X-ray Shielding Curtains Synchronization for Leakage Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
X-ray inspection systems face issues with X-ray shielding at entrance and exit ports due to physical contact between objects and static vertical strips, leading to temporary reduction in shielding, potential object jamming, and difficulty in tracking objects during transport.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a transport apparatus with moving X-ray attenuating curtains that synchronize with the conveyor system, forming continuous shielding compartments around objects throughout the inspection process, and using coding on curtains to facilitate object retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static vertical strips of X-ray attenuating material are used at entrance and exit ports, then X-ray shielding is provided, but the shielding is temporarily reduced when objects physically contact and displace the strips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing static vertical strips with moving curtains that can dynamically adjust their position. The curtains are moved by curtain movers to follow the conveyor belt motion, maintaining continuous shielding coverage while allowing objects to pass through without physical contact or displacement issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the continuous shielding curtain into multiple sections that can be independently controlled by separate curtain movers. This segmentation allows each section to be positioned optimally to maintain shielding effectiveness while accommodating object transport through the loading and unloading regions.
2Reliability
If static vertical strips are used at entrance and exit ports, then X-ray shielding is maintained, but friction may cause objects to become jammed in the X-ray shielding tunnel
Solution Approach 1:
The moving curtains eliminate friction-based jamming by replacing static contact points with dynamically positioned shielding elements. The curtains move synchronously with the conveyor belt, preventing objects from becoming stuck while maintaining continuous X-ray shielding coverage throughout the transport process.
3Reliability
If static vertical strips are used, then X-ray shielding is provided, but it is difficult to ascertain when objects have reached the unloading location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by implementing a coding system on the curtains that visually indicates object location and inspection status. Different codes or color patterns on the curtains allow operators to easily ascertain when objects have reached the unloading location, improving information visibility without compromising shielding effectiveness.
4Reliability
If moving curtains are implemented to maintain continuous shielding, then X-ray leakage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curtain movers serve multiple functions: they position the shielding curtains to maintain X-ray coverage, they track object position for monitoring purposes, and they enable the coding system to indicate inspection status. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating multiple roles into single components.
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
Prevents X-ray leakage through entrance and exit ports, reduces object jamming, and allows for easy identification of inspected objects at unloading, ensuring continuous and efficient X-ray shielding during transport.
Implementation Method 1
a set of moving X-ray attenuating curtains, which moves in synchronization with the object, always blocks X-ray generated by an X-ray source at the X-ray inspection region from leaving the loading region and the unloading region
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A transport apparatus (114) of an X-ray inspection system (100) includes an inspection region (122) with an entrance (121) and an exit (123). The transport apparatus further includes a loading region (120) disposed at the entrance of the inspection region, the loading region. The loading region includes a first set of X-ray attenuating curtains (228, 230, 232, 234) and a first curtain mover (223), which moves the curtains of the first set of X-ray attenuating curtains into and out of the loading region between areas that support objects for inspection. The transport apparatus further includes a conveyor device (128) which moves an object for inspection residing in one of the areas from the loading region to the inspection region for inspection.