Conductive-Coated X-Ray Shielding Element for Oil and Flashover Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing X-ray shielding materials, such as lead substitutes, face challenges with oil-resistance, electrical conductivity, and ease of processing, leading to issues like static charge interference and high-voltage flashovers.

Innovation Solution

A shielding element with a base body composed of a composite material containing a high percentage of metal powder in a plastic matrix, coated with a conductive layer that forms a Faraday cage, ensuring oil-resistance, electrical conductivity, and safe discharge of high currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If lead substitutes are embedded in powder form in a radiation-resistant polymer matrix to create a composite material, then the composite material becomes easy to process and machine, but it loses oil-resistance and electrical conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of processingVSAvoidoil-resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding element is divided into two functional parts: a base body made of composite material (metal powder in polymer matrix) that provides X-ray absorption and ease of processing, and an outer conductive coating layer that provides oil-resistance and electrical conductivity. This segmentation allows each material to optimize its own properties without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a hierarchical composite structure: the base body is a composite of metal powder and polymer matrix, and the outer layer is a composite of conductive material (such as metal or conductive polymer) applied over the base body. This multi-level composite approach combines the advantages of different materials while mitigating their individual disadvantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If lead substitutes are embedded in powder form in a radiation-resistant polymer matrix to create a composite material, then the composite material becomes easy to process and machine, but it becomes electrically insulating or has only low electrical conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of processingVSAvoidelectrical conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding element is divided into two functional parts: a base body made of composite material (metal powder in polymer matrix) that provides X-ray absorption and ease of processing, and an outer conductive coating layer that provides oil-resistance and electrical conductivity. This segmentation allows each material to optimize its own properties without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a hierarchical composite structure: the base body is a composite of metal powder and polymer matrix, and the outer layer is a composite of conductive material (such as metal or conductive polymer) applied over the base body. This multi-level composite approach combines the advantages of different materials while mitigating their individual disadvantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a lead substitute is used that is not toxic, then health safety is improved, but the material becomes difficult or impossible to process mechanically

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetoxicityVSAvoidmachinability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state of the metal substitute from solid chunks to fine powder, and changes the form factor from solid material to composite material embedded in a polymer matrix. This parameter transformation makes non-toxic metals like tungsten easy to process and machine while maintaining their radiation shielding properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides a shielding element that mimics lead's X-ray absorption while being easy to process, maintain electrical potential, and safely dissipate high currents, making it a viable alternative for lead shielding.

Implementation Method 1

a powder of a metal is contained, by means of which the X-ray radiation can be absorbed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric absorption: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

the base body is coated by means of a closed layer of a conductive material, so that the base body is completely enclosed by the layer of conductive material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFaraday cage effect: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP4682907A1X-ray shielding element comprising a lead substitute
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
  • EP4682907A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4682907A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4682907A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A shielding element (5, 6) for shielding X-rays (3) has a base body (7). The base body (7) consists of a composite material containing a plastic (8) in which a metal powder (9) is contained, by means of which the X-rays (3) can be absorbed. The base body (7) is coated by a continuous layer (10) of a conductive material, such that the base body (7) is completely encased by the layer (10) of the conductive material.