Rotatable Drum Shielding for Electron Beam Secondary Radiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electron beam apparatuses face challenges in providing effective radiation shielding without increasing size and cost, and ensuring accessibility for maintenance due to the negative effects of secondary radiation generated during the irradiation process.

Innovation Solution

The use of a rotatable drum with a cylindrical surface as both a radiation shield and a part holder, combined with additional radiation shielding around the electron beam emitter, effectively limits secondary radiation escape while allowing for easy access and maintenance by creating a shielded cavity for the three-dimensional parts being irradiated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If radiation shielding is added to limit secondary radiation escape, then radiation protection is improved, but apparatus size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecondary radiation escapeVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The radiation shield is merged with the drum structure that holds and rotates the workpiece. The drum serves dual functions: containing the workpiece during irradiation and providing radiation shielding. This integration eliminates the need for separate shielding structures, thereby protecting against secondary radiation escape while avoiding significant increases in apparatus size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drum is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously acts as a workpiece holder, rotation mechanism, and radiation shield. By making the drum universal in its functions, the patent reduces the overall number of components needed, thereby limiting radiation escape without proportionally increasing apparatus volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If radiation shielding is added to limit secondary radiation escape, then radiation protection is improved, but apparatus cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecondary radiation escapeVSAvoidapparatus cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the radiation shield with the existing drum structure, the patent avoids the need for separate shielding components and their associated manufacturing costs. The integrated design reduces material requirements and assembly complexity, thereby improving radiation protection while controlling apparatus cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-functional drum reduces the total component count in the apparatus, which directly lowers manufacturing costs. By making the drum serve multiple purposes including radiation shielding, the patent achieves better radiation protection without proportionally increasing production expenses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If radiation shielding is added to limit secondary radiation escape, then radiation protection is improved, but serviceability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecondary radiation escapeVSAvoidaccess to electron beam emitter

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The drum is divided into multiple axially stacked sections that can be separated from each other. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access the electron beam emitter and internal components by removing or displacing the drum sections, thereby maintaining serviceability while the assembled drum provides effective radiation shielding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drum is designed with movable or adjustable sections that can be repositioned or removed during maintenance operations. This dynamic design enables easy access to internal components for repair while maintaining the integrity of the radiation shield during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration enhances the operational efficiency, reduces costs, and improves serviceability of electron beam treatment apparatuses by effectively shielding both the electron beam and secondary radiation, while maintaining accessibility for repairs and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

these apparatuses direct accelerated electrons at a target material to ionize that material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron beam: Electron Beam

Implementation Method 2

to ionize that material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 3

providing effective radiation shielding to an electron beam apparatus can significantly increase the size and cost of the apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20160093410A1Electron beam system

Publication Date: 2016.03.31 PCT EBEAM & INTEGRATION LLC

AI summary

Apparatus for electron beam treatment of three-dimensional parts that includes cavities in a shielded rotating drum that preferably includes additional rotation mechanism for rotating parts within cavities in said drum. Radiation associated with the electron beam emitter is substantially shielded by the combination of the drum and the additional radiation shielding. The rotating drum is preferably made of at least four sections axially stacked, and its shielding properties are enhanced by including lead filled holes drilled in the sections.