Abstract:
A radiation shielding system includes at a first shielding member and at least a second shielding member that is coupled to the first shielding member. Each of the first and second shielding member includes a moderator material. At least the first shielding member includes at least one locking member extending from a surface of a region where the at least one locking member is disposed. At least the second shielding member includes at least one recessed area on a side of the second shielding member corresponding to the side of the first shielding member. The second shielding member is coupled to the first shielding member by the recessed area receiving the locking member.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based on, and claims priority from, prior co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/128,091, filed on May 19, 2008, by inventor David L. FRANK, and entitled “MODULAR RADIATION SHIELD” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to the field of radiation shielding, and more particularly relates to modular radiation shielding systems. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Current shielding structures used for radiation/nuclear applications or general radiation and nuclear protection are generally constructed structures that are large and extremely heavy. These conventional shielding structures are difficult to transport and are typically permanent structures that require substantial installation time and costs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, a radiation shielding system is disclosed. The radiation shielding system comprises at a first shielding member and at least a second shielding member that is coupled to the first shielding member. Each of the first and second shielding member comprises a moderator material. At least the first shielding member comprises at least one locking member extending from a surface of a region where the at least one locking member is disposed. At least the second shielding member comprises at least one recessed area on a side of the second shielding member corresponding to the side of the first shielding member. The second shielding member is coupled to the first shielding member by the recessed area receiving the locking member. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment an interlocking radiation shield member is disclosed. The interlocking radiation shield member includes a moderator material. The radiation shield member also includes at least of one or more locking members extending from a surface of a region where the one or more locking members are disposed and at least one recessed adapted to receive a locking member of an interlocking radiation shield member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top-side view of an interlocking moderator member for creating a radiation shielding structure according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom-side view of the interlocking moderator member of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top-side view of another example of an interlocking moderator member for creating a radiation shielding structure according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a radiation shielding structure comprising interlocking moderator members according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of another radiation shielding structure comprising interlocking moderator members according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure and function. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. 
         [0013]    The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. 
         [0014]    The various embodiments of the present invention are advantageous provide many advantages over conventional radiation shielding systems. For example, the various embodiments of the present invention include a modular shielding system that is used to shield against radiation, nuclear and/or fissile materials, and/or systems that generate neutrons, gamma, beta, alpha, and or x-rays. The various embodiments enable enables the build-out of a shielding wall, multi-walled or multi-sided with ceiling or floor structure made out of individual interconnecting shielding modules. Another advantage is that solid shielding material(s) are used that are configured so that each module can interconnect to another module on any of the six sides of the shielding module. Yet another advantage is that at least some embodiments include hollowed shielding modules that can be filled with additional shielding material such as (but not limited to) boronated water. The modular shielding units allow for rapid deployment and scalability of a permanent or temporary shielding structure. The moderator structure can also be dismantled and relocated. The shield can also be designed to moderate neutrons to desired levels. 
         [0015]    Modular Radiation Shielding System 
         [0016]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , moderator interconnection modules  102 ,  104  herein referred to as “interlocking shielding units” (ISUs) are illustrated. These ISUs  102 ,  104  can be connected together to create shielding structures for neutrons, gamma, beta, alpha and or x-rays. The ISUs  102 ,  104  provide an ability to rapidly create a shielding structure for protection from radiation or fissile materials or systems that generate neutron, gamma, alpha beta, and/or x-rays. The ISUs  102 ,  104  can also be used to create a moderator system for fast neutrons; a re-locatable shielding or moderator system; and/or a rapid deployment shielding or moderator system. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, each ISU  102 ,  104  comprises a plurality of sides  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , the ISUs  102 ,  104  comprise six sides; however, any geometric configuration that allows the ISUs  102 ,  104  to be interconnected is also applicable to the various embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, an ISU  102 ,  104  comprises one or more interconnecting members  118 ,  120  that extend outward from the surface  122  of one or more sides  110  on which the members  118 ,  120  are disposed ( FIG. 1  shows only one side  110  comprising the interconnecting members  118  while  FIG. 3  shows interconnecting members  318  on a plurality of sides  306 ,  310 ). Each ISU  102 ,  104 , in one embodiment, also comprises recessed members  224  disposed one or more sides  206 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216  of the ISU, as shown in  FIG. 2 . These recessed areas  224  are configured to receive at least one interconnecting members  118 ,  120 . Once an interconnecting member  118 ,  120  is inserted into a corresponding recessed area  224  the interconnecting member  118 ,  120  is secured within the recessed area  224 . This allows for two or more ISUs  102 ,  104  to be coupled together in a secure and stable configuration while still allowing the blocks to be decoupled from one another. 
         [0018]    It should be noted that all ISUs  102 ,  104  are not required to comprise interconnecting members  118 ,  120  or recessed areas  224 . For example, some ISUs  102 ,  104  can be designated as base blocks or foundation blocks. Therefore, these ISUs generally do not require recessed areas  224  since they are disposed on the bottom of the structure. These ISUs, however, include interconnecting members  118 ,  120  to be inserted into the recessed areas  224  of the ISUs directly above or adjacent to the ISU. Additionally, the top most ISU, in some instances, do not require interconnecting members  118 ,  120  (at least on the top surface) since these ISU are disposed at the top most portion of the shielding system. However, these top most ISUs can include interconnecting members  118 ,  120  on the bottom  112 , and side surfaces  108 ,  114 ,  116 . 
         [0019]    It should also be noted that interconnecting members  118 ,  120  and recessed areas  224  can be disposed on the same side of the ISU. This configuration allows for an even more secure interconnection between ISUs. For example, the interconnecting members  118  of a first ISU  102  are inserted into the recessed areas  224  of a second ISU  104  while the interconnecting members  120  of the second ISU  104  are inserted into the recessed areas  224  of the first ISU  102 . 
         [0020]    The ISUs  102 ,  104 , in one embodiment, are deployed to create a shield structure  400 ,  500  of various configurations, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . These radiation shields can be used to shield various radiation such as (but not limited to) neutron particles, gamma particles, beta particles, alpha particles, and x-rays. Various nuclear, medical, scientific, etc. applications and devices can be shield from various radiation via the shield structure. 
         [0021]    As can be seen from  FIG. 5 , the shield is not limited to a single wall and can also include ISUs  102 ,  104  stacked on top of each other and adjacent to each other. The ISUs  102 ,  104  can be made to any size or shape such as (but not limited to) a rectangle. The ISU  102 ,  104 , in one embodiment, is constructed of a solid shielding material or can be made as a hollow unit that when interconnected creates an internal cavity to allow the addition of a liquid shield such as boronated water to be applied. It should be noted that in another embodiment, one or more sides  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  of two or more ISUs  102 ,  104  can included a recessed portion that creates a hollow area when the ISUs  102 ,  104  are interconnected. In other words, a hollow area is created between the two interconnected ISUs  102 ,  104 . 
         [0022]    Solid ISUs  102 ,  104  can be used to form a shield structure for nuclear applications. Each of the solid ISUs are interlocked together to form a solid shield structure. Another embodiment uses hollow ISU units with openings at each of the interconnecting blocks  102 ,  104 . This configuration forms a shield housing for liquid shielding materials such as bromated water to fill the formed cavity. This is especially useful for rapid re-locatable shielding structures. Another embodiment of uses the modular shielding structure as a neutron moderator to moderate the neutrons to a desired level based on the ISU design. 
         [0023]    Examples of shielding materials for neutron or fissile protection are typically materials that include low-Z elements such as water, soil, concrete, and polyethylene. Water can be combined with boron to increase effective shielding. One applicable material for the interlocking shielding unit is polyethylene, but other materials are applicable as well. One applicable added material to an ISU with a cavity is boronated water, but other added materials are applicable as well. Boron can be included as a neutron absorber in various materials. For example, borated graphite, a mixture of elemental boron and graphite can be used in fast-reactor shields. Boral, consisting of boron carbide (B 4 C) and aluminum, and epoxy resins and resin-impregnated wood laminates incorporating boron can be used for local shielding purposes. Boron can also be added to steel for shield structures to reduce secondary gamma ray production. 
         [0024]    Examples of shielding materials for gamma ray protection are as follows. Lead and other high-mass density materials are good shielding materials for gamma radiation. Gamma radiation is the same type of radiation as x-rays (called electromagnetic radiation); it may differ significantly in energy from some x-rays, but the same kinds of materials effective against x-rays are also good for gamma rays. 
         [0025]    An important properties of a material for shielding against x-rays and gamma rays is its electron density, and high-mass density. Materials such as lead have high electron densities. Such materials are also effective against some common particulate radiations, such as alpha particles and beta particles, although these particles are much more easily stopped by materials than are x-rays or gamma rays, and much smaller thicknesses of the materials are generally required. 
       Non-Limiting Examples 
       [0026]    Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.