Composite X-Ray Shielding Shell With Oil Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray radiating units face challenges in reducing background radiation while minimizing weight and size, due to the inefficiency of traditional radiation shielding materials and the insufficient cooling of X-ray tubes.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray radiating unit is designed with a radiation shielding shell made of nonconducting composite material, including finely dispersed powder of high-density and high-Z materials like tungsten, bound by polyester or epoxy resin, along with a cooler system using transformer oil and an oil pump for efficient heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If lead plates are used for radiation shielding, then radiation background is reduced, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material consisting of tungsten powder dispersed in a polymer matrix (epoxy or polyester resin) to create a radiation shielding shell. This composite provides effective X-ray absorption while being significantly lighter than solid lead plates, directly resolving the contradiction between radiation shielding effectiveness and weight reduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conductive materials are used for shielding, then radiation shielding is effective, but electrical breakdown occurs between electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer matrix (epoxy or polyester resin) provides electrical insulation preventing breakdown between electrodes, while the dispersed tungsten powder particles provide radiation shielding. This composite structure simultaneously achieves both electrical insulation and radiation protection without the electrical breakdown problems associated with conductive shielding materials.
3Reliability
If non-metal materials are used for radiation shielding, then electrical breakdown is prevented, but X-ray absorption is weak
Solution Approach 1:
The composite combines the electrical insulation properties of the polymer matrix with the high X-ray absorption capability of tungsten powder particles. The tungsten particles provide strong attenuation of X-rays while the polymer binder maintains electrical insulation, achieving both goals that neither material could accomplish alone.
4Reliability
If transformer oil is used for cooling, then electrical breakdown protection is provided, but thermal conductivity is insufficient for efficient cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cooling channels with enhanced thermal conductivity specifically at the anode region where heat generation is most intense. These localized high-conductivity pathways efficiently conduct heat away from the critical anode area, providing targeted cooling where it is most needed while maintaining the electrical insulation properties of transformer oil in other regions.
5Temperature
If forced oil circulation is implemented, then cooling efficiency is improved, but X-ray absorption and scattering increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are strategically positioned and designed to provide efficient heat removal from the anode region while minimizing the volume of transformer oil in the direct path of the X-ray beam. This localized cooling approach achieves effective temperature control while reducing X-ray absorption and scattering effects in the output direction.
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
This design effectively reduces background radiation by using high-absorption non-conductive composite materials for shielding and enhances cooling efficiency through forced oil circulation, thereby minimizing weight and size while maintaining effective X-ray output.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation shielding shell with collimator that embodies an X-ray tube... the radiation shielding shell comprises nonconducting composite material... finely dispersed powder of high dense and high Z material, for example, but not limited to, tungsten
Implementation Method 2
an oil filled tank that encases a radiation shielding shell and a cooler system... provides heat dissipation... an oil thermal conductivity is insufficient for efficient anode area cooling, so a forced oil circulation is necessary
Implementation Method 3
a forced oil circulation is necessary... cooler system including oil pomp, oil input and output tubes
Implementation Method 4
Transformer oil plays two roles: protect from electrical breakdowns inside X-ray radiation source and provides heat dissipation
Implementation Method 5
Transformer oil partly absorbs and provoke a scattering of X-rays emitting from X-ray tube... finely dispersed powder of high dense and high Z material
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray source includes an X-ray tube; a radiation shielding shell enclosing the X-ray tube, the radiation shielding shell including a collimator formed integrally with it, wherein the radiation shielding shell comprises finely dispersed powder, polyester or epoxy resin and hardener; a cooler system providing oil to the X-ray tube; and an oil filled tank supplying the oil to the cooler system. There is a central shielding element shaped as a cylinder inside the radiation shielding shell and one or more end shielding elements around the X-ray tube. The central and end shielding elements are made of lead.