Radiographic Conveyor Chain with Homogeneous Polymer Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiographic inspection systems face challenges with conveyor belts and chains due to interference from metallic parts, uneven thickness, and density, which affect the quality of X-ray images, especially when detecting foreign bodies in containers with domed bottoms.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor chain composed of rigid segments connected in a closed loop with articulately coupled connector elements, forming a continuous, homogeneous transport surface that ensures uniform transmissivity for radiation, allowing for effective X-ray imaging without interference from hinges or structural gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fabric polymer conveyor belt is used, then the X-ray image quality is least affected, but the belt is easily damaged and wears out rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt combines a fabric polymer base layer with a transparent polymer coating layer. The base layer provides tensile strength and flexibility, while the transparent coating layer provides wear resistance and maintains X-ray transmissivity. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by achieving both durability and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies that the transparent polymer coating layer must have a thickness between 0.01 mm and 0.1 mm. This precise parameter control ensures the coating is thick enough to provide wear protection but thin enough to maintain X-ray transmissivity, thus resolving the contradiction between durability and image quality.
2Strength
If a conveyor chain with metallic parts is used, then the conveyor is stronger and more wear-resistant, but the metallic parts interfere with the X-ray image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces metallic materials with polymer materials having specific physical properties. The polymer conveyor belt provides sufficient strength for conveying while being transparent to X-rays, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and image quality.
3Strength
If a conveyor chain with structured surface topography is used, then the conveyor can be made of rigid elements, but the non-uniform thickness and density affect radiation transmissivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the transport surface must have uniform thickness and density to ensure homogeneous radiation transmissivity. The transparent polymer coating is applied uniformly over the fabric base, creating a homogeneous surface that does not interfere with X-ray imaging while maintaining the structural integrity of the conveyor.
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 provides a stable and wear-resistant conveyor system that maintains uniform radiation transmissivity, enhancing the quality of radiographic images by eliminating interference from the conveyor structure, thus improving the detection of foreign bodies in containers.
Implementation Method 1
the segments are configured at least in part as plates of uniform thickness and density and the segments overlap each other to form at least one continuous, materially homogenous transport area of uniform thickness and density to provide at least one continuous gapless band of uniform transmissivity to radiation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5(a)~7
AI summary
A Conveyor chain (11; 30; 40) in a radiographic inspection system comprises a multitude of rigid segments (12; 12a; 12b; 32) which extend over the entire width of the conveyor chain (11; 30; 40) and are configured at least in part as plates of a uniform thickness (t) and a uniform density. The segments (12; 12a; 12b; 32) are connected together in a closed loop in the lengthwise direction of the chain and have connector elements to couple each segment (12; 12a; 12b; 32) articulately to a following segment (12; 12a; 12b; 32) and a preceding segment (12; 12a; 12b; 32). Neighboring segments can flex against each other from a substantially straight line to a convex angle in relation to the chain loop, so that the conveyor chain (11; 30; 40) is able to conform to conveyor rollers or sprockets (22), but is essentially resistant to flexing in the opposite direction. The segments (12; 12a; 12b; 32) overlap each other to form at least one continuous, materially homogenous transport area of uniform thickness and density to provide at least one continuous gapless band of uniform transmissivity to radiation in the transport area of the conveyor chain (11; 30; 40), wherein the connector elements are located outside the transport area.