X-ray Defectoscope for Protective Clothing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting defects in X-ray protective clothing are inadequate, often missing small damaged areas and providing unreliable measurements due to limitations in ionization chamber technology and scanning geometries, which can lead to significant radiation exposure during procedures like X-ray angiography.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a dual-energy linear array detector X-ray defectoscope that scans protective clothing items with a fan beam, calculates lead equivalent thickness, and displays images highlighting defective areas, allowing for comprehensive and precise detection of damages across large surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ionization chamber methods are used to scan protective clothing, then the measurement setup is simple, but the detection reliability is low and small damaged areas are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The protective clothing item is divided into multiple scanning areas that are scanned sequentially. The linear detector array divides the measurement field into multiple pixel elements, each independently measuring attenuation at its position. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of the entire garment surface while maintaining manageable system complexity through systematic scanning protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from point-by-point measurement to area-parallel measurement using a linear detector array with multiple pixels. This dimensional change from 1D scanning to 2D parallel detection significantly improves detection reliability by capturing multiple locations simultaneously, reducing the probability of missing defects while the conveyor belt adds temporal dimension for complete surface coverage.
2Reliability
If only small areas are scanned to reduce scanning time, then the scanning speed is fast, but the coverage is insufficient and defects are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt enables continuous scanning of the protective clothing item as it moves through the measurement zone. The scanning process operates continuously rather than in discrete steps, with the linear detector array continuously measuring attenuation across the garment surface. This continuous action ensures complete coverage without gaps while maintaining high productivity through uninterrupted measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning and alignment of the protective clothing item on the conveyor belt before scanning begins. The scanning protocol is pre-programmed to cover the entire expected surface area, and the linear detector array is pre-calibrated to ensure all measurement points are captured. This preliminary preparation enables comprehensive coverage without sacrificing scanning speed during the actual measurement process.
3Measurement precision
If the radiation source is positioned close to the scanned object to improve measurement intensity, then the measurement signal is strong, but the angular divergence of incident radiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linear detector array provides localized measurement at multiple positions across the garment surface simultaneously. Each pixel element measures attenuation for its specific location, allowing the system to tolerate some angular divergence at individual measurement points while maintaining overall measurement precision through the collective data from all pixels. The local quality of each measurement compensates for the global challenge of radiation divergence.
4Weight of moving object
If lead-free or low-lead materials are used in protective clothing to reduce weight, then the clothing weight decreases, but the material homogeneity and attenuation properties become more variable
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces physical inspection methods with X-ray attenuation measurement to assess protective clothing properties. By measuring the actual attenuation at multiple locations across the garment, the system can detect variations in material composition and thickness that affect protective performance. This substitution of measurement methodology enables reliable quality assessment of lightweight materials with variable composition, compensating for their inherent heterogeneity through comprehensive spatial sampling.
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 enables 100% reliable detection of both minor and major damages, reducing radiation exposure by scanning entire surfaces and providing precise data on lead equivalent thickness and material homogeneity, thus enhancing the safety and effectiveness of X-ray protective clothing.
Implementation Method 1
measuring energy of the X-rays that pass through the item using a linear detector
Data Source
AI summary
A method of detecting defects in protective clothing items includes positioning a protective clothing item in a scanner; moving the item through scanner while irradiating the item with X-rays; measuring energy of the X-rays that pass through the item using a linear detector as the item is being moved through the scanner; calculating a lead equivalent thickness of each pixel of the item based on the energy; identifying any areas of the item with defects; and displaying an image of the item with the identified areas highlighted. Optionally, a conveyor belt and clamping wheels are used to move the item. Different colors are used to indicate different lead equivalent thickness on the image. Optionally, the method includes dividing the image into separate windows of 10x10 pixels, corresponding to areas of up to 15x15 mm, and calculating arithmetic mean of the lead equivalent thickness for the item and for each area.