Radiography Reference Block for X-ray Dose Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiography equipment experiences instabilities in x-ray source intensity and spectral properties over time, leading to poor image quality, particularly when attempting to detect the chemical nature of materials, due to mechanical and temporal fluctuations, resulting in vertical streaks and uneven intensities in radiographic images.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a reference block with intermediate x-ray sensors positioned between the source and the load, irradiated by separate angular sectors of the incident beam, generating independent reference signals to correct raw image signals and improve image quality by accounting for variations in x-ray doses and intrinsic energies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single reference sensor is used to correct x-ray dose variations, then some correction is achieved, but image quality remains insufficient for accurate chemical detection due to angular sector variations
Solution Approach 1:
The reference block is divided into multiple intermediate sensors, each dedicated to measuring x-ray doses in specific angular sectors. This segmentation allows for angularly-resolved dose measurements, enabling correction of image variations caused by different beam angles while maintaining measurement precision for chemical detection
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds the angular sector dimension to the reference measurement system. Instead of a single reference sensor measuring all angles, intermediate sensors are distributed across different angular sectors, transforming the correction approach from a single-point measurement to a multi-dimensional angularly-resolved measurement system
2Adaptability or versatility
If x-ray source intensity and spectral properties are allowed to vary over time, then the system operates flexibly, but image quality deteriorates with vertical streaks and uneven intensities
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously measuring x-ray source intensity and spectral variations using intermediate sensors in real-time during operation. These measurements feed into correction algorithms that adjust the radiographic image data to compensate for source instabilities, maintaining image uniformity while allowing flexible operational parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate sensors perform preliminary measurements of the incident beam characteristics before the beam reaches the load. This preliminary characterization of x-ray dose and spectral properties enables proactive correction of image data, preventing the formation of artifacts from source variations
3Measurement precision
If intermediate sensors are placed in the incident beam to measure reference doses, then dose correction is possible, but the sensors disrupt the incident beam
Solution Approach 1:
Each intermediate sensor is designed to measure x-ray doses in its specific local angular sector rather than attempting to measure the entire beam. This localized measurement approach minimizes beam disruption while maintaining measurement precision for the relevant angular region, as each sensor only intercepts a portion of the divergent beam
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 enhances image quality by stabilizing x-ray doses and energies across the radiographic image, allowing for more accurate detection of material composition and reducing streaks and intensity variations, enabling better chemical discrimination of materials.
Implementation Method 1
The deceleration of the electrons in the target causes the emission of x-ray photons, the energy of which is comprised between 0 and several MeV.
Implementation Method 2
a source for emitting pulses of divergent X-rays; a collimator for the source for delimiting an incident x-ray beam
Implementation Method 3
sensors for receiving X-rays situated in the extension of the incident beam to receive the X-rays after they have passed through the load and generate raw image signals
Implementation Method 4
a collimator for the source for delimiting an incident x-ray beam designed to irradiate a section of the load
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to equipment (1) for the radiography of a load (11) moving relative thereto, the radiography equipment comprising a source (2) for emitting pulses (16) of divergent X-rays, a collimator (4) for the source for delimiting an incident x-ray beam (22), and sensors (8) for receiving X-rays, which are aligned with the incident beam so as to collect the X-rays after the latter have passed through the load and generate raw image signals. The equipment includes a reference block (6) comprising intermediate x-ray sensors (28) which are to be located within the incident beam, between the source and the load, so as to be irradiated by at least two separate angular sectors of the incident beam, and which are to output separate reference signals corresponding to each angular sector to be used in the conversion of raw image signals into a portion of a radiographic image. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.