Segmented Secondary Collimator for X-ray Diffraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray diffraction imaging systems face challenges in manufacturing large, mechanically precise secondary collimators with high aspect ratios, as current methods are expensive and difficult due to the need for complex fabrication of tungsten alloy components, which limits the number of detector elements and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing a secondary collimator using a series of identical plates with slits, where the gap thickness between plates is determined based on their dimensions, allowing for mass production and assembly into a large, precise collimator that restricts scattered radiation to a specific angle, using a base plate and multiple similar plates with septa defining slits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a secondary collimator is fabricated from tungsten alloy using known techniques, then the collimator achieves the required radiation shielding and structural integrity, but the manufacturing cost increases and the complexity of fabrication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is divided into multiple separate plates that can be manufactured independently using standard techniques, then assembled together. Each plate is a simpler component that can be produced more easily than a single large complex collimator structure, while the assembly maintains the required structural integrity through precise spacing and alignment.
2Area of stationary object
If the number of detector elements is increased to examine objects up to 1 meter wide, then the coverage area increases, but the number of slits required in the baffles increases making fabrication difficult and adversely affecting operability
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating one large baffle with many slits, the system uses multiple separate plates each with fewer slits. This segmentation makes each plate easier to fabricate while the collective array provides the required coverage for detecting objects up to 1 meter wide.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator structure transitions from a two-dimensional baffle with slits to a three-dimensional stacked plate configuration. This adds the dimension of depth (stacking multiple plates), allowing the system to achieve the required slit density and coverage area without increasing the complexity of individual components.
3Manufacturing precision
If a fixed angle secondary collimator with high aspect ratio is constructed using known techniques, then the collimator achieves the required angular divergence control, but the plate dimensions become extremely large (2.5m width, 0.75m length) making production impossible with current methods
Solution Approach 1:
The large collimator structure is segmented into multiple smaller plates with manageable dimensions. Each plate maintains the required precision for angular divergence control, but the overall large aperture is achieved by arranging multiple plates in a stacked configuration rather than creating one enormous plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a single-plane collimator to a multi-plane stacked structure. By adding the stacking dimension, the system achieves the required effective aperture and angular divergence control without requiring individual plates to be impossibly large.
4Reliability
If a secondary collimator is made from tungsten alloy, then the radiation shielding performance is adequate, but the weight of the collimator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator uses composite construction with aluminum or other lighter materials for the plate structures, combined with tungsten or tungsten alloy only where absolutely necessary for radiation shielding. This composite approach maintains adequate radiation shielding performance while significantly reducing the overall weight compared to a solid tungsten alloy collimator.
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 approach enables the production of a cost-effective, lightweight secondary collimator with identical building blocks, maintaining the performance of Soller slit collimators while allowing for a larger number of detector elements and improved manufacturing ease, facilitating precise radiation collimation in X-ray diffraction imaging systems.
Implementation Method 1
XDI systems provide an improved discrimination of materials, as compared to that provided by more conventional X-ray baggage scanners, by measuring d-spacings between lattice planes of micro-crystals in materials.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for making a secondary collimator that includes at least one plate having a plurality of slits defined therein includes determining a gap thickness between plate positions of the secondary collimator based on at least one dimension of the at least one plate and fabricating a base plate from a base plate blank. The base plate includes at least two slots being spaced apart by the gap thickness. The at least one plate is inserted into a first slot of the at least two slots to form the secondary collimator.