a fan to cause the second fluid to flow in the second channel (43).