EP2276605A1

EP2276605A1 - Beam protecting element, beam protecting arrangement and method

Info

Publication number: EP2276605A1
Application number: EP09727748A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Trautmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-02
Filing date: 2009-04-01
Publication date: 2011-01-26
Also published as: WO2009121907A1; DE102008016856B4; DE102008016856A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a beam protecting element, a beam protecting arrangement and a beam protecting method for providing protection from the emission of beams from a space, in particular for providing protection from laser beams emitted from a space. The beam protecting elements comprise a chamber (I2; I2'''; I2''''), which is surrounded on all sides by a wall (W2; W2', W2''; W2'''; W2'''') that can be perforated by the beams (ST'). A recording device (S1-S4; SP; S1a-S4a) is provided in the chamber (I2; I2'''; I2'''') for recording a change in a physical variable (STR; P'; SP) in the chamber (I2; I2'''; I2'''') that is obtained after a perforation (P) of the wall (W2; W2', W2''; W2'''; W2'''') by the beams (ST') and for producing a corresponding output signal (L1-L4; LSP; L1a-L4a) that is available for initiating a protective measure outside the chamber (I2; I2'''; I2''''). The physical variable (STR; P'; SP) is different from the beams (ST').

Description

Radiation protection element, radiation protection arrangement and method

The present invention relates to a radiation protection element, a radiation protection arrangement and a radiation protection method for protection against the escape of rays from a room, in particular for protection against escaping from a room laser beams.

Without limiting its general utility, the present invention and its underlying problem with laser devices will be explained.

8 is a schematic representation of a radiation protection arrangement known from DE 10 2006 026 555 A1.

In Fig. 8, reference numerals 14a, 15a, 16a designate different radiation sources within a partial volume of a two-wall protection wall having an inner wall member 11 and an outer wall member 12 arranged such that the emitted radiation is applied to various opposed sensors 14b, 15b, 16b meets.

According to the teaching of DE 10 2006 026 555 A1, a specific modulation pattern is generated within the sub-volume in the absence of interfering laser radiation. Penetrating after destruction of the inner wall element 11 interfering laser radiation 13 in the sub-volume, the modulation pattern is allegedly disturbed detectable, so that when an electronic detection of the disturbance emergency stop the laser system can be triggered. How exactly the disturbance of the modulation field and its detection look is not disclosed in DE 10 2006 026 555 A1.

EP 0 912 858 B1 discloses a wall element for a protective device surrounding a working or effective area. gene laser beams of a laser source, which is multi-layered.

The radiation protection element according to the invention according to claim 1, the radiation protection arrangement according to the invention according to claim 14 and the radiation protection method according to claim 19 have the advantage that they only require a passive outer protective wall, wherein the active inner protective wall can be made very compact. By a mosaic composition of the radiation protection elements, any forms of protective coverings can be realized.

Advantageously, according to the invention, in contrast to known solutions, the incident interfering radiation in the active inner wall is not detected, but the change of a physical quantity, which is different from the interfering rays or does not correlate with the rays. In this respect, it is an indirect proof of the disturbing rays in the radiation protection elements.

The invention is thus completely independent of the wavelength of the harmful interfering rays. The radiation protection elements can thus be used inter alia for all types of laser or other types of radiation.

The idea underlying the present invention consists in a continuous check of the mechanical integrity of a plurality of radiation protection elements, which are provided on the inside of the passive inner protective wall, preferably completely and form-fitting area-wide. A protective measure can be initiated immediately if the integrity of the internal radiation protection elements is no longer present. The injury of the radiation protection elements can be caused by mechanical damage induced by the radiation source, but also by other mechanical damage (eg damage by robots or the like). be called. The spectral range of the radiation source is irrelevant in the radiation protection arrangement according to the invention, since the physical quantity, whose change is detected in the chamber of the radiation protection element, is different from the rays or does not correlate with the rays.

The active inner protective wall formed by the radiation protection elements on the inside of the passive outer protective wall serves only to generate an output signal within a certain short reaction time, in response to which a control device triggers a protective measure, for example switching off the radiation source.

According to the requirements of the life of the passive outer wall are thus reduced. It is anticipated that the interfering damaging radiation may and may strike the passive outer wall, but that the radiation protection assembly will shut off before the passive outer wall is breached.

Therefore, the passive outer protective wall is preferably to be designed such that it can withstand the direct exposure to damaging radiation or other mechanical influences, such as by robots, for a certain time interval (cf. DIN clearance EN, gap 60825: 1-4), which is longer than a reaction time or response time to trigger the protective measure.

In addition to the multi-chamber system described in EP 0 912 858 Bl, simple wall systems made of polycarbonate or Perspex (trade name Plexiglas or Lexan) for the passive outer protective wall can also be used in the present invention. These are preferably filled with refractory material, which has a good temperature interaction with high heat conduction. Such materials are usually ceramics, z. Clays with high Al ₂ O ₃ and glass contents, or metallic see materials in plates, z. As aluminum, copper or steel, or a sandwich of various of these materials. The thickness of the passive outer protective wall and in particular their production costs can be reduced by the use of these materials, since a longer service life is achieved with less material use.

In the dependent claims are advantageous developments and improvements of the respective subject of the invention.

According to a preferred development, the detection device has one or more radiation sensors which are set up to detect a change in intensity of reference beams which can be generated in the space by a reference radiation source.

According to a further preferred development, a reflection coating for reflecting the reference beams is provided on the inside of the perforable wall.

According to a further preferred development, the wall in the unperforated state is radiation-tight with respect to the reference beams.

According to a further preferred development, the reference radiation is broadband light.

According to a further preferred development, the detection device has one or more pressure sensors, which are set up to detect a change in pressure in the chamber, wherein the pressure change can be triggered by perforating a reference chamber under overpressure by the rays penetrating into the chamber. According to a further preferred development, the perforable wall has one or more pressure equalization holes. This allows an abrupt pressure reduction.

According to a further preferred development, the detection device has one or more strain sensors, which are set up to detect a change in strain of a clamped membrane located in the chamber, wherein the strain change can be triggered by perforating the membrane by the rays penetrating into the chamber.

According to a further preferred development, an absorption coating for absorbing the rays is provided on the outside of the perforable wall.

According to a further preferred development, the perforable wall consists of a film-like material, in particular a plastic material.

According to a further preferred development, the perforable wall has a flat polyhedral shape with a substantially mutually parallel arranged front and back and corresponding edges.

According to a further preferred development, the output signal is available on the rear side. Thus, for example, a Kabelverlegung between passive and active protection wall done.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the edges are inclined or stepped. Providing the radiation protection elements with inclined or stepped edges enables an overlapping form-fitting arrangement, by means of which it can be ensured that the inner active protective wall consisting of the radiation protection elements does not escape from the radiation can be bypassed, so the radiation perforated at least one radiation protection element.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description.

Show it:

1 a is a schematic cross-sectional view of a radiation protection arrangement consisting of a plurality of radiation protection elements according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1b shows a plan view of a wall of the radiation protection arrangement according to FIG. 1; FIG.

2a-c schematic representations of a radiation protection element according to the first embodiment of the present invention, namely FIG. 2a in cross section QS, FIG. 2b in rear view and FIG. 2c in front view;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical connection of the radiation protection elements of the first embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a schematic representation of a radiation protection element according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a schematic representation of a radiation protection element according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 6a-c are schematic representations of a radiation protection element according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, namely FIG. 6a in cross-section QS, FIG. 6b in rear view, and FIG. 6c in front view;

7a-c show schematic illustrations of a radiation protection element according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, namely FIG. 7a in cross section QS, FIG. 7b in rear view, and FIG. 7c in front view; and

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of one of the

DE 10 2006 026 555 Al known Strahlenschutzan- order.

In the figures, the same reference numerals designate the same or functionally identical components.

1 a is a schematic cross-sectional view of a radiation protection arrangement consisting of a plurality of radiation protection elements according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 b is a plan view of a wall of the radiation protection arrangement according to FIG. 1.

In Fig. Ia, reference character R describes a space in which a workpiece W is processed with a laser radiation source L by laser beams ST. The space R is surrounded on all sides by a passive outer protective wall 5, which consists of a clay ceramic in this example. The thickness of the outer passive wall 5 is for example 10 cm. On the inside of the passive outer protective wall 5 glued by an adhesive layer 35 is a plurality of radiation protection elements El, E2, E3, E4, ..., El6, which have the shape of flat cubes and form an active inner wall 3. In other words, the front and the back of the rays are Protective elements El to El6 much larger than their edge surfaces. The Strahlenschutzelernente El to E16 are, as shown in Fig. Ib for the wall 31, adhered gapless and positive fit. In an analogous manner, the radiation protection elements on the other three walls 32, 33 and 34 are provided.

As can be seen from FIG. 1 a, it is possible for the laser beams ST, which are to be directed onto the workpiece W, to be jettisoned by the laser radiation source L as jets ST ¹ onto a radiation protection element, here for example radiation protection element E 2, on the inner side active wall 3 are directed, so that the radiation protection element undergoes a perforation P on its inside.

In Fig. Ia, reference numeral SE further denotes a reference radiation source which emits beams STR of broadband visible light. The radiation protection elements E1 to E16 in the first embodiment of the present invention are designed such that in the absence of the perforation, as in the intact state, no rays STR of the reference radiation source SE penetrate into the radiation protection elements.

If, on the other hand, the perforation P of a radiation protection element, in this case the radiation protection element E2, is present in the event of a fault, then the rays STR of the reference radiation source penetrate into the interior of the relevant radiation protection element, in this case E2, and trigger a light detection there, which switches off immediately the laser radiation source L leads as a protective measure. Purely geometrically, it should be noted that the radiation protection elements may have a much smaller thickness, for example, only a few centimeters, as the passive outer protective wall. 5 The structure of the radiation protection elements according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be explained below with reference to Figs. 2a to c which are schematic diagrams of a radiation protection element according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2a in cross-section QS (see Figs Ia), Fig. 2b in rear view and Fig. 2c in front view.

According to FIG. 2 a, the radiation protection element E 2 in FIG. 1 a, b has an inner chamber 12, which is surrounded on all sides by a wall W 2 which can be perforated by the rays ST of the laser radiation source L. For example, the wall material is a thin plastic film which is dimensionally stable in such a way that the radiation protection elements E1 to E16 can maintain their flat cubic shape before and after mounting on the passive outer protective wall 5.

Provided in the chamber 12 are four radiation sensors S1, S2, S3, S4, which are set up to detect a change in intensity of the reference beams STR, in this case light beams, of the reference radiation source SE when a perforation P occurs in the wall W2.

In order to increase the impact probability of the reference beams STR on the radiation sensors Sl to S4, the inside of the wall W2 is provided with a reflection coating, for example of silver. As can be seen from FIG. 2b, corresponding lines L1 to L4 are connected to the radiation sensors S1 to S4, which are led through the rear side RS of the radiation protection element E2 through light-tight feedthroughs D1-D4 to the outside of the chamber 12. Although the lines Ll to L4 are drawn in Fig. 2b as a single lines, these lines can of course be provided as a ribbon cable o. Ä. As shown in FIG. 2c, the radiation protection elements El-Elβ are provided on all sides or at least on their front side VS with an absorption coating AB, which ensures that interfering rays ST 'of the laser radiation source L cause immediate immediate destruction of the wall W2 virtually without any Delay to minimize the trip time. The absorption coating AB may be, for example, a black color, which prevents the rays ST ^{1 from being} unnecessarily scattered back into the space R.

Still referring to FIG. 1a, the reference radiation source SE provides a signal SEC in the event of inoperability of the reference radiation source SE, e.g. via a line, not shown.

In addition, a transmission sensor TR is also provided, which checks the atmosphere in the space R for its transmissivity in light and supplies a malfunction signal SET, e.g. via a line, not shown, if the light transmissivity delivers below a predetermined value, thus making reaching the radiation protection elements El to El6 impossible by the reference beams STR of the reference radiation source SE. Such inoperability due to lack of transmissivity in the room R can occur, for example, in case of fire or high smoke.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical connection of the radiation protection elements of the first embodiment of the present invention.

In Fig. 3, reference numeral ECU designates a control means which receives the output signals on the lines Ll to L4 of the radiation protection elements El to Elβ, ... of Fig. 1. Furthermore, the control device ECU receives the radio incapaci- tation signal SEC of the reference voltage source SE and the malfunction signal SET of the transmission sensor TR.

By comparing these signals L1 to L4,..., SET, SEC with corresponding desired levels, the control unit ECU generates a signal SIG for switching off the laser radiation source L if it can be deduced from these signals that a radiation protection element is perforated Abnormality of the reference radiation source SE or a transmission incapacity of the space R is present.

4 is a schematic representation of a radiation protection element according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, two radiation are protection elements El ', E2' are shown which have in contrast to the radiation protection elements El, E2 shown in FIG. 1 inclined edges ¹ Pl, P2 '. In this way, it can be ensured that the interfering radiation SE ¹ can not bypass the radiation protection elements El ¹ , E 2 'by an intervening gap and perforate at least one wall W 1', W 2 'of the two road protection elements El', E 2 ' got to .

5 is a schematic representation of a radiation protection element according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the third embodiment according to FIG. 5, two radiation protection elements El '', E2 '' are shown, which have walls Wl ¹ 'or W2''to be perforated, wherein the edges Pl'',P2''are stepped, can achieve the same effect as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4th It should be noted that, in addition to the gradation shown in FIG. 5, a groove-shaped stepping or multiple groove-shaped or multi-stepped stepping or the like can be provided to ensure a joint tightness.

6a-c are schematic representations of a radiation protection element according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, namely FIG. 6a in cross section QS, FIG. 6b in rear view and FIG. 6c in front view.

6, reference symbol E2 '''designates a radiation protection element which has a wall W2''in which pressure equalization openings O1 to O18 are provided, in the chamber 12''' of the radiation protection element E2 '' a pressure sensor SP is provided. which detects a pressure P ¹ in the chamber 12 '''and supplies a corresponding pressure signal via a line LSP to the outside of the chamber 12''' on its rear side RS "'. Within the chamber 12''' there is a reference chamber AI, in which an overpressure P prevails, for example in the form of an airbag.

This airbag AI may contain air or inert gas under pressure P and be made of an elastic material. It can be perforated by penetrating the radiation ST 'into the chamber 12' ", after which an abrupt pressure change occurs, which can be detected by the pressure sensor SP and can be supplied as an output signal LSP to the control device ECU, which analogously to the description in FIG 3 initiates a corresponding protective measure via the signal SIG, for example switching off the laser radiation device L.

The pressure equalization holes Ol to 018 ensure that this pressure change can occur quickly and without delay, so that the reaction time is low. 7a-c are schematic representations of a radiation protection element according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, namely FIG. 7a in cross-section QS, FIG. 7b in rear view, and FIG. 7c in front view.

In the fifth embodiment according to FIGS. 7a to c, reference symbol E2 "'designates a radiation protection element with a wall W2""which encloses a chamber 12"' on all sides. About clamps Vl, V2, V3, V4 clamped in the chamber 12 ¹ ^ 'is a membrane MB, which is under a voltage SP. In connection with the surface of the membrane SP, expansion sensors SIa to S4a are provided, which are arranged to detect a change in the strain of the clamped membrane MB, which is triggered by perforating the membrane MB by the rays ST 'penetrating into the chamber 12''''. Corresponding signal lines Lla to L4a are led to passages Dia to D4a on the rear side RS '''' of the radiation protection element E2 '''', from where they can be passed to the control device ECU analogous to the description of FIG.

It should be noted that the membrane MB may be made of plastic or glass or other material that is easily destroyed by the penetrating interfering radiation ST '.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but variously modifiable.

It should be mentioned in this context that the shape of the radiation protection elements is chosen only by way of example and can be varied in various ways, for. B. honeycomb, triangular, trapezoidal, etc. Also, the materials listed are chosen only by way of example. The inner active wall was described in the above examples as complete and area-covering. Of course, it is possible with limited freedom of movement of the radiation source to restrict this active inner wall to only the vulnerable areas.

Although the above examples have been described in relation to laser beams, they are in principle also applicable to other beams, such as e.g. As particle beams or electron beams, etc. applicable.

Claims

PATENT = JNTSPRÜCHE

Radiation protection element for protection against the escape of radiation (ST ') of a radiation source (L), in particular a laser radiation source, from a space (R) with:

a chamber (12; 12 '''; 12 ^{1 1 1 1} J, which on all sides of one (by the rays ST' perforable) wall (W2; W2 ', W2', W2 ')'^'■' W2 ^■ ' is surrounded;

a detection device (S1-S4; SP; Sla-S4a) provided in the chamber (12; 12 ''';12' ^{1 1 1} J) for detecting a change in a physical quantity (STR; P "; SP) in the chamber (FIG. 12; 12 "'; 12 ^{1 1 1 1} J, which after a perforation (Pj of the wall (W2; W2 ^■ , W2 ^■ '; W2 '''; W2 ^■ ''') through the beams (ST ') and for generating a corresponding output signal (L1-L4; LSP; Lla-L4a) available for initiating a protection measure outside the chamber (12; 12 ''';12'''');

where the physical quantity (STR; P '; SP) is different from the rays (ST ¹ J).

2. Radiation protection element according to claim 1, wherein the detection device (S1-S4; SP; Sla-S4a) comprises one or more radiation sensors (S1-S4), which are arranged to detect a change in intensity of reference beams (STR), which in the Space (R) of a reference radiation source (SE) can be generated.

3. Radiation protection element according to claim 2, wherein on the inside of the perforable wall (W2; W2 ', W2' '; W2' '';

W2 ^{1 1 1 1} J a reflection coating (RBJ for reflecting the reference beams (STR) is provided.

4. Radiation protection element according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the wall {W2; W2 ', W2 "; W2' ''; W2" ") in the unperforated state is radiation-tight with respect to the reference beams (STR).

5. Radiation protection element according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the reference radiation (STR) is broadband light.

A radiation protection element according to claim 1, wherein the detection means (S1-S4; SP; Sla-S4a) comprises one or more pressure sensors (SP) adapted to detect a pressure change in the chamber (12; 12 ''; 12 '' '' ), and wherein the pressure change can be triggered by perforating a reference chamber (AI) under positive pressure (P) through the beams (ST ') penetrating into the chamber (12; 12' ''; 12 '' '').

The radiation protection element of claim 1, wherein the perforable wall (W2; W2 ', w2 ", W2' '', W2 '' ') has one or more pressure equalization holes (01-018).

8. Radiation protection element according to claim 1, wherein the detection device (S1-S4; SP; Sla-S4a) has one or more strain sensors (Sla-S4a) which are adapted to detect a strain change in one of the chambers (12; 12 '''). 12 ''''), and wherein the change in strain is achieved by perforating the membrane (MB) through the rays (ST) entering the chamber (12; 12 ''';12'''') ¹ ) can be triggered.

9. Radiation protection element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the outside of the perforable wall (W2, W2 ', W2'',W2''', W2 '''') an absorption coating (AB) for absorbing the rays (ST ¹ ) is provided.

10. Radiation protection element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the perforable wall (W2; W2 ', W2 ", W2'''; W2 '''') consists of a film-like material, in particular a plastic material.

Radiation protection element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the perforable wall (W2, W2 ', W2 ", W2"', W2 "") has a flat polyhedral shape with a front face (VS, VS '''; VS "") and back (RS; RS ¹ ";RS"") and corresponding edges (Pl', P2 '; Pl ^{1 1} , P2").

A radiation protection element according to claim 11, wherein the output signal (L1-L4; LSP; Lla-L4a) is available at the back side (RS; RS "¹;RS"").

13. Radiation protection element according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the edges (Pl ', P2', Pl ", P2") are inclined or stepped.

14. Radiation protection arrangement for protection against the escape of radiation (ST ¹ ) of a radiation source (L), in particular a laser radiation source, from a room (R) with:

a passive bulkhead (5) surrounding the space (R);

a plurality of radiation protection elements (El-El6) according to one of the preceding claims, which are arranged on the inside of the passive protective wall (5); and

a control device (ECU) which is set up in response to the output signals (L1-L4; LSP; Lla-L4a) of the plurality of radiation protection elements (E1-E16) to trigger the protective measure.

15. Radiation protection arrangement according to claim 14, wherein in the room (R) a monitoring device (TR) for monitoring a malfunction of the radiation protection elements (El-Elβ) and for providing a corresponding inoperability Signal (SEC; SET) is provided, and wherein the control device (ECU) is arranged to trigger the protective measure in response to the function insufficiency signal (SEC; SET).

16. Radiation protection arrangement according to claim 14 or 15, wherein a response time for triggering the protective measure is substantially less than a holding time of the passive protective wall (5) for the beams (ST ¹ ).

17. Radiation protection arrangement according to claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the protective measure is a switching off of the radiation source

(L).

18. Radiation protection arrangement according to one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the radiation protection elements (El-Elβ) are arranged without gaps and positively on the inside of the passive protective wall (5).

19. Radiation protection method for protection against the escape of radiation (ST ') of a radiation source (L), in particular a laser radiation source, from a room (R) comprising the steps:

Providing a passive bulkhead (5) surrounding the space (R);

Mounting a plurality of radiation protection elements (E1-E16) according to one of claims 1 to 13 on the inside of the passive protective wall (5);

Triggering a protective measure in response to the output signals (L1-L4; LSP; Lla-L4a) of the plurality of radiation protection elements (E1-E16).

20. Radiation protection method according to claim 19, wherein the radiation protection elements (E1-E16) are glued to the inside of the passive protective wall (5).