Patent · US Expired

Irradiation facility control system

US6806476B2 · kind B2 · utility

17Cited by
10References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 21, 2002
Grant dateOct 19, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 21, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P70/10
  • WIPO fieldFood chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The instant invention is directed to an article irradiation facility that comprises, within a cell, an accelerator for generating a radiation beam and a beam pass conveyor. In order to better control the dose delivered to articles treated at the facility, the current of the radiation beam is slaved to the speed of the beam pass conveyor. The actual (versus requested) speed of the beam pass conveyor is continuously monitored using a variable frequency drive. The drive infers the speed of the beam pass conveyor from changes in the induction, resistance, flux current and/or inertia off the motor for the beam pass conveyor. The drive is positioned outside the cell and eliminates the need for speed sensors within the cell that are susceptible to radiation damage.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.