US-12620503-B2 - Rolling radiation shield

US12620503B2US 12620503 B2US12620503 B2US 12620503B2US-12620503-B2

Abstract

A rolling radiation shield and related systems and methods for providing radiation shielding at an imaging machine are disclosed. An imaging device is located within a housing which also accommodates a conveyor for moving objects through the housing and within imaging distance of the imagining device. The rolling radiation shield is positioned at an entrance and/or exit to the housing, and may include one or more outer portions which contacts the conveyor to cause rotational movement of the rolling radiation shield when the conveyor is activated and an axle. At least one component of the rolling radiation shield comprises material which attenuates radiation from the imaging machine.

Inventors

Michael Evans
Steven Guindine
Alisher Khodjaniyazov
Gabriel Malestein
Christopher SISEMORE

Assignees

Mettler-Toledo, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20231006

Claims (20)

1 . A rolling radiation shield comprising: a first outer portion; a second outer portion spaced apart from the first outer portion, wherein each of the first and second outer portion have a circular shape for contacting a conveyor upon installation of the rolling radiation shield at an imaging machine such that movement of the conveyor causes rotational movement of the first and second outer portion; an axle connecting the first outer portion and the second outer portion for rotational movement therewith; and material configured to attenuate radiation attached to the axle for rotational movement therewith.
2 . The rolling radiation shield of claim 1 wherein: the material comprises flexible strips; the flexible strips are arranged in rows, each of which extends along a longitudinal axis of the axle; and said rows are spaced apart about a circumference of the axle.
3 . The rolling radiation shield of claim 2 further comprising: notches provided in the axle; common portions, each connecting the flexible strips of a respective one of the rows; and substrates, each connected to a respective one of the common portions of the respective one of the rows, where the substrates are each insertable into one of the notches of the axle to secure the flexible strips to the axle.
4 . The rolling radiation shield of claim 2 further comprising: a shaft extending through a hollow portion of the axle.
5 . The rolling radiation shield of claim 1 wherein: the material comprises a series of sheets spaced apart circumferentially at the axle and extending radially outward therefrom.
6 . A system for providing radiation shielding at an imaging machine, said system comprising: the imaging machine comprising a housing, an imaging device located within the housing which emits and detects radiation when activated, and a conveyor for moving objects through the housing and within imaging distance of the imagining device; and the rolling radiation shield of claim 1 positioned at an entrance or an exit to the housing: such that the first and second outer portion contact the conveyor.
7 . The system of claim 6 wherein: the material comprises flexible strips attached to the axle; the flexible strips are arranged in rows, each of which extends along a longitudinal axis of the axle; and said rows are spaced apart about a circumference of the axle.
8 . The system of claim 7 further comprising: notches provided in the axle; common portions, each connecting the flexible strips of a respective one of the rows; and substrates, each connected to a respective one of the common portions of the respective one of the rows, where the substrates are each insertable into one of the notches of the axle to secure the flexible strips to the axle.
9 . The system of claim 8 further comprising: first and second arms connected in a jointed fashion to the axle; and brackets fixed to an interior of the housing and connected to the first and second arms in a jointed fashion.
10 . The system of claim 9 wherein: the brackets are provided in two sets, wherein the brackets of each of the two sets are spaced apart vertically from one another at the interior of the housing to provide height adjustable installation.
11 . The system of claim 6 wherein: the radiation attenuating material comprises a series of sheets spaced apart circumferentially at the axle and extending radially outward therefrom.
12 . The system of claim 11 wherein: the series of sheets are arranged in pairs; and each of the sheets are secured within slots in the axle.
13 . A method for providing radiation shielding at an imaging machine, said method comprising: placing objects on a conveyor which extends through a housing of the imaging machine for an imaging device, where the rolling radiation shield of claim 1 is installed at an entrance or exit to the housing such that the first and second outer portion contact the conveyor; and activating the conveyor to move the objects into the housing for imaging by the imaging device, where activation of the conveyor causes rotational movement of the rolling radiation shield by way of the contact between the first and second outer portion and the conveyor.
14 . The method of claim 13 wherein: the material comprises flexible strips attached to the axle; the flexible strips are arranged in rows, each of which extends along a longitudinal axis of the axle; and said rows are spaced apart about a circumference of the axle.
15 . The method of claim 14 wherein: said rolling radiation shield is connected to in interior of said housing of said imaging machine by: first and second arms connected in a jointed fashion to the axle; and brackets fixed to the housing and connected to the first and second arms in a jointed fashion.
16 . The method of claim 15 wherein: said rolling radiation shield comprises: notches provided in the axle; common portions, each connecting the flexible strips of a respective one of the rows; and substrates, each connected to a respective one of the common portions of the respective one of the rows, where the substrates are each insertable into any one of notches of the axle to secure the flexible strips to the axle.
17 . The method of claim 13 wherein: the radiation attenuating material comprises a series of sheets spaced apart circumferentially at the axle and extending radially outward therefrom.
18 . The method of claim 17 wherein: the series of sheets are arranged in pairs.
19 . A rolling radiation shield comprising: a first outer portion; a second outer portion spaced apart from the first outer portion, wherein each of the first and second outer portion have a circular shape; an axle connecting the first outer portion and the second outer portion; and material configured to attenuate radiation attached to the axle, wherein the material comprises: flexible strips arranged in rows, each of which extends along a longitudinal axis of the axle, and said rows are spaced apart about a circumference of the axle; or a series of sheets spaced apart circumferentially at the axle and extending radially outward therefrom.
20 . A rolling radiation shield comprising: an axle; an inner portion having a cylindrical shape located about the axle; and an outer portion having a cylindrical shape located about the inner portion for contacting a conveyor upon installation of the rolling radiation shield at an imaging machine such that movement of the conveyor causes rotational movement of at least the outer portion, wherein the outer portion, or a space between the inner portion and the outer portion, comprises a material which attenuates radiation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is filed as original and therefore makes no priority claim. TECHNICAL FIELD Exemplary embodiments relate generally to a rolling radiation shield, such as for use with a conveyor, as well as systems and methods related to the same. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION X-rays are sometimes used to image objects. Generally, a conveyor is used to move objects through the x-ray machine to limit human exposure to radiation. Curtains are commonly used at the entrances to such x-ray machines, such as for radiation shielding. However, such curtains are not always suitable for various objects, including relatively small and/or lightweight objects. Such objects may have trouble passing through the curtains normally. Traditional curtains may cause products to get stuck or otherwise disturbed in position and/or orientation. This can lead to complications in imagining, handling or further processing (such as upon exit), sorting for acceptance/rejection, combinations thereof, or the like. Other known approaches to radiation shielding included extended guards, tunnels, or complex geometric features to block line of sight to primary x-ray beams. These known approaches, however, increase length of the machine and add significant cost and complexity, among other drawbacks. What is needed is a radiation shield for various objects, including but not necessarily to, relatively small and/or lightweight objects. A rolling radiation shield and related systems and methods are provided. This shielding approach is relatively cost effective, rugged, and/or capable of handling relatively small and/or lightweight objects, among other advantages. Such objects may include, for example without limitation, certain foodstuffs and/or pharmaceuticals (packaged or otherwise). The rolling radiation shield may be connected to an imaging machine, such as an x-ray machine, or other surface. The rolling radiation shield may cover some or all of an entrance and/or an exit to the imaging machine and may be configured for rotational movement with the conveyor belt, such as by frictional engagement with the same. In this fashion, rotation of the shield may be driven by movement of the conveyor belt. In other embodiments, the rolling radiation shield may be actively driven. The rolling radiation shield may comprise first and second outer portions, such as of generally circular shape which may contact and engage the conveyor to cause rotational movement of the shield with the conveyor. The outer portions may be spaced apart along an axle. The axle may be hollow to accommodate a shaft. Flexible strips may be connected to the axle to provide shielding. The flexible strips may comprise material which attenuates (e.g., at least partially absorbs, reflects, and/or otherwise at least partially blocks and/or weakens) radiation energy. The flexible strips may be provided in rows which are attached to the axle. Alternatively, or additionally, the flexible strips may comprise a common portion which connects each row. The common portions may each be connected to a substrate. The substrates may be insertable into notches within the axle to secure the material to the axle. In other exemplary embodiments, the rolling radiation shield comprises sheets extending radially from the axle between the first and second outer portions. The sheets may comprise material which attenuates radiation. The sheets may be provided in pairs. The axle may be connected to the imaging machine or other surface by arms and brackets, which may provide joints which permit vertical movement of the shield. A series of brackets may be provided for height adjustability. The brackets may be installed interior to the housing for the imaging system. In yet other exemplary embodiments, the rolling radiation shield may comprise an outer portion and an inner portion about the axle. The outer portion may be shaped as a hollow cylinder, and the inner portion may fill a space between the axle and the outer portion. One or both of the inner and outer portions may comprise material which attenuates radiation. While x-rays, x-ray machines, and conveyors are sometimes discussed, the present disclosures may be utilized with other types and kinds of imaging devices and/or movement imparting mechanisms. In exemplary embodiments, a rolling radiation shield includes a first outer portion and a second outer portion spaced apart from the first outer portion. Each of the first and second outer portion may have a circular shape. An axle connects the first outer portion and the second outer portion. Material which attenuates radiation is attached to the axle. The material may be provided as flexible strips, which may be arranged in rows, each of which may extend along a longitudinal axis of the axle. The rows may be spaced apart about a circumference of the axle. Notches may be provided in the axle. Common portions of the material may connect the flexible strips