X-ray Diffraction Imaging System Virtual Representation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing x-ray diffraction imaging (XDI) systems are often designed with either cost or space constraints in mind, leading to suboptimal design variables such as size and cost, which hampers their effectiveness in screening for concealed weapons and explosives.
Innovation Solution
A method for developing a virtual representation of an XDI system that optimizes geometrical factors by generating a symmetry axis, conical shape, and specifying parameters like vertex angle and intersection coordinates, allowing for the design of systems with a small detector and multiple radiation sources to reduce costs while maintaining effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the XDI system is designed based on pre-existing space constraints, then the system can be implemented in limited spaces, but the cost of the overall system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional 2D detector arrays to a 3D conical detector geometry with vertices positioned at specific coordinates. This three-dimensional arrangement allows the system to achieve optimal detection coverage within reduced spatial footprint, resolving the contradiction between compact size and manufacturing cost by utilizing spatial dimensionality efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a composite design combining multiple radiation sources with a conical detector array, where each component is optimized for its specific function. This composite architecture enables the system to maintain effectiveness while reducing overall size and cost by integrating multiple functional elements into a unified compact structure
2Ease of manufacture
If the XDI system is designed within certain cost restraints, then the system cost is reduced, but the space constraints of the system are de-emphasized
Solution Approach 1:
The detector system is segmented into multiple discrete detector vertices arranged conically around the symmetry axis. This segmentation allows for cost-effective manufacturing using standard detector components while achieving compact integration. The segmented approach enables flexible configuration that optimizes both cost and space utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtual representations and geometric modeling to design and optimize the XDI system configuration before physical implementation. By creating virtual models of the conical detector arrays and radiation source arrangements, the system can be optimized for minimal size and cost without requiring expensive iterative physical prototyping
3Device complexity
If the XDI system uses a single primary design factor, then the design process is simplified, but other design variables such as size constraint and cost are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs systematic variation of geometric parameters including vertex coordinates, cone angles, and source-detector distances to optimize multiple design variables simultaneously. By changing these parameters within defined ranges and evaluating their impact on both cost and size metrics, the design process achieves multi-objective optimization while maintaining manageable complexity through structured parameter exploration
Data Source
AI summary
A method for developing a virtual representation of an x-ray diffraction imaging system includes generating a symmetry axis, generating a conical shape having a base diameter, a vertex angle α, and a vertex point, locating the vertex point at an origin point on the symmetry axis, and extending a first line and a second line between the vertex point and the conical base such that the first line is separated an angle dφ from the second line in an azimuthal direction around the conical base.