Removable Target Carrier and Collimator for Low-Downtime Irradiation
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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, attached to a cyclotron beam line, allows for removable collimators and targets, facilitated by a vertical conveyance system and cooling fluid supply, enabling safe removal and refurbishment of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If irradiated parts are left in the irradiation system to cool off, then radiation levels decrease to safe thresholds, but maintenance and repair downtime increases by up to six months
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into removable irradiated components (target carrier assembly with target and collimator) and permanent non-irradiated components (irradiation system housing, beam line). This segmentation allows the irradiated parts to be quickly removed and replaced, eliminating the need for prolonged system downtime while still enabling adequate cooling of specific components outside the irradiation chamber.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If irradiated parts are removed from the irradiation system, then radiation exposure to personnel is reduced, but the complexity of handling and reinstallation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The target and collimator are merged into a single removable target carrier assembly that can be handled as one unit. This integration simplifies the removal and reinstallation process compared to handling separate components, reducing operational complexity while maintaining radiation safety through complete removal of irradiated parts.
Solution Approach 2:
A robotic manipulation system serves as an intermediary between operators and the irradiated target carrier assembly. The robot performs the hazardous removal and reinstallation tasks, eliminating direct personnel exposure to radiation while managing the complexity of precise component handling through automated control systems.
3Device complexity
If a fixed collimator is used in the irradiation system, then the system structure is simplified, but the entire system must remain in place for cooling, increasing maintenance downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is segmented from the permanent irradiation system structure and integrated into the removable target carrier assembly. This allows the collimator to be easily removed along with the target, enabling rapid system maintenance without requiring prolonged cooling periods, while the overall system structure remains relatively simple through modular design.
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 rapid cooling and safe maintenance of the irradiation system by removing all highly irradiated parts, reducing downtime and exposure, and allowing for efficient reuse of the target carrier assembly components.
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 target compartment is in fluid communication with a cooling fluid supply line and a cooling fluid return line
Implementation Method 3
The collimator includes an entry diameter and an exit diameter, and the collimator is in thermal contact with the inner side of the collimator compartment
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.