Tungsten-Polymer Collimator Shielding for Complex Geometries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional radiation shielding materials like lead lack structural strength and rigidity, leading to degradation over time and inefficiencies in forming complex geometries, while conventional methods for tungsten-based shielding are time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A tungsten-polymer blend with 20% to 60% tungsten by volume, formed via additive fabrication, allowing for the creation of a single continuous shape with complex geometries and features like through holes, grooves, or flaps, which is malleable and rapidly solidifies for structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If lead is used for radiation shielding, then radiation shielding effectiveness is improved, but structural strength and rigidity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining tungsten particles with a polymer matrix to create a radiation shielding element that achieves both high radiation shielding effectiveness and structural strength. The tungsten provides density for radiation attenuation while the polymer provides structural integrity and rigidity, resolving the contradiction between shielding effectiveness and structural strength that plagues pure lead shields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by using tungsten-polymer composites with controlled tungsten content (30-90% by weight) and specific polymer selections to optimize both radiation shielding properties and mechanical properties. This parameter adjustment allows the material to simultaneously achieve high density for radiation blocking and sufficient structural strength, unlike pure lead which lacks rigidity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional methods are used to form complex geometries, then radiation shielding effectiveness is maintained, but manufacturing time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using additive fabrication to deposit tungsten-polymer material layer by layer in precise locations according to digital models. This allows complex geometries with varying local densities and features (such as hollow chambers, varying wall thicknesses) to be manufactured efficiently, maintaining radiation shielding effectiveness where needed while reducing material usage and manufacturing time compared to conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical manufacturing methods (cutting, stamping, welding) with additive fabrication technology. This substitution enables complex geometries to be built directly from digital models without requiring multiple processing steps, tooling, or assembly operations, dramatically reducing manufacturing time and resource consumption while maintaining shielding effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional methods are used to form complex geometries, then radiation shielding effectiveness is maintained, but resource consumption and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses additive fabrication to place tungsten-polymer material only where needed for radiation shielding, creating complex geometries with optimized local material distribution. This eliminates the need for excessive material removal required by conventional methods, significantly reducing material waste while maintaining radiation shielding effectiveness in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces subtractive manufacturing methods (cutting, drilling, stamping) with additive fabrication. This substitution builds parts by adding material layer by layer according to digital models, eliminating the need to start with large blocks of material and remove excess, thereby dramatically reducing material waste and resource consumption while maintaining shielding effectiveness.
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 tungsten-polymer blend provides effective radiation shielding comparable to lead, with improved structural rigidity and reduced material usage, enabling complex geometries and reducing manufacturing time and waste.
Implementation Method 1
Lead is a highly effective shielding material due to its high density (e.g., relatively high atomic mass and small atomic radius), which absorbs and scatters various forms of electromagnetic radiation, including x-rays
Implementation Method 2
Lead is a highly effective shielding material due to its high density (e.g., relatively high atomic mass and small atomic radius), which absorbs and scatters various forms of electromagnetic radiation, including x-rays
Implementation Method 3
The tungsten polymer blend, formed as pellets, a filament, a powder, and so on, may be heated to a molten state to increase a malleability of the tungsten polymer blend and enable forming of complex geometries
Implementation Method 4
The formulation may further enable the tungsten polymer blend to rapidly (e.g., within 5 seconds) cool to a solid, non-molten state upon dispense by the additive fabrication tool, where the tungsten polymer blend in the solid state has a rigidity that enables building and retention of the geometry
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods and systems are provided for a radiation shielding element having a single continuous shape formed of a first wall and a second wall positioned at a non-zero angle relative to the first wall, the second wall continuous with the first wall along a first axis, and both of the first wall and the second wall comprised of a tungsten polymer blend, wherein tungsten is in an amount of 20% to 60% by volume with respect to polymer.