Irradiation system with compact shield

• US 6,707,049 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2001
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitec Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mitec Incorporated
• Inventors: White, Douglas C., Dalziel, Brian T., Kewley, Janette J., Koenck, Steven E., Lyons, Stan V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, JOHNNIE L
• Application Number:
  US09/814,472
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 250/492.2, 250/492.3, 250/455.11, 250/453.11
• US Class Current: 250/453.11
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/26 by irradiation without heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/08 Radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1094 Shielding, protecting against radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 5/10 with provision for relative movement of beam source and object to be irradiated

Abstract

An irradiation system includes a radiation source providing radiation in a localized radiation exposure area and a shielding structure around the radiation source. A conveyance system transports product into the shielding structure, through the radiation exposure region and out of the shielding structure. The conveyance system includes an input portion for carrying the product into the shielding structure at a first elevation. A first elevator moves the product from the first elevation to a second elevation different from the first elevation. A processing portion of the conveyance system carries the product at the second elevation through the radiation exposure region. A second elevator moves the product from the second elevation to a third elevation different from the second elevation. An output portion of the conveyance system carries the product out of the shielding structure at the third elevation.

Claims

1. An irradiation system comprising:

a radiation source providing radiation in a localized radiation exposure area;

a shielding structure around the radiation source, the shielding structure being constructed from a plurality of interconnected structural components each comprising;

a tubular outer material layer defining an inner chamber therein; and

a shielding material in the inner chamber; and

a conveyance system for transporting product into the shielding structure, through the radiation exposure area and out of the shielding structure, the conveyance system comprising;

an input portion for carrying the product into the shielding structure at a first elevation;

a first elevator for moving the product from the first elevation to a second elevation different from the first elevation;

a processing portion for carrying the product at the second elevation through the radiation exposure area;

a second elevator for moving the product from the second elevation to a third elevation different from the second elevation; and

an output portion for carrying the product out of the shielding structure at the third elevation.

2. The irradiation system of claim 1, wherein the first elevation is the same as the third elevation.

3. The irradiation system of claim 1, wherein the shielding structure has a floor area of no greater than about 264 square feet.

4. The irradiation system of claim 1, wherein the tubular outer material layer of the interconnected structural components of the shielding structure is composed of steel.

5. The irradiation system of claim 1, wherein the shielding material of the interconnected structural components of the shielding structure is composed of lead.

6. The irradiation system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interconnected structural components includes a plurality of vertical layers, and wherein structural components in adjacent vertical layers are horizontally offset from one another.

7. The irradiation system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of structural components are interconnected by fasteners extending through at least a portion of adjacent structural components.

8. The irradiation system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of structural components has an intrinsic strength sufficient to support its own weight and the weight of an adjacent structural component.

9. An irradiation system comprising:

a radiation source providing radiation in a localized radiation exposure area;

a shielding structure around the radiation source; and

a conveyance system transporting product into the shielding structure, through the radiation exposure area and out of the shielding structure, the conveyance system comprising;

a first input portion for carrying the product into the shielding structure at a first elevation;

a second input portion for carrying the product into the shielding structure at the first elevation;

a first elevator for moving the product from the first input portion at the first elevation to a second elevation different from the first elevation;

a second elevator for moving the product from the second input portion at the first elevation to the second elevation;

a first transfer portion for controllably receiving the product from the first and second elevators at the second elevation;

a processing portion for carrying the product from the first transfer portion at the second elevation through the radiation exposure area;

a second transfer portion for receiving the product from the processing portion and controllably passing the product on at the second elevation;

a third elevator for moving the product controllably passed from the second transfer portion at the second elevation to a third elevation different from the second elevation;

a fourth elevator for moving the product controllably passed from the second transfer portion at the second elevation to the third elevation;

a first output portion for carrying the product from the third elevator out of the shielding structure at the third elevation; and

a second output portion for carrying the product from the fourth elevator out of the shielding structure at the third elevation.

10. The irradiation system of claim 9, wherein the first elevation is the same as the third elevation.

11. The irradiation system of claim 9, wherein the shielding structure has a floor area of no greater than about 494 square feet.

12. The irradiation system of claim 9, wherein the shielding structure is constructed from a plurality of interconnected structural components each comprising:

a tubular outer material layer defining an inner chamber therein; and

a shielding material in the inner chamber.

13. The irradiation system of claim 12, wherein the tubular outer material layer is composed of steel.

14. The irradiation system of claim 12, wherein the shielding material is composed of lead.

15. The irradiation system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of interconnected structural components includes a plurality of vertical layers, and wherein structural components in adjacent vertical layers are horizontally offset from one another.

16. The irradiation system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of structural components are interconnected by fasteners extending through at least a portion of adjacent structural components.

17. The irradiation system of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of structural components has an intrinsic strength sufficient to support its own weight and the weight of an adjacent structural component.

18. A shielding structure for at least partially surrounding a radiation-generating portion of an irradiation system, the shielding structure comprising:

a plurality of horizontally oriented structural components interconnected with one another; and

a plurality of vertically oriented structural components interconnected with one another and with the plurality of horizontally oriented structural components, wherein each of the horizontally oriented structural components and each of the vertically oriented structural components comprise;

a tubular outer material layer defining an inner chamber therein; and

a shielding material in the inner chamber.

19. The shielding structure of claim 18, wherein the tubular outer material layer of each of the horizontally oriented structural components and each of the vertically oriented structural components is composed of steel.

20. The shielding structure of claim 18, wherein the shielding material of each of the horizontally oriented structural components and each of the vertically oriented structural components is composed of lead.

21. The shielding structure of claim 18, wherein the plurality of horizontally oriented structural components includes a plurality of vertical layers, and wherein the horizontally oriented structural components in adjacent vertical layers are horizontally offset from one another.

22. The shielding structure of claim 18, wherein the plurality of horizontally oriented structural components and vertically oriented structural components are interconnected by fasteners extending through at least a portion of adjacent structural components.

23. The shielding structure of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of horizontally oriented structural components and vertically oriented structural components has an intrinsic strength sufficient to support its own weight and the weight of an adjacent structural component.