Removable Collimator Target Carrier for Faster Irradiation Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irradiation systems face challenges in safely removing irradiated parts for maintenance and repairs due to high radiation levels, leading to prolonged downtime and increased personnel exposure.
Innovation Solution
A target carrier assembly with a collimator compartment and target compartment, featuring a removable collimator and vacuum window foil, allows for safe transfer and cooling of targets, enabling the removal of all irradiated parts from the irradiation system, thus facilitating rapid cooling and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the collimator is fixed within the irradiation system, then the particle beam can be effectively directed to irradiate the target, but the irradiated parts cannot be removed from the irradiation system leading to prolonged downtime for maintenance and repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is designed as a removable component that can be segmented from the target carrier assembly. This allows the collimator to be separated and removed along with the target carrier after irradiation, enabling maintenance and repairs without waiting for the entire system to cool down, thus reducing maintenance downtime while maintaining effective beam direction during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator transitions from a fixed state during irradiation to a removable state after irradiation. The dynamic design allows the collimator to be securely positioned for beam direction during operation, then easily removed for maintenance, optimizing both irradiation effectiveness and system availability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If irradiated parts are kept in the irradiation system for cooling, then radiation levels can be reduced, but personnel radiation exposure increases during extended cooling periods
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator and target carrier are extracted from the irradiation system as complete assemblies after irradiation. By removing these irradiated components immediately rather than waiting for in-system cooling, the radiation source is taken out from the personnel environment, reducing cumulative personnel exposure while still allowing controlled cooling in a shielded area
3Ease of repair
If the collimator is removable from the target carrier assembly, then all irradiated parts can be removed for rapid cooling and maintenance, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is segmented as a separate removable component with standardized mounting interfaces. This segmentation enables easy removal and reinstallation while maintaining structural integrity during irradiation, balancing maintenance accessibility with device complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The removable collimator design serves multiple functions: it provides effective beam direction during irradiation, enables rapid removal for maintenance, and allows for component replacement or upgrade. The universal mounting interface simplifies the removal process while maintaining secure positioning during operation
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
Enables safe and efficient removal of irradiated components, reducing downtime and personnel exposure, and allowing for quick system maintenance by minimizing the presence of 'hot' components, thereby optimizing radioisotope production processes.
Implementation Method 1
The target is secured within the target compartment and cooled by a cooling fluid from the cooling fluid supply line
Implementation Method 2
The beam entry diameter is greater than the exit diameter forming a narrowing channel disposed to direct a particle beam to irradiate a target included within the target carrier assembly
Implementation Method 3
The inner surface of the collimator is curved such that an incidence angle between the particle beam and the inner surface of the collimator at the beam entry diameter is greater than an incidence angle between the particle beam and the inner surface of the collimator at the beam exit diameter
Implementation Method 4
The collimator compartment and the target compartment are divided by a vacuum window foil
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A target carrier assembly includes a housing, a target, and a collimator. The housing includes a collimator compartment and a target compartment divided by a vacuum window foil, the collimator being removably disposed within the collimator compartment, and the target being disposed within the target compartment. The collimator compartment is attached to a cyclotron beam line in the irradiation position, and the target compartment is in fluid communication with a cooling fluid supply line and a cooling fluid return line in the irradiation position. The target is cooled by the cooling fluid from the cooling fluid supply line. The collimator directs a particle beam from the cyclotron beam line to irradiate the target and includes a beam entry diameter and a beam exit diameter. The collimator is in thermal contact with the collimator compartment.