Flexible Source Well Divider for Nuclear Gauge
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Solution Overview
Problem
In nuclear density gauges with multiple sources, the cables used to suspend the sources in curved source wells often become entangled, making it difficult to accurately position and maintain the sources, which hinders precise measurements and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A flexible source well divider made of interlocked metallic tubing, curved to match the source well, creates independent pathways for each source to prevent entanglement and facilitate easier positioning and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sources are suspended in a curved source well using cables, then radiation sources can be positioned at varying heights for multi-point measurement, but the cables become entangled making it difficult to accurately position and maintain the sources
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the source well into multiple separate compartments using dividers, with each compartment containing one radiation source and its associated cable. This segmentation prevents cable entanglement between multiple sources while allowing each source to be independently positioned and maintained at the required varying heights for accurate multi-point measurements.
2Measurement precision
If a curved source well is used to bring radiation sources closer to vessel walls for better radiation detection, then measurement accuracy improves, but cable entanglement becomes more severe
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the curved source well into separate compartments with dividers, each cable is confined to its own space, preventing entanglement even in the curved configuration. This maintains the geometric advantage of bringing sources close to vessel walls for improved radiation detection while eliminating the cable management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dividers act as intermediary structures that separate and organize cables within the curved source well. These dividers provide a physical barrier that prevents cable entanglement while allowing the curved well geometry to remain intact for optimal radiation detection positioning.
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 flexible divider allows for accurate placement and separate maintenance of multiple radiation sources in curved source wells, enhancing measurement accuracy and reducing entanglement issues, thus improving the operational efficiency of nuclear density gauges.
Implementation Method 1
When passing through a liquid in a vessel, the mass of the liquid absorbs some of the radiation. As the density of the liquid changes, the amount of radiation reaching the detector changes. The greater the density of the liquid, the less radiation reaches the detector.
Implementation Method 2
a nuclear source can be installed into the source well and then radiation from the source can be detected, e.g. with a scintillation detector, from outside of the vessel to determine factors such as level and density of the liquid in the vessel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A source well divider for use with a nuclear level gauge on a process vessel 24, permits the insertion of multiple radiation sources 12 in the source well. The divider includes a plurality of lengths of flexible interlocked metallic tubing 18, each length extending into the source well 22 from a nozzle in the vessel 24, forming a plurality of independent sub-wells each permitting the installation of an independently cabled radiation source 12 into the source well.