Article irradiation system shielding
First Claim
1. An irradiation system comprising:
- a radiation source arranged to emit a radiation beam along at least one beam path extending from the radiation source;
an inner shield disposed around the radiation source for attenuating radiation generated by the radiation source, the at least one beam path extending through at least one path aperture in the inner shield;
a first conveyor system for transporting articles through the beam path; and
an outer shield for attenuating radiation generated by the radiation source disposed around the inner shield and around at least a part of the first conveyor system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An article irradiation system is arranged into an upper level and a lower level. The upper level houses a radiation source used to generate beams of radiation for irradiating articles. The radiation source can emit multiple beams of radiation, for irradiating articles on the upper and the lower levels. The upper level has an upper level shield, arranged as an inner shield and an outer shield, for attenuating radiation generated by the radiation source. The lower level can be disposed below ground level, and a portion of the lower level is covered by the upper level shield, which reduces the shielding requirements for a ceiling of the lower level.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An irradiation system comprising:
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a radiation source arranged to emit a radiation beam along at least one beam path extending from the radiation source;
an inner shield disposed around the radiation source for attenuating radiation generated by the radiation source, the at least one beam path extending through at least one path aperture in the inner shield;
a first conveyor system for transporting articles through the beam path; and
an outer shield for attenuating radiation generated by the radiation source disposed around the inner shield and around at least a part of the first conveyor system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An irradiation system arranged in an upper level and a lower level, comprising:
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a radiation source in the upper level arranged to emit a radiation beam along a first beam path for irradiating articles on the upper level, and to emit radiation along a third beam path for irradiating articles on the lower level;
an upper level shield disposed around the radiation source for attenuating radiation generated by the radiation source;
a first conveyor system for transporting articles through the first beam path; and
a second conveyor system for transporting articles through the third beam path. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 23)
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- 21. The irradiation system of claim 198, wherein the third beam path intersects the second conveyor system at a location below an area surrounded by the upper level shield.
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24. A method of removing a radiation source from an irradiation system comprising a radiation source arranged to emit a radiation beam along a beam path, an inner shield disposed around the radiation source for attenuating radiation generated by the radiation source, and an outer shield disposed around the inner shield, the method comprising:
disconnecting a removable module of the outer shield from the outer shield;
disconnecting a removable module of the inner shield from the inner shield; and
removing the radiation source from the irradiation system through openings left by the removable modules.- View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
Specification