Rotating Radiation Shield Counterbalance Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiation exposure poses a cumulative hazard risk to personnel near scanning devices used for monitoring and inspecting food products, as these devices emit radiation that can cause damage over multiple scans, necessitating improved radiation attenuation systems.
Innovation Solution
A radiation attenuation system comprising movable, independently rotating radiation shield members made of radiation-attenuating materials like stainless steel, supported by a pivot mechanism with counterbalances, is positioned at the entrance and exit ports of the scanning device to minimize radiation leakage and ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If radiation shield members are made stationary, then radiation attenuation is effective, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the radiation shield members movable rather than stationary. Each shield member can rotate independently about its pivot axis, allowing the shields to be positioned out of the way during normal operation and deployed when radiation protection is needed. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction by enabling both effective radiation attenuation when needed and easy operation during scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation shielding system is segmented into multiple independent shield members, each capable of independent rotation and positioning. This segmentation allows different portions of the shielding system to be independently controlled, enabling operators to position only the necessary shields without affecting the entire system, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining radiation protection effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If shield members are made movable, then ease of operation improves, but reliability of radiation attenuation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing biasing mechanisms (such as springs or gravity-based systems) that automatically return the shield members to their proper attenuating position after being moved. This ensures that the shields are reliably positioned for radiation attenuation before operation begins and automatically return to protective position after use, maintaining reliability while enabling ease of operation during the scanning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the position of each shield member and ensure they are properly positioned for radiation attenuation. Sensors or mechanical feedback systems detect whether shields are in the correct attenuating position and can trigger alerts or automatic adjustments, ensuring reliable radiation protection even though the shields are movable during operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent shield members are used, then adaptability to different scanning scenarios improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By making each shield member independently movable rather than using a single complex fixed structure, the patent achieves adaptability through simplicity. Each simple, identical shield member can be independently positioned to address different radiation leakage scenarios, providing versatility without requiring a complex integrated shielding structure. The repetitive, modular nature of multiple identical components actually reduces overall system complexity compared to a custom-designed complex shield.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves adaptability by changing the positional parameters of individual shield members rather than changing the fundamental structure. Each shield can be rotated to different angular positions to address various scanning scenarios and radiation leakage paths, providing versatility through parameter adjustment rather than structural complexity.
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 system effectively reduces radiation exposure to personnel by attenuating primary and secondary radiation, allowing for safe operation of scanning devices while maintaining the integrity and flow of food products, reducing the risk of contamination and operational slowdowns.
Implementation Method 1
A radiation attenuation system including a plurality of independently movable radiation shield members... positioned at one or both of an entrance port and an exit port of the housing... to minimize radiation leakage
Implementation Method 2
The primary radiation beam passes through the object to ultimately impinge upon one or more sensors. A certain percentage of the radiation energy is absorbed by the object... The detected radiation attenuation provides an indication of the absorbed energy
Data Source
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AI summary
A scanning device for providing a radiation scan to an article is disclosed. The scanning device includes a housing, a transport system and a radiation attenuation system. The housing has a entrance port and an exit port and encloses a radiation analysis unit. The transport system is configured to move the article from the entrance port, through the housing and to the exit port. The radiation attenuation system is supported at one of the entrance port and the exit port. The radiation attenuation system includes at least one substantially rigid panel rotatable relative to the housing and a counter balance coupled to the panel to at least partially offset the weight of the panel.