Switchable Ray Filter for Dual-Energy X-Ray Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current container inspection systems using dual-energy X-rays require a compact mechanism to selectively filter out low-energy components to improve imaging quality, while maintaining a small footprint to avoid increasing the system's volume or altering existing arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A compact ray filter with a switchable shielding member that can rotate to allow either high-energy and low-energy X-rays or only high-energy X-rays to pass through, utilizing a cylindrical shielding member made of high-Z materials like tungsten, allowing high-energy X-rays to penetrate while blocking low-energy X-rays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mechanism is added to filter low-energy X-ray components, then imaging quality is improved, but the system volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding member is nested within the cylindrical housing, allowing the filter mechanism to be contained within the existing X-ray beam path without adding external volume. The shielding member rotates within the housing to selectively block low-energy components, achieving quality improvement while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding member is designed to rotate dynamically within the cylindrical housing, enabling selective filtering of low-energy X-ray components only when needed. This dynamic configuration allows the system to switch between filtered and unfiltered modes, improving imaging quality on demand without permanently increasing system volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a compact filter mechanism is added, then X-ray energy selection is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating shielding member serves multiple functions: it acts as a mechanical shutter to control beam presence, a filter to select X-ray energy components, and a positioning element to align with the cylindrical housing. This multi-functionality enables X-ray energy selection without requiring separate mechanisms for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical housing acts as an intermediary structure that contains and guides the shielding member's rotation. This intermediate component simplifies the overall mechanism by providing a fixed reference frame and structural support, reducing the complexity of mounting and controlling the shielding member.
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 efficient selection of X-ray energy levels, enhancing imaging quality without increasing the system's size or altering existing designs, allowing for direct integration into existing inspection systems with reduced complexity.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a cylindrical shielding member made of high-Z materials like tungsten, allowing high-energy X-rays to penetrate while blocking low-energy X-rays
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a ray filter (10). The ray filter is arranged in front of an X-ray source and is switchable between a first state where the ray filter is configured to allow the high-energy X-rays and the low-energy X-rays to pass therethrough and a second state where the ray filter is configured to only allow the high-energy X-rays to pass therethrough. The present disclosure further provides a dual-energy X ray inspection system comprising a dual-energy X-ray source and the ray filter. The ray filter of the present disclosure has a small volume, a simple configuration, and is easily applicable to the dual-energy X ray inspection system without changing arrangement of the inspection system.